Meet the 2026 Board
Our all-volunteer board of directors changes a little bit every year, with most members serving a two-year term on the board that ends in February. This year, our new 2026 leadership team answered a few questions so that you can get to know them better!
Name: Julia Anderson
Title: President
Where you’re located: Molalla, OR
Favorite book: Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? I do developmental and line editing for genre fiction (mainly mysteries, romance, and fantasy), as well as a few memoirs. I also love working with clients as a writing coach!
Why are you part of the Guild? I'm part of the Northwest Editors Guild because the members are the warmest and friendliest editing community I've encountered. We're such a lovely bunch of word-nerds!
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: Plot holes. Nothing makes me so excited or satisfied as helping a writer iron out a wrinkle in their story.
Odd skill that might surprise people: I can give a detailed lecture on the history of the Titanic, thesis and all, off the top of my head (I studied maritime history in college—mostly piracy, another lecture topic).
Dream vacation spot: Tortall (or a dahabeeyah up the Nile).
Best thing about the Guild: The way it makes members feel like part of a community, not just a membership number. Your names are familiar, and I actually feel like I have a lot of friends and acquaintances among you.
Name: David Hicks
Title: VP of Member Services
Where you’re located: Tacoma, WA
Favorite book: The Lord of the Rings.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? Technical writing and editing.
Why are you part of the Guild? The members are my kind of people.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: Parallelism in a list and foggy thinking.
Odd skill that might surprise people: Jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
Dream vacation spot: Moclips beach.
Best thing about the Guild: Friendly members.
Name: Amanda Cavanaugh
Title: VP of Board Development
Where you're located: Vancouver, WA
Favorite book: How can I choose just one? This is cheating, but I'm going to choose The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells (science fiction) and the Rook & Rose series by M.A. Carrick (fantasy).
What kind of editing do you do: My passion is editing science fiction and fantasy!
Why are you part of the Guild?: I earned my Certificate in Editing from University of Washington in 2023, and they recommended the Guild. Red Pencil was in the spring that year; I attended as a student and learned a lot! In that same vein, I love the happy hours; they're collegial and informative, and there's no such thing as a stupid question within them.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: I'm still learning what my favorite thing to fix is, but I love the feeling of looking something up in Chicago, seeing the entry has a "see also:", and cross-referencing it; it's like a treasure hunt!
Odd skill that might surprise people: Hmm... I can't think of anything. I'm an all-weather bicyclist?
Dream vacation spot: I love Washington's beaches. I'd also like to visit the UK, New Zealand, and Australia someday.
Best thing about the Guild: The happy hours and Editors Helping Editors!
Name: Abby Marshall Jaworski
Title: Treasurer
Where you’re located: Astoria, OR
Favorite book: My favorite book changes constantly, but right now I’d say The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? I copyedit and proofread fiction, specializing in historical fiction, women’s fiction, thriller, and horror, although I’ve edited in other genres as well.
Why are you part of the Guild? I joined the Guild for access to an amazing editing community, as well as to take part in the numerous programs and other offerings.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: This is a difficult question! I love working with indie authors and helping them with issues like wordiness, repetition, and showing, not telling. But I enjoy all aspects of editing, whether it’s fixing punctuation and grammar or helping with clarity and flow.
Odd skill that might surprise people: I play the violin.
Dream vacation spot: An overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. Someday...
Best thing about the Guild: The friendly and helpful people!
Name: Kristine Hunt
Title: Secretary
Where you’re located: Lebanon, OR
Favorite book: Impossible to choose one, but recent favorites are anything by Louise Penny, the Legends and Lattes series by Travis Baldree, and Where the Axe Is Buried by Ray Nayler.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? Scholarly nonfiction books and journal articles, mostly in history and anthropology, and generally the humanities and social sciences.
Why are you part of the Guild? Who wouldn't want to be part of the friendliest editing organization out there?!
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: Bibliographies. No really! So fiddly yet so satisfying to make them all neat and tidy.
Odd skill that might surprise people: I can knit without looking at what I'm doing.
Dream vacation spot: Also impossible to choose one, but lately I've been dreaming about visiting family in rural Sweden and a friend's tiny village in the Italian Alps.
Best thing about the Guild: Connecting with colleagues in the Pacific Northwest, especially at Red Pencil, and welcoming in folks who are new to editing.
Name: Laura Lee Bennett
Title: Member at Large
Where you’re located: Redmond, WA
Favorite book: Hard to say! I'm currently reading Devotions, an anthology of poetry by Mary Oliver. I try to read a poem a day—in the morning, before my head fills up. Oliver's poems about nature—birds, rabbits, water, trees—are kind of like a meditation.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? I'm a technical copy editor by trade and training, but also edit fiction, memoir, and poetry.
