The Editorial Freelancers Association Board of Governors plays an important role in the organization and is made up of officers, committee chairs, and members at large (MALs). 

Shortly after the seven new MALs began their term in 2023, EFA Co-Executives Katy Grenfell and Cody Sisco issued a challenge to them: to be the face of the board for all EFA members. The MALs put their heads together and came up with the idea of hosting a monthly event that would provide members with an opportunity to get together to learn about—and discuss—various topics of interest to those in the editorial field. Thus, STET Talks was born. 

STET Talks launches on Wednesday, January 24, at noon EST and will feature guest speaker audiobook producer Christina Rooney. Please see the event listing for details.

STET Talks are designed to be relatively informal, yet informative. Each session will begin with a 15-minute presentation or interview, followed by 35 minutes of conversation and Q&A about the topic presented. The talks are scheduled to be 50 minutes long to accommodate members’ busy schedules but, depending on participation, the duration of each individual event will be flexible. STET Talks are open to all EFA members and will be held on Zoom. They will not be recorded.

STET Talks will feature experts in their field, from both within and outside the EFA, discussing topics including: audiobook editing; using AI in editing; results of the EFA Member Value Survey and the latest rates survey; legislation potentially impacting freelance work; editors as advocates for people of size (medical terminology); hosting writers’ groups; results-driven networking; working with book designers; and editing for nonconformists. MALs and other Board members will lead the post-presentation discussions.

And, as if this amazing lineup weren’t enough to entice our members, each STET Talk will also include door prize drawings. In addition, for each STET Talk you attend, you’ll receive an entry into a grand prize drawing to be held at the end of the year.

Why the name STET Talk? STET is a word unique to editing. It’s been used in hashtags like #STETpets and #STETwalk as a way of building fellowship within the editorial community. We hope #STETtalk will do likewise, both during the actual gatherings and in the discussions that will continue in the EFA Discussion List (using the new hashtag, of course) after the events have taken place. 

And while we are confident this new series will be a big success, if it completely flops, next year’s MALs can STET the change and come up with something new to engage and enlighten EFA members.

We hope to see you there.

Here’s to talking!