Candidates’ Statements for the 2020 EFA Annual Election

Election results will be announced at the 2020 EFA annual meeting:

Wednesday, June 17, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Online

EFA bylaws prohibit any member serving the EFA from receiving compensation of any kind. All members of the Board of Governors are volunteers, as are EFAers who support Board-sponsored activities.

If you have any election comments or questions, please email secretary@the-efa.org.

Electronic ballots will be emailed to EFA members on June 1. Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern daylight time), Monday, June 15. 

The 2020 Candidates

All nominees are EFA members in good standing. For the co-executive position, candidates must have been members for twelve months as of the election/annual meeting, or at least since June 2019.

Co-executive (July 2020–June 2022)

Two co-executives serve staggered terms (one is elected each June) to manage the EFA in all its organizational aspects, preside alternately over Board and executive meetings, and represent the EFA in most business dealings.

Christina M. Frey
Freelancers are resilient. The way the world communicates has shifted rapidly this year, but the flexibility to keep up with urgent or long-term changes is one of the hallmarks of freelance life. That’s something Christina has experienced firsthand as a freelance manuscript editor and literary coach through her business, Page Two Editorial (www.pagetwoeditorial.com), where she uses a collaborative approach to bring out each author’s unique voice.

During her past four years as co-executive, Christina has developed a deeper understanding of how the EFA, too, evolves to better support its members—and how the organization can maintain a socially responsible presence while adapting to shifts in technology, language, and professional practice. She hopes to continue moving the EFA forward to meet the changing needs of the freelance editorial community.

Secretary (July 2020-June 2022)

The secretary keeps the minutes of the Board meetings; communicates with the membership about the annual election, including calls for nominations and voting announcements and reminders; tallies and publishes the annual election results; and participates in executive committee meetings.

Joy Drohan
In my first term as secretary I’ve seen that the EFA Board and the office staff are some of the most committed, selfless, and talented people with whom I’ve ever interacted. They give of themselves all the time to make the world better for freelance editorial folks. I have enjoyed learning the ropes of this position and how things work in the EFA. Now that I’m experienced in this position, I can efficiently do what’s needed and help things run smoothly. For 25 years I’ve specialized in writing and editing about environmental and agricultural science. I work with colleges and universities, publishers, nonprofits, federal and state agencies, private companies, and individuals. In addition to my work as the EFA’s secretary, I’ve served for the past year as president of the parents’ group at my kids’ school, where we broke fundraising goals 2 years in a row. My family and I are raising our third puppy to be a guide dog for The Seeing Eye in New Jersey.

eco-write.com

Members at Large (July 2020–June 2021)

Up to seven MALs represent the entire EFA constituency. MALs assist with the Board’s ad hoc committees, special projects, and standing committees, and participate in all Board business. MALs report to the Board in person or remotely eleven times a year.

Dr. Darla Calvet
I am running to become a member at large for the EFA. I have been a member in good standing since February of 2019, when I become an EFA member after attending the Writer’s Digest conference and visiting with EFA representatives. I am a professional technical writer, former university professor and Vice Chancellor. I have run my own consultancy practice full time since 2015. I have deep experience being a professional writer and would like to help others with their challenges as they embark on this journey. I have found the writing profession to be both profitable and enjoyable. I would be proud to serve in the MAL capacity as one of the seven delegates. Although I reside and have my office in San Diego, California, I collaborate with clients from all over the United States and internationally. Thanks for your consideration.

Nanette Day
As a published author, an avid reader, a former ESL teacher, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and a small business owner, I have always been passionate about the written word. In 2002 I was finally able to turn that passion into my life’s work. Through my EFA membership, I have learned that the world of editorial freelancing is vast and diverse, with no one-size-fits-all approach. I enjoy the organization’s open, supportive discussions that give me insights into how others are thriving in their careers. I also appreciate the access to a variety of voices who contribute their perspectives. As an EFA Member at Large, I would support members in overcoming challenges in their freelancing as well as sharing their insights and successes.

Viannah E. Duncan
Viannah E. Duncan, MFA, has worked in editing and publishing for more than 10 years and has been a member of the EFA since July 2019. In her varied career, she has worked at Starbucks stores writing their signage in between taking orders and making drinks, at a small comics press in marketing and events, and as a government contractor in the healthcare field. Also a member of the American Copy Editors Society, Viannah now edits everything from academic theses to creative writing to corporate training material. Among other volunteer efforts, she has been a senior copyeditor at Hippocampus Magazine & Books since mid-2011 and has acted as lead or contributing editor for several short fiction anthologies. She is interested in working with the EFA in Education, Events, the Diversity Initiative, and the Freelancer newsletter if elected to serve this term of service.

Jessica Hatch
Jessica Hatch is a professional freelance editor who began her career in such publishing institutions as Writers House and St. Martin’s Press, where she dug her way through many a slush-pile inbox and learned how to successfully promote a book. She now puts that knowledge to good use, providing clients on all six habitable continents with practical revisions and marketable advice that have landed them agents, national awards (Lambda Literary Award 2018 for Huntress, A.E. Radley), Amazon bestseller status, and a place on NPR’s Best Books of the Year (Anti-Social Media, Siva Vaidhyanathan).

