Since I finally feel better today, I can market again! I'm a neurodivergent, chronically ill freelance editor. Editing is my only income. I still have plenty of spots open this fall! I edit short stories, poetry, novellas, and books in the fantasy, LGBTQ+ or sci-fi genres! ottersediting.com

Otters Editing

Welcome to Otters Editing Welcome! I’m Steph, an empathetic editor who cares about you & your writing. I’ll be your Guide Otter here to help you swim through your publishing journey…

ottersediting.com

#StetChat A8 The EFA has a recuring scifi and fantasy editing course which I found extremely valuable for helping authors with worldbuilding and other genre specifics.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 5h ago

Q8: What resources do you recommend for editors who want to learn how to guide writers through worldbuilding? Or for writers who want more resources on worldbuilding? #StetChat

#StetChat A7 Consistency is key! And clarity (for grammatical worldbuilding especially). As for italics, I would advise against overuse. And also, all these decisions need to make sense with the world and the context (different categories of people may not use the same terms or grammar, for example)

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 5h ago

Q7: How do you approach stylistic and grammatical worldbuilding decisions like capitalization, italics, spelling, etc.? #StetChat

#StetChat A6 Style sheets. Also, the search function! Sometimes you forgot to take note of an element, or you didn't think it would be important/reoccur, so the search function can help find the previous passage where the info was mentioned.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 6h ago

Q6: Consistency is a key part of worldbuilding. How do you track consistency in the manuscript you’re editing, like character details, timelines, units of measurement (time, currencies, distance), magical systems, and advanced technologies? #StetChat

#StetChat A5 Trusting the reader is important (so long as enough information is provided so they can infer the rest). Not only does this avoid infodumping, it also avoids a big pitfall: making the reader feel like they're taken by the hand as if they're not capable enough. 1/2

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 6h ago

Q5: When working with your clients, how do you suggest balancing complex information/explanations with trusting the reader? How does this show up in the type of material you work on? #StetChat

#StetChat A4 All of the above? 😅 (well, below, technically) Problematic elements are something I especially look out for in the developmental stage. Another big one is problems with logic or consistency (love diving into that!) On the dev and line level, infodumping is a really common issue.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 6h ago

Q4: What are some common mistakes that authors make with worldbuilding? For example: problematic elements, cultural appropriation, clichés, anachronisms, infodumping. #StetChat

#StetChat A3 Inconsistencies can make their way into maps just as much as they can be present in the text. A good map is easily readable and understandable. Maps can also be fantastic marketing tools, so making them pretty (but still readable!) is important too.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 6h ago

Q3: If you’ve worked with maps in a project you’ve edited, what issues have you run into with them? What makes a map good? #StetChat

#StetChat A2 I don't I typically suggest any of this. I'm always happy to see maps, and glossaries can be useful, but it's up to the author to include them if they want to. Thing is, readers may skip these kinds of sections, so I don't like encouraging the author to rely too much on them. 1/3

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 6h ago

Q2: What are some in-book elements, sections, or signifiers that you encourage authors to use to help readers understand the world? Think: maps, glossaries, character lists, charts/diagrams. #StetChat

#StetChat A1 Ah, yes, the question that makes me forget every single piece of media I've ever consumed 🤣 The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers is an absolute gem in general, and the worldbuilding is rich, with science fiction tech and space travel, different species, and different cultures.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 6h ago

Q1: What’s an example of immersive worldbuilding in a book, movie, TV show, or game that enthralled you? #StetChat

Hello #edibuddies I'm Jesse (he/him). And I'm so excited for this #StetChat on worldbuilding since I'm a fiction editor (developmental and line editing), and one of my specialties is speculative fiction (including horror).

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 6h ago

StetChatters, please introduce yourself. Remember to use the hashtag #StetChat for all your answers today. #StetChat And remember, if you miss a question, you can see all the questions under the Media tab on our profile.

