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.
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’ve lived in Morinville, Alberta, for 23 years, but I grew up in a tiny village in Saskatchewan called Marengo, population 51. I went to the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and have degrees in music and education (with a major in English). I taught grades 7 to 12 band and grade 7 social studies for five years before I decided to switch careers and become an editor in 2007.
I worked at an educational publisher for a few years, and then I joined Athabasca University in 2015 as a course production editor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Athabasca University is completely online, so I edit all the components of a course that students would experience in an in-person setting: study guide (similar to lecture notes), assignments, quizzes, and exams. Some of my favourite courses to work on are in anthropology and archaeology. I also do some contract work with a company in New York, doing the final edit on manuscripts before they are published.
I’ve been a volunteer with Editors Canada since 2017. I was the co-chair of the Edmonton twig for one year, and then I joined the Editors Canada national executive council in 2018 as the director of branches and twigs and, later, vice-president. I was president for three years and past president for two years [a past president shares their knowledge with the current president to make sure everything runs smoothly]; I’m currently the secretary. I also chaired the 2021 Editors Canada online conference.
I’m married and have one daughter, who is 14. I have a dog (Millie) and two guinea pigs (Kaz and Jesper). I enjoy audiobooks, walking my dog, cross-stitching, building Lego, listening to music, and rewatching my favourite TV show, Supernatural.
Who: If you could edit one famous author, living or dead, who would it be?
I’ve always loved archaeology and history, so I’d love to be able to edit Elizabeth Peters (pen name of Barbara Mertz), specifically her Amelia Peabody series. This series follows a woman, her husband, and their son as they conduct excavations in Egypt during the late 1800s through the 1900s and solve mysteries along the way.
What: What is the one thing that has helped you the most in your career as an editor?
Definitely my membership of Editors Canada. Becoming a member has opened up so many resources and connections to me, especially through my volunteering. I’ve also been able to attend many conferences (both Editors Canada and ACES) and have studied for and taken two of the four certification exams that Editors Canada offers (and I intend to take the remaining two!).
Where: If you could work anywhere in the world as an editor, where would that be?
I would love to work someplace with a beautiful view out of my office window, like in the Rocky Mountains or beside a lake. I also fell in love with Nova Scotia when I was there for the 2019 Editors Canada conference, so living and working there would be great too.
When: Was there ever a time in your life when you seriously questioned your career choice?
I’ve never questioned my career as an editor. I thoroughly enjoy the work I’m able to do and have learned so much working as an editor for Athabasca University; it’s like I’m getting paid to take university classes!
Why: Why did you choose to become an editor? Or, should we ask: Why did editing choose you?
When I realized in 2007 that teaching wasn’t the career for me, I started looking for other jobs. My cousin, who is also an editor, was working for an educational publisher and put in a good word for me. I ultimately got hired there and started my journey as an editor. So I sort of got lucky and stumbled into editing during a transitional time in my life.
And, of course, we just had to ask the inevitable how: How would you sum up your motto?
I don’t really have a motto, but if I did, it would be some variation of “love what you do.” I’m lucky to be able to edit a wide variety of subject matter, and this goes well with my love of learning. It makes it a pleasure to do my job.
This article was edited by Eric Hübler, an ex-reporter now editing books, newsletters, and journal articles as a freelancer.
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