I’m attending the ACES 2026 editing conference in Atlanta this week, so I thought I’d share some of the sessions I’m looking forward to attending.
ACES: The Society for Editing hosts this in-person conference every year. ACES 2026 conference session topics cover Core Editing Skills, Words & Language, Soft Skills for Editors, and The Business of Editing. I’ve been to several ACES conferences and always learn a lot and have a great time with fellow edibuddies.
Got ACES FOMO? I’ll be live posting from sessions I attend on Bluesky, so head over to my Bluesky to follow along live! And check out my roundup of my Bluesky threads on my blog.
Day 1 of ACES 2026 (Thursday, April 23)
ACES 2026 Opening Session and Pun Slam
Join us for the #ACESPunSlam at the Opening Session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Come cheer on our brave contestants as they pun for 2 minutes each on their assigned topic. Vote for your favorite pun-testant to move on to the final Pun-Off on Saturday’s Closing Session.
Why I’m Excited
As chair of the ACES Conference Program Selection Task Force, I got to oversee the Pun Slam this year! The wonderful Dave Nelson is hosting the Pun Slam, and it’s sure to be a knee-slapping good time.
Don’t Just Do As I Say: How to Give Notes Authors Can Actually Use by Christina M. Frey, Page Two Editorial, Editor & Literary Coach
Session Description
The most brilliant, insightful edits will fall flat if the feedback isn’t delivered well. This session focuses on how to craft editorial letters and margin comments that authors can understand, absorb, and act on. We’ll cover practical techniques for phrasing comments that build trust and encourage revision; we’ll also look at how to defensive-proof your notes and adapt tone for different author personalities. Whether you’re editing fiction, nonfiction, or academic work, you’ll leave with concrete strategies for providing feedback that gives results.
Why I’m Excited
Christina’s sessions are must-attends, automatically, every time. I always learn so much from listening to her talk about editing fiction. She sets the bar high for how to communicate with authors, and any editor, regardless of what you edit, can learn from her sessions.
The Fastest Way to Turn Stylesheets into PerfectIt Checks (for Mac and PC): PerfectIt Demo by Brigitte Phillips from Intelligent Editing
Session Description
If you already maintain a stylesheet, why can’t it do more? This session shows how to turn your style decisions into automated checks in PerfectIt. Brigitte Phillips demonstrates a faster, more practical workflow for Mac and PC users to build stylesheets in one place and apply them automatically across every document.
Why I’m Excited
PERFECTIT STYLE SHEETS FOR MACS!!!!!! As a Mac user, this is huge for me. Long have the secrets of the PerfectIt style sheets been hidden from me, and I long to use them! Show me your ways, PerfectIt!
Seriously. I love PerfectIt and use it in every edit I do. I also love creating my own style sheets, so I can’t wait to hear about PerfectIt FINALLY bringing that functionality to Mac PerfectIt users.
Caution: Copy May Contain Trace Amounts of Unintentional Innuendo by Rhiannon Root
Session Description
This session aims to update the “think like a dirty old man” advice you may have gotten while learning how to edit. The advice is classic, but in practice, it’s limited. Here you’ll learn an actual system for spotting accidental innuendo in your copy. Further, you’ll learn how to fix it and how to talk to your boss (if you have to). The session will include real-life examples of this problem and practical fixes. If time permits, it will also include a role-play exercise on talking to your boss (gasp!) in person.
Why I’m Excited
I am dying to hear this session!!! I love the topic—fixing unintentional innuendos is a classic part of being an editor, and I know Rhiannon will bring her signature humor and sarcasm to this session. I can’t wait!
Day 2 of ACES 2026 (Friday, April 24)
Creating an Icon: The Making of the New Collegiate Dictionary by Peter Sokolowski from Merriam-Webster
Session Description
With its deep red cover, bull’s-eye logo and signature thumb notches, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary is an American icon. It’s the bestselling hardcover book after the Bible and the stylebook reference for American publishing and journalism. It’s also brand new: The Twelfth Edition combines these iconic elements with revisions based on two decades of online data about how words are used and which words are looked up most—and least. A book-lover’s book in the age of AI-slop, it presents facts about language and usage and tells the truth about words. Join us to hear the history of this dictionary and how the new landmark edition was created.
Why I’m Excited
Peter’s talks about dictionaries, words, and language are SO FASCINATING! I always learn something new from his talks. And who doesn’t want to hear about how the new Merriam-Webster dictionary was made?!
What’s New in AP Style? by Colleen Newvine and Anna Jo Bratton from the AP Stylebook
Session Description
The newest AP Stylebook comes out in May 2026, so come to this session for a sneak preview of what will appear in the 58th Edition of this venerable style guide. Anna Jo Bratton, editor of the AP Stylebook, presents updates and additions to AP style in the last year, including what’s changed and why. Colleen Newvine, AP Stylebook product manager, will show you how to claim your ACES member discount on an AP Stylebook Online subscription.
