Authors are magic. That's the whole post.

Weekend me only has two hours of editing capacity. Time for a break and some self care.

Hey authors. Make sure your editor has a contract that explains exactly what they will do with your manuscript. It should have protections for both of you. You never know what might happen. Not a lawyer, just a concerned editor.

I'm reading Katabasis right now, by R.F. Kuang. This book is a great example of an open style of punctuation. The commas are very spare and strategic. I personally am a liberal comma user. Give me all the commas! What is your preference?

Turns out, the book hangover after editing a good book is even stronger than when reading one. Endings are the worst!

Quick poll for writers: did you know the difference between copyediting and proofreading before you started publishing? I genuinely didn't until I became an editor. No judgment either way.

Mapping keyboard shortcuts to my mouse has been lifechanging for editing. I've only got two extra mouse buttons, but now they add a comma or undo an action. It's so much faster!! *happy tears* #edibuddies

The number of times I've seen "proofreading" used when someone meant "copyediting" (and vice versa) is... a lot. They're not the same. Wrote a whole post about it if you want the actual breakdown. ardeneditorial.com/blog/what-is...

Copyediting vs. Proofreading: What's the Difference? — Arden Editorial

Copyediting and proofreading aren't the same. Learn what each service does, when you need them, and how to prep your manuscript for publication.

ardeneditorial.com

Did I pick up too many books at LitRPG Con? No such thing! I love adding signed books to my collection. This one is a fantasy novel exploring PTSD that I can't wait to dive into.

Home from LitRPG Con and back at it today. Weird transition from a full-weekend party with crazy talented book people to editing alone in my own little office. #litrpgcon #booksky

LitRPG Con has been the most fun. My book-loving heart is happy. The amount of talented people in this building this weekend is insane. I'm so excited to start editing some LitRPG projects soon.

I'm getting pretty excited for LitRPG Con in Denver this week! I'd love to meet authors or publishing people, because editing LitRPG is always great. My hair is purple, because my Katia Grimm cosplay is locked and loaded. Are you going to be there?

Enter the Dungeon Green Screen

ALT: Enter the Dungeon Green Screen

static.klipy.com

Fun fact: Most people who say they need a "proofreader" actually need a copyeditor. Proofreading is just the final typo-check. Copyediting is the actual polish of grammar, consistency, flow, word choice. Two very different things. Two very different stages. ardeneditorial.com/blog/what-is...

Copyediting vs. Proofreading: What's the Difference? — Arden Editorial

Copyediting and proofreading aren't the same. Learn what each service does, when you need them, and how to prep your manuscript for publication.

ardeneditorial.com

Thread. I agree that everyone has their own opinion and that's okay, even if that opinion is that my book is terrible. I have amassed a mountain of one-star reviews over 20 years, and I continue to have a career that chugs along nicely. Everyone has bad reviews! It's fine. You'll be fine.

Chuck Tingle@chucktingle.bsky.social · last mo.

ive seen some folks lately talkin on NEGATIVE REVIEWS and how to deal with them as authors or artists. personally i have not cared about reviews for several decades. negative reviews do not bother me in the slightest and buds often ask me HOW. ill explain a bit here and why this applies to everyone

I've got one slot open for a project in September, two in October, and two in November. I'm manifesting some awesome editing projects. Want to work with me? Lock it in! ardeneditorial.com/contact

Submit Sample | Enhance Your Manuscript Today — Arden Editorial

Submit your sample to Arden Editorial for professional editing and feedback. Experience expert services tailored for writers in all stages.

ardeneditorial.com

Whelp, accidentally got distracted from editing by #stetchat and their discussion on distractions while editing! 😆

I am lucky to have a few groups of #edibuddies that enjoy body doubling via video chat, which helps with focus. Instrumental music (themed to match my editing project) helps as well. Pomodoro sprints are a helpful structure! If it's really bad, I usually just embrace the side quest. #StetChat

#StetChat@stetchat.com · last mo.

Q3: What do you do when the distraction is your own mind? #StetChat

Absolutely my children, my puppy, and my husband. They rotate so that someone is always ready to distract me. I spend a lot of time wearing headphones just to block out the noise or look like I can't hear them! My children made me these door signs, but they ignore them. #StetChat

#StetChat@stetchat.com · last mo.

Q2: What are the biggest external distractions you face when editing? #StetChat

I can handle a max of 4 hours in a row of actual editing, but I do need small breaks during that work time. Anything longer than that and I'm absolutely not at full brain capacity. Editing takes a lot of concentrated thinking. I'm personally most productive in the mornings. #StetChat

#StetChat@stetchat.com · last mo.

Q1: How many hours a day do you actually edit? What days and times is that for you? #StetChat

Introduction post!🤩 name: Betsy pronouns: she/her fav fantasy creature: vampires fav book last year: The Daevabad Trilogy fav book so far this year: Empire of the Vampire current fav movie: I don't know, honestly current fav show: Alone season: summer ... and a gif/meme!

Run Lord Of The Rings

ALT: Run Lord Of The Rings

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Indie Book Spotlight@bookspotlight.bsky.social · last mo.

✨ quote post! introduce yourself! ✨ name: rebecca/indie pronouns: she/her fav fantasy creature: vampires fav book last year: belladonna fav book so far this year: the scattered bones current fav movie: i keep rewatching paul current fav show: the rings of power season: autumn! ... and a gif/meme!

Hot take: most people think they don't need an editor because their writing is "pretty good." I thought the same thing. I was an unedited writer for YEARS before I became an editor. Spoiler: Pretty good isn't the same as publishable. Looking back, I wouldn't publish my college papers without edits.

🎯

Mom. Mom. Mom. Mommomomomomoomom. #booksky

I'm open to queries from June 16-19th, 2026! I'm looking for projects for the adult market in the following genres: fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery and thriller. As well as self published stories in those same genres for audio rights exploration. querytracker.net/query/Michel...

#amwriting #booksky #amediting #indieauthors Writers spend a lot of time on their first chapters, and rightly so. Attention spans are so short these days, and media to consume so profuse. So what's an author to do? Hook your reader with one of these 4 hooks: ardeneditorial.com/blog/how-to-...

How to Hook Readers in the First Chapter — Arden Editorial

Learn how to hook readers in your first chapter using intrigue, voice, atmosphere, humor, and powerful opening lines.

ardeneditorial.com

#authors, what's the part of your manuscript you are most nervous to have edited?

Authors using AI, this one is for you. Don't use AI to write (or edit) just half of your book. Switching from human writing to single-line paragraphs at chapter 9 and never going back is so confusing for a reader.

I have an editing habit to confess. When editing, I try to find and play an appropriately themed playlist. Last week I was chilling with Christmas music, this week it's the Titanic soundtrack. I'd call it a tradition, but it's only been like a month...so whatever. Highly recommend. #amediting

Taking a day off from editing to participate in a marketing workshop. I'm getting so many ideas for authors and publishing people, but the big message so far seems to still be the email list. I rarely open newsletters or emails from the lists I'm on, so I'm wondering... do you?

Happy Monday! I'm so excited for this week, I've got several projects wrapping up today and two new projects starting tomorrow. I'm loving the variety. Finishing a werewolf historical fantasy and a holiday romance. Starting a witchy fantasy and a family memoir. I'm a happy book editor. #amediting