In 2016, I was a wide-eyed newcomer at the Society for Editors and Proofreaders annual conference. In 2017, I was a nervous lightning-talker. By 2018, I was delivering a one-hour session at the annual conference and helping out with the inaugural Toronto mini-conference. And now, in 2019, I’ve found myself speaking again at the annual conference and co-organizing the Toronto mini-conference. My SfEP conference-going history can best be summed up by the phrase: “Well, that escalated quickly.”
Nowhere else but in this wonderfully welcoming editing community would I have had the confidence to get so involved so quickly. Ever since I first tip-toed onto the SfEP online forums in 2015, I was encouraged to contribute and told that every member, no matter how new or inexperienced they may be, and whatever their background, has something valuable to offer the society and the wider editing community. That message has stayed with me, and it’s been reinforced countless times over the past four years.
As well as giving me the confidence to contribute, the inclusive and supportive atmosphere continuously motivates me to do so. I saw the hard work and dedication of the SfEP Council, office staff and conference organizers, and the endlessly helpful posts from the forum regulars, and I wanted to give back, too.
My fellow Toronto mini-conference co-organizers and I are excited about what we’ll be offering to delegates on November 5–6, 2019. We have a first-rate international lineup of speakers, including Macro Man himself – Paul Beverley (UK), Jennifer Glossop (Canada) sharing her extensive wisdom on uncovering hidden narratives, Erin Brenner (US) speaking on editing efficiently in the digital age, Amy Schneider (US) showing us the power of templates, and Malini Devadas (Australia) giving a three-hour workshop on the mental blocks that can hold freelance editors back in growing their businesses. There will also be plenty of time for the networking and socializing that make SfEP conferences so special, both in between sessions and in the evening when we go to a nearby pub for food and drinks.
To register for the mini-conference and workshop, SfEP members can go to the link on the SfEP mini-conference page; non-members can email the organizers at TorontoSfEP@gmail.com to indicate their interest in attending. Non-members will be notified after October 15 if there is a space for them. I hope to see you there!
As well as giving me the confidence to contribute, the inclusive and supportive atmosphere continuously motivates me to do so. I saw the hard work and dedication of the SfEP Council, office staff and conference organizers, and the endlessly helpful posts from the forum regulars, and I wanted to give back, too.
My fellow Toronto mini-conference co-organizers and I are excited about what we’ll be offering to delegates on November 5–6, 2019. We have a first-rate international lineup of speakers, including Macro Man himself – Paul Beverley (UK), Jennifer Glossop (Canada) sharing her extensive wisdom on uncovering hidden narratives, Erin Brenner (US) speaking on editing efficiently in the digital age, Amy Schneider (US) showing us the power of templates, and Malini Devadas (Australia) giving a three-hour workshop on the mental blocks that can hold freelance editors back in growing their businesses. There will also be plenty of time for the networking and socializing that make SfEP conferences so special, both in between sessions and in the evening when we go to a nearby pub for food and drinks.
To register for the mini-conference and workshop, SfEP members can go to the link on the SfEP mini-conference page; non-members can email the organizers at TorontoSfEP@gmail.com to indicate their interest in attending. Non-members will be notified after October 15 if there is a space for them. I hope to see you there!
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