Why I’m Excited
I use AP style in my content marketing editing work, so I love hearing about the changes to the AP Stylebook from the editor herself! It’s also very fun to hear a live audience react to stylebook changes—people oohing and ahhing at being told “we’re not using hyphens in this word anymore” is always funny!
From Wildcards to Consistency Engines: Advanced Editing in Word and PerfectIt by Chris Ryder
Session Description
Wildcards in Microsoft Word are a hidden superpower, allowing editors to search for patterns and inconsistencies no built-in checker will ever catch. They can spot when a measurement lacks a unit (“5”), find a range formatted with an en dash in one paragraph and a hyphen in another, or locate a reference number that appears twice in a document. With wildcards, you can expose patterns hidden beneath surface polish—catching what only sharp editorial eyes usually see.
This session will begin with a crash course in Word’s wildcard syntax: how to build, test, and safely run advanced searches that save hours of manual checking. You’ll learn to craft expressions that detect misplaced punctuation around quotes, inconsistent capitalization after colons, and subtle patterns like Latin abbreviations with missing full stops (“ie” vs “i.e.”). Then moving from manual searches to automation. Chris Ryder will show how these same pattern-recognition techniques can be built into PerfectIt—teaching it to catch inconsistencies unique to your organization’s style. You’ll see how wildcard logic can underpin advanced style rules: enforcing en dashes in number ranges, identifying spaced versus closed em dashes, or flagging when “Figure” and “Fig.” appear in the same document.
Attendees will leave confident using Word’s most powerful feature and equipped to turn PerfectIt into a tool that enforces the precise rules and preferences that matter most to them. Bring your own document challenges along for the Q&A!
Why I’m Excited
I need to know more about wildcards so I can speed up my copyediting efficiency. I have not yet mastered the art! It’s one of those things that I know I should take some time to learn about but haven’t, so I’m going to change that.
WORDPLAY! An Utterly Nontrivial Trivia Showdown for Copyeditors and Style Aficionados, sponsored by The Chicago Manual of Style
Session Description
Join us for a fast-paced word-based copyediting quiz show, live on stage in the grand ballroom. Participants will register to play via Whova, so keep an eye on the conference app for details on signing up to compete. Prizes and ACES-worthy accolades will be awarded.
- Hosts: Mark Allen and Heather E. Saunders
- Quizmaster: Jenny Ringblom
- Contestants: TBD
Why I’m Excited
A copyediting quiz show? Say no more. I’m in.
An Existential Lens on Generative AI: Environmental Concerns and Ethical Considerations by Ellen Kuwana
Session Description
Join science editor Ellen Kuwana for a peek under the hood of generative AI tools, because what you don’t know is harming our natural world and our collective health—and could harm your professional reputation. Learn what is known about the environmental cost of using tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Hear about ongoing ethical concerns related to generating text and images with generative AI. Find out practical tips for mitigating the negative effects of these tools and using them more ethically and purposefully. Is de-skilling really a thing? Is generative AI an existential threat to life (or to your livelihood as an editor)?
Why I’m Excited
I think we need more sessions and webinars that ask “Should we use AI?” instead of declare “AI is inevitable, so here’s how to use it.” I’m excited to hear what Ellen has to say! Based on her LinkedIn posts about generative AI, I think this will be a balanced, insightful discussion on the topic from a speaker without major biases (like…running a business about AI).
Caveat: I DO NOT use generative AI tools or programs in my editing process or business (or personal life!). I attend sessions like this to stay up-to-date on what people are saying about #AI in publishing, editing, and writing.
More of Your Fact-Checking Questions Answered by Gerri Berendzen
Session Description
Building on a successful “Your Fact-Checking Questions Answered” session from the Salt Lake City conference, we’ll open up the floor to more questions about the process, pitfalls and ethics of fact-checking. The session will have a specific focus on new tools for fact-checking efficiency; benefits, drawbacks and the ethics of using AI in fact-checking; and how to make sure your fact-checking sources are credible. But remember, questions on fact-checking basics are always welcome—and it’s always a good time to discuss when you need to do fact-checking—and when you can skip it. Let’s ask a few questions before we all fall down the fact-checking rabbit hole!
Why I’m Excited
Gerri’s sessions on fact-checking are always fantastic, so this is a must-attend for me, especially amid our AI slop era. Fact-checking is a skill I use in book copyediting and content marketing editing, and it’s always helpful to brush up on it when things change so fast on the internet.
