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Want to find out more about copywriting, editing, publishing or the vagaries of freelance life? Of course you do! Then dip your toe into my blog.
Why I charge for a sample edit
I started charging for sample edits a few years ago. Before that, I used to do them for free (because I thought they’d win me the job)....
Apr 134 min read
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Over-editing and under-editing: How to get it just right
When I was training to become an editor, our instructor gave us a writing sample to edit in class. I remember whipping through it,...
Apr 35 min read
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How to use ellipses correctly: Punctuation tip #4
A while back, I proofread a book that was full of ellipses. If the manuscript hadn’t already been typeset, I would’ve asked the author to...
Jan 263 min read
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Is it worth using an editor?
I’ve been on both sides of the editing fence. Not only have I edited other people’s work, but I’ve also had my own writing edited. When I...
Jan 113 min read
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How long does it take to copyedit a book?
A few years ago, I was asked to copyedit a 50,000-word book in 24–48 hours. At first I thought it was a joke – or an error (did they mean...
Jan 17 min read
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Beyond grammar: What's really included in a website copyedit
One of the first jobs I got when I started freelancing again (yes, this is my second run!) was a website copyedit. The client accepted my...
Nov 14, 20244 min read
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How to evaluate a sample edit
Editors often bang on about the importance of sample edits. But once you’ve got one (or three), how do you evaluate them?  The truth is,...
Sep 26, 20244 min read
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Cookbook editing: A step-by-step guide
I’m a foodie. So it should come as no surprise that I used to work for a food publisher (I love test kitchens!) and that I still edit...
Sep 12, 20247 min read
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What to include in an editor's brief
There’s one step in the editing process that’s usually rushed or overlooked – and that's the editor's brief. This is the email or...
Aug 16, 20244 min read
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How to use parentheses correctly: Punctuation tip #3
I recently edited two non-fiction books with a lot of parentheses. They were mostly used for witty asides or extra detail. (Both authors...
Aug 10, 20244 min read
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Why you need a style sheet
I was watching a TV show recently (it was Gilmore Girls , if you must know) in which the main character’s hairstyle kept changing from...
Jul 29, 20245 min read
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9 reasons why I’m not the right editor for you
It may seem counterintuitive to push business away, but sharing my preferences is a great way to find out if our working relationship is...
Jul 26, 20245 min read
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Should your book include a trigger warning?
I recently copyedited a non-fiction book with a trigger warning. It was the first time I’d read – or edited – a book that had one. (I...
Jul 10, 20244 min read
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Why I prefer to copyedit books chapter by chapter
When I first trained as an editor, the process was simple. I received a hard copy of the manuscript, used copyediting symbols to mark up...
Jun 14, 20244 min read
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How to fix wordiness (without losing your voice)
As a copyeditor, I’m often briefed to remove wordiness. But what is it, why is it bad and where do you draw the line? First, let’s get...
May 10, 20243 min read
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Should you write now and edit later?
‘Write now and edit later.’ I hear this mantra all the time. Writing teachers push it because it helps you beat writer’s block and speed...
Apr 10, 20243 min read
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Do editors fact-check your book?
Editors are trained to do a lot of things: fix typos, correct spelling and grammar, eliminate wordiness, and improve the logic and flow...
Mar 3, 20245 min read
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When to hyphenate compound adjectives: Punctuation tip #2
One of the most common errors I see in manuscripts is unhyphenated compound adjectives. It’s not surprising – adjectives with two or more...
Feb 16, 20242 min read
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Why are book editors so expensive?
When I first started freelancing, I worked with local book publishers who paid me industry rates. After all, they understood the time,...
Jan 19, 20244 min read
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Word or Google Docs: Which is better for copyediting?
A year ago, I lost a copyediting job because I didn’t want to edit in Google Docs. Everything was going swimmingly until I mentioned my...
Dec 20, 20234 min read
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