CaTyra Polland and Jeanette Smith Win the Inaugural Bill Connolly Rising Star Award
By ACES Staff
ACES: The Society for Editing is proud to announce the first recipients of the Bill Connolly Rising Star Award: CaTyra Polland, M.A., and Jeanette Smith. The award recognizes emerging editors whose work shows exceptional promise and a deep commitment to the editing profession.
Named in honor of Bill Connolly, a founding ACES member and former president of the ACES Education Fund, the Rising Star Award celebrates editors who contribute to their organizations and the broader editing community through advocacy, excellence, and professional growth.
About CaTyra Polland
CaTyra Polland, M.A., is the CEO and founder of Love for Words and a nine-time published author, editor, copywriter, poet, and speaker. She is also the creator and host of Editor Knows Best, an international podcast for literary professionals, and the founder of National Black Authors Day, celebrated annually on May 4.
Polland’s work centers on connecting Black authors with editors who understand African American Vernacular English, cultural references, and the Black American experience. Her contributions have earned multiple honors, including the Point of Light Award (2015), the Richard S. Holden ACES Diversity Fellowship (2022), and the Urban League of Rochester Legacy Award (2024).
Reflecting on the award, Polland said: “Knowing the legacy and impact of Bill Connolly, to be selected as the inaugural honoree is exciting yet profoundly humbling. To know that my work and projects are embraced and appreciated by my peers in the editing world is a testament that my path is purposeful, true to myself, and upholds the integrity of our craft.”
About Jeanette Smith
Jeanette Smith is a line editor and copy editor who has worked on nearly 100 manuscripts across genres including fantasy, memoir, and thriller. She is deeply committed to education and skill-building within the writing and editing communities.
From 2019 to 2023, Smith served as the Ask the Editor columnist for the DIY MFA blog and has delivered more than 20 presentations for editors and writers on topics ranging from grammar and punctuation to professional development. She also develops courses and coaching programs that help writers strengthen their self-editing skills and approach their work with greater confidence.
Smith shared her appreciation for the recognition: “Thank you, ACES, for such an incredible honor. Teaching has been a lifelong passion for me, but it only works because of the community on the other side. To everyone who attended a talk, commented on a post, took a course, or read a blog — you made this happen, and I am deeply grateful.”
Voices from the ACES Community
Leaders, organizers, and members of the ACES community shared their perspectives on the award, its purpose, and the editors it is designed to uplift.
ACES Executive Director Gigi Sutton celebrated both the winners and the team that made the award possible: “I am thrilled to celebrate the inaugural Connolly Award winners. Bill Connolly was a remarkable advocate for future editors, and it’s heartening to witness the dedication and collaboration of the awards committee, the judges, and the ACES team in honoring his legacy. Their hard work has truly highlighted the talent and promise of our field’s future leaders.”
“It was a pleasure to chair the inaugural Bill Connolly Rising Star Awards, including working with our wonderful team of judges,” said Emmalee C. Torisk, a member of the ACES Awards Committee and chair of the Bill Connolly Rising Star Award. “The Awards Committee and I first discussed the concept of an award to recognize emerging and rising stars in the field more than a year ago, and it is so exciting to see these efforts come to fruition, especially with such a strong pool of nominees for this first year and such accomplished editors selected as our winners. Thanks to all who helped make this possible — including Kath Connolly for her blessing to name the awards after her late father — and congratulations to our first Connolly Award winners, CaTyra and Jeanette!”
Neil Holdway, ACES past president and treasurer of the ACES Education Fund, emphasized the connection between the winners and Bill Connolly’s values: “It’s so exciting to see the first two ‘Rising Stars’ named. They really represent what the new award is about — carrying on Bill Connolly’s legacy of elevating editors who bring a wide variety of skills, experiences and talents to our industry. I know Bill would be heartened and proud.”
Kath Connolly spoke for the Connolly family: “We are thrilled that ACES has chosen to honor Bill by recognizing emerging talent. Of the many quiet and amazing contributions he made in his career, he was most proud of his work to mentor and encourage young people. Congratulations to the inaugural Bill Connolly Rising Star Award winners!”
Honoring Bill Connolly’s Legacy
William G. “Bill” Connolly (1937–2023) was a newspaper editor, educator, and mentor whose influence shaped generations of editors. During a four-decade career at The New York Times, he also taught and led workshops for journalists and editors nationwide, including at the American Press Institute, the Maynard Institute, the University of Arizona, and UC Berkeley.
Connolly played a foundational role in ACES, serving on the steering committee for the organization’s first conference in 1997 and on its executive committee for 15 years. In 2005, he became the first president of the ACES Education Fund, serving through 2010 and remaining on its board until 2023.
Known as much for his mentorship as for his editorial expertise, Connolly devoted his career to supporting young editors and strengthening the profession. The Rising Star Award reflects that legacy by recognizing editors who embody his commitment to excellence, advocacy, and community.
