Author Archives: clairecherryedits

It’s an indie life for me, but I have a healthy respect for traditional publishing.

I bang on about indie publishing because it aligns with my values. But that doesn’t mean I have a problem with traditional publishing. For instance, I like to know how things are done in traditional publishing to make sure my indie clients get a professional service from me, even though they’ve not gone the tradContinue reading “It’s an indie life for me, but I have a healthy respect for traditional publishing.”

A review of Lemn Sissay’s ‘My Name is Why.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

10 years ago in Leeds, I met Lemn Sissay, but I didn’t know much about him at the time. I knew lots about Benjamin Zephaniah, who he was with. I’d taught Zephaniah’s books and had read a lot about him. So when Jon got a Yorkshire Post work assignment to interview Zephaniah and Sissay atContinue reading “A review of Lemn Sissay’s ‘My Name is Why.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”

What are metonyms? What are anaphoric references? And (why) do they matter in fantasy writing?

❓ Do you know your metonyms from your anaphoric references? This week, some terminology that was relevant when I was teaching A level English language has popped into my head. It doesn’t really matter what these things are called, but what does matter is that these things are *things. One term was metonymy. The otherContinue reading “What are metonyms? What are anaphoric references? And (why) do they matter in fantasy writing?”

Has the cat got your tongue? Find it with self-publishing.

Stuart’s non-fiction book Felicette has been in my orbit for a while. I’ve been meaning to read it and this week it made its way to the top of my TBR pile. It tells the story of the first cat in space. This is not a children’s story. It’s not twee or sentimental. And StuartContinue reading “Has the cat got your tongue? Find it with self-publishing.”

Creative writing groups can help you find your voice.

I went out to a writers’ cafe last night and did some blackout poetry. (Also called redacted/erasure poetry.) It was super fun! I worked on maybe six or seven pieces. When I started, I was looking at what each piece of prose was telling me, but once I got going, I felt like I wasContinue reading “Creative writing groups can help you find your voice.”

Sending your book to an editor is like sending your kid on a school residential.

🚸 Am I talking about sending your kid on a school residential? 📚 Or might this be an analogy…? And when they get back…? This analogy can run much further. But I reckon that’ll do. 😃 Handing over your manuscript to an editor might be like sending your kid on their school residential. Be brave.Continue reading “Sending your book to an editor is like sending your kid on a school residential.”

‘Looking up, his heart sank.’ Did it? How bothered are you about dangling modifiers?

Can your heart look up? 💓⬆️ ▫️Looking up, his heart sank. I know what the author means. They mean that whatever the character has seen has made their heart sink. 🎣 But the way it’s written causes something called a ‘dangling modifier’. The subject of the sentence is ‘heart’ and the heart is said toContinue reading “‘Looking up, his heart sank.’ Did it? How bothered are you about dangling modifiers?”

Is an editor with a website a more attractive proposition to an author than an editor without one?

🎉 It’s my website’s second birthday. And it’s got me thinking … While my professional platform on LinkedIn pre-dates cherryedits.com by three years, it wasn’t until I got my website that I felt legitimate. 🌐 Two years ago, I reached the this-is-not-a-dress-rehearsal phase of my professional life. Buying the domain name, building the site, puttingContinue reading “Is an editor with a website a more attractive proposition to an author than an editor without one?”

The editor is on holiday. Or is she?

Away from work, but not away from work. Sound familiar? I’m still (kind of) on my Easter break. My son’s still off, so we are having a good amount of family time. Swimming and lots of walks. Trips to see family and friends.  But there are plenty of occasions where he’s busy with pals orContinue reading “The editor is on holiday. Or is she?”