Connect with other editors

Two email discussion forums – EAC-ACR-L (English and French) and ACRLISTE-L (French) – allow members from across Canada and around the world to ask questions, share their ideas, and talk about business.  Many freelancers and in-house editors alike think of these email forums (available in both individual and digest format)  as a fast and convenient way to learn from others and as a virtual water cooler around which a broad range of related topics and other interests can be discussed in tagged subject areas.

Interactive Voice provides threaded web-based forums for focused and in-depth conversation. Discussion threads include Editorial Advice, Freelance Forum, In-House Editing Issues, Business Issues, Technology Issues, Association Issues and Chat. It is also home to the National Job Board.

Monthly membership meetings held in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal give members an opportunity to network, hear informative speakers, and participate in professional development.

The EAC annual conference provides an opportunity to attend workshops and panel discussions, participate in the annual general meeting, meet other editors and publishing professionals from across the country, make new friends, and catch up with old acquaintances.

Develop your skills

Since its beginning in 1979, EAC has offered professional development seminars through its branches, with discounts for members. Informed instructors continue to help beginning editors build strong foundations, and they help more experienced ones develop their expertise.

Typical topics include

• copy editing
• proofreading
• grammar and usage
• copyright law and permissions
• estimating time and setting rates
• starting a freelance business

The monthly branch meetings and the annual national conference provide further opportunities to learn from experienced, informative presenters.

Get Certified

Become a Certified Professional Editor through the association's certification program. Find out more about EAC certification.

Find work

The Online Directory of Editors (ODE), a searchable electronic resource, helps potential employers find the right editor fast. As a qualifying, voting or honorary life member, you can list your services in the ODE at any time by completing an online form and paying the required fee. Freelancers who list in the ODE can attract new clients by creating personalized listings that rank high in online searches. A well-written ODE listing can pay for itself many times over.

EAC's National Job Board contains national job postings paid for by employers. Only EAC members have access to this board.

The branch Hotlines are free job announcement services available in all branches. They put local clients in touch with editors looking for work.

Postings for positions are also often circulated informally between members.

Protect your business

Members can sign up for affordable Professional Indemnity and Commercial General Liability (combined limit of indemnity) coverage designed to protect editors against claims brought by third parties for compensatory damages.

Through this arrangement, EAC can ensure that its members will receive very comprehensive and competitively priced Professional Indemnity (also known as errors and omissions or E&O insurance) and Commercial General Liability (combined limit of indemnity) coverage and outstanding service.

Read Freelance Editors: Get ahead but cover your behind (PDF, 170 KB)

Protect yourself against unexpected expenses

EAC members have access to affordable health and dental insurance. These enhanced health-care plans can supplement provincial government coverage and help protect members against unexpected health and dental expenses. With a complete product package that spans term life insurance, permanent participating life, universal life, disability, critical illness and long-term care, these plans can offer personal peace of mind, regardless of what the future might bring.

What's more, EAC members can potentially save up to 60% on their automobile and property insurance premiums. This new benefit offers competitive group rates and quality insurance coverage for cars, homes, home-based businesses, condominiums, apartments, cottages, seasonal homes, jewellery, fine art and other valuables.

Save on Office Supplies

Editors go through a lot of supplies. Whether you work in a small or large enterprise, discounts on office supplies come in handy. 

EAC has partnered with Grand & Toy and Staples Advantage to bring members the best deals on office supplies. EAC members are eligible for special Grand & Toy discounts both in-store and online. By signing up for the Staples Advantage discount program, members will have access to a core list of discounted items such as red pens, paper and printer toner.

Be in the loop

The EAC websites, www.editors.ca (English) and www.reviseurs.ca (French), promote editing and professional standards and provide an ever-growing list of online editorial resources.

Active Voice/Voix active, EAC's national newsletter, includes association news, features on language and on different kinds of editing, and reviews of everything from style books to software. Most branches publish local newsletters as well.

Brand your messages

Show people what you do with an "@editors.ca" email address, available exclusively to EAC members.

Get involved

The number one benefit of membership is the opportunity to get involved in the association's committees and activities. The connections you'll make and the skills you'll develop are the most effective way to reap the other benefits listed above.

For more information about joining EAC, visit the website at www.editors.ca/join_eac or call 416 975-1379 in Toronto, or toll free 1 866 CAN-EDIT / 1 866 226-3348.