We wanted to give Editors Toronto members and student affiliates another way to get to know their executive committee members, while also finding out what is involved in being on the committee. So we asked committee members to introduce themselves and their roles by answering a few questions for our “Executive Unplugged” series.
Meet Mary Brydon-Kehoe, Programs Chair
Mary Brydon-Kehoe provides editing and book coaching services for fiction authors through her business, Elixir Editorial. While she loves a wide variety of genres, she is especially passionate about mystery, fantasy, science fiction, and horror. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and antiquity at the University of Toronto and was a founding member and chair of the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto writing group. In addition to her role with Editors Toronto, Mary also volunteers on the Editors Canada training and development committee.
What kind of editor are you? Tell us a bit about your experience.
I’m a freelance fiction editor, primarily focused on the developmental and stylistic stages. There’s something I find really satisfying about working through problems at the big-picture level and helping an author hone their story’s vision and voice. I love that the developmental stage especially can be a very creative and collaborative experience, which is also the reason I got into coaching.
I’ve met some amazing people and had some wonderful conversations through coaching, which is an interesting service since it can be tailored to each individual author’s needs at a given time. Sometimes I’ll review a portion of an author’s work, then we’ll meet to discuss the feedback, but other times, we troubleshoot plot or character issues, bounce around new ideas or even try out new stylistic techniques. Occasionally, people just want an accountability buddy to help develop a consistent writing practice. I’ve been part of several writing groups over the years, so I think at this point, the conversational format just feels natural. One of my clients called me their “book therapist,” which I thought was delightful!
Prior to my transition into editing, I held a number of different corporate positions, including in project management, adult learning, and human resources. I do find there’s a lot of interesting crossover in those roles with editing, which can be fairly people-centric, depending on your approach.
Lastly, if the name of my business didn’t give it away, I’m also a big nerd! I chose the name “Elixir” for the connection to alchemy. The pursuit of transmutation seemed an apt comparison to the writer’s craft – spinning words into gold. Plus, the ties to antiquity and speculative fiction didn’t hurt; they often show up in the materials I’m editing (or writing).
What is your favourite part of the role you hold on the executive committee?
This is my second year now as programs chair. What initially drew me in was the chance to connect with colleagues, get to know them a little better, and, hopefully, provide value for the broader editing community. That’s still a big part of why I love it now.
I’d also characterize myself as an ambivert – I’m pretty much smack-dab in the middle of that scale – but I sometimes have trouble reaching out to people if I don’t have a reason for it. Problem solved if it’s part of your job!
Give us an elevator pitch for your role.
The programs chair role is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to make an impact on professional development for editors and help provide a way for the community to meet and talk. If you’re looking to get to know editors and other editing-adjacent professionals across a variety of niches, this would be the role for you. Those who thrive in a public-facing role (or are looking to get comfortable in one!), have a finger on the pulse of topics of interest in the community at large, and have a skillset in moderating discussion will be well suited to this position.
I’d especially recommend this role for anyone in the beginning stages of their editing career. This role also provides you with some absolutely invaluable connections and a safe environment to hone your skills.
If you didn’t have your role on the exec, what role would you pick?
I mentioned before that the branch chair role intrigued me, and it still does. I think it might be slightly less public-facing than what I do now (though our current chair, Adrienne Bartl, is very active in the community!), but there are still many opportunities to connect with colleagues, especially those on the committee and at the national level. I have a fair bit of project management and professional leadership in my background, so I like to think I’d be a good person to go to if anyone needed support.
Why do you volunteer and what does it mean to you?
As an editor, it’s easy to get the blinders on and forget about interacting with people! Being part of an active and engaging community helps combat that isolation. As I mentioned earlier, being in this role is particularly helpful because it prompts me to reach out to my colleagues, but opportunities for connection show up in a lot of different ways when you volunteer. And, as a relative newcomer to the profession, I’ve also been able to gain experience as part of a wonderful, supportive team and give back at the same time.
Fast five for fun
- Your ritual for settling in for work: After a walk with my dog and giving my cat a good scritch (though sometimes she stays on as a lap warmer), I usually turn on a nature ambience video and get to work!
- Preferred editing beverage and snack(s): Lychee bubble tea with popping boba, and probably cashews or something salty for the snack.
- Favourite thing in your workspace or favourite editing tool or resource: I think I can answer both and say: spreadsheets! Does that sound lame? Almost assuredly. Do I care? No. No, I do not.
- Three favourite books – editing-related or not: I always struggle with this; I either have too many to list or suddenly all the books I know fly out of my head. So here goes: Dracula by Bram Stoker, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (it still only counts as one – he had to split it), and, for something more recent, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I’m currently re-reading The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro, so it’s TBD if any of the others get displaced!
- Things you do in your free time: Writing fiction (my current project is an epic fantasy I’ve been working on for the last two years), playing games of the video and tabletop variety, and spending time with family.
BoldFace 