Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
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The Editing Blog: for Editors, Proofreaders and Writers

FOR EDITORS, PROOFREADERS AND WRITERS

Reviewing your editing practice and planning for change

11/1/2023

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We explore a manageable way of reviewing our businesses and planning for change by focusing on two key questions: What's the one thing we've done that works, and what's the one change we could make that would make life easier.
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Summary of Episode 106

Listen to find out more about:
  • What's the one thing we've done that works?
  • Can we do more of it?
  • What can we learn from it?
  • What's the one change we could make that would make life easier?


​Related resources

  • Branding for Business Growth (multimedia course)
  • Editor Website Essentials (multimedia course)
  • Emotional Marketing that Gets Editors Work (multimedia course)
  • Marketing Toolbox for Editors (multimedia course)
  • Resource library for editors, proofreaders and writers​

​
Join our Patreon community

​If you'd like to support The Editing Podcast, thank you! That means the world to us.
SUPPORT THE EDITING PODCAST


Music credit

'Vivacity’ by Kevin MacLeod
  • Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4593-vivacity
  • Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
0 Comments

Why we don't tweet about content we hate

9/11/2022

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Love Twitter for engaging with other editorial and language professionals? We've got one tip for you: Don't engage with content you hate.
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Summary of Episode 103

  • How Google's algorithm works
  • How Twitter's algorithm works
  • Why tweeting about content you hate makes it more visible on Twitter and on the web
  • Why tweeting about content you hate means you're assisting the creator with marketing
  • Using Twitter to elevate the content you love and the causes you care about


​Related resources

  • Editor Website Essentials (multimedia course)
  • Emotional Marketing that Gets Editors Work (multimedia course)
  • Marketing Toolbox for Editors (multimedia course)
  • Resource library for editors, proofreaders and writers
  • Social Media for Business Growth (multimedia course)


​Join our Patreon community

​If you'd like to support The Editing Podcast, thank you! That means the world to us.
SUPPORT THE EDITING PODCAST


Music credit

'Vivacity’ by Kevin MacLeod
  • Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4593-vivacity
  • Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.
​

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.
  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader​
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
0 Comments

Podcasting tips for editors and proofreaders

28/9/2022

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We're celebrating Episode 100 with podcasting tips for editors and proofreaders!
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​Summary of Episode 100

Listen to find out more about:
  • Creating an episode – what's involved
  • How long podcasting takes
  • Efficiency strategies
  • Working with a partner
  • The costs of podcasting
  • Accessibility challenges


​Related resources

  • Captivate (affiliate link)  
  • Audacity (free audio editing software)
  • Editorial marketing resource library
  • Editorial branding resource library
  • ​Blogging for Business Growth (multimedia course)


​Join our Patreon community

​If you'd like to support The Editing Podcast, thank you! That means the world to us.
SUPPORT THE EDITING PODCAST


Music credit

'Vivacity’ by Kevin MacLeod
  • Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4593-vivacity
  • Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
0 Comments

Academic developmental editing

29/3/2022

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Want to know more about academic developmental editing? Laura Portwood-Stacer discusses what it involves and how to develop your skills.
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​Summary of Episode 87

In this episode, Louise and Denise chat with Laura Portwood-Stacer about:

  • What academic developmental editing is
  • Required skills and background
  • Why academic authors seek help from developmental editors
  • What do academic developmental editors do?
  • Why it's different from other types of non-fiction editing
  • The benefits to editors of offering an academic developmental editing service
  • How academic developmental editors find clients
  • Training and resources for academic developmental editors


​Useful links and resources

  • Contact Laura
  • Read The Book Proposal Book
  • Train as an academic developmental editor


​Join our Patreon community

If you'd like to support The Editing Podcast, thank you! That means the world to us. There are two tiers to choose from: 
​
  • EditPod Tea Pot: Buy us a cuppa and help keep the podcast ad-free and independent.
  • EditPod Tea Party: All of the above, plus you get exclusive access to quarterly live Q&As that help you keep your business on track.
SUPPORT THE EDITING PODCAST


Music credit

​‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
0 Comments

Why editors and proofreaders should be networking

16/2/2022

1 Comment

 
Learn about the power of networking with Brittany Dowdle and Linda Ruggeri, two professional editors who've honed the art of building relationships and exchanging ideas to grow their businesses.
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​Summary of Episode 84

