It’s almost time for Editors Canada’s 2026 conference, and excitement is in the air! We thought it would be helpful to give an overview of what to expect at Editors26, which will be held in Halifax from May 21 to 23, and we also asked previous conference-goers a few questions about their experiences. As a bonus, they even gave some tips for the lucky ones who will attend.
The serious stuff
This year’s conference theme is “Editing in the Age of Misinformation,” which is particularly relevant for the times we live in. Of course, all the information you need about this event is on the conference website, but we thought it couldn’t hurt to highlight a few things we find interesting or helpful.
So, what can you expect from Editors26? Apart from the opening and closing keynote addresses by Robert W. Gehl, research chair at York University, and Samia Madwar, senior editor at The Walrus, many other FOMO-worthy presentations are lined up. These are just some of them:
- “Editorial Ethics in the Age of AI,” by Christina M. Frey – an interactive session on some AI-related ethical issues freelance editors could encounter.
- “Intent Matters: Misinformation, Disinformation, and Indigenous Representation in Editing,” by Kaitlin Littlechild and Lisa Frenette – a comprehensive discussion on editorial work involving Indigenous Peoples, including authenticity reads, pretendianism, and cultural appropriation.
- “Carving Out Your Place in Editing,” by Jessica de Bruyn, Raya P. Morrison, and Shannon Parr – a panel discussion about the decisions and circumstances that helped the speakers find their place in the publishing industry. It’s worth mentioning that they met each other while on the Editors Toronto executive team.
- “When Language Hides Responsibility: Passive Voice and Editorial Ethics,” by Berna Ozunal – a discussion on the way passive voice shapes meaning, power and perception across a range of texts and contexts.
The social stuff
For some of us, the words “social” and “networking” suggest “my social anxiety is through the roof!” But it doesn’t have to be so scary to meet new people. The Conference Buddies system (if you choose to participate) will put you in a group that will meet at lunch, breaks, and social events. That way, you will at least not stand alone in the corner (like some of us often do).
There are plenty of opportunities to meet even more people once you’ve made a friend or two. Editors Atlantic will host some entertaining pre-conference activities on May 21: coffee and board games, bookmark decorating, and a LinkedIn session. And then there’s also the short story open mic night at Trident Booksellers on May 23, where you can share some of your fiction pieces. Sounds like a lot of fun.
Finally, you should also make some time to explore Halifax. The Halifax Public Gardens, Citadel Hill, Halifax Waterfront, and Point Pleasant Park are popular places to visit.
Now that you’re all amped up, let’s see what tips and advice previous conference-goers have.
Experiences, tips, and advice from previous attendees
Katherine Morton, Senior Editor
Katherine is a freelance editor serving academia, corporations, governments, non-profits, and individuals with non-fiction editing. She often works with multilingual writers, edits with plain language principles, and advises on conscious language.
What were your best takeaways from previous conferences? What were they like? Was it worth it to attend, and why?
All the previous Editors Canada conferences I attended were worthwhile, even the online conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are so many great takeaways, but I think the top ones for me were networking and learning from my colleagues. I have collaborated more and more with my colleagues because of meeting them at conferences and getting to know them better. After meeting at conferences, some colleagues have sent work to me, and I’ve sent work to others. It’s a wonderful, generous community.
What are your tips for overcoming social anxiety and getting to know people at the conference?
I must admit that I’m not usually anxious about meeting people – it’s one of the reasons I go to conferences! But in the odd occurrence that I feel nervous, I force myself to do something, like walk up to a group of people chatting, smile, and listen politely to the conversation until there’s an opportunity to make a comment or introduce myself. I try to remember that others might be just as nervous as – or more – than I am, so I ask myself what I can do to make others feel comfortable.
How do you fit in attending the sessions you want to go to, meeting and spending time with your colleagues, and exploring the town?
I’m arriving a day before the conference and leaving a day after.
What tips do you have for saving money for travel and accommodation?
This is a great question for me because this is partly what my conference presentation is about! I’m presenting on editing without borders and how to be a digital nomad. I travel a lot, and I keep working while I’m travelling. Because I travel so much and because of the type of credit card I have, I can often travel on airline points. I was able to get my flight to Halifax on airline points, so I paid only the tax. For accommodation, I use HomeExchange.com whenever I can. I share my home in Toronto through this platform, and I stay in other people’s homes all over the world – with no exchange of money. In Halifax, I was able to find a HomeExchange close to the conference venue.
What do you pack? How do you pack light (so you don’t have to check luggage)?
Because I travel a lot, I’ve learned to pack light, and I rarely check my luggage. I’ll be in Halifax for five days. Normally, for a five-day trip, I would take only three outfits plus running gear (I usually try to go for a run). I plan my outfits so that they’re mix-and-match and all match one pair of shoes (not my runners!). For travelling, I’ve found an effective brand of shampoo bar and conditioner bar, which decreases the amount of liquid I carry on the flight. I have small travel bottles for other liquids.
Do you have any tips to add for a great conference experience?
Take the time to talk to and get to know other participants. The editing community is generous, helpful, and fun – it will enrich your work and your life.
Ren Baron, Freelance Academic Editor
Ren primarily offers copy editing and line editing services to professors, journals, and academic presses. She often works closely with scholars for whom English isn’t their first language to bring their writing up to standard with English-language publications without whitewashing their work.
Was it worth it to attend previous conferences, and why?
For me, these conferences are absolutely worth attending. Having joined Editors Canada during the pandemic, my first in-person conference (Toronto 2023) was also my first time ever meeting other editors in person, and I was so nervous. Editors Canada staff, fellow conference volunteers, and some established editors I’d been mentored by at George Brown Polytechnic all took me under their wing and have continued to do so. On top of the skills and insights I’ve gained from conference sessions themselves, these warm interpersonal conference experiences are what made me feel like I found my people.
What are your tips for overcoming social anxiety and getting to know people at the conference?
I struggle tremendously with social anxiety, and I would say that the best thing you can do is to volunteer at the conference. Whether it’s checking people in or sitting a shift at the book table, being part of the “crew” gives you (1) a reason to talk to people; (2) a task to do, which prevents standing around awkwardly; and (3) the sense that you inherently belong at the conference.
Also, this is less social anxiety, but bear with me: If you’re volunteering as a session host, look up videos to learn the correct way of pronouncing the names of the Indigenous nations whose land you’ll be on; it will lower your public-speaking anxiety.
How do you fit in attending the sessions you want to go to, meeting and spending time with your colleagues, and exploring the town?
I’m definitely someone who needs to have a plan. I look closely at the schedule well ahead of time and pick out my “must attend” sessions and “would like to attend” sessions; then I do the same with places I’d like to explore in the conference city. I make a little note in my phone with my own schedule I’ve created for myself, filling in “time slots” with items by priority level. For socializing, I do tend to let others take the lead, but if I have the opportunity to spend time with the great people I’ve gotten to know, I jump at it.
What tips do you have for saving money for travel and accommodation?
This isn’t saving up money in the budgeting sense, but the conference organizers have arranged discounts with both airlines and local hotels.
Do you have any tips to add for a great conference experience?
If you’re new to this, be gentle with (and pace) yourself as you get into the swing of things. Far be it from me to give tips to anyone well established, but if I can: If you have the opportunity to include someone, I can’t express how grateful those someones would be.
The information in this article was correct at the date of publication, but is subject to change. We recommend that you check the Editors26 website for updated information.
This article was copy edited by Leslie Lapides, a long-time editor whose freelance business is called Word Crisper.
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