I’m taking a break from social media until Sept. I’m still writing and freelance-editing. But I’m exhausted and I need to step back from some stuff. Plus my kids are about to be off school for the summer, and I want to spend quality time with them. I look forward to catching up with you soon 🙂💜

Just a reminder that books, reading, and writing are inherently political 🙂

The proportion of the global human population who are white AND male AND able-bodied AND heterosexual AND cisgender must be really small. Even smaller when you add wealth to the list. It’s mind-boggling that humans built - and bend over backwards to maintain - a society which only favours a few.

If you’re looking for a fiction editor then I have availability from November! - Trained, CIEP-registered, and ALLi partner member. - Free sample edits. - Discounts for newsletter subscribers and members of marginalised communities. - I DO NOT use gen-AI. Please see my website for more info 🙂

The hot weather has returned to Yorkshire 🥵 Bright side: it means I can read in the summer house after the kids are in bed 🙂

Months ago, I posted that I get nervous when delivering authors’ edits. Many editors replied to say they felt the same. One said he didn’t experience that: which is valid. However, he also said that I must not be a good editor! Supposedly because I *checks notes* am a human being with emotions 🫠

Editor confession time 🙂 The thought of having your manuscript professionally edited can be daunting and nerve-wracking (I know this from experience!) But I wanted to let you know (in case it helps) that editors get nervous too 🙂

Does your kid grass you up to others when you make a ‘mistake’, even to strangers? My 5yo: “Mummy’s running late.” “Mummy has no food in the house for lunch.” “Mummy forgot to do reading with me yesterday.” “Mummy, Grandma told me not to tell you that she gave me three bowls of ice cream.”

It’s been a year since I won a Writers College non-fiction essay competition 🥹 I received an email from a fellow writer letting me know it helped her 😭 I met two wonderful critique partners because of it. And it gave me more confidence to keep writing 🙂 www.thewriterscollege.com/the-worst-wr...

The Worst Writing Mistake I’ve Ever Made? I Stopped Writing

I followed a similar trajectory to many other writers, in that I wrote stories from the moment I learned the alphabet. I wrote a new novel

thewriterscollege.com

Am I supposed to be writing? Yes. Do I only have one month to finish drafting my manuscript? Also yes. Am I currently reorganising my kids’ bedrooms instead? Look at that. Three in a row.

Been in a reading slump for weeks 🥴 I’m trying to get out of it by reading outside in the evenings. Being in nature is definitely helping!

Me, husband, kids, and grandparents all having a meal together… 5yo: *In announcement voice* Guess who my favourite person is? He does a drumroll against the table. Me, husband, big brother, and grandparents are all looking expectant… 5yo: *Dramatic pause* 5yo: IT’S ME!!!

I only have one editing slot left in 2026! I’ve opened bookings for 2027 And I’m about to delve back into a client’s developmental edit (which I’m loving) 🙂 Today is a good day!

Is it time to move the dystopian genre from science fiction to narrative non-fiction yet?

A few years ago, I had no idea that by 2026 one of the core USPs of my writing and editing business would be ‘100% human’. What are we even doing?

Would you like to sign up for my free newsletter? 🙂 You get: 10% off my editing and coaching services; My free guide to common ‘mistakes’ I see in manuscripts; Regular updates on writing and editing life; No generative AI used in any part of my business. www.clairebentley.co.uk/newsletter

Newsletter | Claire Bentley

Claire Bentley's newsletter: sign up and receive a free common editing mistakes checklist, 10% off my editorial and coaching services, and regular updates on writing and editing life

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Happy Monday to everyone except trillionaires, billionaires, and fascists.

Me: *Making good progress with my novel* Two seconds later: plot bunny 😩

Snowball the Cute Bunny from The Secret Life of Pets

Alt: The white rabbit from the animated film Pets holding a carrot and looking cute

static.klipy.com

So, to summarise, a load of Pantone Cloud Wankers are (once again) taking to the streets to prove their supposed moral and intellectual superiority by terrorising Black and Brown people and destroying property.

Another day, another attempt to denigrate women: this time because lots of women *checks notes* enjoy reading. If anyone needs me, I’ll be over here with my fantasy novels and my critical thinking skills.

A photo of my ‘follow your dreams’ mug: in case you need a reminder 🙂 I often need the reminder too!

Are you looking for a freelance fiction editor? 🙂 I’m trained, CIEP-registered, and an ALLi partner member. I do free sample edits. I don’t use gen-AI. And I’m a writer too, so I know many of the challenges 😅 I have availability from October. Please get in touch if you’re interested 🙂

It says a lot that waiting for my car to be serviced yesterday felt like a treat! Two hours of uninterrupted reading time, in which no one wanted or needed me, and I could enjoy my coffee in peace 🙃

I don’t want to make loads of political posts! I want to make whimsical posts about books, and reading, and writing, and editing, and my kid crying because he has elbows. But I won’t stay quiet. Aside from all the other great reasons to fight for a better world: books are inherently political 📚

Is it time for the good side to start winning yet?

👋 Hello! I’m an autistic, left-wing Yorkshire lass who is (semi-successfully) raising two boys. I’m also a writer and freelance fiction editor. My posts are a chaotic mix of writing, editing, parenting, anti-fascism, and autistic life. Lovely to meet you 🙂 PS Bigotry is not welcome here 💅

My autism has been kicking my arse more than usual these last few weeks. But today I’ve got nice coffee, a candle, and some ambient music. And I’m working on a client’s developmental edit, which is one of my favourite things to do 🙂 One day at a time… I hope your Wednesday goes as well as it can!

Look, spellcheck. As much as I like ducks, if I’m typing a four-letter word ending in ‘uck’ then I’m unlikely to be talking about water birds. Especially in this ducking timeline.

Parent problems no.198 You send two perfectly healthy children to school. You open your laptop. The phone rings. “Yeah, erm, your son just ran face first into a tree. Please can you pick him up?” 🫠

I really like the ‘Quiet Place’ films. But when I watch them, I can never get the thought out of my head that the moment one of them farts in their sleep it’s game over.