Red Pencil Conference 2025
On Saturday, November 8, over 300 editors gathered in Lynnwood and online for the Northwest Editors Guild’s 2025 Red Pencil Conference! This year’s hybrid event, Framing our Futures: Perspectives on a Changing Industry, drew 185 in-person attendees, 131 online attendees, and 24 panelists and speakers (11 of whom were Guild members). The program included 15 empowering sessions exploring everything from working with authors to AI to freelancing. “This conference was the boost I needed to re-energize and refocus,” wrote one happy attendee. “I have so many notes and ideas to think through. The professional development from this day is going to help me be a better editor.”
Jane Friedman giving her keynote presentation, watched by a crowd of editors; photo courtesy of Jill Walters
Conference Highlights
This year’s conference kicked off with an inspiring keynote by Jane Friedman, who examined the opportunities and threats AI poses to editors based on her decades-long career in the publishing industry. Other highlights included a lively panel discussion about finding work as a freelancer with Crystal Shelley, Lee Hornbrook, Lynne Pearson, Shannon Roman, Nicole Guenther, and moderator Melissa Haskin; a crash course on using AI without using client text from Erin Servais and Nadia Geagea Pupa; a deep dive into editing and publishing trends with Ingrid Emerick and Katherine Richards of Girl Friday Productions; and Brittany Yost’s session on editing biased language. Video recordings of many of these sessions will be available for six months following the conference, giving everyone access to catch up on anything they may have missed. Find out how to access recordings at the bottom of this post.
The conference featured many structured networking opportunities, including a newcomers meetup, the very first Editors Helping Editors Live, Linda Ruggeri’s session on networking for freelancers, speed networking, and online-only Zoom networking sessions for the virtual conference attendees. With plenty of networking, exhibitor tables, a book swap, and a photobooth, the connections made between editors were a highlight of the conference.
This year, 58% of attendees were attending Red Pencil for the first time. Nearly half of attendees traveled from outside the Seattle metro area. According to the post-conference survey, 62% of respondents said they have been working in their field for over nine years, and 50% consider themselves in the middle of their career. Survey respondents identified the keynote address, varied breakout sessions, and networking opportunities as key features of this year’s conference.
Michael Schuler accepting his award and taking a moment with Giant Pencil; photo courtesy of Rachel Herbert.
Guild Award of Excellence
After a long day of learning and networking, Northwest Editors Guild Board President David Hicks wrapped up this year’s conference by presenting the 2025 Award of Excellence to Michael Schuler for his extraordinary contributions to the Guild and the greater editing community.
Michael Schuler joined the Guild ten years ago, and he has been a dedicated member and volunteer ever since, never hesitating to offer his time and expertise to other members. He helped with in-person events prior to the pandemic and served on the board for three years, doing an outstanding job in the treasurer role. He served as conference chair for the 2023 conference, which was the very first hybrid Red Pencil. He continues to host in-person happy hours. In addition to his work in editing and proofreading, he is also a photographer and certified urban planner. Michael is described by his colleagues as kind, friendly, selfless, level-headed, meticulous, accomplished, and reliable. The Guild is honored to have Michael as a part of the community and to present him with this year’s Award of Excellence.
Since its creation in 2010, the Guild Award of Excellence has been given to a Guild member at each of the biennial Red Pencil conferences. Past winners include MariLou Harveland in 2023, Jill Walters in 2019, Beth Chapple in 2017, Andie Ptak in 2015, Kyra Freestar in 2013, and Anne Moreau and Sherri Schultz in 2011.
Many Thanks to Our Volunteers & Sponsors
A huge thank-you to everyone who helped make this year’s Red Pencil Conference a success! This includes the 2025 planning committee (Alexandra DuSablon, Amanda Cavanaugh, Jen Swanson, Julia Anderson, Jessyca Yoppolo, and Jess Lulka); the 28 in-person and online volunteers who ensured day-of conference logistics ran smoothly; and everyone who contributed to the 2025 scholarship fund—including those who attended Giant Pencil Trivia Night—which supported two conference attendees with scholarships.
