The Institute of Professional Editors’ national conference on 8–10 May 2019 was a whirlwind of ideas, tips and insights on many areas of editing and editor–client working relationships. Here are just some of my notes from the many speakers. What’s your favourite quote?

Valuing the role of editors

• The value of editors over online tools: “Don’t rely on spill chick”.
• The role of editors: “First do no harm”.
• Editing: “Where the very best work goes undetected”.
• “Editing is invisible work: the better it is, the more invisible”.
• When editors should care about changing language trends: Be aware of language appropriate to the context and care when it creates confusion or errors. Aim to maintain clarity and flow.

Editors and writers working together

• Feedback can identify a writing problem, but there may be different solutions: an editor can suggest, the author can decide.
• For authors: “Be liberated by how unlikely success is. A bestseller is sales more than expected in the print run”.
• For editors: “The client owns the document. Get over it if the client ignores the editor’s advice”.
• “Marketers are brand advocates, editors are reader advocates”.
• English is an international language: 75% of English interactions are between non-native speakers.
• Thesis editing: See the revised IPEd Guidelines for editing research theses, released in May 2019.

Improving accessibility and inclusion

• All aspects of the publishing industry need to recognise the diversity of readers and users of print and web material and how readers access material – by screen reader, mobile, desktop and more.
• Inclusive Publishing in Australia: An Introductory Guide, by the Australian Inclusive Publishing Initiative, was launched at the conference.
• A simple tip like always providing useful alt text for images can improve accessibility. See the Introductory Guide for more on what we can all do.

For advice on writing and editing from an IPEd accredited editor, please contact me at rhdaniels@bigpond.com