Writing / Writers Support Group

Are you trying to get your writing underway? Are you not sure where to begin? Why not create an outline? If you’ve never worked with one before, you might be surprised at how it eases the process of writing a longer work.   How, you might ask, can an outline ease the writing process? Well, an outline helps you visualize and organize information that you want to write about, like a...

Books & Libraries / Books And Reading

In case you missed it the first time around, we think these book picks are so well-suited for lazy days reading in the sun that we wanted to re-post this blog! If you're looking for a good book to spend some time with, check out or selections below!   *****   Summer is here, and that means many things: cottage weekends, camping trips, road trips, beach days, finding new outdoor reading spots around the...

Office Happenings / Social Media & Community / Social Media / Editing & Marketing

These days, social media has become by far the most common way for people to forge new social connections and to stay connected with loved ones all over the world. But for some of us, this really only began to resonate during the COVID-19 pandemic.     Pivoting for the Pandemic   The pandemic caused us to lose opportunities to meet new people in person, or to join like-minded groups. Regular social...

Event

Cottages, cabins, camps—they have many names, but they all serve the same basic purpose. More than simply convenient vacation spots, these properties tend to occupy very special places in their stewards’ hearts. For instance, my family cottage was built the year I was born, and, even though it’s undeniably rough around the edges, it’s hard to think of a place that I would rather get away to.    Of...

Books & Libraries / Books And Reading

Summer is here, and that means many things: cottage weekends, camping trips, road trips, beach days, finding new outdoor reading spots around the city. No matter what you find yourself up to this summer, it’s always nice to take an hour or two to read—whether it’s on a hammock in the sun, lying on a sandy beach, sitting under a leafy tree in the park, or curled up next...

Event / Language & Editing

In 2015, family history website Ancestry. ca surveyed 1,000 people across Canada, finding that 36% of respondents had no idea why the country celebrates May 24. In fact, another 12% thought it was meant to correspond with Memorial Day in the United States. (It’s not. )   Many of us have probably heard the holiday referred to as “May Two-Four”—slang for a case of twenty-four beers (a “two-four”)—and some breweries have...

Business / Editing & Marketing

So, you’ve taken your first steps to starting your career as a freelance editor—that’s great! You may have just finished your first paid project or two, and now you’re looking ahead to how you can grow your career. Before you make any big decisions though, read on, because there are three important things you may want to focus on as you take the next steps in your editing career:...

Publishing / Event / Books & Libraries / Books And Reading

For the past two years, many writers, editors, and indexers have had to rely exclusively on attending virtual events to develop their editorial skills and networks. Whether unable to attend in-person professional development events because of lockdowns, restrictions, or simply an abundance of caution, editorial professionals once again have some opportunities on the horizon to meet, discuss their profession, and make connections. And, in an industry that relies...

Social Media / Editing & Marketing

Navigating social media can be overwhelming. From developing fresh content to deciding on which platform to use, it can be difficult to develop an effective strategy for your social media marketing. Learning about social media basics, planning your content, and using editorial calendars are some ways in which you can hone your social media skills and make different platforms effective for your specific goals and unique objectives, while...

Social Media / Editing & Marketing

This week on the TEC blog, we're re-sharing a well-liked post from our archives! Former Social Media Coordinator Jean Mathew shares four great tips you can use to help gain more traction on Twitter. Read on for more!   *****   Being good at social media is important for everyone. And I mean everyone. From Starbucks to The Editing Company to your own personal account—recognizing the potential of a robust social media...

Business

It’s the most stressful time of the year! That’s right, it’s tax season. For small businesses, at best, taxes are a real drag to do, and at worst, they can have you pulling your hair out, wondering whether you can deduct this or how to input that. So, to help, I’ve collected some tips that might come in handy for you as you pull your filing together.     How...

Usage / Editing Numbers

Here at TEC, it’s our job to provide our clients with the best guidance and advice in the editing and flow of their documents. Recently, we had a client ask us about working with numbers in text – how to treat them, when to spell them out, when not to spell them out… There are many questions that can arise when you’re working with numbers!   So, here is a helpful...

