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Meaghan Steeves

@choicewordsedit.bsky.social

Professional freelance nonfiction (narrative, memoir, cookbook/recipe) copy/line editor and writer 📝 Film and book lover 📖📽 Neurodivergent 🧠 She/her 🏳️‍🌈 www.choicewordsediting.com

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Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 6d ago

Happy Monday, all! Just a little note of encouragement to writers from one of the most wonderful poets. ☺️ Have a great week! • Looking to prepare your writing for publishing? I’m a trained freelance nonfiction copy editor and writer. If you have a project you’d like some help with, get in touch!

A slip of paper on which “Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. —Mary Oliver” is written in blue ink lies with a green and blue pen atop a teal blue notebook on paper patterned with seashells and flowers.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · last wk.

Love this idea! Pitching by phone should prove quite effective while also (I’d imagine) offering a pleasant hint of nostalgia. :) www.niemanlab.org/2026/08/faci...

Facing a “deluge” from AI, this publication will only take pitches by phone

Whether you're a reporter or an editor, your inbox has probably seen an influx of pitches, increasingly written with artificial intelligence. They're likely bad, irrelevant, and annoyingly clogging up...

niemanlab.org

Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 2w ago

Out now: This gorgeous ode to cookbooks by the sublime Debbie Berne. I haven’t been so excited to dive into a book in a long time. In Cookbooking, Berne covers all aspects of cookbook design and history, and I think it’s fair to say that anyone who uses or love them will find something to delight…

A copy of Berne’s Cookbooking sits on a pink wall shelf surrounded by framed prints.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 4w ago

It’s National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! 🍪 While it’s not a rule by any means, I do think having a little (optional) something extra can elevate your recipes. My favourite is studding my cookie dough balls with a few extra chips once they’re on the tray and hitting them with a tiny sprinkle of…

A slip of paper on which “Recipe Editor Tip # 4 A twist on a classic gives readers something new to try!” is written in brown ink lies with a brass pen on a brown notebook.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · last mo.

Happy Monday! I have slots available coming up in September through November and am always looking for folks in need of professional editorial assistance. I offer free sample edits up to 1,000 words (for full manuscripts), as well as 15-minute discovery calls to discuss your needs.

A pink and white graphic that says “Choice Words Editing Now Booking for Autumn 2026” and lists Meaghan’s services which include Recipe/cookbook Copyediting, Nonfiction Copyediting, Stylistic/line editing, Manuscript evaluation, and Authenticity reading.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 2mo ago

When it comes to recipe writing, it's all about the small details! If you're going to have a garnish adorning your dish in an accompanying photo, it should be mentioned in the ingredients list and method to avoid potential confusion. And if the garnish changes, make sure that change is reflected…

A slip of paper on which "Recipe Editor Tip 3: If a garnish is in the picture, make sure it's in the recipe!" is written in pink ink. The paper and a pink pen lie on a notebook patterned with many different kinds of foods and dishes in bright colours.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Sometimes, I worry I’m too productivity and positivity focused in my posts, and that I’m only showing wins and a rosy view of writing. Let me dispell that. Writing is NOT all sunshine and rainbows. It’s tough both to do and to get comissioned to do, especially these days with AI. My pitches have…

A slip of paper on which "Writing is HARD. It's okay to say so." is written in pink ink. The paper lies with two pink pens on a floral background of pink and red flowers.
J.M. DeMatteis@jmdematteis.bsky.social · 3mo ago

When you’re a freelancer, the operative word is FREE. Work for as many different companies as you can. Your loyalty should always be to the work and to your collaborators...the artists, writers and editors who are an intimate part of your creative process.

Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 3mo ago

This encouraging sentiment from Ralph Waldo Emerson was shared on @tarawhitaker.com’s podcast episode on affirmations, and I really appreciated hearing it. Focusing on the end goal of something rather than the barriers won’t make them disappear, but doing so will keep you from dwelling on them …

A pink notepad and pen on a pink background. On the notepad is written “‘I’m not pushed by my problems, I’m led by my dreams.’ —Tara Whitaker, The Modern Editor Podcast”.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Something to take into the week, if anyone needs to hear it. 💚 • Looking to prepare your writing for publishing? I’m a trained freelance nonfiction copy editor and writer. If you have a project you’d like some help with, get in touch! I offer free sample edits up to 1,000 words…

A slip of paper on which “‘You fail only if you stop writing.’ —Ray Bradbury” is written in green ink. The paper lies with a green pen on a green background.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 3mo ago

When you’re writing a recipe that uses multiple parts of citrus, specify that the reader should peel or zest the fruit before juicing, as it’s a lot easier to do so when it’s still whole. 🍊🍋🍋‍🟩 Happy writing!

A notepad on which “Recipe Editor Tip 1: Watch your wording when it comes to lemons! Here’s why (see caption)” is written in deep yellow ink lies next to a white pen on a notebook patterned with illustrations of fruit.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Conference tip (from experience): Bring a fine tip permanent pen like a Sharpie to scribble notes or "reminders" on the business cards you're given. They dry quickly and crisp, whereas other pens could smear. The last thing you need is ink on your hand or favourite blazer! 🤓

Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 3mo ago

It’s been a minute so I thought a reintroduction was in order! 👋🏻 I’m a professionally trained freelancer specializing in nonfiction content, and I offer copy/line editing, select authenticity reading, manuscript assessment, and writing services.

A pink graphic with a picture of Meaghan, a white woman with brown hair wearing a white blazer and pink shirt. The graphic has the Choice Words Editing Logo and “Professional Editing Services for Authors and Publishers in Culinary, Social, and Literary Nonfiction” in grey font.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 4mo ago

I LOVE food-focused podcasts, and these three in particular offer helpful information for all the steps and people involved in publishing your recipes and and cookbooks, from parts of a cookbook to editing to querying to marketing. If you have other favourite foodie pods I’d love to know them! 🎧

A jam jar-shaped notepad on which “Recipe writers, here are 3 podcasts you should know: Cookbook Love, Everything Cookbooks, She’s My Cherry Pie” is written in blue ink. The notepad lies next to a red pen on a background patterned with bees and strawberries.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Recipe writers, here are three book titles that will make structuring and formatting your recipes easier. There are countless ways to do this, and there’s no one “right” method, as long as the route you choose is consistent, and easy to comprehend for your readers. I hope you find them helpful!

A slip of paper on which is written three book titles recipe writers will find helpful. They are The Complete Recipe Writing Guide by Sarazen, Will Write for Food by Jacob, and Barron’s The New Food Lover’s Companion by Herbst and Herbst.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Another testimonial from a client, whose personal statement to a master’s admissions committee I was fortunate enough to edit. 😄 I’m always grateful for the chance to work with awesome clients! • Looking to prepare your writing for publishing? I’m a trained freelance nonfiction copy editor.

A pink and white graphic with a testimonial about working with Meaghan.
Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 5mo ago

While taking inspiration from others can be great for motivation, it doesn’t serve us to compare our progress with others if it means we’ll feel behind or badly about ourselves as a result. We don’t all reach the finish line at the same time! And, really, it’s not a race. Have a great week! 🌤️

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OTHERSIDE@othersidespec.bsky.social · 5mo ago

We would love to see more nonfiction in our queue! We're especially interested in topics compelling to an audience interested in both queerness & speculative literature. Think: queer history, science, critical analysis, & pieces that blur genre boundaries. Guidelines: othersidespec.com/guidelines/

Submission Guidelines - OTHERSIDE

Submission guidelines for fiction and poetry submissions to OTHERSIDE, including opening dates and how to submit.

othersidespec.com

Meaghan Steeves@choicewordsedit.bsky.social · 5mo ago

This sentiment, often attributed to Kelly Corrigan, contains a lot of wisdom on balancing fun with practicality. With writing, let’s assume the glitter is the good stuff: that zing of joy you get when you’ve worded something well, getting something published, or any accolades of recognition.

A slip of paper on which “You cannot have a career of all glitter and no glue.” is written in purple ink lies amongst iridescent pens and cards shaped like seashells.