Michael Totzke of Canadian Interiors named professional writers' editor of the year

Michael Totzke, the editor of Canadian Interiors magazine, has been named editor of the year by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). The award, given at the Writers’ Industry Awards Luncheon at the MagNet magazine conference last Friday, recognizes Totzke’s outstanding editorial work during the 2009 calendar year. Holly Bennett, Editor-in-Chief of Today’s Parent Special Editions received an honourable mention for her work.

Tanya Gulliver, president of the PWAC, said: “This award is one way for Canada’s freelance writers to express their gratitude and admiration for the top notch editors working in this country."

Nominations are submitted by PWAC members and a panel of judges evaluate nominees on their editing and communications skills, the ability to bring out the best in writers, and -- curiously, since this is often outside of an editor's control -- the fairness of pay rates and contracts.

PWAC, established in 1976, is the national organization representing over 600 freelance writers and journalists in Canada.