​Brittany Dowdle and Linda Ruggeri chat with Louise and Denise about:
  • Networking for Freelance Editors (book)
  • Personality types and networking
  • Positive outcomes from networking
  • Organic vs salesy approaches to networking
  • The power of volunteering
  • Top tips for networking


Useful links and resources

  • Find out more about the book: Networking for Freelance Editors
  • The Networking for Freelance Editors website
  • FREE downloadable networking worksheets
  • Contact Brittany Dowdle
  • Contact Linda Ruggeri
  • EFA Diversity Initiative
  • Writer’s Digest
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Join our Patreon community

If you'd like to support The Editing Podcast, thank you! That means the world to us. There are two tiers to choose from: 
​
  • EditPod Tea Pot: Buy us a cuppa and help keep the podcast ad-free and independent.
  • EditPod Tea Party: All of the above, plus you get exclusive access to quarterly live Q&As that help you keep your business on track.
SUPPORT THE EDITING PODCAST


​Music credit

‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
1 Comment

3 quick ways to improve the design of your editing website

2/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Discover 3 actions you can take to improve the design of your editorial website and that can be implemented within only 24 hours.
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Summary of Episode 83

Denise and I chat about how editors and proofreaders can improve the user experience on their websites with 3 easy-to-implement actions. Listen to find out more about:
  • Navigation buttons
  • Paragraph headings
  • ​Short paragraphs

​
Join our Patreon community

If you'd like to support The Editing Podcast, thank you! That means the world to us. There are two tiers to choose from: 
​
  • EditPod Tea Pot: Buy us a cuppa and help keep the podcast ad-free and independent.
  • EditPod Tea Party: All of the above, plus you get exclusive access to quarterly live Q&As that help you keep your business on track.
SUPPORT THE EDITING PODCAST


​Music credit

‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/


Craft a website that gets you work!

Want to craft a standout editorial website that makes you visible in the search engines and compels your ideal clients to hire you? Check out Editor Website Essentials, my flagship online training course created just for editors and proofreaders.
TELL ME ABOUT THE COURSE
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Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
0 Comments

How we’re ramping up The Editing Podcast!

5/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Find out more about the new broadcast schedule for The Editing Podcast and how you can join our community and access quarterly live Zoom Q&As!
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Summary of Episode 80

  • Our brand-new year-round fortnightly broadcasting schedule 
  • The Editing Podcast audience stats
  • How to support us via Patreon
  • How to join an exclusive community with access to quarterly live Zoom Q&As


​Join our exclusive Patreon community

We’re so grateful for all the kind messages of support we’ve received over the years, including some that asked offered to buy us a cup of tea or coffee as a thank-you.

In response to that, we've now set up a Patreon community with two tiers.
Tier 1: EditPod Tea Pot
Perhaps you’d like to buy us a pot of tea to help fuel us during the writing and recording process!
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Tier 2: EditPod Tea Party
Or for just a few quid more, meet and chat with us live during our quarterly tea parties.
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With the tea-party tier, you’ll receive exclusive invitations every 3 months to join us on Zoom for an hour’s conversation about topics related to editing and running an editorial business.

​Ask questions, get guidance on how to solve your editorial business problems, or just sit back and soak up the chat. 
​
BECOME A PATRON!


​Music credit

‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
0 Comments

Blogging tips for editors and authors #2: With Carol Saller

5/10/2021

0 Comments

 
Subversive copy editor Carol Saller offers more top tips on blogging for editors, proofreaders and writers! Join Carol, Louise and Denise on The Editing Podcast to find out more.
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Listen to #2 to find out more about

  • In #1: Carol's blogging journey: The Subversive Copy Editor blog; Lingua Franca (for the Chronicle of Higher Education); Editor's Corner (for The Chicago Manual of Style); Fiction+ (for The Chicago Manual of Style)
  • In #1: Blogging goals
  • In #1: Coming up with ideas: two tips
  • In #1: Blog promotion strategies
  • In #2: Repurposing blog content
  • In #2: Analytics, and how to avoid the rabbit hole
  • In #3: Monetizing your blog
  • In #3: Understanding the sales funnel
  • In #3: Managing reader engagement
  • In #3: Blogging trajectory: Deciding who to write for and when to stop


