Blog

Want to find out more about writing, editing, publishing or the vagaries of freelance life? Of course you do! Then dip your toe into my blog.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 questions you should ask before hiring a book editor

If you've ever worked with an editor, you'll know that we ask questions – lots of questions. That's because we need to make sure we're a...

Dec 8, 20233 min read

What to expect when you work with a book editor

Sending your manuscript to a copyeditor can be a nerve-racking experience – particularly if you're a first-time author. While everyone...

Nov 30, 20235 min read

Self-publishing your book? Don't make this rookie mistake

After spending months (maybe years) writing your non-fiction book, you're finally finished. Now it's time to find out if it's any good!...

Aug 16, 20233 min read

Commas after introductory clauses: Punctuation tip #1

Did you know that some punctuation rules are optional? Now, I’m not talking about bending the rules in your experimental fiction class or...

Aug 8, 20233 min read

Will AI replace editors?

Grammar apps like Grammarly, Hemingway and ProWritingAid are in everyone's workflow these days (well, if you're someone who tinkers with...

Aug 2, 20233 min read

What's a comma splice (and when can you use it)?

Two things come to mind when I hear the word ‘splice’. The pine-lime popsicle I used to eat as a kid. And splicing tape in a sound...

Jul 27, 20233 min read

Do you have writing blind spots?

Let's get real for a sec. Have you ever looked at your writing – and I mean really looked – and thought there was room for improvement?...

Jul 21, 20232 min read

Copyediting vs. proofreading: What's the difference?

Here's what I've discovered after working with dozens of business clients and self-publishing authors: few know the difference between...

Jul 21, 20233 min read