Gael Spivak
@piglita.bsky.social
Editor, writer, collector (squirrels, tiny books, and articles on the singular they).
AMA re: the ISO plain language standard.
she/her/elle #TeamSingularThey
AMA re: the ISO plain language standard.
she/her/elle #TeamSingularThey
Reposted by Gael Spivak
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
This is a great deal!
All Editors Canada webinar recordings are 50% off until December 1st!
Browse our full collection at webinars.editors.ca
(Image copyright: © Editors' Association of Canada; yupiramos © 123rf.com; blankstock © 123rf.com)
#Editing #EditorsCanada #BlackFriday #ProfessionalDevelopment
Browse our full collection at webinars.editors.ca
(Image copyright: © Editors' Association of Canada; yupiramos © 123rf.com; blankstock © 123rf.com)
#Editing #EditorsCanada #BlackFriday #ProfessionalDevelopment
November 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
This is a great deal!
Reposted by Gael Spivak
Check This Opportunity Out!
Through November 26, we are accepting applications for the Jean Wilson Diversity in Publishing Fellowship! (1/2)
November 24, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Check This Opportunity Out!
Reposted by Gael Spivak
Alberta's trans kids & their families need us. We need to show up for them, now. This is our moment to turn the tide.
Join one of our mass organizing calls on Wednesday, November 26th:
5:30 MST - for Albertans
5:30 EST - for everyone else
RSVP: www.momentumcanada.net/AB
Join one of our mass organizing calls on Wednesday, November 26th:
5:30 MST - for Albertans
5:30 EST - for everyone else
RSVP: www.momentumcanada.net/AB
November 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Alberta's trans kids & their families need us. We need to show up for them, now. This is our moment to turn the tide.
Join one of our mass organizing calls on Wednesday, November 26th:
5:30 MST - for Albertans
5:30 EST - for everyone else
RSVP: www.momentumcanada.net/AB
Join one of our mass organizing calls on Wednesday, November 26th:
5:30 MST - for Albertans
5:30 EST - for everyone else
RSVP: www.momentumcanada.net/AB
Reposted by Gael Spivak
this is the peace plan we should be pushing
russia goes home and gets nothing. they learn from this that adventures in occupying neighbors has no benefit and only costs
russia goes home and gets nothing. they learn from this that adventures in occupying neighbors has no benefit and only costs
Former Finnish PM Sanna Marin put it bluntly: “To end the conflict, Russia must leave Ukrainian territory.”
Just one point. Nothing more to discuss.
Just one point. Nothing more to discuss.
November 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
this is the peace plan we should be pushing
russia goes home and gets nothing. they learn from this that adventures in occupying neighbors has no benefit and only costs
russia goes home and gets nothing. they learn from this that adventures in occupying neighbors has no benefit and only costs
Reposted by Gael Spivak
It is not treason or sedition to remind our military to follow the law and their oaths — it is patriotism. That Trump called for the deaths of Democratic officials in response underscores the need for such warnings.
November 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
It is not treason or sedition to remind our military to follow the law and their oaths — it is patriotism. That Trump called for the deaths of Democratic officials in response underscores the need for such warnings.
Reposted by Gael Spivak
A study by Dove & LinkedIn found Black women’s hair is 2.5x more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. 20% of Black women have been sent home from work because of their hair.
As #BetterAllies, we can interrupt this bias.
As #BetterAllies, we can interrupt this bias.
November 18, 2025 at 6:49 PM
A study by Dove & LinkedIn found Black women’s hair is 2.5x more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. 20% of Black women have been sent home from work because of their hair.
As #BetterAllies, we can interrupt this bias.
As #BetterAllies, we can interrupt this bias.
Reposted by Gael Spivak
JD Vance on the same morning Trump calls for execution of elected Democrats: "He's not a violent person:"
November 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM
JD Vance on the same morning Trump calls for execution of elected Democrats: "He's not a violent person:"
I recently did this interview with Editors Toronto. It's the first in a series of interviews with in-house editors.
editorstorontoblog.com/2025/11/19/a...
editorstorontoblog.com/2025/11/19/a...
Gael Spivak, in-house communications advisor in the public service
Gael Spivak gives readers insight into her career as in-house editor.
editorstorontoblog.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I recently did this interview with Editors Toronto. It's the first in a series of interviews with in-house editors.
editorstorontoblog.com/2025/11/19/a...
editorstorontoblog.com/2025/11/19/a...