Related resources

  • About Carol Saller
  • Blogging for Business Growth (course)
  • 'Blogging for writers' (Jane Friedman)
  • But Can I Start a Sentence with “But”? (University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff)
  • Content Chemistry (Andy Crestodina)
  • 'Getting the Most from LinkedIn' (YouTube tutorial)
  • 'Google Analytics Tutorial 2021 – Learn Google Analytics 4 (GA4) & Universal Analytics Step-By-Step' (YouTube tutorial)
  • How to Build an Editorial Blog (book)
  • 'How to promote your blog' (Blogging Wizard)


​Music credit

‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
0 Comments

Becoming a fiction editor: 4 things you need to know

18/8/2021

0 Comments

 
Find out about 4 key things you need to know if you want to become a fiction editor. Denise Cowle puts Louise Harnby under the microscope!
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​Listen to find out more about

  • The main types of fiction editing and the kinds of things a fiction editor needs to look out for
  • What additional training you might need
  • The market and client expectations
  • The need for a flexible hand
  • Becoming a fiction editor (free booklet)
  • Switching to Fiction (course)


Music credit

‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/


More fiction-skills resources

​Check out these additional resources that will help you develop your fiction-editing business.
  • ​Conscious language resources (free booklet for editors)
  • ​​Fiction editing learning centre
  • How to Start a Fiction Editing Business (free webinar for editors)
  • Blog post: How to spell in a novel – wherever your characters are from
  • Blog post: 3 ways to reduce word count and write a leaner thriller
  • Book: Editing Fiction at Sentence Level
  • Book: ​Making Sense of 'Show, Don't Tell'
  • Business Skills Collection (6 ebooks)
  • Switching to Fiction (course for editors)
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Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

  • Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
  • Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Learn: Books and courses
  • Discover: Resources for authors and editors
0 Comments

The Editing Podcast: 3 ways to tackle editorial marketing overwhelm

30/11/2020

1 Comment

 
The Editing Podcast, Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle discuss marketing for editors and proofreaders, and offer 3 tips on how to overcome the fear.
3 ways to tackle editorial marketing overwhelm

Listen to find out more about
  • Giving yourself permission to be an imperfect marketer
  • Concentrating on your own marketing rather than comparing yourself with everyone else
  • Following your own path and developing a strategy that’s appropriate for you, even if other people are doing things differently

Dig into these related resources
  • Book: Marketing Your Editing and Proofreading Business
  • Books: Business Skills for Editors series
  • Blog and booklet: Overcoming marketing paralysis: How to turn overwhelm into action
  • Podcast collection: Editorial business tips​
  • Blog: 2 business mindset tips for new editors​
  • Blog: Why you MUST market your editorial business. Part I
  • Blog: Why you MUST market your editorial business. Part II

Music Credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
1 Comment

Creative writing tips: With thriller writer Andy Maslen

23/11/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle talk to thriller writer Andy Maslen about the creative-writing process.
Creative writing tips: With thriller writer Andy Maslen
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​Listen to find out more about
  • Writing a series vs standalone novels
  • Tips on developing a coherent series
  • Starting afresh with a new set of characters in a new environment
  • Top creative-writing tips for beginner author
  • Recommended writing-craft resources
  • Back-cover blurb and Amazon blurbs
  • Cover design

Here's where you can find out more about Andy Maslen's thrillers.

Dig into these related resources
  • Author resources
  • Book: Editing Fiction at Sentence Level
  • Blog post: 3 reasons to use free indirect speech in your crime fiction
  • Blog post: Crime fiction subgenres: Where does your novel fit?
  • Blog post: How to write dialogue that pops
  • Blog post: Playing with sentence length in crime fiction. Is it time to trim the fat?
  • Blog post: Writing a crime novel – should you plan or go with the flow?​
  • Podcast episodes: The indie author collection​

​Music Credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

The Editing Podcast: From the printed page to audio book: With author David Unger

16/11/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle talk to author David Unger about transforming a novel from print to audio.
From the printed page to audio book: With author David Unger

​Listen to find out more about
  • Doing your own narration vs hiring a pro
  • How to find a professional voice artist
  • Which qualities are important
  • The process of working with a professional narrator
  • Obstacles to creating audio books
  • Costs and time frame

Here's where you can find out more about David Unger's books.

