Self-Paced Course: Editing for Conscious and Inclusive Language

Are you an editor who wants to help writers be more mindful and intentional with their language, especially when it comes to potential harm or bias in their words or representation? I created a course through the Editorial Freelancers Association called “Editing for Conscious and Inclusive Language,” which applies to all types of editors working on all types of writing.

"Editing is about more than just fixing words on a page—it's about assessing the impact those words can have on readers. Learn how to help writers choose their language with compassion and intent."

Students have access to the content for a full year, so they don’t have to worry about logging in at a specific time, completing assignments on a deadline, or feeling rushed. Because the course is self-paced, students can move through the lessons at whatever speed is comfortable for them. It also includes live Q&A sessions on video calls with me, held every few months.

If you’re an editor, I hope you’ll consider taking the course. I’m proud of the content, and I think it’s useful for everyone.

Here’s the course description:

As editors, we recognize that words are powerful, and our role is to help clients craft their writing to reflect their intended message. More and more, writers, publishers, and readers are understanding how biased or exclusive language can render text ineffective or harmful, and editors who can identify oppressive language, problematic representation, and unintentional bias are a vital part of the process of addressing these issues.”

“This self-paced course will teach editors the concepts of conscious language and inclusive language, and how to apply these frameworks to editing practices. Students will learn about evaluating writing related to topics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and body size, as well as how to craft client feedback. Several sample passages will be provided so students can practice assessment and querying skills, then see how the instructor handled those same passages. Students will also have direct access to the instructor during live Q&A sessions.

The information offered in this course is beneficial for all editors, regardless of the type of editing you offer, the genres you work in, the clients you serve, and whether you’re new or seasoned. Editing for conscious and inclusive language is a valuable way in which editors can truly help writers and advocate for all readers.

And here’s a list of the modules covered in the course:

  • The editor’s role

  • Inclusive language and conscious language

  • Tone and framing

  • Representation

  • General suggestions and practices in writing

  • Race, ethnicity, and national origin

  • Gendered language

  • Gender identity and sexual orientation

  • Disability, health, and mental health

  • Age and generation

  • Religion and spirituality

  • Socioeconomic status and education

  • Body size and food

  • The editorial process

  • Writing manuscript comments

  • Client resistance

  • Continued learning

The cost is $190.00, but members of the EFA, Editors Canada, and the CIEP receive discounts.

Testimonials and course feedback

“One of the best courses I have ever taken! Comprehensive content on all topics related to conscious language, which I must be vigilant about as a nonfiction copy editor. The self-paced modules were easy to complete and the live Zoom calls useful for more in-depth discussion. Each topic is chock-full of examples and guidance on how to tactfully communicate potential issues and suggested alternatives to my author clients. I can easily use my copious notes to create consistency checklists and common client feedback to ensure their book content is respectful and inclusive. Highly recommend!”

Julie Willson

“The organization made the course easy for me to navigate and the content was thorough but accessible. I appreciated that it felt as if we could start at any subject-matter knowledge level and still get a great deal out of the course.”

“I think the topics were provided in digestible ways -- the content was never overwhelming. And all the content was super practical.”

“I loved how short each lesson was, and how I could either read the lesson or watch/listen to the video, depending on which was easier to focus on that day. I was a little concerned that, since this was self-paced, I'd have a hard time staying motivated—I benefit from outside structure/accountability, such as deadlines. But this course’s combination of structure and flexibility turned out perfect for me. I finished it! Too often, I've not finished homework in my editing courses. In sum, this course was more accessible for my ADHD brain than any other editing course I've taken.”

“The examples at the end were so helpful. I appreciated seeing the instructor’s way of framing these difficult comments in a diplomatic and sensitive manner.”

“As someone who’s deep into conscious and inclusive editing for a large agency, I wasn’t sure how much of the basics I still need to learn. This course was so thorough that it taught me exactly why this work is ongoing with no end goal. I expanded my skills much more than I expected!”