Good legal communication reduces costs, increases efficiency and improves effectiveness and compliance. The standard is a valuable addition to legal professionals’ tool kits.
Get your copy of ISO 24495-2: Plain language — Part 2: Legal Communication today.
bit.ly/3HTq12X
Get your copy of ISO 24495-2: Plain language — Part 2: Legal Communication today.
bit.ly/3HTq12X
November 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Good legal communication reduces costs, increases efficiency and improves effectiveness and compliance. The standard is a valuable addition to legal professionals’ tool kits.
Get your copy of ISO 24495-2: Plain language — Part 2: Legal Communication today.
bit.ly/3HTq12X
Get your copy of ISO 24495-2: Plain language — Part 2: Legal Communication today.
bit.ly/3HTq12X
Send a message to Danielle Smith about how her personal views are over-riding those of experts at terrible costs to the patients of those experts and to freedom for ALL of us.
Using the notwithstanding clause to deny Charter rights and interfere in people's healthcare is dangerous (and cruel).
Using the notwithstanding clause to deny Charter rights and interfere in people's healthcare is dangerous (and cruel).
Moments ago, Premier Danielle Smith's government made a terrifying decision and introduced legislation to suspend the charter-protected rights of transgender young people in Alberta.
Now is the time to act. Visit www.stop-smith.ca to sign our petition denouncing this draconian erosion of freedom.
Now is the time to act. Visit www.stop-smith.ca to sign our petition denouncing this draconian erosion of freedom.
November 19, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Send a message to Danielle Smith about how her personal views are over-riding those of experts at terrible costs to the patients of those experts and to freedom for ALL of us.
Using the notwithstanding clause to deny Charter rights and interfere in people's healthcare is dangerous (and cruel).
Using the notwithstanding clause to deny Charter rights and interfere in people's healthcare is dangerous (and cruel).
Reposted by Gael Spivak
This has been Trump's superpower since 2016, and the secret to his success:
♦️He doesn't hide his crimes: He boasts of them.
♦️His case: Everybody does these things-- I'm the only one being honest about it.
Effective, but false:
♦️Many are corrupt, many are abusers. But he's in a league all his own.
♦️He doesn't hide his crimes: He boasts of them.
♦️His case: Everybody does these things-- I'm the only one being honest about it.
Effective, but false:
♦️Many are corrupt, many are abusers. But he's in a league all his own.
"The message is not that Trump is innocent, it's that *everyone is guilty.* Everyone assaults women, cheats on their taxes, uses public office for private gain. Propriety and following the rules? That stuff is for suckers. In a world of grift and graft, the most corrupt man should be king."
Why Trump can't make the Epstein scandal go away
His ordinary scandal management techniques are not working.
www.publicnotice.co
November 17, 2025 at 4:06 PM
This has been Trump's superpower since 2016, and the secret to his success:
♦️He doesn't hide his crimes: He boasts of them.
♦️His case: Everybody does these things-- I'm the only one being honest about it.
Effective, but false:
♦️Many are corrupt, many are abusers. But he's in a league all his own.
♦️He doesn't hide his crimes: He boasts of them.
♦️His case: Everybody does these things-- I'm the only one being honest about it.
Effective, but false:
♦️Many are corrupt, many are abusers. But he's in a league all his own.
Reposted by Gael Spivak
Easy choice if you're a deer deciding where to buy a house
November 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Easy choice if you're a deer deciding where to buy a house
Reposted by Gael Spivak
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Reposted by Gael Spivak
I can never hear or see something about the extreme right Proud Boys without remembering that "proud boy" is a term for a gelding that doesn't realize it's been neutered and keeps acting like a stallion. So do with that info what you will. *sips coffee*
November 14, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I can never hear or see something about the extreme right Proud Boys without remembering that "proud boy" is a term for a gelding that doesn't realize it's been neutered and keeps acting like a stallion. So do with that info what you will. *sips coffee*
Reposted by Gael Spivak
Congratulations to all 2025 #GGBooks winners! We’re proud to see strong Indigenous representation among recipients, including Kyle Edwards, Tara Beagan, Tonya Simpson & Delreé Dumont. Their stories inspire and transform.
#GGBooks2025 #IndigenousEditorsAssociation #IndigenousExcellence
#GGBooks2025 #IndigenousEditorsAssociation #IndigenousExcellence
November 14, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Congratulations to all 2025 #GGBooks winners! We’re proud to see strong Indigenous representation among recipients, including Kyle Edwards, Tara Beagan, Tonya Simpson & Delreé Dumont. Their stories inspire and transform.