Dig into these related resources
  • Author resources
  • Book: Editing Fiction at Sentence Level
  • The Editing Podcast: 6 ways to use audio for book promotion
  • ​Booklet: How to narrate your own audio book
  • Podcast episodes: The indie author collection
  • Blog post: Why editors and proofreaders should be using audio
  • Blog post: 5 ways to use audio for book marketing and reader engagement
  • Blog post: How to go mobile with audio: Book-editor podcasting on the go

Music Credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/​
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

The Editing Podcast: Story creation and revision. With mystery writer David Unger

9/11/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, ​Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle talk to mystery writer David Unger about story creation and revision.
Story creation and revision: With author David Unger

​Listen to find out more about
  • What made David want to start writing and who inspired him
  • Writing an alter ego
  • The revision process
  • On being edited

Here's where you can find out more about David Unger's books.

Dig into these related resources
  • Author resources
  • Book: Editing Fiction at Sentence Level
  • Blog post: 3 reasons to use free indirect speech in your crime fiction
  • Blog post: Crime fiction subgenres: Where does your novel fit?
  • Blog post: How to write dialogue that pops
  • Blog post: Playing with sentence length in crime fiction. Is it time to trim the fat?
  • Blog post: Writing a crime novel – should you plan or go with the flow?​
  • Podcast episodes: The indie author collection

Music Credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/​
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

The Editing Podcast: Zombie rules we can do without, part 1

2/11/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, ​Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle talk about zombie rules, and why they have no place in a professional editor's toolbox.
Zombie rules we can do without, part 1
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Listen to find out more about
  • What a zombie rule is
  • Why split infinitives are not grammatically problematic
  • Why it's okay to start a sentence with a conjunction

Dig into these related resources
  • Blog post: Fiction grammar: Is it okay to start a sentence with ‘And’ or ‘But’?
  • Blog post: What are expletives in the grammar of fiction?
  • Blog post: Should I use a comma before coordinating conjunctions and independent clauses in fiction?
  • Podcast: How to manage the grammar police
  • Resources for proofreading your own writing
  • Podcast: Linguist Rob Drummond on grammar pedantry, peevery and youth language
  • Blog post: What's the difference between a rule and a preference? Advice for new writers

Music Credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/​
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

The Editing Podcast: ​Why editors and proofreaders should use audio

25/10/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, ​Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle talk about why audio is such a great medium for editors who want to build brand trust and grow their businesses
Why editors and proofreaders should use audio

​Listen to find out more about
  • The popularity of audio content
  • Stability during playback
  • Native hosting on websites
  • Voices as unique brand identifiers and trust builders
  • Audio as an accessibility tool that allows communication with a diverse audience
  • Why it's a less intimidating option than video
  • The kit you need
  • Options for recording, editing and hosting
  • Editorial goals, and how audio helps us achieve them

Dig into these related resources
  • The blog version: Why editors and proofreaders should be using audio
  • Free booklet: How do I do my own audio-book narration?
  • Podcast: 6 ways to use audio for book promotion
  • Blog: 4 good reasons to edit your author podcast transcript

Music Credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/​
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