Tara Kovach
I am currently serving my first term as a member at large and would be honored to receive your vote for a second term. During this edifying and eventful year, I started and now manage the EFA’s Instagram account and joined the Board’s social media committee. If re-elected, I will continue to focus on ways we can improve and expand our social media presence, particularly to attract more attention from potential clients. I would also like to continue being a voice on the Board for those members who, like myself, primarily work outside of traditional publishing. An editor and writer for over 16 years, I have worked in business communications (for companies large and small), advertising, and most recently e-commerce. I am now gently expanding into editing more types of nonfiction writing. In my free time, I am an avid reader, dancer, hiker, crossword puzzler, and amateur chocolatier.

Denise Larrabee
I have been a member of the EFA since 2014 and am eager to continuing serving the EFA membership as a member at large for another year. I was elected as a member at large in 2018 and 2019 and have been editing the monthly eBulletin What’s New at the EFA. Last year I updated the design of the eBulletin, and if reelected, I hope to find other ways to increase the readership of What’s New. I have worked as a freelance editor and writer for over twenty years, working with trade publishers and nonprofits. I hold an MA in American Studies and also have experience editing literary and academic anthologies and journals. However, I believe my experience working and volunteering for nonprofits most benefits the EFA, and I hope the membership will give me the opportunity to continue to serve on the Board.

Zethyn McKinley
I started my freelance career by accident, editing the political science papers of my graduate school classmates. After graduating, editing continued. Now after ten years of running my own business, I edit social science manuscripts and tech documentation, in addition to working for a Civil War publication, where I help with content development, newsletter creation, and advertising sales. I have had to branch into multiple areas to make my business work, as I am sure many members have also done. I get significant value from my membership but hope to bring health and wellness initiatives to the EFA. As a certified yoga teacher, I want to find ways to help our community take care during this challenging time.

Adrienne Moch
After benefiting from my EFA membership for many years, I’d like to give back by serving on the Board as a member at large. I offer a considerable writing and editing background as well as previous Board experience (as president of my homeowners’ association and the local chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners). Since 2004, I’ve been a successful freelancer writer and editor, working with corporate clients and authors across the country and internationally. Prior to going solo, I was a PR professional, newsletter writer, and corporate communicator—and I began my career as a newspaper reporter and editor after earning a BA in journalism/political science. I welcome the opportunity to help maintain this organization as one that provides significant value to those of us who focus on the beauty and power of the written word.

Heather Pendley
Heather Pendley discovered her love for words at the age of 10 when she was given a manual typewriter. However, shortly after high school, she started a family and abandoned her word-loving ways for more steady work in finance, earning a degree in accounting. Several years ago, she resumed her Word Nerd status as a freelance copyeditor, proofreader, and back-of-the-book indexer. Heather has completed many courses, including UC Berkeley’s Indexing Theory and Application, and earned UCSD’s Specialized Certificate in Copyediting. She is a member of ACES and served as one of its 2020 Headline Contest judges, a member of the American Society of Indexers and proofreads its quarterly bulletin Key Words, and has been a member of the EFA since 2017, and is on its Membership Committee. Heather owns Pendley’s Pro Editing & Indexing and is eager to contribute to the EFA in whatever way she can.

Maria Siciliano
Hello! My name is Maria Siciliano, and I am a hard worker. I recently ended my volunteer newsletter editor position at the Los Angeles City Historical Society, producing four high-quality newsletters in 1.5 years. I have over 25 years of experience in higher education as a researcher, writer, lecturer, successful National Science Foundation grant writer, and project manager. I have held senior staff positions at the University of Southern California (USC)—where I also taught public policy and gerontology courses—and the University of Washington College of Engineering. Currently, I develop and teach film and literature courses to older adults at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCLA Extension and edit peer-reviewed journal articles for academics. I earned a BA in English from Wellesley College; an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government; and an MS in gerontology from USC. If elected, I will work hard for you! Thank you.

Amy Spungen
An EFA member since 2016, Amy Spungen has been copyediting professionally since Contragate was a thing. After receiving a BS in journalism, she worked in Washington, DC, and Chicago before stepping away from her office to embrace the flexibility of freelancing. After a decade in which she also earned an MA in English, Amy returned to in-house editing. She spent 14 years at the Chicago Botanic Garden, eventually serving as its editorial director before returning to freelancing. Though she continues to edit and write for various institutions, her passion is editing indie fiction and memoir. The EFA has been a great resource for her, and Amy hopes to give back to the organization through service on its Board of Governors as a member at large. Website: spungenedits.com

David Stacks
David Stacks has reached out to a number of EFA members on a variety of topics since joining in January 2020. He has visited the EFA’s website often for its useful resources and tools. His interests on the EFA Board of Governors include chapter development and membership. He believes in maintaining long-term relationships with colleagues. Stacks is senior editor, consultant and founder of Stacks Editing, which specializes in doctoral dissertations for educators; fiction including historical novels; and indexing. He lives in Augusta, Ga., where he is active in the Authors Club of Augusta. He has held community leadership roles such as president of his Rotary club. While working as a newspaper reporter and editor for 25 years, Stacks was active in Investigative Reporters & Editors, Society of Professional Journalists, American Society of News Editors, National Press Club and Florida Press Club. He was marketing director for a national sportswear manufacturer.