Are you new to editing or transitioning to editing from another career? The ACES Guide for New Editors and accompanying list of resources are for you.
In this guide you'll be introduced to different types of editing, learn possible ways to begin your career, explore important topics editors consider in their roles (e.g., ethics, diversity and equity), gain an international perspective, and review a checklist to get started.
Also offered for free is Resources for New Editors: A Curated List, which will answer many questions. Many of these link to free resources. Some webcasts and publications may be exclusive to dues-paying ACES members or require an access fee for nonmembers.
Visit the Membership page of the ACES website to learn how to become a member.
For questions about this guide or additional resources for new editors, please contact acescommpubcommittee@aceseditors.org.
The ACES Guide for New Editors was created by the ACES New Editor Guide Task Force, a sub-committee of the ACES Communications and Publications Committee.
The task force was led by ACES member Vee White, who was joined by ACES Board members Lauren Filippini and Crystal Shelley, and ACES member Andrea Klingler. Dr. Krishna Kumar Venkitachalam, an editor and writer based in India, wrote the International Perspective section. Kimberly Grow provided the Resources for New Editors: A Curated List.
More information can be found in the Acknowledgements on page 23 in the guide.
ACES is deeply grateful to all the task force members, all of whom volunteered their time and expertise to make this document possible.
Download The ACES Guide for New Editors (PDF)
Resources for new editors: a curated list
ACES: The Society for Editing
ACES: The Society for Editing is the nation’s leading organization of editing professionals, educators, and students. Founded in 1997 by copy editors, ACES is dedicated to improving the quality of the written word and the working lives of editors. It sets standards of excellence and gives a voice to editors in journalism, government, business, publishing, and beyond through top-notch training, networking, and career opportunities. ACES hosts an annual in-person conference and, since 2022, an annual virtual conference. ACES Academy hosts monthly webinars. ACES also offers certificates in editing, which it co-hosts with The Poynter Institute, a global leader in journalism.