#GGBooks2025 #IndigenousEditorsAssociation #IndigenousExcellence
#GGBooks2025 #IndigenousEditorsAssociation #IndigenousExcellence
Plain legal communication can reduce the risk of liability claims against lawyers.
Get your copy of ISO 24495-2: Plain language — Part 2: Legal Communication today.
bit.ly/3HTq12X
Get your copy of ISO 24495-2: Plain language — Part 2: Legal Communication today.
bit.ly/3HTq12X
November 12, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Plain legal communication can reduce the risk of liability claims against lawyers.
Get your copy of ISO 24495-2: Plain language — Part 2: Legal Communication today.
bit.ly/3HTq12X
Get your copy of ISO 24495-2: Plain language — Part 2: Legal Communication today.
bit.ly/3HTq12X
I didn't win this award at the conference in Brussels but it was still amazing to be a finalist. The person who did win (Heloisa Fischer) has done some amazing work.
I managed to get the certificate home with only a mild crease in it. I should win an award for THAT feat! 🤣
I managed to get the certificate home with only a mild crease in it. I should win an award for THAT feat! 🤣
November 10, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I didn't win this award at the conference in Brussels but it was still amazing to be a finalist. The person who did win (Heloisa Fischer) has done some amazing work.
I managed to get the certificate home with only a mild crease in it. I should win an award for THAT feat! 🤣
I managed to get the certificate home with only a mild crease in it. I should win an award for THAT feat! 🤣
Excited to be at the European Commission for the Translating Europe Forum (part of the plain language conference). The EU flags everywhere make me happy. And hopeful. #2025TEF
November 5, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Excited to be at the European Commission for the Translating Europe Forum (part of the plain language conference). The EU flags everywhere make me happy. And hopeful. #2025TEF
Reposted by Gael Spivak
For every $1 in benefits fraud, agencies spend $3.72 trying to detect it, based on the unproven assumption that means-testing lowers the rate of fraud. But there's evidence to indicate that trusting people to self-report what they need would be cheaper overall, even factoring in fraud/abuse.
“some people abuse SNAP” your soul is rotten
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
For every $1 in benefits fraud, agencies spend $3.72 trying to detect it, based on the unproven assumption that means-testing lowers the rate of fraud. But there's evidence to indicate that trusting people to self-report what they need would be cheaper overall, even factoring in fraud/abuse.
Reposted by Gael Spivak
Hot take: Grammarly should focus on at least providing human-level editing abilities before it claims to offer better-than-human-level editing abilities.
Grammarly is changing its name to Superhuman
Grammarly is changing its name to Superhuman
So long, Grammarly. Greetings, Superhuman.
buff.ly
October 30, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Hot take: Grammarly should focus on at least providing human-level editing abilities before it claims to offer better-than-human-level editing abilities.
Reposted by Gael Spivak
If you're wondering where the line is when editing student work, you owe it to yourself and your client to read Editors Canada's Guidelines for Ethical Editing of Student texts. Available as a free download here:
Guidelines for Ethical Editing of Student Texts - Editors Canada
To aid editors who edit undergraduate and graduate students' work, Editors Canada has developed guidelines for the ethical editing of English-language papers, theses and dissertations.
www.editors.ca
October 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
If you're wondering where the line is when editing student work, you owe it to yourself and your client to read Editors Canada's Guidelines for Ethical Editing of Student texts. Available as a free download here:
Reposted by Gael Spivak
You probably missed this key point in the initial news coverage since most headlines treated the DOJ announcement like it was no big deal. Read this to find out what’s really going on.
New in PN: The DOJ's "election monitoring" is really voter intimidation
"If Hispanic voters are no longer in the GOP fold after watching Trump’s ceaseless, country-wide violence against immigrants, the administration’s solution is to make sure they can’t cast a ballot."
"If Hispanic voters are no longer in the GOP fold after watching Trump’s ceaseless, country-wide violence against immigrants, the administration’s solution is to make sure they can’t cast a ballot."
The DOJ's "election monitoring" is really voter suppression
Trump's Big Lie has become government policy.
www.publicnotice.co
October 28, 2025 at 11:28 PM
You probably missed this key point in the initial news coverage since most headlines treated the DOJ announcement like it was no big deal. Read this to find out what’s really going on.
Editors and writers, if you aren't signed up for this newsletter, do it now. It's so useful.
October 28, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Editors and writers, if you aren't signed up for this newsletter, do it now. It's so useful.