Business

As we all start to try to transition into post-pandemic life, it’s easy to begin seeing things as “getting back to normal. ” And while many of us feel more comfortable going without masks in public spaces, hosting get-togethers and parties, and travelling again, in many ways, things aren’t back to normal. One of the biggest facets of life that has undergone some serious change is the way many...

Writing / Writers Support Group

There are no secrets tips that make writing easy but there are things one can do to get things off to a good start. So, here are a few pointers on setting up a comfortable writing environment to help get your project started. Whether in an office or working from home, these three tips should serve any writer who’s looking for a kickstart.     Step 1: Set Up an...

Business

During the summer months, it can sometimes be a struggle to stay productive and keep your skills sharp—the sun is shining, the cottage is calling, and relaxing on a back deck or balcony can draw your attention more easily than working on that report, or manuscript, or business document. Add in the distractions of working from home, and focusing on work becomes even more difficult.   And that’s okay! It’s...

Editing / Editor/writer / Event / Office Happenings / Social Media & Community

The recent heat wave provided ample opportunity to enjoy a frosty beverage or two either on a patio or within the confines of one’s air-conditioned home. In fact, every year the summer months provide opportunities for, so-called “new” cocktails to appear on the scene, enjoy a burst of popularity, and then fade from the memories of all but a dedicated few. However, I say “so-called” because these tasty...

Writing / Writers Support Group

So, you’ve read TEC’s blogs on how to get a writing project underway, and after many hours of hard work, you’re finally nearing the finish line. Good work! But how exactly can you wrap up your writing project in the best way? Here are some tried-and-true ways to get there!       Abandon the Notion of Perfection   First, if you find yourself unable to wrap up and complete a writing project because...

Writing / Writers Support Group

Are you struggling with your writing? Are you worried about grammar and punctuation or structure and flow? Are you battling procrastination? Or have you ever felt “alone” in your writing practice? If any of these questions resonate with you, you may benefit from working with a writing coach!      What is a writing coach?    In many areas of society—sports, arts, business, research, or life in general—coaches are commonplace to provide direction, critique, and...

Writing / Writers Support Group

Writing of any sort—whether it’s fiction or non-fiction—can be tough.  Self-doubt can make an already difficult task even harder, and it’s easy to put too much pressure on yourself. In a previous blog entry, Lesley-Anne gave us a helpful overview of how you can get your writing underway and navigate through the process of writing a longer work by building an outline. But what if you still...

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...