Boosting Your Editing Efficiency (Without Using Generative AI) by Crystal Yang, Rabbit With a Red Pen
Session Description
Editing requires time, energy, and brainpower, which we only have so much of in a day. Luckily, there are many tools available to editors that can help us work more efficiently and accurately without sacrificing quality, such as Word functions, macros, and text expanders—none of which use generative AI. In this session, you’ll learn how you can integrate these tools and more into your editing process in ways that can save you time, reduce human error, increase your effective hourly rate, allow you to focus on the complex and creative aspects of editing, and reduce strain on your body and brain.
Why I’m Excited
I’m indebted to Crystal’s wonderful blog post about macros, which finally pushed me to install and use a few, and that has changed my life because it speeds up copyediting SO. MUCH. I know a bit about these topics (Word functions, macros, text expanders), and I hope this session teaches me even more.
I don’t use generative AI to edit, so I’m always looking for better ways to speed up my editing. This session is right up my alley! I’ve also attended several of Crystal’s past presentations and always learn so much.
Day 3 of ACES 2026 (Saturday, April 25)
Polishing the Bot: Editing AI-Assisted Text for Clarity and Flow by Emily Primeaux from Dragonfly Editorial
Session Description
It’s happening more and more as generative AI becomes more mainstream: We sit down to work on a piece of content, start reading, and suddenly realize, “ChatGPT wrote this sentence.” Now, let’s fix it.
AI writing tools have introduced a new layer of cluttered, over-formal, and jargon-heavy prose, and have changed the way that editors work. This session will walk attendees through real examples of AI-generated sentences and show how to edit them “from this to that”: from verbose to concise, robotic to human, passive to active, and technical to plain language.
Drawing on examples from multiple real-world contexts, we’ll dissect patterns common to AI output—hedging, redundancy, awkward transitions, inflated diction—and apply practical editing strategies to clarify, humanize, and restore voice. Attendees will leave with a toolkit of before-and-after examples, a checklist for AI-editing review, and resources for training clients and teams to recognize and revise AI-authored text.
Whether you’re fine-tuning deliverables, teaching editing, or evaluating AI tools, this session will sharpen your eye for the subtle fingerprints of machine writing and help you turn them into clean, confident communication.
Why I’m Excited
YUPPPP I’ve (unhappily) edited more and more text that was probably definitely AI-generated or AI-assisted in the past year. This is one of the most pressing issues in editing, I think, and I’m excited to hear Emily’s perspective on how to identify AI output and how to edit it.
(I don’t use AI to edit; read my AI policy here.)
Did They Really Say That? by Merrill Perlman
Session Description
Did you ever deal with authors quoting “as so-and-so says,” or run across a “familiar” saying that isn’t familiar to you? To paraphrase Yogi Berra, many people didn’t say the things they said. We’ll put on our detective hats and look at some “they said” phrases to see if they really did. We want you to share how you try to find it out. We’ll all learn something.
Why I’m Excited
First, Merrill’s sessions are always awesome. Second, I come across fake quotes allll the time, both in book editing and content marketing editing, so I’d love to hear Merrill’s (and the audience’s!) tips for verifying quotes and how to communicate the issue to authors.
Your Style Guide Isn’t a Moral Code: Editing Without the Ego by Kaylin Brian from Dragonfly Editorial
Session Description
Through real-world examples and discussion, you’ll learn how to tell the difference between true errors and harmless quirks and how to focus your energy where it matters most: clarity, consistency, and client service.
You’ll also test your flexibility in a hands-on activity: the Style Showdown Wheel. Spin to reveal a divisive choice (like since vs. because or OK vs. okay) and defend both sides. The exercise will challenge you to stay nimble, argue for choices you may not love, and see that both can be right depending on context. Ideal for editors who find themselves fighting internal battles over hyphens, commas, or any other hill that probably isn’t worth dying on.
Why I’m Excited
I have occasionally been known to get too invested in whether an author takes certain stylistic suggestions, so I need to hear this session!
Closing Session and Pun Slam Final Pun-Off
Session Description
ACES 2026 attendees, join us for the #ACESPunSlam final Pun-Off at the Closing Session! Our two brave pun-testants will compete in a Pun-Off by alternating punning on the same topic without repeating a pun. Come cheer them on and be prepared to laugh — or groan!
Why I’m Excited
I’m so curious if we’ll learn where ACES 2027 is taking place! 👀 And the Pun Slam final Pun-Off is a can’t-miss event!
What ACES 2026 Sessions Are You Excited For?
If you’re attending ACES 2026, which sessions are you excited to attend?
If you’re #NotAtACES, which sessions do you wish you could attend?
Got ACES 2026 FOMO?
Stay tuned for live posts from ACES 2026! I’ll be live posting from sessions I attend on Bluesky and will post a roundup of those live posts here on my blog.