Heather Conn

Over three decades, I have edited books, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, screenplays, corporate and student materials, and web content. Some current clients include the B.C. conservation group Pacific Wild and the Vancouver-based environmental web portal Sustainability Television. I did some online editing in 2008 while at Sierra magazine, the U.S. Sierra Club’s national publication in San Francisco.

EDITING FOR INDIVIDUALS:

I specialize in editing nonfiction, but have worked in many genres, including fiction, poetry, and drama. I love immersing myself in someone’s imagination or the details of a life and helping the writer clarify and deepen the story and its meaning. Here’s a quick checklist that any prose writer can use to assess a project:

Checklist for nonfiction writers

Checklist for fiction writers

Many emerging writers are unclear about certain editing terms and ask me to differentiate them. Here is an explanation of the most common ones, as defined by the Editors’ Association of Canada:

Substantive or structural editing: Clarifying and/or reorganizing a manuscript for content and structure. Editor specifies whether changes are to be suggested or drafted, and whether contract includes negotiating changes with author. Does not include research or writing original material unless specified.

Stylistic editing: Clarifying meaning, eliminating jargon, smoothing language, and other (specify) nonmechanical line-by-line editing. Does not include the following unless specified: checking reading level; correcting reading level; creating or recasting tables and/or figures; negotiating changes with the author.

Rewriting: Creating a new manuscript or parts of a manuscript on the basis of content and research supplied by an author. Does not include research or writing original material unless specified.

Copy editing: Editing for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other mechanics of style; checking for consistency of mechanics and for internal consistency of facts; marking of head levels and approximate placement of art; notifying book designer or any unusual requirements. Does not include the following unless specified: Canadianizing; metrication; provision of or changes ot system of citations; editing of preface or foreword; editing of index, writing or editing captions and/or credit lines; writing of running heads; listing of permissions needed; obtaining permissions, and so on.

 

I edited the 2010 nonfiction book The Magical Playhouse: A conscious exploration of one’s dream reality by Bodhi Drope of Gibsons, BC.

 Chris Wakaluk, one of my editing clients, recently told me:

“Thanks for all your hard work. It is really exciting to have someone who knows what they are doing look over my work and make changes. I’ve been totally attached to certain parts of the piece and it’s great to have some encouragement to hack them out because I wouldn’t do it on my own. Everything you’ve mentioned is very clear. I can’t wait to make all the changes then read it out loud to hear the difference.”

Hanna Daber, whose Clockwork Graphics website I edited, said while we worked together: “I feel your presence every day, even at a distance. The sense of team work you exude is lovely.”

 

I offer three types of editing (fun and mixed metaphors intended):

* Gentle massage - This softie touch delivers only minor changes, mostly for punctuation, grammar, and clarity;

* First aid - This approach provides a more substantial, yet quick response. Guaranteed to keep your documents off life support; and

* The chainsaw - This method could alter your existing content beyond previous recognition. It will likely result in substantial changes in structure, order of material, and length, but it guarantees a greater end product. Are you up for the challenge? If not, proceed with caution and keep applying first aid.

 

EDITING FOR ORGANIZATIONS:

In January and August 2010, I spent several weeks as guest editor for The Local, a weekly newspaper in Sechelt on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, northwest of Vancouver. Besides editing all editorial content, I wrote news, features, arts reviews, coordinated photo selection, etc. It was fun. I enjoyed the office atmosphere, especially having the publisher’s old black dog, Maggie, on-site every day.

Pauline Montgomery gave me a lovely tribute in her publisher’s message in the January 21 issue:

“I can’t tell you how truly blessed we have been to have Heather fill in while Linda was away. It is mind-boggling to realize just how much ‘unknown’ Heather took on and yet how well she managed to produce brilliantly all the editorial we needed this week and last. Heather is a complete professionanl and I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of an editor. She has been an absolute delight to work with.”

 In 2010, I have edited brochures for the International Education department of the Surrey School District.

I spent almost five years (2003 to Dec. 31, 2007) as the editor-in-chief of PeopleTalk magazine, the province-wide publication of the B.C. Human Resources Management Association (BC HRMA).

