Editor for Life: Katherine Morton, Freelance Editor

A career as an editor is often a solo adventure, especially if you’re a freelancer. So, we thought one way to better connect with fellow editors was to ask them to submit their responses to a set of questions based on the Five Ws: who, what, where, when, and why. Read on for some thought-provoking, enlightening tidbits from those of us who choose to work with words to earn our keep.

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Please tell us a little about yourself, the kind of work you do (and where you live), and how long you’ve been an editor.

I’m originally from Mohkinstsis, which is also called Calgary – I’m a fifth-generation Albertan. I’m now based in Toronto, but I’m a bit of a digital nomad. I’ve lived in, worked in, or travelled to 72 countries (and counting!).

I’ve had several careers, all with some connection to writing and editing. Before becoming a freelance editor four years ago, I worked in the non-profit and humanitarian sectors, overseeing projects all over the world. In addition to other responsibilities, I oversaw the design and development of large funding proposals and reports. I’ve always been a stickler for clear language and structure, and I was a plain language proponent before I knew the term “plain language.”

I edit non-fiction material for corporations, government, non-profits, academics, and individuals. I have a lot of experience editing content for multilingual writers, bringing out their brilliance in English.

I also volunteer with Editors Canada as the chair of the training and development committee, which solicits, chooses, and runs training webinars. I get to work with a wonderful committee of volunteers and lots of great presenters (plus an awesome Editors Canada staff member).

Who: If you could edit one famous author, living or dead, who would it be?

I would be honoured to edit work by Roméo Dallaire. The content would be tough to read, but I admire his drive to share important, but often unpopular, information in the pursuit of peace and humanity.

What: What is the one thing that has helped you the most in your career as an editor?

Networking with other editors. My colleagues are knowledgeable, helpful, kind, and fun. I wouldn’t be where I am in my career without them. I’ve gotten to know a lot of fellow editors through hosting webinars, attending conferences, participating in online forums (like Facebook groups), and attending in-person dinners or book launches. Freelance editing can be a solo career, but I never feel alone with my network of amazing colleagues.

Where: If you could work anywhere in the world as an editor, where would that be?

Where wouldn’t I be? I love travelling, and my work is flexible enough that I can be almost anywhere and keep working. This past winter, my husband and I spent most of December and January in Thailand, where we both continued to work while also having some fun. Perhaps next winter, we’ll go to South America. We manage the costs of travelling through a home exchange program.

When: Was there ever a time in your life when you seriously questioned your career choice?

I am a multipotentialite. Before working in the humanitarian sector, with a newly minted master’s in business administration, I worked in marketing; and before that, I worked for the Japanese Ministry of Education, teaching English in junior high school; and before that, I was a child care counsellor after getting my undergraduate degree in psychology. I’ve never questioned my career choice, but I’ve changed it when my interest piqued elsewhere – with planning and professionalism. When I decided to start my freelance editing business, I completed the Simon Fraser University editing certificate program and took the Editors Canada copy editing certification exam, and I continue to participate in professional development. I want to provide the best service I can to my clients.

Why: Why did you choose to become an editor? Or, should we ask: Why did editing choose you?

Like I said, I’ve always been a stickler for plain language and structure. I love helping people get their message across to their audience, and I’ve been able to make a living doing it. I’m fortunate that I get to do such interesting work.

During COVID, when I was still working in the humanitarian sector, I couldn’t travel for work, which made progress difficult. I had been working in that field for many years, and while I enjoyed those years, I had started thinking about what I might do next. I read the book Designing Your Life by Stanford University professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, which brought me to editing. Now, as Karen Yin of The Conscious Style Guide says, I make peace with words.

And, of course, we just had to ask the inevitable how: How would you sum up your motto?

It’s on my website and in my email signature: “A good editor doesn’t rewrite words, she rewires synapses” – a quote from S. Kelley Harrell.

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This article was copy edited by Cindy Liang (she/her), a freelance copy editor and undergrad student in English and book and media studies at the University of Toronto.