02/08/2022

Do you know of an outstanding professional editor who has lifted the standard of the profession or given exemplary service to the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd)?

If so, we urge you to nominate them for IPEd’s prestigious Janet Mackenzie Medal (also known as “the Mackenzie”) by Monday 31 October 2022.

IPEd’s Standing Committee for Awards and Prizes Co-chair Carol Goudie said the medal provides a rare opportunity to honour the work of a fantastic editor, as they seldom receive the public recognition they deserve for their outstanding contribution to the quality, readability and accessibility of a published work.

“While there are rightfully several awards for writing, there are few for editing, and the Janet Mackenzie Medal provides the opportunity to give an outstanding editor the acknowledgement they deserve,” Carol said.

This award honours editor and visionary Janet Mackenzie DE (distinguished editor) (1947–2018), a well-known and respected name in the editing and publishing industry. Janet was an Honorary Life Member (and founding member) of what is now IPEd’s Victoria branch, and tirelessly served IPEd in many capacities over many years, including being on the first Standards Working Group, 1998–2001, and most recently on the Style Manual 7th Edition Steering Group, from which she resigned only weeks before her death.

The award consists of a medal, with an electronic rendering of the medal to be used by the recipient, and Honorary Life Membership of IPEd (if the recipient is not already an HLM).

Only IPEd Professional Members are eligible for this award. Current members of the IPEd Board, IPEd employees, award judges and administrators of the award are not eligible for nomination.

For more information on eligibility and how to nominate see the IPEd website. 

Accomplished Geelong-based writer, editor, researcher and trainer Renée Otmar DE (Distinguished Editor) was awarded the 2022 Janet Mackenzie Medal for her three decades of service to editing.