Date: Nov. 20, 2025
Time: 4-5 p.m. ET
Speaker: Tiffany Vakilian

Description:  

Tiffany Vakilian, a respected San Diego-based author, editor, and speaker, will deliver her unique perspective on “the editor’s burden” in our ACES Academy. As part of her Editor’s Box of Rage series, this thoughtful exploration will blend professional wisdom with a touch of humor, addressing the landscape of editing in an ever-changing world.

Tiffany, CEO of Speak Fire Publishing, will talk about the delicate balance of preserving an author’s unique voice while maintaining editorial integrity. Her presentation aims to empower fellow professionals, encouraging them to navigate these challenges with a bit of humor to help along the way. The discussion will cover a range of pertinent topics, including:

1. The impact of AI (and its “Manchurian Candidate,” the em dash) on the editing profession

2. Maintaining editorial objectivity in politically charged environments

3. Addressing common and sometimes amusing stylistic challenges, like shifting from CMOS 17 to CMOS 18

4. Navigating the complexities of various style guide “dialects”

5. The ongoing quest for the ideal manuscript

While the subject is undoubtedly serious, Vakilian’s approach promises to be refreshingly lighthearted. Her goal is to provide a space for editors to reflect on their craft, share common experiences, and find renewed enthusiasm for their vital role in the literary world.

Cost: Free for ACES members/$30 for nonmembers

If you get an error message saying you are not eligible to take this form, you have already registered. Once you are registered, access the webcast by scrolling to the bottom of this page and clicking the title of the course to the left of the paper clip icon.

About the presenter:

Tiffany Vakilian, bestselling author, award-winning speaker, creator of Dual Expression™, and founder of Speak Fire Publishing, empowers writers to transform stories into impactful, published works. She has her master’s (and additional certification) in Transformative Language Arts (TLA), and many career memberships. Tiffany's dynamic teaching and editorial guidance inspires her clients and fans to share their stories with confidence, achieving bestseller status and reaching audiences worldwide.