Welcome to today’s #StetChat. Let’s talk about worldbuilding! Remember to use the hashtag #StetChat for all your answers today and label your answers A1, A2, etc. so we know which question you’re responding to. Missed a question? You can see all the questions under the Media tab on our profile.

It's Sweet & Wild's anniversary this week! Tomorrow, it will have been out for an entire year! Ahh! Until August 3rd, both Sweet & Wild and A Taste of Wild Honey are 50% off on Itch and Ko-Fi! 💛🐝🌼 Itch: itch.io/s/196800/swe... Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/alexlarkspur...

Connecting more with communities centred around disability has been wonderful. I'm also getting better at setting timelines for my editing business that account for my varying supply of spoons, and I'm kinder to myself when I can't meet my personal writing goals. #SpoonieAuthChat

Spoonie Authors Network@spoonieauthnet.bsky.social · last wk.

Spoonie Author Chat (for creatives who manage spoons), July 28, 2026: Tell us something that made you proud during this Disability Pride Month! (Please quote-post and add #SpoonieAuthChat to your replies!)

It’s #StetSprint time! What are you working on during today’s sprint, #edibuddies? How to #StetSprint 1️⃣ Share your goal with us (ex. “Copyedit 6 pages of MS”). 2️⃣ Focus on work for 1 hour: No phones, no social media, just working. 3️⃣ In 1 hour, check back in here and tell us how you did!

#queerwriters Weekly goals time! I'm going to try to take 2–3 days off this week instead of working every day, so I'll keep the goals low. Drafting one scene for both WIPs would be great!

AmaraJLynn 🦹 drafting Fire & Feathers@amaralynn.bsky.social · last wk.

#queerwriters Monday: Goals Day! What do you hope to accomplish this week? Can be anything, big or small! Let us know so we can cheer you on! #WritingCommunity #lgbtqwriters

#QueerWriters I'm a bit late for the check in again. I managed to write one scene for my queer fantasy romance, but I didn't write 3k words for my queer horror. I did maybe 1k, which is still good, and I also did a little planning and worldbuilding. Not bad 😊

AmaraJLynn 🦹 drafting Fire & Feathers@amaralynn.bsky.social · 2w ago

#queerwriters Saturday: Check in Day! How was your week? Did you accomplish what you set out to do? Share your progress, encourage, cheer, and support others! #WritingCommunity #lgbtqwriters

- Accessibility. Having an accessibility coordinator/team helps! - Invite us to speak on panels that aren’t necessarily focused on disability. (I love space opera!) - Remember that you can have more than one disabled speaker, panelist, panel. We’re not a speciality item! #SpoonieAuthChat

Spoonie Authors Network@spoonieauthnet.bsky.social · last wk.

Spoonie Author Chat (for creatives who manage spoons), July 27, 2026: In this final week of Disability Pride Month, what would you like to happen so we're included more in writerly spaces? (Please quote-post and add #SpoonieAuthChat to your replies.)

It’s #StetSprint time! What are you working on during today’s sprint, #edibuddies? How to #StetSprint 1️⃣ Share your goal with us (ex. “Copyedit 6 pages of MS”). 2️⃣ Focus on work for 1 hour: No phones, no social media, just working. 3️⃣ In 1 hour, check back in here and tell us how you did!

Get your summer horror fix! 🌲🔪☀️📷👾 A cryptid-hunting YouTuber chases a video of his presumed-dead mom to an isolated island in the Canadian wilderness that may house the monsters he swears aren't real: books2read.com/u/boB9YL steve-westenra.itch.io/the-erstwhil... #Questpit #P #A #H #SFF

#WeeknightWriters Q6 I'm a freelance editor! It's my main income and I'm still looking for clients for this fall. I edit fantasy, LGBTQ+ fiction, and sci-fi. I even edit poetry! Can't afford it? No worries! I try to work with your budget. Just let me know. ottersediting.com

Otters Editing

Welcome to Otters Editing Welcome! I’m Steph, an empathetic editor who cares about you & your writing. I’ll be your Guide Otter here to help you swim through your publishing journey…

ottersediting.com

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 2w ago

Q6: Do you have any recent or upcoming publications? Share them here, and be sure to include links if you have them! (No AI, and please add alt text to all images) #WeeknightWriters

Highly recommend!

