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.”
Red Pencil 2025 Day-of Conference Details
It’s finally here! Read on for everything you need to know about Red Pencil Conference 2025: Framing Our Future: Perspectives on a Changing Industry. See you in Lynnwood or online! Read on for details about the in-person conference.
Can’t Wait for Red Pencil 2025? Meet Our Keynote Speaker Jane Friedman
Psst… the Red Pencil Conference is just three weeks away! Whether you’re joining us online or in person at the Lynnwood Event Center, we’ve got an exciting conference planned for you on Saturday, Nov. 8!
No matter which type of ticket you choose, all of this year’s conference attendees get to start the day with an inspiring keynote by publishing expert Jane Friedman, who will discuss how AI is already transforming the editorial process and offer a clear-eyed assessment of both the opportunities and threats that AI presents to editors and writers alike. This thoughtful take by an industry veteran will begin at 9:30 a.m. PST at the Lynnwood Event Center, where it will also be livestreamed and recorded for virtual attendees.
We’re so excited about Jane’s keynote that we’ve asked her for more information about her long career and topics she may explore during her keynote address—Editing in the Age of AI: Protecting and Advancing the Craft of Writing—which you can read below. Don’t miss out on Jane’s full keynote address at this year’s Red Pencil Conference on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025! You’ll also be able to buy a copy of her book, The Business of Being a Writer, at the Third Place Books table at the conference.
Three Ways to Experience This Year’s Red Pencil Conference
Online vs. In-Person vs. Hybrid Conference: Which is Best For You?
In a world where Zoom calls and virtual meetups have become the norm, the debate between in-person and online conferences is more relevant than ever. While some people swear by the energy and networking opportunities of face-to-face events, others appreciate the convenience and accessibility of tuning in from anywhere. That’s why we designed this year’s Red Pencil Conference to offer both in-person and virtual attendance on November 8, with a third hybrid option that incorporates in-person attendance with digital perks like online access to recordings!
Red Pencil Is for Every Type of Editor
Whether you’re brand-new to editing or have thirty years of experience, Red Pencil 2025 has been designed for all kinds of editors. This year’s conference—taking place on Saturday, November 8, at the Lynnwood Event Center and online—will offer inspired and empowering sessions for editors at every stage of their career.
The Editing Field from an International Perspective: An Interview with Aisha “Ash P” Panjwaneey
The Northwest Editors Guild blog team had the fabulous opportunity to chat recently with Aisha “Ash P” Panjwaneey, owner of Ash P Reads Editing Services. Aisha has two decades of experience in editing across diverse genres and online content. Known among peers as "the book surgeon," she specializes in safe-for-work nonfiction and fiction for all ages. Currently under the mentorship of a renowned comic book editor, Ash is expanding her expertise into new and exciting territories. She is particularly passionate about working with books for young readers and is eager to take on more projects in young adult (YA), middle grade (MG), and children's fiction, as well as graphic novels and comics. We’re excited to share with you everything we learned from that discussion and her experiences.
The Power of Shared Wisdom: Why You Should Become an Editing Mentor
The definition of a mentor as a “trusted counselor or guide” speaks to the core of what our editing community can offer. Since October 2021, I have been fortunate to mentor 10 editors through the Northwest Editors Guild’s Mentoring Program, and others outside of the Guild. Imagine the collective impact we could have on our community if more of us stepped into a mentoring role. We are supporting our peers by fostering growth while simultaneously strengthening our profession—and, perhaps surprisingly, gaining new perspectives ourselves as well. Curious about becoming a mentor? Let’s explore how you can offer invaluable guidance to your fellow editors.
Proofreading Comics with Madeleine Vasaly
The Northwest Editors Guild blog team had the fabulous opportunity to chat recently with Madeleine Vasaly, editor, proofreader, and author of The Proofreader’s Guide to Comic Book Style. We’re excited to share with you everything we learned from that discussion.
What's in Store for Red Pencil 2025?
The Northwest Editors Guild's 9th biennial Red Pencil Conference will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025! This year's theme is Framing Our Future: Perspectives on a Changing Industry. The 2025 Red Pencil conference will explore how editors can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our industry during this time of rapid change.
With an inspiring keynote and a full day of sessions led by experts in our field, we'll examine the myriad challenges and opportunities facing editors today. These include the dizzying growth of AI, rising censorship and intellectual property theft, and preserving the diversity and value that is vital to our industry.
Helping Clients Implement 18th Edition Chicago Style Changes
Recently I undertook the project of updating my clients’ house style guides to the latest Chicago style. More than 330 Northwest Editors Guild members edit to this style, according to my informal search of the member directory. So you are likely aware that the print edition of the 18th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) was released on September 18, 2024. Many editors preordered the book or got a sneak preview of the updated CMOS Online before the official release date.
Upon asking my clients about the new edition, I found that they had no plan to implement the changes and no one with time to update house style. In the words of one senior editor, “please drag [client journal] into 2025” and “everyone is too busy to take this on.” Perhaps you find yourself in a similar situation and want to offer to help your clients update their own style guides.