Year-at-a-Glance 2011

January 20—Time to Expand Your Library? Learn About e-Book Readers

Is a book a physical object—a set of ink-on-paper pages bound in an identifying cover? This traditional description confuses the container with the content and makes other delivery systems seem less authentic. Copyeditor, publisher, and avid reader Stephanie Glidden will share her experience of transitioning from the hardcopy world of books and newspapers to her new passion for the Kindle. Representatives from Barnes & Noble (Nook, NOOKcolor) and Borders (Kobo, Sony, Cruz) will describe the features and benefits of their e-Book reader products.

March 11—SD/PEN 25th Anniversary Celebration

Discover how it all began! Meet the founders of SD/PEN and special guests from the publishing world. Mingle with other word lovers, reconnect with old friends, and browse memorabilia spanning the years since March 1986. Enjoy live music, hors d’oeuvres, beverages (including no-host wine bar), and a special anniversary cake. Free drawings for a dozen or more raffle prizes. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate twenty-five years of SD/PEN. Celebration at the Starboard Room, Marina Village, San Diego, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Members and nonmembers welcome. Reservations required.

May 19—Growing Professionally: Professional Development Courses

Many SD/PEN members have attended the Copyediting Program at UCSD Extension. The program representative, Allison Maderia-Joseph, will update us on current course listings and how editors can continue to grow professionally. What would you learn if you signed up for Marketing for Copyeditors or Web Skills for Editors or Editing as a Business? Come to find out how to keep your skills current in today’s market. Literature about the Copyediting Program will be available.

July 21—Beyond Words: Graphic Design and Typography

Once words are edited, what’s next? Graphic design and typography. Communicating visually, making a document inviting, welcoming, with an aura of credibility—this is creating beyond the words. Jennifer Rey (SD/PEN member) and Rob Tirsbier will discuss the beauty of blending graphic design and typography and the importance of establishing a look or “brand” for your work. They will show samples and discuss available resources for clip art, photo libraries, and font options.

September 15—Which Comes First, Marketing or Editorial?

There is often a thin but firm line between the editorial and marketing goals for a book. Which is more important: What the author wants to say or what the readers want to hear? Packager and publishing consultant Karla Olson, founder of BookStudio, LLC, will share her success strategies for building marketing opportunities into a book without compromising the author’s voice or message, the basic steps for a marketing plan, and the evolving publishing business. Karla will share samples of her work.

November 17—Digging into Dictionaries and Other Resources

Which dictionary is the real Webster’s, and can you trust it? What are the recommended resources that word lovers use and truly depend on for accuracy? Charles Harrington Elster, writer, broadcaster, and logophile, will help us answer these questions. Plan to share the resources that keep your work accurate and top-notch. Let us know why you use what you do, and bring samples with you. We’ll have our own A Way With Words. Audience participation encouraged. Charlie will have books to sell, just in time for the holidays!