“I found Heather to be creative, innovative, and dedicated to the quality and integrity of the publication. . . She had a strong interest in, and commitment to, the organization as a whole and brought her talent, enthusiasm and humour to all aspects of her work.”

– Mary Wallace Poole, former executive director, BC HRMA, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Take a look inside a 2008 issue of PeopleTalk, which I edited:

http://www.bchrma.org/resources/people_talk_magazine/2008/spring.htm

 

While at BC HRMA, I edited many internal and external materials, including a conference newsletter and programs:

 

 While a full-time writing instructor at Selkirk College in the Graphic Communications Department, I taught editing and edited a newsletter at a publishing conference at Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre. Our students used their writing, photography, and desktop-publishing skills to produce this daily account of the conference proceedings.

Here’s an overview of my main work as an editor in print media:

 

2009 - 2010 EDITOR/COMMUNICATION CONSULTANT for a variety of individuals and organizations in Vancouver, BC and on the Sunshine Coast

2010 GUEST EDITOR (short-term)
The Local, an independent weekly based in Sechelt, BC: Wrote news and features; conducted interviews; coordinated photo selection; liaised with publisher; proofread

2003 - 2008 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
 PeopleTalk Magazine, B.C. Human Resources Management Association, Vancouver

Did copy and substantive editing on all content; augmented style guide for print and web use; chaired the editorial advisory committee; edited external communications for this business non-profit; provided guidance to volunteer contributors; hired freelancers and solicited writers; liaised with art director and ad sales manager; oversaw blueline stage and proofreading; during my tenure, we engaged CanadaWide Media as our production company, attracting more advertisers and expanding to 60- and 64-page issues

 
2004 EDITOR
 Edited three reports for United Nations Habitat, produced by EcoPlan International, Vancouver; also edited a confidential environmental-related report.

 
“Heather is an excellent editor: careful, thorough and professional. I highly recommend her services.”

- William Trousdale, president, EcoPlan International Inc.

 
2003 EDITOR
 Vancouver, Howe Sound & the Sunshine Coast, sailing guidebook by Anne & Laurence Yeadon-Jones, Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, BC

 
2003 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
 Alive Journal, Burnaby, BC; edited & proofread health, fitness, lifestyle articles

 

 
1996 to 2001 EDITOR
As Corporate Communications Manager for BC Transit and Coast Mountain Bus Company, I edited numerous materials, including employee booklets, annual reports, brochures, and external documents. I was editor-in-chief of Transit Exchange, the employee newsletter, and initiated and oversaw its redesign and rebranding. I edited books such as On Track: The SkyTrain Story and Vancouver’s Trolley Buses 1948-1998: Celebrating a Half-century of Service.

 

 

1995 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
BC Woman Magazine

1991 - 1993 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Century Communications Corporation, Vancouver, BC
Wrote and edited advertising copy, investor relations content, annual reports, brochures, speeches, newsletters.

1992 - 1993 EDITOR
 Handbook So Roses Can Grow (Co-Country Press, Sumas, Wash.) by Luena Ryber

1990  EDITOR
 Commemorative hard-cover photo book Burnaby - A Proud Century! by Pixie McGeachie,
Opus Productions Inc., Vancouver, BC

 

1984 - 1986 ASSISTANT EDITOR
 National Trade Magazine Trucking Canada (Southam Communications Inc., Burnaby, BC)
 Wrote award-winning articles, cover stories, technical news that enhanced readability and sales of;Western Edition; took cover photos; attended conferences; researched & edited content

 
 While a student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada, I served as co-editor of The Ubyssey, the then-tri-weekly student newspaper, in 1979/80. It’s scary how long ago that was. This venerable rag, which spawned the likes of Pierre Berton and Allan Fotheringham, served as a great training ground for muckraking and poking sticks in the powers-that-be. I considered The Ubyssey’s humor and irreverence my true education.

Her wide experience with writing has made her a first-class editor of other people’s work. . .she is simultaneously tough and encouraging, perceptive and inspiring, challenging and practical. She is always helpful to other writers, in every aspect of the literary life.”

- Tom Wayman, Associate Professor of English, University of Calgary, Alta.