Event

Temperatures are steadily climbing, days are getting longer, and nights are getting shorter. After another long winter, spring is finally here again, and a host of holidays and festivals mark its arrival. Saint Patrick’s Day and the vernal equinox have both come and gone. The Hindu festival of Holi is well underway, and dedicated disciples of the ancient Roman cult of Cybele-Attis are presumably enjoying Hilaria, or...

Book Reviews

Think this book might just be for editors? Think again! Of course editors will find this an enjoyable read, but authors can find an equal amount of useful information in this little book, from the ins and outs of the editing process, to insights into the editor-author relationship. As our content theme this month has been "Ask the Editor," we thought this book review of What Editors Do would be...

Event / Language & Editing

If you haven't looked at a calendar yet today, you might not know that today, March 15, is actually the Ides of March. I'm sure you've heard of it before, but what exactly is this special day all about?     History of the Ides of March   In the old Roman tradition, the “Ides” was simply the name given to the first full moon of a given month, which usually fell between the...

Editing / Usage / Language & Editing

As a human being, language is one of the most influential tools that you have. As with everything in life, language evolves and you need to ensure that you evolve with it, especially if you want to ensure that the language you use is inclusive.   Unintentionally, you carry your own biases and assumptions with you every day, and these preconceptions can affect your oral and written communication.   Inclusive language...

Editing / Editor/writer

When it comes to learning more about how editors and authors work together, you might find that there is a lot of content out there that paints editors and authors as adversaries; two people with opposing goals, each trying to “get their way. ”   If you’re an author who is trying to find an editor, or starting to work with an editor for the first time, I would like you to...

Books & Libraries / Book Clubs / Books And Reading

In honour of Freedom to Read Week, we would like to repost this blog on the unexpectedly radical origins of book clubs.  Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, and provides an opportunity for us to focus on issues of intellectual freedom as they affect our communities, our provinces, our countries, and countries around the world. The ability...

Technology / Editing Numbers / Editing & Technologies

At TEC, we recently helped a client who had a request we hadn’t encountered before—he had written a paper that included many footnotes; however, he needed to change those footnotes over to endnotes. We thought that creating a practical blog with instructions for how to make this switch would be helpful for others who are looking to do the same thing!     Make Sure Your Prep the Document   It’s very important to...

Editing / Usage / Editing New Media / Editing & Technologies

Chances are, if you produce written documents on a daily basis—whether professional reports, personal projects, school-related work (such as dissertations/theses)—you work in Microsoft Word. We know that Word can be tricky when it comes to the ins and outs of formatting, and that there are many options to get to know. We know how helpful formatting tips can be and want to share our expertise in a new...

Editing / Style / Publishing / Editing New Media

Writing a good play is hard work but by learning a few tricks in Microsoft Word, playwrights can make the process of formatting scripts easier. Like book publishers, publishers of plays don’t all agree on formatting specifics, but by following the guidelines below you’ll be able to submit a polished script that will show your prospective publisher that, if nothing else, you’re serious about the quality of your submission....

Editing / Usage / Style

TEC has had a number of dissertations cross our desks over the past few months, and working on these important documents is always a process that requires a lot of attention and an eye for detail. We take editing dissertations (and theses as well) very seriously: when we work on such a document, we know the work we do can have huge impact on our client's life. We...

Editing / Editor/writer / Publishing

The process of editing your work can be trying, difficult, and frustrating. but it can also be rewarding, enlightening, and satisfying. This month, we’re looking at ways authors can make the most of the self-editing process.     Change the Formatting   Most computers will default to a few standard settings – Times New Roman or Calibri as a font selection, 12-point font size, and 100% zoom. These are great to work...

Editing / Editor/writer / Publishing / Writing / Writers Support Group

It’s 2022, and the start of a new year may be enough for you to feel inspired to tick off some of the items on your to-do list. If one of the items on your list is to write or publish something, whether it’s a book, a journal article, or something else entirely, then it’s a good idea to go into the process armed with as much information as...