Why editors and proofreaders should be using audio

12/10/2020

0 Comments

 
Audio content has never been more popular. Publishers recognize this; so do independent authors. Here’s a list of tips and tools for freelance editors and proofreaders who’d like to introduce audio content into their business workflow and amplify their editorial voices – literally!
Why editors and proofreaders should be using audio
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5 advantages of audio
Here are my top 5 reasons why I think audio is a superb tool for the editor or proofreader who wants to use audio as a marketing and business tool.
  1. Audio takes up less bandwidth than video. It’s therefore more stable during recording and less likely to buffer during playback.
  2. Audio files are smaller than video. When hosted natively, they’re less likely to slow down our websites.
  3. Our voices are unique brand identifiers that give listeners a sense of who we are beyond the words we write and edit.
  4. Not everyone can see. Audio is therefore another accessibility tool that allows us to communicate with a diverse audience.
  5. No one will know if we’re creating it in our pyjamas. That makes it a less intimidating option for editors who want to make a personal connection but who fear video.
audio wave
2 pieces of kit
Contrary to what a lot of people think, you don't need a lot of expensive and difficult-to-use kit. Assuming you already have a computer, here's what you'll need to get hold of.
  1. Headset (mic and headphones). Something along the lines of Microsoft’s LifeChat series will likely suffice. I use the 6000, which retails for around $70.
  2. Courage. This is free though it can be hard to summon for the beginner!
audio wave
3 ways to record
Recording audio content needn't cost you a single penny. Here are three resources you can use. You might even have two of them already.
  1. Audacity: Free open-source recording and editing software.
  2. Zoom: Free online audio-conferencing platform.
  3. Skype: Free ​online audio-conferencing platform.
audio wave
3 ways to host
Here are three hosting options to consider. There's something for everyone – whether you want to keep your costs down while you experiment or you want to go full on in to audio content creation.
  1. Your website: Either upload the audio files (native hosting) or embed the source code from another platform.
  2. Specialist audio distribution platform: Paid options include Libsyn and Captivate. These are ideal for editors who are committed to regular broadcasting. SoundCloud offers three free hours of audio content.
  3. YouTube: Upload to your existing channel.
audio wave
6 ways editors can use audio
One of the reasons why I love audio is that it's versatile. If marketing makes you nervous, think of how you might use your voice as a business or educational tool. Below are six things you could try.
  1. To share knowledge: Editors who solve clients’ problems get attention and build trust. We can use audio to answer the questions they’re asking, just as we do in our blogs. We can even repurpose existing blog content in audio form.
  2. To welcome: Audio allows us to introduce ourselves to our website visitors using our unique voices — just like we’d do if we met someone on the street. It’s a personal and engaging way to say hello.
  3. To educate: What editors do is sometimes misunderstood and undervalued. We can use audio to explain what we do and how it will help potential clients, thereby raising the profile of the profession.
  4. To consolidate: A client who’s been staring at a screen all day might enjoy hearing our voice while we narrate an editorial report or critique.
  5. To promote: We can make our editorial businesses more visible by sharing our audio content on social media. As with GIFs and videos, it’s something a little different that gets us noticed.
  6. To assist: Do people stumble over how to pronounce your name? In July 2020, LinkedIn solved this problem with a new feature that allows users to upload short audio clips via its Android and iOS apps.
audio wave
5 ways to make audio interesting
Here are five ideas to help you add a cherry on your audio cake! None of them will cost you a bean!
  1. Use images: If you’re hosting the audio content on your website, link the file to an image that includes a headline explaining the nature of the content. Canva is your friend.
  2. Include a call to action: Website visitors are more likely to listen if you tell them to.
  3. Add music: Incompetech, for example, provides free snippets from a range of genres under creative commons licences. Just remember to credit.
  4. Include a transcript: even though audio is compelling, sometimes people want to read.
  5. Create video from audio: Use an app like Headliner to create audiograms that are animated with wave forms. Audiograms make your audio content more appealing to YouTube and social media audiences.
audio wave
Listen up! Audio content is now showing up in search engines. Editors and proofreaders who use it to solve problems and engage with clients and colleagues will increase awareness about themselves and the profession they love.

Fancy learning how to do this step by step? Me and my brilliant podcasting partner Denise Cowle are creating a course that will show you the way. It’s called The Audible Editor. Watch this space!

[An earlier version of this post was originally published on The Editors’ Weekly, the official blog of Canada’s national editorial association.]

Related marketing and audio resources
  • 5 ways to use audio for book marketing and reader engagement
  • Beyond editing qualifications: Gaining author trust
  • Branding for editors and proofreaders – beyond me-me-me
  • How to become a better editor while secretly promoting your business
  • How to go mobile with audio: Book-editor podcasting on the go
  • Marketing Your Editing and Proofreading Business
  • Overcoming marketing paralysis: How to turn overwhelm into action
  • The Editing Podcast
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

The Editing Podcast: Moving from traditional to indie publishing, with John A. Connell

22/6/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Louise and Denise talk to Barry Award-nominated thriller writer John A. Connell about moving from Berkley (Penguin USA) to independent publishing.
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Click to listen to Season 4, Episode 12
  • RATE AND REVIEW

Listen to find out more about:
  • Being a Hollywood camera operator ... Jurassic Park, Thelma and Louise, and NYPD Blue
  • Getting a publishing contract with a major press
  • The Mason Collins series
  • When publishers are no longer invested
  • Moving to independent publishing
  • Clawing back book rights
  • Using movie experience to craft a novel's scene
  • Beyond writing: what indie publishers need to do
  • Challenges and benefits of indie publishing
  • Being edited
  • Useful organizations
  • Writing a series versus standalone novels
  • Future projects

Top tips From John
  • Build a mailing list
  • Offer a free short story or novella
  • Develop a series
  • Use Facebook ads
  • Craft a great website
  • Engage with your audience
  • Get your business head on
  • Invest in appropriate editing

Contact John A. Connell
Subscribe to John's newsletter and get a free book:
  • Website: John A Connell: Gripping Thrillers With a Historical Twist
  • Email: john@johnaconnell.com
  • Facebook author page
  • John's books on Amazon US and UK

Editing bites
  • Stephen King (video): Masterclass, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2012
  • Joanna Penn: Video marketing for authors
  • Mark Dawson's Self-Publishing Formula
  • International Thriller Writers
  • Mystery Writers of America
  • Mark Dawson's Self-Publishing Formula
​​
Ask us a question
The easiest way to ping us a question is via Facebook Messenger: Visit the podcast's Facebook page and click on the SEND MESSAGE button.

