Next meeting: Wednesday 28 May 2008

6.00 for 6.30 pm in the Friends Meeting Room of the National Library.

Being both author & editor: an experience in juggling two roles

Our speaker, Ian Howie-Willis, will talk about his experiences as a practising historian who at times must play the editor’s role.

Born in Melbourne, Ian learnt the craft of writing as a cadet journalist on the Melbourne Sun. But tiring of night shifts, he embarked on a career as a teacher and historian, which took him via Papua New Guinea and the University of Kent to the ANU in 1975. Seven years teaching Sociology at Dickson College followed. During that time he was commissioned to write the centenary history of the St John Ambulance organisation in Australia.

Long years as a public servant in the ACT Department of Education and Training followed, punctuated by several self-edited books. In 1990 he was Senior Editor and principal writer of The Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia. He also spent three years as the Managing Editor of the journal, Aboriginal History. His latest book, Surgeon and General: A Life of Major-General Rupert Downes, 1885–1945, will be released in September.

As usual, we will meet in the Friends Lounge of the National Library of Australia, at 6.00 for 6.30 pm, with drinks, delicious nibbles and first-rate opportunities for networking.

EdEx 2008 on Saturday 2 August

To accreditation and beyond: your career as an editor

EdEx is the Society’s day of workshops and presentations, held every two years. EdEx 2008 will be held on Saturday 2 August 2008 at Old Parliament House. EdEx 2006 was a huge success and we hope that this year’s event will be even bigger and better.

The theme for EdEx 2008 has not been finalised but will probably focus on the three stages of your life as an editor. We need more help on the organising committee to contact and book speakers, and make all the arrangements necessary to create a successful event. So far the committee has only two members!

If you are interested in joining the EdEx committee, please contact me on 0412 042 974 or by email at <knewell1@optusnet.com.au>.

Please watch this Notice Board for further information about this exciting day. Working on the organising committee with people who share your interests and those of the Society’s is very rewarding.

Kerie Newell
Training and Hospitality Coordinator

TRAINING NEWS

The Australian Publishers Association

This association often arranges workshops, seminars, etc of interest to Editors.
For dates, costs and all other details please see their website: www.publishers.asn.au

Copyright

Gabrielle Mackey has prepared this list of useful links to copyright-related sites

Insurance requirements for editors?

Earlier in the year, societies of editors distributed a questionnaire about insurance for freelance editors. Robyn Colman of the Society of Editors (Tasmania) has now reported on the responses - responses that give very sensible and resourceful advice. Twenty-two people responded to the survey, three of whom had not been bothered about insurance. The report, based on information drawn from the eighteen respondents who had, is attached here. Most communicated strong feelings!

Do you want to be an editor?

You can find some notes on 'How do I become an editor' by clicking here.

canberraeditors@yahoogroups.com

A reminder that all members of the Canberra Society of Editors are invited to join this Canberra Editors discussion group, set up a couple of years ago exclusively for CSE members to facilitate on-line discussions and mutual assistance on editing matters.

To join, send a blank email (no need to include a subject line) to canberraeditors-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .

(But if your email address doesn't make it clear who you are, add your name so that you can be recognised as a member.)

To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to canberraeditors-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com .

Editing theses

We reported some time ago that CASE had written to the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) on the ethics of editing theses, a matter that has been of concern to many editors.

A policy has been developed by the Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies collaboratively with the Council of Australian Societies of Editors. The document, The Editing of research theses by professional editors, is obtainable by clicking here. It provides guidance to professional editors, who need to be clear about the extent and nature of help they offer in the editing of research students’ theses and dissertations. It will also be of value to academic supervisors of research students in relation to their own editorial role as well as that of the professional editor.