CALL
FOR PRESENTERS
Northwest Independent Editors Guild Conference: March 28, 2009
The Northwest Independent Editors Guild needs your expertise! After a
successful conference attended by nearly 150 people in 2007, we're returning
with what we hope will be an even better one in 2009. And that's where you come
in. We're looking for experienced speakers with great topics.
Date & Schedule
The conference will take place March 28, 2009, at North Seattle Community
College. It will be a one-day event, with an opening session followed by
breakout sessions. Here's the tentative time schedule:
Opening session - keynote speaker
Break
2 concurrent sessions + 1 discussion group
Lunch
2 concurrent sessions + 1 discussion group
Break
2 concurrent sessions + 1 discussion group
So we have six session slots to fill. The sessions we are labeling
"concurrent sessions" will be in a seminar format. Attendees will be
able to choose one of each pair during a given time period or an informal
small-group discussion that will take place at the same time.
Possible Topics
Topics covered in our last conference's sessions and discussions include:
1. How to find new clients
2. Communicating with author or editing clients
3. Estimating fees for editing
4. Tips on technology
5. Body awareness at work
6. Copyediting issues and stylebook solutions
7. Substantive and developmental editing
8. Specializing
9. Marketing
Here are some other topic ideas that were unearthed in a survey of our
members:
1. Business aspects of freelancing (bookkeeping, taxes, licenses)
2. Breaking into new markets
3. Hands-on editing tips
4. Contracting and billing
5. Boosting your networking skills
6. Handling problem clients
7. Freelancing for government clients
8. Hands-on writing tips
Please feel free to suggest other topics that you think would be of interest
to our group.
Presenter Qualifications
We are seeking experienced presenters who are currently active in the field and
have been working for at least five years. Being a member of Northwest
Independent Editors Guild is a plus.
NOTE: The Guild is also sponsoring a free workshop, "Tips and
Techniques for Presenting," for Guild members interested in improving
their presentation skills for this or future conferences. Led by Guild member
Marguerite Langlois, the four-hour workshop will take place in Seattle at 10
a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. Watch the listserv for more details, or email registrar@edsguild.org
for more information.
Compensation
Presenters will receive free registration for the conference (a $100 value). You
will also receive publicity for your business in our conference marketing
materials and a hearty thank-you for volunteering your time and expertise. And
of course, you're welcome to bring along handouts that promote your business.
Proposing Your Idea
If you have a session topic to propose, please send us this information:
Discussion Leaders
As noted above, the third session in each time slot will be small group
discussions, so we're also looking for facilitators, three for each round. If
you would like to be a facilitator, please send us the same information as for
presenters above, but with your experience as a facilitator and, if you have a
topic you'd like to use, a brief description of discussion questions you'd use
on that topic.
Recommendations
You may not want to present or facilitate, but you may know someone to recommend
for these sessions. If so, please send us their names, their area of expertise,
why you recommend them, and how we can reach them.
Questions & Submissions
Please submit your proposal via e-mail to us at conference@edsguild.org.
Please be sure to include the words "Guild Conference" in the subject
line. If you have questions, send them to that e-mail address.
Our Guild is extraordinarily rich in its diversity of expertise and
experience. We want to showcase that in a fun and meaningful conference with
great speakers and educational topics. We're looking forward to hearing from
you. Thanks for your help!
Conference Committee
Ann Gosch
Kyra Freestar
Marianne Streich
Nancy Wick
