What’s the point of an editor?
The big question for many people working for the first time with an editor is, why? Why is this step needed? Why must I allow my finely honed work to be trod on by someone who’s not a subject matter…
Welcoming our new partners
Not only are we celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, we’re toasting the addition of two talented individuals to our pool of editors, writers, and trainers. As of October 1, 2017, Barbara Johnston and Rowena Rae are partners with West…
A most agreeable cover
We’re delighted to see partner Lana Okerlund’s article on Seth Thorne Tilley on the cover of the fall 2017 British Columbia History magazine. You can find Lana’s absorbing tales of the province’s pioneer booksellers and stationers on her blog, A Most…
Four decades of Room
It’s a year for anniversaries. As we mark our 25th, we raise a collective glass to Room, celebrating four decades of literature, art, and feminism. Three partners—Audrey McClellan, Lana Okerlund, and the newly retired Yvonne Van Ruskenveld—have been members at…
New partner
We are delighted to announce today that Lana Okerlund is a new partner with West Coast Editorial Associates. A Vancouver-based editor, writer, and indexer, Lana works primarily on non-fiction books and publications. She is a Certified Copy Editor and Certified Proofreader, a trainer…
Words and play
When I was a kid, I was certain I’d be a writer. I wrote constantly: poems, stories, plays, cartoons, newspapers, magazines (including the cover and fake ads), and novel beginnings—many, many beginnings. I didn’t care about quality or completion. I…
Marathon: A word to run with
marathon: (n.) A long-distance running race, strictly one of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 kilometres). A long-lasting or difficult task or activity; an endurance contest. Al Howie: The short warm-up run ahead of a very, very long outing. During a…
The talented Ms. Tomlin
There has never been a West Coast Editorial Associates without Barbara Tomlin—until now. On January 1, 2016, Barbara officially retired from the partnership she co-founded with six other experienced editors in 1992. Barbara is not “retired retired.” She continues to…
Changing hats
Although I’ve been a writer and editor for almost 30 years, most of my work has been outside the book publishing world, and I’ve never worked in-house. So when I pitched a children’s book idea to Orca Book Publishers a…
Cut and paste—collage as thinking tool
When I taught business writing, I found many participants grew weary of the “do-the-exercise-discuss-with-your neighbour” training model. Because the course covered a range of strategies for page fright, I hoped that at least one of them would stick. Enter collage…