The schedule is subject to change at any time until the conference programming is finalized. Check back for updated schedules as they are available.
Please note all times noted are local to the event venue.
Presenters: Stephanie Halchin and Erik Kenny
From inflation to cryptocurrency, there's a lot to decipher in business journalism. What's with all those acronyms, and what does any of it have to do with you? Good copy editing can turn this complicated subject matter into something accessible to all readers, and you don't need to be an expert economist to catch red flags. Join us for a basic overview of business journalism as we break down the insider terms, niche language — and yes, numbers — needed to understand financial topics and fine-tune your editing skills in this technical industry.
Presenter: Suzy Bills
Whether working as employees or freelancers, editors benefit from maximizing their productivity. Some productivity strategies are relatively simple and straightforward, such as using Word shortcut keys. Other strategies are more advanced (and perhaps intimidating), such as using macros. Some other strategies seem counterintuitive—for example, taking breaks can actually help editors complete projects faster. This session will cover these and other strategies to help editors increase their productivity, all while reducing some of the monotonous aspects of editing and increasing editing accuracy.
Presenter: Suzy Bills
Whether you’re new to freelancing or have been freelancing for years, you likely have questions—and maybe even some anxiety—about the business side of your work, including which business entity is best for your situation, what content you should include in a contract, and how to comply with tax requirements (and even reduce your tax liability). In this session, you’ll learn how to navigate these essential aspects of your business so that they don't feel so daunting. You’ll be prepared to thrive, not just survive, as a freelance editor.
Presenter: Suzy Bills
Like many freelance editors, you may feel unsure about how much to charge and what pricing method to use. How do you know what the going rates are? What if a potential client thinks your prices are too high? What if you underestimate the time required to complete a project and therefore will need to ask the client for more money or will earn less than you planned on? This session will answer these and other questions about pricing so that you can confidently present your rates, increase your earnings, and overcome price objections.
Presenter: Talysa Sainz
A study on language use and specific words to use or to avoid to make your language more inclusive--and which words to look for in any manuscript you edit. Language we have unconsciously learned from society can be ableist, sexist, racist, etc. Learn how to edit language that is mindful to those who have learning disabilities, mental illness, chronic illnesses, disabilities, or who are neurodivergent.
Presenter: Talysa Sainz
We are finally seeing protagonists in fiction who are neurodivergent, such as Autism, Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, OCD, Dyslexia, etc. However, not every person’s story centralizes around these differences. How do we edit stories about the neurodivergent without making the story ABOUT the neurodiversity? What is it like to live with anxiety, Autism, Tourette Syndrome, or ADHD on a daily basis? How are children taught to use these superpowers? How does functionality differ? How do we work these differences into other worlds in a relatable way, without showing the intolerance and judgment found in our society?
Presenter: Talysa Sainz
There are dozens of different story and plot structures authors use, and it’s your job to catch them in their manuscripts. When editing a book, you need to recognize what story structure the author is using and how to edit specifically to that structure. Come learn all the main plot structures, how to edit stories that vary from them, and how to deal with stories that cross styles and structures.
Presenter: Teresa Schmedding
Content is not king (or queen or any kind of royalty). But content marketing is and here’s why. Content by itself is just more noise in the firehose of content online. To create content that connects and converts, you need to flip your content creation process and start with the end in mind. Editing and writing content should take far less time than planning who you’re going to target, how you’re going to capture their attention and what action you want them to take.
Presenter: Tracy Cook
Charts and graphics — when done well — can provide compelling visual elements that complement text. But sometimes, they leave readers confused: “Where did this data come from? These numbers don’t add up… What’s the key takeaway supposed to be?”
This session will equip you with 14 actionable items for when you’re editing charts and graphics. We’ll cover common errors, best practices, and what to look for when you’re on deadline.
