Developmental editor and anthropologist Andrew Hodges shares his view of the editor’s role in shaping fictional worlds—especially in speculative fiction. He brings a unique perspective to the craft, blending editorial expertise with a background in cultural anthropology. We discuss:

• How editors can guide world-building without taking over the creative vision
• Common mistakes writers make when creating new worlds
• Approaches to handling culture and social structures with nuance
• Tools and frameworks that make complex worlds easier to manage
• Why developmental editing for world-building is really about strengthening the story’s core

If you’re a developmental editor working with fantasy, sci-fi, or even historical fiction, this episode is full of ideas for making world-building more intentional, inclusive, and story-driven.

Andrew Hodges is a developmental editor and the founder of The Narrative Craft (TheNarrativeCraft.com), where he works with speculative fiction authors to bring their stories to life. With a PhD in social anthropology, Andrew offers deep insight into how culture, structure, and meaning shape the worlds we build.

Here’s a detailed list of the resources mentioned in this episode:

• Andy’s podcast: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/the-free-lancer-podcast
• Andy’s webinar https://payhip.com/b/UTCN9
• Sophie Playle Guiding Principles for Developmental Fiction Editing (Webinar) https://www.liminalpages.com/
• Jennifer Lawler Developmental Editing Courses https://www.clubedfreelancers.com/jennifer-lawler-editor/
• Beth Hill’s book, “The Magic of Fiction” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29510704-the-magic-of-fiction
• Janice Hardy’s “Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft: A step-by-step guide to revising your novel”: https://a.co/d/f5y6PQu
• Wonderbook: https://a.co/d/3YCnoWJ
• Blog, podcast, discord: https://mythcreants.com/

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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/

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In this special double feature episode, I’m joined by two standout voices from this year’s ACES conference in Salt Lake City.

First, I interview Heather Saunders, president of ACES: The Society for Editing and CEO of Nova Arc Content. Heather shares her perspective on leading in the editing world, the importance of advocating for editors in specialized fields like STEM, and how she’s working to build a stronger, more inclusive professional community. It’s a conversation about vision, leadership, and the evolving role of editors in today’s content landscape.

Then, I sit down with Jamaal Pittman, this year’s Robinson Prize winner—one of the highest honors an editor can receive. Jamaal opens up about his career journey, what this award means to him, and the lessons he’s learned about excellence, mentorship, and community in the editing profession.

Whether you’re deep in the world of editorial work or just curious about the people shaping the future of content, this episode is packed with insight, heart, and inspiration.

Resources & Mentions:

• ACES: The Society for Editing
• Nova Arc Content
• Learn more about the Robinson Prize
• Purchase your copy of Jamaal’s book, The Copy Editor’s (Life)Style Guide.

Let’s be real—promoting yourself can feel like a microfiber cloth snagging on dry skin. Ick. We’re editors, not salespeople! But fear not, because in this episode, I speak with marketing guru, and work and life coach, Colleen Newvine, all about how to feel more authentic and less cringey when it comes to self-promotion.

Colleen’s approach to marketing makes you feel at ease, that promoting your brand is less selling and more serving, offering helpful and valuable services to those who need it. She soothes your worries and gives you comfort that you can do it! Colleen gives us all a push in the right direction and gives guidance for embracing imperfection when tackling the digital marketing world, whether you’re a freelance editor or small business owner.

Key Takeaways

·      Answers why so many people feel “gross” when selling their services

·      Teaches you how to reframe the intention behind self-promotion

·      Shares tips to be less “salesy” and more authentic

·      Unpacks how to get started on your marketing journey, focusing on the basics

·      Gives you the pep talk you need to get started on marketing your brand

Colleen Newvine is a reporter and editor turned marketer and coach, providing marketing consulting for small organizations and self-employed people, and is a certified life and career coach. Her focus is on helping small organizations and self-employed professionals with marketing consulting services, where she gets to work one-on-one with the owners.

Check out her website: ColleenNewvine.com

Follow Colleen on Instagram: @colleennewvine

Find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleennewvine/

📖 Buy her book: Your Mini Sabbatical

Resources Mentioned:

·      Chris Brogan’s marketing newsletter: https://chrisbrogan.com/#newsletter

·      Bréne Brown on “feeling wobbly”: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-strong-backs-soft-fronts-and-wild-hearts/

·      Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans: https://a.co/d/18DbzRE

Love the Show?

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What if copy editing was more than just a profession—what if it was a lifestyle? In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Jamaal Pittman, author of The Copy Editor’s Life(Style) Guide, for a deep dive into the world of editing, career longevity, and what it really takes to thrive in the publishing industry.

Jamaal’s book isn’t just another style guide—it’s an insightful, engaging, and often humorous look at the editor’s life, from mastering the mechanics of clean copy to navigating the unique challenges of a career built around precision and clarity. Whether you’re a seasoned editor, a newcomer to the field, or just someone fascinated by the world of words, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.

