I’m back! … To blogging, and from the CIEP Conference 2026

Well, it’s been an embarrassingly long time since I’ve written a blog post! (Ahem, six months or so.) Because I’m human, I have many excuses for my severe blog-related absence:

• my health has been all over the place (thank you, ME/CFS and autonomic dysfunction)

• I’ve had some fabulous manuscripts to work on

• I’ve been preparing the next phase of my business growth plan

• I’ve been getting my own novel ready for publication next year (my book cover looks AWESOME and I’ve spent a lot of time researching talented artists and illustrators who are as vehemently against generative AI as I am)

• I’ve started a special, top-secret project that I’m not yet in a position to share (but EEK!)

• I’m getting married in around 90 days’ time and suddenly realised I should actually start planning, prepping and paying for it (doh!).

So, take your pick, I guess? Anyway, I’ve been pretty darn busy, and I haven’t been able to share the blog love (or interact as much on social media) as I’d like, but, excuses listed and shoved hastily aside, I couldn’t wait another day before reflecting on a fantastic opportunity I had a little over a week ago: attending, participating in, and presenting as a speaker at this year’s conference run by the wonderful team at the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP).

For those of you who don’t know, the CIEP is the leading industry body for editors and proofreaders in the UK, but they have a global presence and audience! Once you’re an entry-level member, you can let clients know, which tells them that you adhere to the CIEP’s guidelines on editing manuscripts (e.g. their values, industry standards) and you can share with anyone you like that you’ve completed training courses with them. They also have a handy directory of their editors, so if you’re an author, you can search for the right editor for you (like someone who works with you genre – ahem, fantasy fiction over here!).

Anyway, as always, I digress!

A little selfie before heading into my session!

At this point, my nerves had been replaced by excitement, keen to present to a group like I used to as a change manager. It was also about 9am and I was very much hoping my symptoms stayed away for the next hour (and they did, mostly).

What I learned

That I’m not alone! There were so many incredible, talented and passionate editors who attended, and it really was the most inspiring, supportive and family-feeling conference I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to a few!). My fellow speakers were so generous with their knowledge and wisdom, and so genuine in how they described their various experiences. I met editors of non-fiction, medical texts and academic content, as well as fiction editors from all genres (hello, my fellow fantasy editors), and some book coaches. I even met one of my trainers from last year in person, and had the chance to personally thank her for the course she ran last year.

Other lessons I took away include:

• the language we use doesn’t just mean the narrative text but also the language used in client communications (what’s the gap, what’s the subtext, and how can we identify obstacles and challenges upfront?)

• being confident in what you offer, why you’re the one who is best placed to offer it, and not to be afraid to charge what your services are worth

• how to ensure your business plan continues to serve its purpose (don’t worry, Aki: I’m working on it!)

• why being your authentic self is your superpower (and that Sherlock Holmes gifs are so darn good!)

• that human writing requires human editors, and in a world where AI is being forced down our throats, we’re already seeing authors turning to editors like me, wanting to protect their voice instead of letting AI strip it away and drain it of its soul.

I have a whole notepad of musings, action points, inspirational quotes, names and websites, priorities and reminders to work through – and while I sort out the thing I’m doing later this year (the wedding) and have my initial conversations about my secret project (dun dun duuuun!), I’ll also be making my way through the valuable insights and next steps that the CIEP conference has given me.

What was my session about?

How to find your niche and elevate your business.

Editorial Impact Assessment – Weird name? Sure! Solving problems in a targeted way? Most definitely! It’s my strongest niche service offering that delivers meaningful impact for authors, agents and editors. I’m so proud of what I’ve designed (and relieved that my templates can be copyrighted and protected by law, so screw you generative AI!).

To sum up

I had an amazing time talking about my business with my fellow editors: why I started it in the first place, how I struggled to find my way forward, and how I eventually ended up as the Ivatt Editorial Consultancy (working with fantasy authors and delivering niche services). It was quite an emotional experience for me, as I haven’t had the energy or good health to run workshops since the one I delivered for local writers in July, and presenting at the conference reminded me of all those times I delivered community of practice sessions, stakeholder workshops and vision-planning meetings as a change manager.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I did have to go and lie down at lunch, and I ended up going to bed straight away at the end of the conference (5:30pm, my earliest for a while, and thank goodness for room service), but it was a phenomenal experience and I’m truly grateful that the CIEP checked my website and saw value in what I do and how I do it. I’ve had some genuinely moving feedback from those who attended, including those who have (like me) started their businesses due to disabilities and long-term health conditions. To hear that those who have been editing for a while, as well as those just starting out, came to hear me speak and took something away that gave them energy, inspiration and even action plans, means the world to me.

Thank you to you all!

Heather