Cait Gordon ♿️@caitgauthor.bsky.social · 2w ago

A6: My first-ever short story collection, Speculative Shorts: Stories that fell out of my brain, has earned three 2026 Indieverse Awards noms and is shortlisted for a Whistler Independent Book Award! 15 tales starring queer and/or disabled protagonists! #WeeknightWriters books2read.com/spec-shorts

#WeeknightWriters Q6 The Witch of the Wood comes out on October 6th, but you can check it out early by applying for an ARC! bsky.app/profile/appl...

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 2w ago

Q6: Do you have any recent or upcoming publications? Share them here, and be sure to include links if you have them! (No AI, and please add alt text to all images) #WeeknightWriters

A6: My book NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER is out on Amazon/Kobo/Itch, so if you like the idea of a sexy standalone romance mixed w/a slow-burn multi-book horror story, or trauma-touched MCs healing each other & escaping certain doom, this book is for you. norashear.com/books/no-dre... #WeeknightWriters

No Dream Like Forever

Available now! NO DREAM LIKE FOREVER: Book 1 of The Descendants released June 12, 2026 formats ebook A talented event planner catches the attention of a pack of immortals, some of whom are INCREDIB…

norashear.com

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 2w ago

Q6: Do you have any recent or upcoming publications? Share them here, and be sure to include links if you have them! (No AI, and please add alt text to all images) #WeeknightWriters

TIME'S UP! Thanks for joining tonight's #WeeknightWriters chat! Want more community support throughout the week? Check out our Pro Community for nightly accountability sessions, weekly write-ins, and more!

Sustaining Membership Program - Weeknight Writers

The Weeknight Writers Sustaining Membership Program gives you access to one of the best writing communities on the web!

weeknightwriters.com

I finally finished my first blog post on writing "rules" and how to decide whether to follow writing advice or not. I drafted it quite a while ago but didn't have enough time and energy to edit it. rainbowpenediting.com/you-must-wri... #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 2w ago

Q6: Do you have any recent or upcoming publications? Share them here, and be sure to include links if you have them! (No AI, and please add alt text to all images) #WeeknightWriters

The weekly #WeeknightWriters chat is always appreciated!

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 2w ago

Q5: What can we, the Weeknight Writers community, do in the next week to make your life a little more pleasant? #WeeknightWriters

A5: My anniversary is next weekend & I'd love some tips to help me and my spouse celebrate. We're at 13 whole years! It's my favourite number, other than 42, and IDK if we'll live long enough to hit that one so I definitely want to celebrate this one! Tip jar below #WeeknightWriters

Support Dianna Gunn

Support Dianna Gunn

ko-fi.com

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 2w ago

Q5: What can we, the Weeknight Writers community, do in the next week to make your life a little more pleasant? #WeeknightWriters

Taking a proper day off would be nice. Like a planned one instead of a "I'm crashing and I have to take the day off". #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 2w ago

Q4: What can you do in the next week to make your life a little more pleasant? #WeeknightWriters

I did a little bit of crochet as part of taking things slower. I hadn't made anything in a while, so it was nice getting back into it. #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 2w ago

Q3: Let's cheer things up a bit! What has brought you joy in the past week? Remember, no joy is too small! #WeeknightWriters

Mostly focus. If someone is secretly a wizard with ADHD calming spells, I'd appreciate a little bit of magic. I've been using timers and body doubling, which have been helpful, but it's been particularly hard to start the day. #WeeknightWriters

Weeknight Writers@weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 2w ago

Q2: Is there anything specific you're struggling with this week? Let us know about it and we'll see what we can do to help! #WeeknightWriters