The Editor's Half Hour

For the Season 3 finale of The Editor’s Half Hour, I’m joined by a truly extraordinary guest: Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster. With the highly anticipated 12th edition of the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary—the first major update in more than two decades—Peter gives us a rare look behind the scenes of how our language is shaped, refined, and recorded.

In this conversation, Peter takes us inside the meticulous world of lexicography: how new words earn their place, how usage guides definition, and how the dictionary reflects the culture around us. We talk about nuance, evolution, clarity, and the responsibility of capturing the living nature of English—while honoring history, accuracy, and meaning.

This episode is a celebration of everything editors love about language. Whether you’re an editor, a writer, or a full-on word nerd, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the craft behind the dictionary you’ve trusted for years.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

·       What goes into updating a major dictionary edition

·       How lexicographers track evolving usage and cultural influence

·       The surprising ways words shift meaning over time

·       What gets added and what gets revised in the 12th edition

·       How editors and lexicographers share similar instincts for clarity and precision

·       Why dictionary work is both deeply technical and beautifully human

And because this is the season finale, the episode begins with a special announcement: the winner of this season’s listener giveaway! Become a sneak “Pique” Patreon supporter to get access to exclusive content.

Visit https://www.merriam-webster.com/collegiate-dictionary-twelfth-edition to get your copy of the latest 12th edition.

If you’re planning to attend the LoveLitCon in San Diego (Feb. 13–16), visit lovelit. and use code PP7299 to get $25 off the registration fee.

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Book Marketing for Editors

What happens after the edits are done? In this episode, I interview Aryn Van Dyke, founder of Book Rockstar and former HarperCollins marketing expert, about how editors can better understand the world of book marketing—and why it matters more than ever.

Aryn shares how her background in corporate publishing led her to create Book Rockstar, a boutique agency dedicated to helping authors build authentic, sustainable book marketing strategies that actually fit their values. She opens up about her journey from marketing professional to author, including her own Kickstarter campaign for her debut novel and what she learned about community, vulnerability, and creative entrepreneurship along the way.

If you’ve ever wondered how editors can support authors beyond the manuscript—or what it takes to turn a polished book into a thriving brand—this episode will give you real-world insight into the marketing side of publishing.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What editors should know about the author marketing journey
• How to help authors think about visibility from the start
• The biggest misconceptions about book marketing
• Lessons Aryn learned from crowdfunding her debut novel
• Why marketing doesn’t have to feel “salesy”
• How collaboration between editors and marketers benefits everyone

Plus, in the exclusive after-party episode for Patreon supporters, Aryn gets personal about the emotional side of launching a novel, the lessons she’s learned about balance and burnout, and how she’s exploring the role of AI in modern book marketing.

Find Aryn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryn-van-dyke/

Learn more about Book Rockstar: https://www.bookrockstar.com/

Buy your copy of Aryn’s book: https://www.arynvandyke.com/

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In this episode of The Editor’s Half Hour, Nadia Pupa talks with Marie Ellis, founder of Muse Content and an experienced editor and content strategist. Marie shares how she helps authors and organizations shape their ideas into clear, meaningful content while staying grounded in the joy of editing.

Together, we explore:

·       What it means to find your “happy place” as an editor

·       How to create a balance between editorial precision and creative satisfaction

·       The role of confidence in building an editorial career

·       Practical ways to stay motivated when projects feel overwhelming

·       Why connection—with writers, clients, and other editors—matters to sustaining joy in the profession

Whether you’re new to editing or a seasoned pro, Marie’s insights are a reminder that editing is more than correcting—it’s about clarity, collaboration, and content that resonates.

Learn more about Marie’s work at Muse Content: https://www.musecontent.co.uk

Reach out to Marie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-ellis-content/

Leave a review or 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

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If you’ve spent any time on LinkedIn, you may have seen this episode’s guest in action—Laura Poole. She’s become known for her signature ‘snip snip’ posts, where she takes a sentence, trims the excess, and shows how just a few smart cuts can transform writing into something sharper, cleaner, and more powerful.

In this episode, we discuss the art of concise editing: how to cut the clutter, keep the meaning, and make every word earn its place. Whether you’re an editor or a writer, you’ll come away with practical tools—and maybe even the courage to pick up the scissors and give your words a little snip snip.

With her decades of experience in scholarly nonfiction and her gift for teaching, Laura explains how the art of concise editing can transform writing from wordy to worthy. She reminds us that editing is not about judgment—it’s about clarity, flow, and nuance. Laura has been editing full-time since 1996, and shortly after, she founded her company, Archer Editorial Services, Inc., in 1997. She currently serves on the ACES Awards Committee as head judge for the Robinson Prize.

Visit her company website: https://www.archereditorial.com/

Follow Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapoole/

Leave a review or 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

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In “Not Your Grandma’s Grammar,” we dive deep into the evolving landscape of language, exploring what’s truly worth holding onto from the old-school grammar playbook and what’s time to retire.

Dave Nelsen shares what he thinks Grandma did get right, the most common mistakes he still spots out in the wild, and the grammar “hills” he’s ready to defend fiercely.

Dave has more than two decades of experience copy editing business collateral, academic writing, proposal content, marketing materials, and anything else that’s been put in front of him. Dave has been with Dragonfly Editorial since 2017. He began as a contractor, editing and writing proposal content for several of Dragonfly’s health care and IT clients. Today, as the deputy editorial manager, he works closely with the editorial manager to develop and maintain Dragonfly’s high editing standards. He also edits and proofreads proposal content and other communication for key clients. He’s especially proud of his super-nerd-level love of style guides. Ask him any question about the Associated Press Stylebook or The Chicago Manual of Style, and you’ll have a hard time shutting him up.

In this episode, we challenge the myths (yes, including that infamous “don’t end a sentence with a preposition” rule), and discuss how modern communication—think texting, TikTok, and Threads—is reshaping our understanding of language.

We also tackle hot topics like:

·       Is autocorrect helping or hurting our grammar brains?

·       Why punctuation in texts can sometimes feel like a secret message.

·       How grammar rebels from history inspire today’s editors.

·       Why editors might want to broaden their skill sets beyond traditional copyediting.

Plus, for exclusive content, Dave dives into the future of grammar in an AI-driven world. From how editors might become language ethicists to the challenge of editing algorithm-generated voices, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the craft of language. (Visit patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour to become a Patreon supporter to get access to the exclusive content.)

You can find Dave on LinkedIn and Bluesky:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-nelsen-0551588/

@thegrammargeek.bsky.social

Visit https://dragonflyeditorial.com/resources/top-4-english-myths/ to read the “Top 4 English Language Myths,” which is one of Dragonfly’s Field Guides written by Dave.

Visit https://dragonflyeditorial.com/training/ to learn more about the webinars they have to offer.

Leave a review or 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

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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/

Leave a review or 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

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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/

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?

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

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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?

💬 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

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Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour