CIEP Conference 2025

With all sessions being offered in a hybrid format, online delegates can join and participate in the same plenary and breakout sessions as described in the in-person programme. Beyond this, the opportunities to network are tailored to fit the online experience with a mix of formats to bring different aspects of learning and community to life. Some networking sessions have also been arranged to accommodate different time zones, making it easier for you to take part.

Here are the ways you’ll be able to make real connections and build your professional network this year:

Online meet and greet: a quick and sociable way to meet other online delegates
The Zoom Events Lobby: open throughout the conference – see speaker and session details, set up an optional personal profile for others to see, and a space to chat for making last-minute plans.
HyHyve: a 24/7 social networking space – details will be sent to delegates closer to the time of the conference
Peer-problem-solving clinic: your colleagues’ combined insight into your tricky conundrum
Themed and special interest networking: longer networking slots for conversation around professional themes or with others working in similar fields

Whether you join us in person or online, the conference is a fantastic opportunity to focus on your professional development, explore fresh ideas and connect with colleagues and friends across the profession.

As an online delegate, you’ll be free to join whichever breakout session is most relevant to you, without needing to register for sessions in advance. Recordings of all the plenary and breakout sessions will be made available to you after the conference has ended. Please note that the screening of Rebel with a Clause and the networking sessions will not be recorded.

All times listed in the programme are BST, and all items in this online programme are hybrid unless stated to be online only.

Saturday 20 September

Time	Session
11:30 –12:30 pm	Online meet and greet (online only) A speed networking start to conference Come and meet other online delegates, put some faces to names and set yourselves up for the networking and breakouts to come throughout conference.
1:00 –1:15 pm	Welcome from the CIEP chair
1:15 –2:15 pm	Whitcombe lecture: A virtual Q&A with Susie Dent
2:15 –3:15 pm	Session 1 – breakout seminars (running concurrently) Davina Bhanabhai: Authenticity in Publishing: A Crucial Service to Improve Content Dr Sara Kitaoji: Editing as a Vocation or Ikigai: Reclaiming Our Humanity in the Age of AI Vicky Drew: The importance of terminology in NATO
3:15 –3:45 pm	Break
3:45 –5:45 pm	Rebel with a Clause Rebel with a Clause film screening and Q&A with Ellen Jovin and Brandt Johnson
5:45 –6:30 pm	Break
6:30 –7:30 pm	Peer-problem-solving clinic (online only) Harness colleagues’ insights into a question or situation you want to share This powerful and meaningful peer-led session is where you generate solutions to others’ dilemmas and they do the same for you! Share your conundrum from your business/working life and then mute and camera off while the others discuss. Each person hears different perspectives on their question and by staying quiet, lets things unfold in surprising ways. See where the conversation goes before coming back into the discussion to reflect and ask any follow-ups.
7:35 –8:30 pm	Themed networking (online only) Themes: How to increase rates with new and existing clients / Assessing a work offer: when to say ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘only if…’ Two 25-minute breakout rooms with around five people, discussing a theme. The hosts will provide starter questions to kick off the sharing of experience, tips, queries and revelations – all with enough time to properly settle into a conversation.

Sunday 21 September

Time	Session
7:30 – 8:30 am	Themed networking (optional early session – online only) Themes: Ways to thrive in an AI-focused world / Long-term planning an editorial business: what to keep, what to change This is one for the early risers and the GMT+ time zones. Two 25-min breakout rooms with around five people, discussing a theme. The hosts will provide starter questions to kick off the sharing of experience, tips, queries and revelations – all with enough time to properly settle into a conversation.
9:00 –10:00 am	Session 2 – breakout seminars (running concurrently) Louise Harnby: 6 lyrical tools for fiction line editors Lisa de Caux: Style sheet with editorial report Sarah Sodhi: Setting new standards for PDF markup – but what should they be?
10:10 –11:00 am	Special Interest networking (online only) Connect with colleagues working in similar fields A chance to connect with colleagues working in similar fields to share challenges, insights and stories. A selection of breakout rooms will be open to suit all comers.
12:30 – 1:30 pm	Break
11:30 am –12:30 pm	Session 3 – breakout seminars (running concurrently) Abi Saffrey: Figure it out: take charge of figures, tables and captions Margaret Hunter: Cleaning up a messy Word document Louisa Ellins: Why bother proofreading magazines?
12:30 –1:30 pm	Break
1:30 – 2:30 pm	Session 4 – breakout seminars (running concurrently) Debbie Emmitt: I, Human. Using your website to showcase the value of a human editor Rui Queirós de Faria: Developmental Editing and AI. Are we asking the right questions? Kate Sotejeff-Wilson: I wish I could’ve seen that text earlier! Structured social writing
2:30 –3:00 pm	Break
3:00 – 4:00 pm	Session 5 – breakout seminars (running concurrently) Magda Wojcik: Human in the loop: The evolving role of editors in the age of AI Claire Beveridge: Articulating your value in the elevator
3:00 –5:00 pm	Session 5 – breakout seminars (running concurrently). Please note this session is for two hours. Sarah Calfee, Andrew Hodges, Sophie Playle, Aimee Walker: Developmental Fiction Editing Roundtable: Strategies in a Changing Landscape
4:15 –5:45 pm	Social and wellbeing activities Online wellbeing session with Rebecca Sharp
6:30 – 8:15 pm	Break
8:15 –10:00 pm	Quiz

Monday 22 September

Time	Session
7:00 – 7:55 am	Peer-problem-solving clinic (optional early session – online only) Harness colleagues’ insights into a question or situation you want to share Another session for the early risers and GMT+ time zones. This powerful and meaningful peer-led session is where you generate solutions to others’ dilemmas, and they do the same for you! Share your conundrum from your business/working life, and then mute and camera off while the others discuss. Each person hears different perspectives on their question, and by staying quiet, lets things unfold in surprising ways. See where the conversation goes before coming back into the discussion to reflect and ask any follow-ups.
9:15 –10:15 am	Session 6 – breakout seminars (running concurrently) Manda Waller: An introduction to marketing your editing services to indie fiction authors Marieke Krijnen: Beyond grammar and spelling: Ten nonfiction copyediting interventions that improve clarity and readability Paula Clarke Bain: An extra trick up your sleeve: adding book indexing to your editorial skills portfolio
10:15 –10:45 am	Break
10:45 –11:45 am	Closing panel Closing panel - details to be confirmed
11:45 am –12:00 pm	CIEP chair’s closing words and raffle CIEP chair’s closing words and raffle

CIEP Conference 2025

Social and wellbeing activities