About ACES
Who we are
ACES: The Society for Editing is a professional organization for editors. We are dedicated to improving the quality of the written word and the working lives of the people behind it.
We believe good editing matters. It clarifies ideas, strengthens arguments, and makes information accessible. And the people doing that work deserve support, recognition, and a community that understands what they do.
We provide training to help editors and editing students grow their skills, connect professionals across industries and career stages, and advocate for the value of editing in every field where clarity and accuracy matter.
What we stand for
Editors play a key role in making information clear, accurate, and accessible.
ACES supports the right of people to be heard and stands for the free exercise of speech, press, and assembly. We stand against racism and support members working to challenge inequality through their editorial work.
We're committed to building a community where all editors feel supported, valued, and able to contribute. That means creating spaces that are genuinely inclusive and accessible, and doing the ongoing work to make that real.
What you’ll find in ACES
Training
Learn industry best practices in editing, proofreading, writing, and content development. Build your skills and advance your career at your own pace.
Member benefits
Access exclusive discounts on editing tools, style guides, and professional resources used in your day-to-day work.
Events and networking
Attend two conferences a year (in person and virtual) to learn from leading voices in editing, connect with colleagues across industries, and grow your professional network.
Community
Connect with editors around the world, share experiences, and build relationships with colleagues who understand the challenges and rewards of editorial work.
Who ACES is for
ACES is for anyone who edits, whether editing is their full-time focus or one part of a broader role.
Members work across corporate communications, government, journalism, academia, nonprofits, publishing, and more. Some are experienced professionals who have been editing for years. Others are students, career changers, or people just entering the field.
What they share is a commitment to working thoughtfully with language, strengthening their skills, and becoming better editors and communicators.
Our Mission
ACES: The Society for Editing is the nation’s leading organization of editing professionals, educators, and students. We are dedicated to improving the quality of the written word and the working lives of editors. We set standards of excellence and give a voice to editors in journalism, government, business, and beyond through top-notch training, networking, and career opportunities.
Our values
A core belief among editors is the right of people to be heard, and ACES: The Society for Editing supports the free exercise of that right for everyone. We stand against acts of racism, we stand with our members working to shine a light on inequality, and we stand against attempts to hinder the freedoms of speech, the press, and assembly.
We are dedicated to supporting all our members. You can reach the ACES Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee at info@aceseditors.org.
Our history
ACES was founded in 1997 by Pam Robinson and Hank Glamann in response to the need for greater support and recognition for copy editors, particularly in newspapers. The first conference was held shortly after in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Over time, ACES grew beyond its newspaper roots to serve editors across industries. What began as a gathering for copy editors evolved into a professional community connecting people across industries, disciplines, and career paths.
Today, ACES continues to be a place where editors connect, develop their skills, and support one another across fields and career stages.