✅ The essential skills every copyeditor needs to succeed in today’s publishing landscape

✅ How to balance technical expertise with creativity when editing diverse content

✅ Common mistakes even seasoned editors make—and how to avoid them

✅ Tips for building a sustainable, fulfilling career as a copy editor

✅ The importance of maintaining your own editorial style while adapting to different projects

Jamaal Pittman is a professional copyeditor, writer, and publishing professional with a passion for clarity, consistency, and compelling storytelling. His book, The Copy Editor’s Life(Style) Guide, is an essential resource for editors at all levels, offering both practical guidance and witty insights into the daily realities of the profession.

Follow Jamaal on Instagram: @jamaaldpittman

Find him on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jamaalpittman

📖 Buy his book: amazon.com/Copy-Editors-Life-Style-Guide/dp/1304540537

Learn more about Mary Moore, the editor of Jamaal’s book: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymoore866/

Love the Show?

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

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AI is transforming the way we edit, write, and create—but where do we draw the ethical line? 

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the ethics of AI in publishing to explore some of the biggest ethical questions editors and writers face in the age of AI. 

Are AI tools a helpful assistant or a threat to creativity? How do we ensure fairness, accuracy, and integrity in AI-assisted editing? 

I interview Amy Frushour Kelly, editor and AI content policy consultant who is an advocate for the ethical use of generative AI in the editing and writing professions by promoting AI ethics, literacy, and editor-specific training in policy development.

She teaches the AI Content Policy for Editors course and is a frequent presenter at conferences on AI ethics for editors and content creators. Amy has 30 years of editing experience in journalism, technical writing, finance, and content marketing.

Amy currently serves on the ACES Board of Directors and is a member of Editorial Freelancers Association (ACES), Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), and Professional Editors Network (PEN).

To learn more about Amy and to gain access to more resources, please visit frushourconsulting.com.

Sign up to receive the podcast newsletter: http://eepurl.com/iXaVBU

Consider joining the podcast Patreon: patreon.com/c/editorshalfhour/posts

Visit piquepublishing.com/podcast to view or listen to other episodes.

The following lists other books and resources discussed and shared in this episode:

“Journal editors’ mass resignation marks ‘sad day for paleoanthropology”: https://www.science.org/content/article/journal-editors-mass-resignation-marks-sad-day-paleoanthropology

“Scientific Journal Publishes AI-Generated Rat with Gigantic Penis In Worrying Incident” https://www.vice.com/en/article/scientific-journal-frontiers-publishes-ai-generated-rat-with-gigantic-penis-in-worrying-incident/

Responsible AI by Olivia Gamblin: https://www.amazon.com/Responsible-AI-Implement-Approach-Organization/dp/1398615706/

Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick: https://www.amazon.com/Co-Intelligence-Living-Working-Ethan-Mollick/dp/059371671X/

AI Snake Oil by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor: https://www.amazon.com/Snake-Oil-Artificial-Intelligence-Difference/dp/069124913X

Welcome back to The Editor's Half Hour podcast! We're kicking off the year with an episode designed to help you work smarter, not harder. In this episode, I interview productivity expert and editorial pro, Lori Paximadis for a lively discussion about the systems and shortcuts that can revolutionize your workflow.

Lori has been a successful full-time freelancer for more than half of her 33-year career in publishing. Her background in project management and production makes her a sought-after copyeditor and proofreader for fiction and nonfiction. Her clients range from Big Five publishers to indies. She has been presenting and training on the topics of systems and efficiency since 2016.

In this episode, Lori shares:

🛠️ Her favorite tools and tech for streamlining editorial projects

🕒 Time-saving hacks for managing client communication, deadlines, and revisions

🧠 The mindset shifts that can help you avoid burnout while staying on top of your game

Whether you’re a seasoned editor or just starting out, you’ll walk away with practical tips to implement right away—plus, a peek into Lori’s productivity playbook.

📚 Mentioned in this episode:

Text Expander: textexpander.com

Calendly: calendly.com

Lori's website: systemsandshortcuts.com

Lori’s socials: about.me/loripax

2025 Inaugural Editors Calendar: https://2025-editors-calendar.printify.me/product/15393711/2025-inaugural-editors-calendar

📩 We’d love to hear from you! What are your go-to systems or shortcuts? Share your thoughts and tips on social media using #EditorsHalfHour or drop us a message.

Sign up to receive the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/iXaVBU

Consider joining the podcast Patreon: patreon.com/c/editorshalfhour/posts

Visit piquepublishing.com/podcast to view or listen to other episodes.

In this special episode and season finale, I interviewed Madeleine Vasaly, the author of the newly released book, “The Proofreader’s Guide to Comic Book Style.” This book offers an in-depth catalog of style traditions in comics and explains how they’re different from the standards in other types of media. In this interview, we discuss grammar, style, and the heroic art of editing dialogue balloons.

