Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary: Audiobook review

I almost gave up on this audiobook, but I’m glad I didn’t! I really enjoyed the story in the end. 🤩🤩 TL;DR: if all book format options are open to you, opt for this one in print/ebook form. Positives: Reasons I nearly gave up: So I think what it boils down to is, on thisContinue reading “The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary: Audiobook review”

Is it mantelpiece or mantlepiece?

Do you know your mantles from your mantels? I do, but Microsoft Word doesn’t. It NEVER flags ‘mantlepiece’ as an error. If you are attached to your mantlepiece (seek help! 🔗) you’re not alone. Merriam-Webster recommends ‘mantel’ (‘el’ like the ‘el’ of ‘shelf’ ) for the over-the-fireplace ledge, but it acknowledges that ‘mantle’ has been/isContinue reading “Is it mantelpiece or mantlepiece?”

Is your manuscript ready for a line and copy edit? Seven key indicators.

Discover the 7 signs your manuscript is ready for a line and copy edit. Get expert tips for a polished final draft.

Cherry Edits: Editing and proofreading scores on the doors. 🔢

I’ve been proofreading and editing for several years now. Here’s a brief overview of how much experience I’ve had. The first five years (part-time): ◽ 49 projects ◽ 2,132,069 words Year six (full-time): ◽ 23 projects ◽ 1,356,360 words Total so far: ◽ 72 projects ◽ 3,488,429 words Thank you to all the authors whoContinue reading “Cherry Edits: Editing and proofreading scores on the doors. 🔢”

When words cross borders. Are we on the same page about literary translations? Considerations as a reader, an educator, and an editor.

Discover the world of literary translations and gain insights as a reader, educator, and editor. Explore considerations, cultural perspectives, and the importance of staying true to the author’s intention. Join the conversation on words crossing borders in this thought-provoking blog post.

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?”