Volunteers helping attendees at the in-person check-in desk at Red Pencil 2025; photo courtesy of Jess Stampe.
Red Pencil 2025 wouldn’t be possible without generous support from our sponsors:
Pique Publishing provides editorial and design services for all aspects of the publishing process, specializing in both print and digital media.
Conscious Style Guide, created by Karen Yin, is the first website devoted to conscious language, where you can access style guides covering terminology for various communities and find articles debating usage. Karen’s new book is titled The Conscious Style Guide: A Flexible Approach to Language That Includes, Respects, and Empowers.
Inclusive Media Solutions LLC is a certified minority- and woman-owned business that provides media creation, revision, and consulting services for organizations who want their materials to be more inclusive.
The Human Creator program run by the Human Intelligence Institute elevates human creativity in the age of AI by protecting, preserving, and proclaiming the value, meaning, and precedence of genuine human art.
Third Place Books is a Pacific Northwest bookselling institution with three locations in the Seattle area, each featuring a partner restaurant and gathering space.
University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education offers the Certificate in Editing program, where students explore key techniques for multiple levels of editing.
Recordings Now Available
Recordings of Jane Friedman’s keynote and select Red Pencil 2025 sessions are now available online through May 8, 2026, for ticketholders with hybrid or virtual access. Log on to the dashboard to find the recordings, handouts, and slides.
Didn’t buy a virtual or hybrid ticket? Don’t fret! You can buy access to all the videos or purchase a mini bundle of recordings most relevant to you at an affordable price. If you attended Red Pencil in person, please log in with the email that you used to register to get your discount on video access.
Grow Your Business Pack (6 videos): $60
Editing in the Age of AI: Protecting and Advancing the Craft of Writing (Jane Friedman)
Finding Work as a Freelancer (Crystal Shelley, Lee Hornbrook, Lynne Pearson, Shannon Roman, Nicole Guenther, and Melissa Haskin)
Building Bridges: Networking for Freelance Editors (Linda Ruggeri)
How to Give Yourself Accommodations: On Working as a Neurodivergent Editor (Laura Burge)
Keeping Grounded: Work-Life Balance for Freelancers (Laura Poole)
The Writing Coach: Boost Your Business and Nurture Aspiring Writers (William Kenower)
Develop Your Editing Skills Pack (6 videos): $60
Editing in the Age of AI: Protecting and Advancing the Craft of Writing (Jane Friedman)
World Building for Developmental Editors of All Genres (Andrea Karin Nelson)
Red Pen, Green Light: How to Use AI Without Using Client Text (Erin Servais & Nadia Geagea Pupa)
Up Your Query Game: Build Client Loyalty With Declarative Language and Empathy (Gina Wassyng)
Sensitivity or Censorship: How Editors Address Bias (Brittany Yost)
The Writing Coach: Boost Your Business and Nurture Aspiring Writers (William Kenower)
Deep Dive Into the Industry Pack (6 videos): $60
Editing in the Age of AI: Protecting and Advancing the Craft of Writing (Jane Friedman)
Finding Work as a Freelancer (Crystal Shelley, Lee Hornbrook, Lynne Pearson, Shannon Roman, Nicole Guenther, and Melissa Haskin)
Helping Indie Authors Thrive without a Traditional Publisher (Elizabeth Flynn)
Trends in the Book Publishing Industry as They Impact Freelancers (Ingrid Emerick & Katherine Richards)
OK Computer: Advocating for Human-Powered Editing in a Technical World (Rebecca Brinbury & Jen Koogler)
Sensitivity or Censorship: How Editors Address Bias (Brittany Yost)
All recordings (13 videos): $100
Contact conference@edsguild.org if you have any questions.
See You in 2027!
The next Red Pencil Conference will take place in 2027 and celebrate not only 20 years of Red Pencil conferences but also the 30th anniversary of the Northwest Editors Guild! Plus, it’s the 10th anniversary of StetPet. Stay tuned to the Guild’s socials or website for more information.