Madeleine Vasaly is a developmental editor, copyeditor, proofreader, and consultant with over a decade of experience in publishing. Her comics background includes a temporary stint at DC Comics as a full-time proofreader in addition to freelance work for DC, IDW/Top Shelf, Yen Press, Tapas, and other publishers. She has proofread and copyedited series, one-shots, anthologies, graphic novels, and collected editions across all age ratings, and created company-wide style guides for publishers.

Outside her work in comics, Madeleine has edited and proofread hundreds of prose books and countless articles for online newsrooms. She has served on the board of the Professional Editors Network since 2018.

• Book website: https://comicbookstyle.com

• Madeleine’s website: https://madeleinevasaly.com

• "Resources for Comics Editors and Proofreaders" blog post: https://www.madeleinevasaly.com/blog/2024/9/25/resources-for-comics-editors-and-proofreaders

And social media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleinevasaly

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/madeleinevasaly.com

When you pick up a cookbook, do you ever wonder how it all comes together? From the ingredients to the instructions to the tempting photos, a lot more happens behind the scenes than meets the eye. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the essential yet often-overlooked role of the cookbook editor.

Join us as we chat with seasoned cookbook editor Melissa Haskin, who reveals what it takes to turn a chef’s vision into a polished, reader-friendly masterpiece. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Melissa works on recipes, resumes, and research. Most recently, she edited "The Solo Stove Fire Pit Cookbook." She offers coaching for freelance editors and will be launching her first course, Recipe Editing 101, in March 2025.

In this episode, you'll learn why editing is essential—not just for correcting grammar but for refining recipes, ensuring accuracy, and creating a seamless flow that makes readers feel right at home in their kitchens. Discover the magic of balancing clarity with creativity, making dishes look delicious, and keeping flavors authentic.

Below is a list of resources mentioned in this episode:

The Modern Proper Website: https://themodernproper.com/

The Modern Proper Book: https://themodernproper.com/cookbook

World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/

Melissa’s website: https://www.melissa-haskin.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahaskin/

Recipe Class (March 2025): https://www.melissa-haskin.com/courses.html

• Full price: $497 (similar in price to Erin Servais' AI for Editors Course and the Toronto Metropolitan University course)
• Automatic 10% discount for early registration (through February 1)
• Extra $25 off at any time for listeners of your podcast with code Nadia25 (valid for the March 2025 course) 
• Currently slotted to be a 6-week course over Zoom/video call at a set time each week. Will be offered as a self-paced course in the future. 

Reedsy: https://reedsy.com/melissa-haskin

Recipe Editing class through the Toronto Metropolitan University (no affiliation) 

Other Resources:

The Romantasy Cookbook: Epic Recipes Inspired by Great Romantasy Novels and Their Fearless Heroines Hardcover – May 27, 2025by Gabriela Leon (Author)

Sandwiches of History: The Cookbook: All the Best (and Most Surprising) Things People Have Put Between Slices of Bread

Northwest Editors Guild Red Pencil Conferences

Recommended Books:

The Complete Recipe Writing Guide: Mastering Recipe Development, Writing, Testing, Nutrition Analysis and Food Styling, Raeanne Sarazen, MA, RDN, FAND

The Recipe Writer's Handbook, Revised and Updated Paperback – March 30, 2001, by Barbara Gibbs Ostmann (Author), Jane L. Baker (Author)

The Food Lover's Companion 5th Edition/The Deluxe Food Lover's Companion 2nd Edition 

In this insightful episode, we dive into the nuanced world of editing for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writers. It’s one thing to edit for grammar and flow, but how do editors balance maintaining a writer’s authentic voice while adapting the language for clarity and readability in English? This episode unpacks what it takes to work effectively with EFL writers, touching on topics like cultural sensitivity, linguistic diversity, and the unique challenges editors face when working with non-native English speakers.

Whether you're an editor, writer, or just curious about the intricacies of language, this episode sheds light on how editors approach the delicate yet crucial task of working with EFL authors. Tune in for expert tips and fascinating stories from Mekiya Outini—an award-winning author and editor with over ten years of experience providing editorial services to EFL writers, authors of literary fiction and creative nonfiction, and international students and scholars. He holds an MFA in fiction from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he met his wife and collaborator, Itto Outini. Together, the Outinis have garnered support from the MacDowell Foundation and the Steinbeck Fellowship Program at San Jose State University and co-founded The DateKeepers, a full-service author support platform dedicated to serving artists and creators around the globe.

Website: https://www.thedatekeepers.com

Mekiya’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekiya-o-1157b9184/

The DateKeepers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-datekeepers-–-a-hub-for-writers-and-creators-372831275/

The DateKeepers LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/names-dates-7147355807444049920/