If you’re a Canadian writer, there are several benefits to working with a Canadian editor. Canadian editors are more likely to be familiar with Canadian English and may have a better grasp of certain elements of culture. (Though, of course, the country is large and an Ontario editor may very well have different cultural knowledge than a Vancouver or New Brunswick editor).
On the business side, working with a fellow Canadian means you don’t have to worry about exchange rates or international money transfers. Plus, the more Canadians you work with, the more Canadians will know of your work! That bolsters your chance of promotion and sales opportunities here.
But how to find a Canadian editor? With so much of the North American publishing industry focused on the US, it can be easy for Canadian publishing pros to be a little overshadowed by our American counterparts. But we’re definitely here! When you’re ready for editing, here are a few ways to find us!
Check The Editors Canada Directory
Editors Canada, a professional association of editors across the country, has a directory that lists any members who opt in.
You can browse listings by editorial skill, like copy editing or developmental editor. Or you can search by the subjects and genres/mediums the editor works with. You can even narrow your search by postal code to find someone nearby. Or you can stick to browsing alphabetically.
Here’s my listing as an example.
Post On The Editors Canada Job Board
Don’t want to browse listings? Editors Canada has a second option for finding an editor: the National Job Board. You can submit a posting for your project, and it will be listed on the board. All Editors Canada members will be able to view your posting, and interested editors can then contact you.
This is a great option if you’d rather discuss your project with editors who are already interested rather than sorting through the directory. But in either case, you should make sure to check credentials, clarify terms and fees, and verify a good fit.
Join Regional Writers Groups And Organizations
There are many regional writers groups and organizations in Canada. And they are full of folks who want to share their stories and who’ve done so. If you join one (or several), you’re sure to interact with writers who’ve worked with editors already and may have recommendations. Some writers may also be editors themselves.
Some organizations also offer programming that may give you opportunity to meet editors or other folks in publishing sector who could direct you to an editor.
In-person or hyper-local online groups may be best for finding an editor who’s in the same town or city as you, but big Canada-wide online groups—like Canada Writers on Facebook—may allow you to cast your net a bit wider.
Check Social Media
As small business owners, many editors have social media accounts. So, aside from asking about editors in online writers groups, you can also search social media for Canadian editors. Search hashtags like #CanadianEditor, #CanLit, or #CanadianPublishing to find folks. Or look at your favourite Canadian indie authors’ posts and see if they’ve tagged the editors who they’ve worked with.
Go To Canadian Literary And Publishing Events
Canada has a plethora of writers festivals, conventions, and other publishing and literary events where bookish folks can hang out and meet each other.
Some of these events even have pitch sessions, portfolio reviews, meet and greets, or other networking opportunities specifically designed to help you to meet editors.
After Finding Your Canadian Editor
Once you find an editor you work well with, be sure to recommend them to your writing colleagues. It will help them find an editor and help your editor keep working!
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