Why are you part of the Guild? Professional connection, sly humor, and camaraderie. Editing, like writing, is a solitary affair.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: What goes between the em dash! Writers tend to use the phrase between em dashes as a catch-all. Often the phrase needs to go somewhere else, sometimes in a completely separate sentence or paragraph.
Odd skill that might surprise people: Vocal range. I can sing the bass line in a song.
Dream vacation spot: The bluffs at Kalaloch Lodge on the Olympic Peninsula. Best time to go is in March!
Best thing about the Guild: Members are open and willing to share wisdom, experience, slings and arrows. A very collegial group, very supportive.
Name: Alexandra DuSablon
Title: Member at Large
Where you’re located: West Seattle, WA
Favorite book: Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? I'm a mission-driven copyeditor and proofreader, and I work on fiction and narrative nonfiction books plus annual reports.
Why are you part of the Guild? To meet other friendly editors and continue expanding my skills
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: Spotting errors or missing diacritics in words borrowed from foreign languages
Odd skill that might surprise people: I love learning about cat behavior, so I like to say I can win over (almost) any pet cat.
Dream vacation spot: Rural France (specifically, a sidewalk café with a book in my hand), but if I have to pick somewhere I haven't yet been: Patagonia
Best thing about the Guild: Red Pencil!
Name: Stefani Evers
Title: Member at Large
Where you’re located: Redmond, OR
Favorite book: Harry Potter (all of them!)
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? I provide copy editing and proofreading across fiction, non-fiction, academic, business, and marketing content to help you achieve a clean and professional finished work. My goal is to polish your content, ensuring that every sentence is clear, every word is correct, and that your words make the impact they deserve. I enjoy working on both books and shorter pieces like essays, articles, blog posts, and website copy. I would love to work with you on any writing that you would like another set of eyes on!
Why are you part of the Guild? I joined to network and make connections. I stayed because I loved the people and the atmosphere.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: Spelling errors.
Odd skill that might surprise people: Driving semi trucks.
Dream vacation spot: The top of a snowy mountain where I can see the northern lights.
Best thing about the Guild: How welcoming and friendly everyone is!
Name: Travis Mealand
Title: Member at Large
Where you’re located: I work remotely, and my location often changes. I am in Seattle every so often, but I spend a lot of time in Latin America (Mexico, Central America, and South America).
Favorite book: The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K. Le Guin. I thought the intellectual exploration of gender roles combined with an epic journey across an alien planet made for a riveting, unique sci-fi!
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? I majored in creative writing at WWU and possess an Editing Certificate from the UW; these academic experiences, along with my interest in fiction, provide an ideal background for proofreading, copyediting, and developmental editing in creative projects like short story collections and novels. My preferred editing genres are sci-fi, horror, and contemporary fiction.
Why are you part of the Guild? I am a part of the guild to connect with like-minded professionals, and to learn and grow as an editor.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: Errors related to a character's physical movement or location. For example, when a character is lying in bed and sitting in a chair at the same time.
Odd skill that might surprise people: I'm a good whistler, but please don't ask me to whistle for you
Dream vacation spot: Japan. I've recently started learning Japanese!
Best thing about the Guild: Juicy email discussion threads and the Editors of Color Coffee Hour.
Name: Ceylan Ozguner
Title: Member at Large
Where you’re located: Columbus, Ohio.
Favorite book: It's hard to pick! There are so many! Favorite reads from the last year or two (though one was released years ago) are Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley and Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore. I've also been enjoying the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. If we're talking nonfiction, Diana Walsh Pasulka's American Cosmic is a fave.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? I'm a copyeditor and proofreader, though I also do manuscript evaluations and beta reading. My specialties are sci-fi/fantasy, mystery, action/adventure, and mind-body spirit (nonfiction). I work with publishers, businesses, and independent authors who are either self-publishing or want a last-minute polish before submitting their work to a publisher.
Why are you part of the Guild? I'm part of the Guild because it's a small, friendly, and inclusive editing organization with great programs, like mentoring, and meetings for editors (Copyeditors/Proofreaders Happy Hour, Editors Helping Editors, Disability/Chronic Illness/Neurodivergence Meeting, and more), all included as part of membership. The Guild offers things that the bigger editing organizations don't.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: I enjoy lots of things about editing. I suppose I enjoy fixing incorrect punctuation the most because I find it the easiest thing to do.
Odd skill that might surprise people: I don't know if this is surprising, but I can be quite crafty. I make beaded jewelry when I have time. I even used to knit, crochet, and cross-stitch. I also took ballet lessons for 5 years when I was young. Maybe that's the most surprising.
Dream vacation spot: I don't know that there's a specific place. Anyplace with nice weather that's beautiful and has fun stuff to do sounds great to me. That can mean someplace with a beach or visiting bustling cities like London, Prague, or New York. I would love to go to Ireland one day. And several places in South America . . . I've always loved traveling.
Best thing about the Guild: Great, friendly, helpful, and kind members.
Name: Joann Peterson
Title: Member at Large
Where you’re located: Mill Creek, WA
Favorite book: All the Light We Cannot See.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? Non-fiction copyediting. I spent more than 20 years as an analyst and writer on international trade, so I tend to focus on academic and/or expository writing.
Why are you part of the Guild? To learn more about the field of editing from those who have had a long tenure and to meet fellow editors in the Seattle area.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: Clarifying long or confusing text.
Odd skill that might surprise people: Enjoy studying Japanese.
Dream vacation spot: There are too many places to name that I've seen or, more likely, haven't seen yet. Closer to home, I enjoy vacationing on the Olympic Peninsula.
Best thing about the Guild: Kind, welcoming members.
Name: Jill Walters
Title: Social Media Coordinator
Where you’re located: Seattle, WA
Favorite book: We're going to go old-school here: The Stinky Cheese Man
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? I'm a copyeditor and proofreader of mostly nonfiction: magazines, web content, nonprofit materials, educational materials. Working with the Guild for so long, I’ve become an editor for other editors by default since I know the things fellow editors notice and complain about!
Why are you part of the Guild? I first joined in 2013 for the Red Pencil Conference, then started volunteering in 2015, and I'm still here. Take from that what you will.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: Bad hyphen breaks in proofs, especially for "Willamette." InDesign likes to break it as "Will-a-mette," but it should be "Wil-lam-ette." I see that one a lot in the magazines I've proofread.
Odd skill that might surprise people: I'm weirdly good at estimating the volume of things or what will fit in a specific area.
Dream vacation spot: Give me a tropical beach and I'll be happy! (Yeah, yeah, I'll probably end up taking Giant Pencil with me for a photo shoot!)
Best thing about the Guild: The Guild is "the friendliest editing organization" around. There's good reason people say we're friendlier than the big editing groups and it's because, from the beginning, the organization has been run by actual editors who understand and care about the community. Whether you're brand new or you're a famous editor with decades of experience, you're welcome here and will be treated with respect.
Name: Jen Grogan
Title: Administrator
Where you’re located: Seattle, WA
Favorite book: This is so hard for me to answer, but when I’m in a funk or need a comfort read, I always go back to Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? I make and manage beautiful, functional websites for small nonprofits, and I copyedit and line edit science fiction, fantasy, and the occasional romance.
Why are you part of the Guild? Originally I joined to get a discount on the conference and to find work—which I guess worked out well, since I’m on contract as the Guild’s administrator!—but not long after my first conference my TA from the editing certificate program convinced me to try serving on the board, and… almost a decade later, I’m still making new friends and learning new things.
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: I love to find niggling little continuity errors, like a character whose first name appears out of nowhere, or a plot point that’s introduced twice as if it’s the first time.
Odd skill that might surprise people: I’m a school tours docent at Seattle Art Museum in my “other life,” and I have a small child, so I’m getting pretty good at coaxing kids to think about and talk about art, and to follow me around a museum with a minimum of diversions.
Dream vacation spot: At the moment, I’d most love to go back to Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands.
Best thing about the Guild: I love getting to know all the unusual and fun things other editors do. We have such a marvelous and talented bunch of members!
Name: Giant Pencil
Title: Mascot
Where you’re located: I reside in a cozy pencil case on a bookshelf in Seattle, but I frequently travel.
Favorite book: The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance.
What kind of editing do you do (elevator pitch, 50 words)? My lead is neither red nor blue, so I'm technically not an editing pencil (I'm just a really big No. 2 with fashionable clothing), but I draw up social media content for editors nonetheless. I show that editors can have a sense of humor and aren't so uptight that they always break their lead over a tiny error!
Why are you part of the Guild? I was used to help promote the Guild's Red Pencil Conference in 2017 and I was so sharp that the Guild's leadership promoted me to official mascot of the organization! I now fill in for the Guild on social media and at events, I host Giant Pencil's Pre–Red Pencil Virtual Trivia Night every other year, and I even ran a photo booth at this year's Red Pencil!
Favorite thing to fix in an edit: Undotted i's and uncrossed t's keep me busy!
Odd skill that might surprise people: People seem to think that my lead and eraser don't work because I'm so big, but I am a fully functional No. 2—wearing a sweater or tropical shirt and glasses doesn't change my functionality!
Dream vacation spot: Someday I'd like to visit the world's largest pencil at a museum in St. Louis. If you think I'm big, that one is 76 feet long and has 4,000 lbs of graphite! I'm like a golf pencil compared to that!
Best thing about the Guild: I've been lucky to meet so many pencilriffic editors over the years and to get to share my affinity for writing implements and pencil puns!
