In this episode of The Editor’s Half Hour, Nadia Geagea Pupa welcomes editor Rachel Lapidow for an in-depth look at the role editors play in the world of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). From rulebooks and lore to quests and character creation, editing TTRPGs involves far more than just grammar—it’s about helping writers and designers bring expansive, interactive worlds to life with clarity, consistency, and heart.

Rachel shares how she got started in this unique niche, the editorial challenges that come with blending narrative and game mechanics, and why attention to detail matters just as much in imaginary realms as it does anywhere else. Whether you're deep into the TTRPG space or just curious about unconventional editorial careers, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse behind the screen.

What You’ll Learn:

·       What editors actually do on TTRPG projects

·       How to balance creativity with consistency

·       Common pitfalls and continuity challenges in collaborative storytelling

·       Why editors are essential to immersive, playable game narratives

·       Rachel’s advice for editors interested in gaming and narrative design

Rachel Lapidow is a freelance editor with a passion for TTRPGs, collaborative fiction, and genre storytelling. Her work focuses on helping teams bring complex, interactive narratives to life—ensuring that even the most magical worlds stay grounded in clear, player-friendly language. Since 2019, she has been a freelance proofreader for DC Comics and has worked on more than 20 comic collections. Visit RachelLapidow.com to learn more about Rachel and the types of projects she’s done.

During this episode, we made reference to another podcast, Tech Lounge, where Rachel discussed her work on TTRPGs:

https://chrischinchilla.com/podcast/copy-editing-game-rules-with-rachel-lapidow/

The idea to cover this topic on the podcast came from Rachel Fowler, magazine editor for the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. Thank you, Rachel, for your input and ideas! Find Rachel Fowler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-fowler-1b523675/

Since this episode was released, Rachel Lapidow has written an article that outlines what it takes to develop an intricate stylesheet. She shares a truncated version in her latest blog post titled, “Getting it Righ (Whale): A Reef-erence to a Whale of a Style Sheet”: https://www.rachellapidow.com/writing/2025/9/10/getting-it-right-whale-a-reef-erence-to-a-whale-of-a-style-sheet

Love the Show?

💬 Leave a review to help others discover the show!

📢 Share this episode with your fellow word nerds and editing enthusiasts!

🎙️ Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast

✍️ Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour

⭐ Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour