From the Accreditation Board
Looking for useful accreditation exam resources? We’ve reviewed 3 more of our favourite resources for accreditation exam candidates. In fact, all editors, no matter their experience, can benefit from reading these. And we’ve set a date for the Language part of the accreditation exam: Monday 7 December 2026.
More of our favourite resources for exam preparation
Editing for sensitivity, diversity and inclusion: a guide for professional editors
What it covers: This book covers topics we face when editing that require us to think carefully about what the author has written and how it represents people and communities.
Why it matters: In her introduction, Renée Otmar DE highlights that as editors we are advocates for authors and the people and communities they write about.
Her “goal is to sensitise editors to the importance of authenticity, sensitivity, diversity and inclusion in their work; to consider how these might coalesce to construct and influence social attitudes; and to understand the deeply significant role we can play in this process”.
It’s worth noting that we assess editing for sensitivity, authenticity and inclusivity in the exam in line with the IPEd standards for editing practice. This could be in the Knowledge or the Manuscript part of the exam, or both.
How to use it:
This critical resource for all editors no matter their field has 3 parts and offers:
- helpful context for editors using the book
- practical tips for editors editing for sensitivity, diversity and inclusion
- specific topics relevant to editing for authenticity, sensitivity, representation, diversity and inclusion (such as “age”, “scepticism” or “sex and gender identity”).
While you should read the whole book, it’s designed so that you can dip in and out, getting advice about the topic you need when you need it.
Renée recommends editors consider her suggestions in line with:
- their personal context
- the societal context
- the client’s brief
- advice from experts, beta readers, reviewers and communities of practice.
Where to get it: Online – look for Editing for sensitivity, diversity and inclusion: a guide for professional editors by Renée Otmar DE (2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, 2023).
The Australian editing handbook
What it covers: This handbook covers:
- publishing roles and responsibilities
- project and production management
- the basics of editing (from structural editing to artwork and editing specialties)
- proofreading processes and techniques
- index editing
- final stages and print production
- ebooks.
Why it matters: Clearly, it’s comprehensive and covers many of the skills and knowledge we must show to meet the IPEd standards for editing practice. If you plan to sit the accreditation exam, this book is a must read. If you are curious about other editing specialties or editing techniques, this book is for you too!
How to use it: As with Editing for sensitivity, diversity and inclusion, you can read this handbook as written or just the sections most relevant to you. If you are new to editing or an exam candidate, the appendixes are particularly useful, with templates such as a publisher’s brief, and artwork and permissions brief.
Where to get it: Online – look for The Australian editing handbook by Elizabeth Flann DE, Beryl Hill DE and Lan Wang (3rd edition, Wiley, 2014).
The copyeditor’s handbook: a guide for book publishing and corporate communications
What it covers: Consider this handbook your A to Z of copyediting. Despite being written for a US audience, it’s comprehensive and covers not just querying, style sheets and mark-up, but style and grammar advice too. There’s even advice about plain language, accessibility and publishing law.
Why it matters: Editors new and old can do with brushing up on the basics. Or maybe you want to edit for US-based clients. This handbook is easy to read and will help you improve your copyediting skills. Exam candidates have repeatedly told us that they found this handbook highly valuable.
How to use it: As with the last 2 books we’ve reviewed, you can read the handbook front to back, focus on the specific skill you want to develop or find an answer to a curly question that’s got you stumped.
There’s an incredibly useful copyediting checklist at the back and 2 glossaries (one for copyediting and one for grammar).
If you’re serious about boosting your editing skills and want to practise what you’ve learnt, you can buy the handbook as a pair with The copyeditor’s workbook. The workbook has “exercises and tips for honing your editorial judgment [sic]”.
Where to get it: Online – look for The copyeditor’s handbook: a guide for book publishing and corporate communications by Amy Einsohn and Marilyn Schwartz (4th edition, University of California Press, 2019).
Save the date: Monday 7 December
The Language part of the accreditation exam is scheduled for Monday 7 December 2026, and registrations open this month. Check the Exam registration page for details.