Words of Law - Q & A with Bulletproof Copy Editor Jaclyn Law

Toronto-based magazine writer and copy editor (FASHION, Cottage Life) Jaclyn Law’s got the best of both worlds. As a full-time freelancer, she crafts stories as a writer, then puts on her editor’s hat and hones them with her editor’s eye, complementary skills to have in a wordsmith’s toolkit.

AMPA is bringing Law to Edmonton and Calgary (Aug 26 & 27) for Bulletproof Copy Editing seminars (registration is still open, details here). Read on to find out what Law learned from working at Chatelaine, what you’ll learn from her session, and why not to fear copy editing.

AMPA: What exactly is copy editing?
Jaclyn Law: Copy editing involves correcting errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation and usage, which reflect poorly on your magazine and your brand. Copy editing is also about establishing a magazine's unique style, improving clarity and readability, and questioning anything that could be inaccurate, misleading, offensive or libellous. It's also about helping the editorial and art teams prepare pages for print. The job differs from publication to publication, but those are the main goals no matter where you're working.

What is the most common misperception about copy editing?
JL: Copy editing is not fact-checking or proofreading, although they do overlap and one person may fill more than one of these roles. It's also not rewriting— the goal is to polish the copy, not overhaul it or remove all the personality from it, as some writers fear. Copy editing shouldn't be rigid unless the situation calls for it (say, if the project is a technical manual).

You have worked and continue to work for some very large magazines like Cottage Life, FASHION, and Chatelaine; what path did you take to become a copy editor?
JL: While completing my English degree at the University of Toronto, I took a course in copy editing and fact checking at Ryerson University as part of a magazine certificate program. After a series of internships, I was very fortunate that my first "real" magazine job was research assistant at Chatelaine. I learned a lot there, and I took a few lessons to heart: first, never assume. Second, even veteran writers make mistakes. I was promoted to associate copy editor about a year and a half later. I was copy chief for a year to cover a maternity leave, and then I left to become managing editor of Abilities. Now I'm a full-time freelancer, spending about half my time writing and the other half copy editing.

AMPA: What are a few things attendees will take away from your sessions?
JL: I hope people will feel less anxious about copy editing and consider it a helpful, valuable step rather than a necessary evil or, worse, the first thing to go when budgets are cut. No one can know everything about spelling, grammar and punctuation—I look things up all the time! The key is knowing what to question and where to find answers.

AMPA: Anything to add?
JL: One of my favourite things about copy editing is the wide world of knowledge I'm exposed to—in one day, I might read about makeup trends, edit a bunch of chicken recipes, and proofread directions for building an outdoor shower.

News

Jennifer Bird Named New Publisher of Fly Fusion

Bird Marketing Group (BMG), the leading Canadian authority on fly fishing in North America has named Jennifer Bird Publisher of its print division. In this role, Jennifer will oversee all operational aspects of Fly Fusion magazine as well as Fusion Books, the company’s developing book publishing division.

“Our first order of business will be prepping to unveil a new look for the magazine at this year’s Fly Fishing Retailer,” says Jennifer Bird. “We have been working on these changes for months and are looking forward to receiving feedback from our readers and industry friends. In addition to the new look we have also introduced significant changes to Fly Fusion’s distribution which we will be going into more detail on in an upcoming news release. All changes are effective immediately and will no doubt increase our visibility as we move to position Fly Fusion as a leader in its field.”
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Bird Marketing Group Ltd. is the parent company to Fly Fusion magazine, Fly Fishing Events (Western Canadian Fly Fishing Exposition), Fusion Books and Broken Tippet Forums.
www.flyfusionmag.com

Enthusiastic volunteers needed – filling Station
Join filling Station! filling Station is always seeking Collective members and community volunteers to put together this innovative, original non-profit literary and arts magazine based in Calgary. To help choose material for future issues; assist with marketing or development; join fS’ roster of events volunteers or the board, or get involved in any other way imaginable, please contact Laurie at meditor.fs@gmail.com.

Flywheel Series: filling Station's monthly reading series Flywheel takes place the first Thursday of every month, 7:30 p.m. sharp, at Pages Books on Kensington, 1135 Kensington Road NW in Calgary. The event features a mix of emerging and established writers of poetry or fiction and is always free; refreshments are also provided.

Join filling Station for an exciting, stimulating time! For information about upcoming Flywheels or being booked as a reader, contact Stephanie via stephanielisdavis@gmail.com or Ian via iansampson@shaw.ca

filling Station: innovative poetry fiction nonfiction visual art. local conception, national distribution. www.fillingstation.ca

Contests

Other Voices Poetry Contest
Submissions must be received by September 21, 2009

Other Voices Publishing Society is a not-for-profit organization that strives to be a stepping stone for all published and emerging writers. It publishes quality work that reflects diverse cultural, sexual and regional perspectives. Enter Other Voices' semi-annual contest to win publication, recognition and prizes.

• The entry fee is $25 for up to five poems. Additional entries are $5.
• Cheque or money order payable to Other Voices Publishing Society. ALL contest participants receive a one-year subscription to the magazine.
• Must be submitted via regular mail.
• Entries must be original and unpublished. No simultaneous submissions.
• Blind judging: submit the contest cover sheet along with your piece(s).
• Pieces must be received (not postmarked) by the contest deadline.

Winner receives $250.00. Honourable Mentions will receive the choice of an Other Voices tote bag, travel mug or t-shirt.

Mail submissions to:
Other Voices,
Box 52010, 8210-109 St
Edmonton, AB T6G 2T5.

For more info, visit www.othervoices.ca.

Job Opportunities

Visit www.albertamagazines.com for current job opportunities.

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MagaScene is written and compiled by Anh Chu. To be in included in the next issue of MagaScene, please send an email to ampa@albertamagazines.com.