ACES: The Society for Editing

Recent actions threaten free speech, free press, and the free flow of information

Read the full Board of Directors statement: aceseditors.org/news/2026/re...

Our work as editors depends on a free and open information environment. We stand in support of journalists and news organizations working to report the truth and will continue to champion the standards of our profession and advocate for the free and open exchange of information.

A series of recent government actions has raised serious questions about free speech, press freedom, and the free flow of information. The Board of Directors of ACES: The Society for Editing condemns actions that lessen the ability of people to be heard and informed in our democracy.

Strong ideas need structure to land.

Helping readers know where to look first is one of the most practical ways editing supports understanding.

That is one of the insights Merrill Perlman left us with in one of our monthly webcasts.

Tomorrow is the last day to submit nominations for the Robinson Prize. 

Entries close at midnight ET on January 31. Submit a nomination! 

https://aceseditors.org/awards/robinson-prize

Editors explaining to authors how that one small style change affects the entire project.

English: “I’m the easiest language to learn.”
Also English:

Editors walking the fine line between clarity and … social survival.

There are two weeks left to submit nominations for the Robinson Prize. 

This award recognizes editors who contribute to their teams and communities through leadership, mentoring, and strong editorial judgment. 

Submit a nomination! 
https://aceseditors.org/awards/robinson-prize

When Canadian editors noticed British spellings appearing in federal budget documents, they did more than note a shift in style. They wrote an open letter to the prime minister.

Read the full story: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/world/canada/carney-british-spelling.html

Looking for your next editing opportunity? Or hoping to find the right person to bring clarity, consistency, and care to your content? The ACES Job Board connects editors and employers in one simple, free space for the community.

https://aceseditors.org/job-board

Some pairs just make sense. Like editors and strong opinions about punctuation. 😉

Many editors guide colleagues, share knowledge, and encourage thoughtful collaboration. The Robinson Prize celebrates them. 

If someone comes to mind, take a moment to learn how the nomination process works and consider submitting their name.

https://aceseditors.org/awards/robinson-prize

Balancing clarity and voice… Every editor knows the struggle.

Editing and instructional design (ID) share the same foundation: clarity, accessibility, and audience awareness. That’s why working together makes online learning stronger.

Worked with an ID before? Tell us how it went.

Have an editing topic you love talking about? Share your expertise with the community by proposing an ACES Academy webcast. 

Learn more: https://aceseditors.org/training/the-aces-academy/want-to-propose-a-webcast

Nominations for the Robinson Prize are now open! 

Each year, ACES honors an editor whose work supports our profession through strong editing, mentoring, and community building. 

Nominations close January 31.

Submit a nomination: https://aceseditors.org/awards/robinson-prize

We hope 2026 brings you projects that spark your curiosity, collaborators who value your expertise, and opportunities that help you grow in your craft.

Happy New Year from ACES. Here’s to another year of strengthening the written word and supporting the editors who make it shine.

Looking for an editor for your next project? Or ready to put your own skills in front of the people who need them?

As an ACES member, you can join the Editors for Hire directory and showcase your services to clients who are actively hiring.

https://aceseditors.org/resources/for-hire

Happy holidays to everyone who spent this year untangling sentences, adjusting commas, clarifying meaning, and gently whispering into the void, “Maybe we cut this part?”

Cheers to editors everywhere. You make the words work

The ACES 2026: Atlanta speaker lineup is set! You’ll see returning favorites you know and trust, alongside first-time speakers bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas to the editing conversation.

Join us in Atlanta: https://aceseditors.org/conference/aces-2026-atlanta

Holiday shopping mode: on 🎁

If you spot something that would make an editor smile, consider picking up an extra for the ACES Education Fund Silent Auction.

Learn more about the auction: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqx1nX0jaCIVhZQBhC_w_CjmiyOEuhxGBeta7c7zprBU7onA/viewform?pli=1

If you’ve edited AI-generated text lately, you’ve probably noticed the sudden flood of em dashes. With AI leaning on it so heavily, we’re curious how you decide when an em dash earns its place. When does it help, and when does it feel like filler?

Early-bird registration for ACES 2026: Atlanta closes today. 

Register now and save! 
https://aceseditors.org/conference/aces-2026-atlanta

What does job satisfaction look like for today’s copy editors, proofreaders, and fact-checkers? 

Read the full article: https://aceseditors.org/news/2025/copy-editors-love-the-work-feel-undervalued

Have a book related to editing that you want to share with fellow editors? Whether it’s a resource you rely on every day or a book you authored yourself, we’d love to feature it in the ACES Book Corner.

Explore the Book Corner: https://aceseditors.org/books

Everything, something, anything, nothing: each has its place, and mixing them up changes everything (see what we did there?). 😉

Repetitive editing tasks can drain hours from your day, especially when you’re juggling multiple projects. Join Maia Rigas for Poynter ACES: Discover Macros for Word.

Enroll now: https://www.poynter.org/shop/writing/poynter-aces-discover-macros-for-word/

Wishing all editors a truly change-free weekend!

Early-bird registration for ACES 2026: Atlanta is officially open, and this is your chance to plan ahead and save up to 25% on your conference pass. ✨

Register here: https://aceseditors.org/conference/aces-2026-atlanta