Music credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

The Editing Podcast: How to write a military story that sells

15/6/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Louise and Denise chat with Brunella Costagliola, a specialist military writer and editor, about what makes a compelling military story.
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Click to listen to Season 4, Episode 11
  • RATE AND REVIEW

Listen to find out more about:
  • What makes a good military book
  • Style guides for editing military books
  • Common problems authors face when writing military books
  • Fact-checking resources for military writers

Contact Brunella
  • Email: brunella.costagliola@hotmail.com
  • Web: www.themilitaryeditor.com
  • Facebook: @themilitaryeditor
  • Reserve+ National Guard Magazine
  • Military Families Magazine
  • My Dad Got Hurt. What Can I Do? Helping Military Children Cope with a Brain-Injured Parent, Brunella Costagliola

Editing bites
  • Forensics: The Anatomy of Crime, Val McDermid’s, Wellcome Collection, 2015
  • Research tools for crime and thriller writers (blog post)
  • Consulting Cops (UK consultancy firm for writers)
  • The Art of Firearms in Fiction is a free 45-page primer featuring Steve Allen, a soldier-turned-editor who specializes in military particulars, with additional material from Aden Nichols, an editor and Special Forces veteran.​ ​

Music credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
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The Editing Podcast: Editing erotica and adult fiction, S4E10

8/6/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Louise and Denise talk to fellow editor Maya Berger about working on erotica and adult fiction.
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Click to listen to Season 4, Episode 10
  • RATE AND REVIEW

Listen to find out more about:
  • Does adult fiction need editing?
  • Sorting out the language: pornography versus erotica
  • Editing in your comfort zone
  • Common problems authors struggle with
  • Sub-genres and good-fit editing
  • Evaluating an author's work

Contact Maya
  • Email: maya.berger@gmail.com
  • Website: What I Mean To Say

Editing bites
  • The Book Designer
  • The Hot Copy Podcast
​
Ask us a question
The easiest way to ping us a question is via Facebook Messenger: Visit the podcast's Facebook page and click on the SEND MESSAGE button.

Music credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

The Editing Podcast: 6 ways to use audio for book promotion, S4E9

1/6/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Denise and Louise discuss the growth of audio in the book world, and how using sound creates reader engagement and helps build a fan base.
Picture
Click to listen to Season 4, Episode 9

Listen to find out more about:
  • Narrating a sample chapter
  • Creating free audio content that's usable
  • Host a live sound event
  • Broadcast an interview
  • Encouraging sign-ups with your voice
  • Starting a podcast
  • Captivate: podcast hosting, stats and audience growth

Editing bites and other resources
  • Write to be Published, Nicola Morgan, Snowbooks, 2011
  • Twitter chat #indieauthorchat hosted by Tim Lewis
  • Captivate
  • Libsyn
  • Soundcloud
  • Music Visualisation Video Creator
  • Audio-book Production (free booklet)
  • ‘How to turn YouTube subtitles into blog posts and transcripts’ (blog post and video tutorial)
  • Cleanfeed
  • Zoom

Music credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

The Editing Podcast: Do you need a specialist editor?

25/5/2020

1 Comment

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Louise and Denise discuss whether working with a specialist editor is necessary for all books and every type of editing.
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Click to listen to Season 4, Episode 8

Listen to find out more about:
  • Fiction versus non-fiction
  • The type of editing
  • Subject/genre

Editing bites and other resources
  • Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing), Jack Hart
  • ‘The Secrets of Story Structure’, KM Weiland
  • The Editing Podcast, S1E1: The different levels of editing
  • Switching to Fiction (online course for aspiring fiction editors)
  • Research tools for crime and thriller writers (blog post)
  • Consulting Cops

