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How do I join ACES?

Simply visit How to Join for all of the details on becoming an ACES member, and even our most convincing reasons why!

How does ACES fulfill its mission?

Although many editors know of ACES through its annual conference, which is held in a different city each year, we organize workshops and events year-round and foster alliances with other organizations to bring quality training and other opportunities to our members. Our website is a clearinghouse for resources and a place for our members to learn about trends in the industry.

What is the National Conference?

Every spring, ACES holds its national conference to bring together editors for an incredible learning experience offering a wide range of educational sessions, networking lunches, social events, and much more. We held our first national conference in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1997, and since then, we’ve been to Chicago, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Miami, Denver, and other great cities. Find out more about our upcoming conferences and how to register.

What other organizations does ACES work with?

Along with the Poynter Institute, ACES has established relationships with the Editors’ Association of Canada (EAC),Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS), the Society for News Design (SND), and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

Is ACES just for newspaper editors?

Editing has changed rapidly in the past decade and we’ve expanded our reach to welcome editors from all fields. We have plenty to offer for editors who work for nonprofits, universities, corporations, book publishers, magazines, trade publications, and freelancers. For membership questions, email membership@aceseditors.org.

Where is ACES located?

The leaders of ACES work for companies across the United States. We have members in nearly every state, as well as several countries.

Our mailing address is 180 S. Western Ave. #132, Carpentersville, IL 60110.

Are my membership dues deductible?

Membership dues for ACES, which is an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) charitable education corporation, are non-refundable and may be deductible as a charitable contribution but not as a business expense. See our bylaws for more information.

Is ACES on social media?

ACES has an active online presence and holds twice-monthly chats on Twitter to discuss the latest issues, problems, and questions you have about copy editing (#ACESchat). You can also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Wakelet.

Can members use the ACES logo?

ACES members in good standing are welcome to display the ACES logo on their websites, as long as they respect the ACES logo usage guidelines.

So how can I get involved?

ACES offers members a variety of ways to get involved with the organization such as volunteering at the conference, running the silent auction, writing and editing for the website blog or Tracking Changes, serving as a trainer for an educational opportunity, being an #ACESchat guest, and so much more. Additionally, members can help lead the organization by volunteering to serve on the ACES Board of Directors or the ACES Education Fund board of directors.

We’re always looking for committed, energetic people to join ACES and we welcome your involvement. Learn more about joining.

Learn more about available volunteer opportunities here.

Are there ways for me to get involved where I live?

We hold in-person trainings throughout the year. To see if there’s an upcoming event in your area, go to our Calendar page. You can get more information at info@aceseditors.org.

How can ACES help me get a job in editing?

We have job listings posted on our Job Board and members can also create their own entry in our Editors for Hire directory. You should also consider getting to know colleagues in the organization. One great advantage for members is that ACES helps us break out of our traditional isolation. Particularly at conferences, there are opportunities to discuss professional issues and to become part of a growing network of editors. Don’t be shy about approaching other members for advice — and yes, talking to and networking with fellow editors can lead to job opportunities.

How do I become an editor?

Start by exploring The ACES Academy and taking some editing courses.

We offer a few regional workshops each year, called Editing Boot Camps. They are a chance to have a full day of learning editing, punctuation, grammar, and more. It’s also a great chance to network with other editors. Check our site for upcoming training opportunities.

If you are an ACES member, you can get a discount on several opportunities through us, including the Poynter/ACES Certificate in Editing.

Read this post from one of our members.

How can I become a certified editor?

There is no recognized certification standard in the U.S. for editing.

Do you have editing tests/grammar quizzes to share?

ACES is updating our grammar quizzes now, but they will be available online as soon as possible.

In the meantime, you can check out past years’ Dow Jones tests at Editteach.org.

Also, check out the quizzes at the following sites: