“What’s in Your Editing Workspace” peeks past editors’ bookshelves and into their workspaces. In this third instalment, we explore everything from our day-to-day stationery to furniture and hardware to sources of inspiration, and more. If you have something you’d like to share, let us know. We want to see what’s in your editing workspace.
Maylon Gardner (she/her) is an editor and writer whose workspace is in Kelowna.
This bookshelf has roamed with me from Ontario all the way out to British Columbia to Alberta and back again. My father made it for me when I moved into my first apartment as a place to house all my treasures. Namely, books. But over the years and kilometres, I’ve added to it mementos that ground me: family photos, especially of loved ones lost; plants from friends and findings; kitschy and cool tidbits; and of course lights to read by.
Since I live far from my father, this is also my favourite way of thinking about him. His love of craftsmanship shows in everything he makes, and I like to think that his attention to detail lives on in me in a literary way. I draw inspiration from this bookshelf every day, whether it’s grabbing a resource guide, finding a certain book to suggest to a client (or friend!), or taking a deep walk through memory lane and reflecting on life. It’s my favourite thing in my office and always my centrepiece.
Lorie Boucher (she/her) is a freelance writer, editor and publications manager whose workspace is in Ottawa, Ontario.
Welcome to my tiny HQ: one wall, two windows, three screens and just enough room for the little wooden desk my husband’s grandfather built. I consider the boundaries a feature, not a bug. I like how enclosed it feels, and when your arm span is wider than your office, everything is literally within reach.
Because my workspace is so small, everything in it needs to be useful or entertaining – ideally both. Ergonomic chair from Branch + gifted egg pillow = perfect pairing.
I work inside a small gallery of my sister’s pieces, friends’ contributions, and the prints I couldn’t leave behind when the moment struck. Not all the art hangs on a wall. My friend made me a set of Muppet-covered buckets that I treasure. They hold pens, markers and a shifting lineup of bookmarks.
I know many other word lovers are particular about pens, but I’m less fussy about brand than proximity. I love a nice pen for thank-you cards, but for workday notes, any pen will do. If I can find it, it’s a good pen.
My desk holds more than a few notebooks, and they’re all things of beauty. I sometimes even write in them.
But the real workhorses are my three screens: left for email, writing, editing and meetings; middle for searches and style guides; right for previous drafts and PDFs. The setup looks a bit like air traffic control, and it works great for me.
Gaby (Marie-Gabrielle) Balan (she/her) is a certified translator and editor-in-training based in Barrie, Simcoe County, Ontario.
My workspace is quite simple, but it’s one of the quietest corners in our home and a place where I can truly focus. I usually work with my laptop resting on a cushion, alongside a notebook filled with my list of tasks for the day. My favourite chair has armrests wide enough to hold my water bottle or coffee mug, which makes long editing and writing sessions more comfortable.
I especially love that my workspace faces the sunrise. I keep the curtains and blinds open so I can see the sky and trees outside while I work. The high back of my chair also allows me to lean back and close my eyes for a moment when I need to reflect or concentrate. An overhead lamp behind my chair helps create a calm atmosphere throughout the day.
Alex Benarzi (he/him) is a freelance editor whose workspace is in Calgary/Mohkinstsis.
My workspace was initially designed for a time before ubiquitous remote work and before I began my editing career. Since the room is not large, I tried to make good use of vertical space and have been adding in elements over the years.
As virtual meetings became de rigueur, I added a microphone and ring light to my setup, so I was not always cast in shadow. The footrest (pictured under the desk) and the secondary desk were later additions as I spent more time in this office. The extra desk allows for more workspace and easy access to books I am currently using. Seen in this photo are CanOx 2, The Conscious Style Guide and APA 7.
I am quite minimalistic in nature and so don’t have too many decorative elements in my workspace. Just outside of frame, behind the books, is a potted plant that requires no maintenance. I keep a desk calendar (pictured in front of a tissue box) and a space for my coworker to sit on when he decides to show up for work. He joined me to take the photo and can be seen in the bottom right of the picture.
BoldFace 