​Music credit

‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
1 Comment

The Editing Podcast: 18 writing-craft blogs for editors and authors, S4E7

18/5/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Louise and Denise chat about 18 blogs for authors and editors that offer guidance on various aspects of writing craft.
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Picture
Click to listen to Season 4, Episode 7

Listen to find out more about:
  • ALLi blog: Alliance of Independent Authors
  • Ann Handley blog
  • Articles: The Writer’s Digest
  • Articles: Tim Storm, Storm Writing School
  • Bacon Editing blog: Claire Bacon
  • Bookbaby blog
  • Clarity: Lisa Poisso, Editor and Book Coach
  • Denise Cowle Editorial Services blog: Denise Cowle
  • Helping Writers become Authors: KM Weiland
  • Jane Friedman blog
  • LibroEditing blog: Liz Dexter
  • Liminal Pages blog: Sophie Playle, Fiction Editor
  • The Creative Penn blog: Joanna Penn
  • The Editor’s Blog: Beth Hill
  • The Itch of Writing: Emma Darwin
  • The Editing Blog: Louise Harnby, Fiction Editor
  • The Radical Copyeditor blog: Alex Kapitan
  • The Subversive Copyeditor blog: Carol Saller

Editing bites and other resources
  • ​Cult Pens
  • Stein on Writing, by Sol Stein, Non Basic Stock Line, 2007
​
Music credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

How to run and grow an editing and proofreading business. Q&A, Part 1: The Editing Podcast, S4E5

11/5/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Denise and Louise answer questions about how to run and grow an editing and proofreading business.
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Click to listen to Season 4, Episode 5

Listen to find out more about:
  • When editorial projects don't arrive on time ... how to manage it and how to prevent it
  • Dealing with burnout and procrastination
  • How to get fiction work with indie authors
  • Making time for marketing
  • Increasing efficiency
  • Contracts, and whether email is sufficient
  • What to tell publishers when we're asking to be placed on their freelance lists
  • How to link up with other editors
  • Billing in different currencies
  • What to include on an invoice
  • Starting an editing business, and the best order for tackling branding, website creation, social media networking, marketing, and investing in productivity tools

Music credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with independent authors of commercial fiction, particularly crime, thriller and mystery writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

How to save money and time with book coaching: The Editing Podcast, S4E4

11/5/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Denise and Louise chat with book coach and editor Lisa Poisso about honing story craft before embarking on expensive structural and line editing.
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Picture
Click to listen to Season 4, Episode 4

Listen to find out more about:
  • Story basics: the Plot Accelerator 
  • Why developmental/structural editing comes after book coaching
  • Genre, viewpoint, tense, character motivation and conflict, plot and subplot, and character arc
  • Book mapping, and avoiding drinking and thinking!
  • Super critiques on steroids: making a story solid
  • The dynamics of book coaching
  • Most common problems authors face
  • Super-critiques

Contacting Lisa Poisso
  • Email: lisa@lisapoisso.com
  • Website
  • Blog
  • Facebook
  • Twitter: @lisapoisso
  • Instagram: lisapoisso
  • Clarity newsletter
​
Editing bites and other resources
  • Moniack Mhor, Creative Writing Centre, Scotland
  • Start writing fiction: Free Open University course

Music credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
0 Comments

Writing a content-marketing book. With John Espirian: The Editing Podcast, S4E3

2/5/2020

0 Comments

 
In this episode of The Editing Podcast, Louise and Denise talk to technical writer and editor John Espirian about content marketing, editing and bringing a book to market.
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​Click to listen to Season 4, Episode 3

Listen to find out more about:
  • Content DNA - the book
  • Developing the book's concept: The shape of you
  • Writing the book
  • Tackling the editing process
  • Cover design and branding
  • The benefits of a foreword
  • Content marketing, and why it works
  • Social media focus and email-list building
  • Pricing, marketing and sales
  • Creating an audio book
  • Finding an audience to use as a springboard for business books
  • Building a personal brand that acts as a buffer
  • Targeting clients' problems and offering solutions
  • What is technical writing?
  • Who uses technical writers?

Contacting John Espirian
  • Website
  • Content DNA
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Blog

Editing bites and other resources
  • AgentQuery.com
  • The Tao of Twitter, by Mark Schaefer
  • KNOWN, by Mark Schaefer
  • Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
  • Col Gray, graphic design and brand design: pixels ink; YouTube​

Music credit
‘Vivacity’ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with independent authors of commercial fiction, particularly crime, thriller and mystery writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.

Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
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