Update from the President
Happy new year from everyone on the Editors WA Committee.
As we step into 2021, we’re working hard to pull together a full year of events and professional development opportunities for everyone. This year we hope to reintroduce regular member meetings and social opportunities, as well as presenting a line-up of workshops and seminars to help you take your editing to the next level. We hope to have the first round of events ready to announce by the next newsletter.
Part of this means reaching within our membership to offer opportunities, so if you have a topic you’d like to present as a one-hour presentation or a workshop you’d like to run, I urge you to please contact me. No matter how niche your topic is, I’d love to hear from you. Likewise, if there’s a topic you’d really like to hear more about, let me know so I can track down the relevant people to present on the topic. Just shoot me a quick email at edwa.president@iped-editors.org.
In other news, the wonderful Catherine Schwerin has stepped up to take the Secretary role for us, volunteering during our January meeting. My sincerest thanks go to Catherine for taking on this vital role within the committee. If you need to get in touch with Catherine, email edwa.admin@iped-editors.org.
Last, a quick reminder that Communications Coordinator Kiara Cramer is always looking for content for our social media and this newsletter. So, if you have any news you’d like to share, or just a funny meme for editors, send it to Kiara at edwa.news@iped-editors.org.
I look forward to seeing you all soon at our next event.
Best wishes
Jess Gately
President, Editors WA
Committee resignation
Sadly, we inform you of the resignation of our longest-standing committee member and Honorary Life Member Jan Knight, due to ongoing health issues. The EdWA Branch would like to celebrate some of Jan’s accomplishments and the kind, talented presence she held in our meetings.
Jan completed her BA in English Literature in 1964 and her Master of Education in 1982 at UWA. In 1997, Jan took to freelance editing under her new business, Flying Edits, which celebrated its 21st year of editing in June 2018 with a long list of satisfied clients. Never restricting herself to a single genre, Jan applied her talents to a wide range of publications including, but not limited to, non-fiction books, technical reports and extension information. Her expertise has assisted self-published authors on a diverse range of topics, from clinical psychology to autobiography.
Jan has led numerous development events on a variety of subjects as a lone presenter, a panellist or part of a team. Her events included subjects such as description and analysis of how to prepare a brief; problem-solving charge rates for editors; and what is professional development? She has been known to create lively and engaging group discussions at her events.
‘I was most impressed many years ago when Jan gave a talk on how to do briefs for clients, a talk which included many other pieces of very good advice on many aspects of freelance editing including how to charge. I realised then just what a professional, competent and caring editor she is. A very gentle person who was able to reason and persuade through that quiet, steady and caring nature.’ – Michèle Drouart.
Jan’s patience and caring nature have blessed many committee members, as she seems never too busy to lend a helping hand or assist with helpful suggestions or contacts.
‘Jan’s passion, dedication and enthusiasm on this committee will be sorely missed. She is a well of knowledge, and her patience and willingness to teach emerging editors, including myself, is an inspiration’ – Jessica Gately.
Her expertise has been a pillar of support for the committee. She has never been afraid to ask the harder questions, always aiming for helpful clarification.
‘Her tenacity, her enquiring mind that leaves no stone unturned, her eye for detail, her knack for identifying the nitty-gritty of a problem. That was invaluable when we were trying to nut out the intricacies of what the transition to IPEd would involve.’ – Catherine Schwerin.
Jan plans to continue her membership with IPEd and participation in IPEd events.
‘I have greatly enjoyed my time as an office bearer and the comradeship working with present and past committee members. I think EdWA makes a valuable contribution to the editing profession in WA. I intend to remain a member of IPEd and look forward to keeping in contact with you at EdWA events. I am honoured to have received life membership from EdWA.’
The honour, Jan, has been all ours. Thank you for your work and your example of what a true editor is. We look forward to seeing you again soon.