Crystal Calhoun | Editor
@crystaledits.bsky.social
Freelance editor, nature lover, cozy gamer, hot beverage aficionado. Anthropology BA.
Occasionally I play the mountain dulcimer, muck around with craft supplies, or wear brightly-colored wigs, but usually only two out of three at once.
Occasionally I play the mountain dulcimer, muck around with craft supplies, or wear brightly-colored wigs, but usually only two out of three at once.
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
Conscious Style Guide is on Bluesky! What to expect: posts that help you think critically about language and design as tools for equity and self-expression.
Check out the whole family of resources:
Book | Website | Community | Newsletter
By @karenyin.bsky.social 🌷
Check out the whole family of resources:
Book | Website | Community | Newsletter
By @karenyin.bsky.social 🌷
The Conscious Style Guide: A Flexible Approach to Language That Includes, Respects, and Empowers - Karen Yin
The Conscious Style Guide provides a roadmap for communicating with sensitivity and awareness—no matter how the world around us progresses.
karenyin.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Conscious Style Guide is on Bluesky! What to expect: posts that help you think critically about language and design as tools for equity and self-expression.
Check out the whole family of resources:
Book | Website | Community | Newsletter
By @karenyin.bsky.social 🌷
Check out the whole family of resources:
Book | Website | Community | Newsletter
By @karenyin.bsky.social 🌷
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
Great resource for folks attending #ACES2025 in Salt Lake City next month! #amediting #freelanceeditor
I decided I'm still going to #ACES2025, but I'm going to patronize as many trans-inclusive queer- and woman-owned businesses as possible while in SLC. I've started mapping bookstores, cafés, and restaurants in the area, so please join me in supporting them and let me know if you have any to add!
ACES 2025 LGBTQ+-Friendly Businesses - Google My Maps
Let's support trans-inclusive queer-owned and queer-welcoming businesses while we're in Salt Lake City for the ACES editing conference! 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
www.google.com
March 7, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Great resource for folks attending #ACES2025 in Salt Lake City next month! #amediting #freelanceeditor
This: "The sweet spot for a trope—for me—is somewhere in between the moment when it gets a catchy name, and the moment when it abruptly slams into oversaturation."
#BookSky
#BookSky
"I can’t throw a rock in a bookstore these days without hitting five sprayed-edged romantasies where the girl has to reluctantly team up with a dangerous, sexy enemy..."
@readingtheend.bsky.social on romantasy, fanfiction, and too many tropes:
reactormag.com/let-them-eat...
@readingtheend.bsky.social on romantasy, fanfiction, and too many tropes:
reactormag.com/let-them-eat...
Let Them Eat Tropes: Why Romantasy Needs to Grow Beyond Trends - Reactor
When does a genre literary trope cross the threshold into marketing trend?
reactormag.com
March 8, 2025 at 9:35 PM
This: "The sweet spot for a trope—for me—is somewhere in between the moment when it gets a catchy name, and the moment when it abruptly slams into oversaturation."
#BookSky
#BookSky
Lots of good stuff in this Substack post from Alice Hoffman on the magic of libraries and reading. One quote in the image, and here’s another:
“Often the people who succeed in spite of the difficulties they face have one thing in common. They read.”
#booksky
open.substack.com/pub/ahoffman...
“Often the people who succeed in spite of the difficulties they face have one thing in common. They read.”
#booksky
open.substack.com/pub/ahoffman...
February 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Lots of good stuff in this Substack post from Alice Hoffman on the magic of libraries and reading. One quote in the image, and here’s another:
“Often the people who succeed in spite of the difficulties they face have one thing in common. They read.”
#booksky
open.substack.com/pub/ahoffman...
“Often the people who succeed in spite of the difficulties they face have one thing in common. They read.”
#booksky
open.substack.com/pub/ahoffman...
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
Hey, artists, in case you were wondering if your work matters: I'm a scientist working on climate change and biodiversity, and I would not be who I am today without The Lorax, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn, and The X-Files. I know I'm not alone. Thank you for all you do.
February 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Hey, artists, in case you were wondering if your work matters: I'm a scientist working on climate change and biodiversity, and I would not be who I am today without The Lorax, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn, and The X-Files. I know I'm not alone. Thank you for all you do.
Yup. AI still isn't a substitute for a good old-fashioned human editor or writer when it comes to making actual sense. (Whew. 😁)
#AI systems can pass rigorous exams and create impressive content, but they often fail at basic tasks of comprehension. A #psychology professor explains why we overestimate their capabilities: @rutvikdesai.bsky.social @sc.edu
AIs flunk language test that takes grammar out of the equation
Humans understand that ‘red ball’ makes sense but ‘ball red’ does not. Large language models? Not so much.
buff.ly
February 27, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Yup. AI still isn't a substitute for a good old-fashioned human editor or writer when it comes to making actual sense. (Whew. 😁)
For anyone who has Kindle books and hasn't heard: If you have any interest in downloading your books to your computer, do it soon, because that feature is going away as of February 26.
😤
😤
How to Download Kindle Books to Your Computer Before Amazon Kills the Feature
On Feb. 26, Amazon will remove the 'Download & Transfer via USB' option from its website. Here's how to save your collection.
www.pcmag.com
February 20, 2025 at 10:39 PM
For anyone who has Kindle books and hasn't heard: If you have any interest in downloading your books to your computer, do it soon, because that feature is going away as of February 26.
😤
😤
With thanks to @elizabethlblock.bsky.social for posting the link first: www.chronicle.com/article/this...
(Note that you need to sign up for a free account to read the whole article.)
(Note that you need to sign up for a free account to read the whole article.)
Opinion | This Is a Golden Age for University Presses
The focus on efficiency and innovation misses the point: We are producing fabulous books.
www.chronicle.com
February 14, 2025 at 4:25 AM
With thanks to @elizabethlblock.bsky.social for posting the link first: www.chronicle.com/article/this...
(Note that you need to sign up for a free account to read the whole article.)
(Note that you need to sign up for a free account to read the whole article.)
Just a reminder that Bookshop.org now offers ebooks!
February 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Just a reminder that Bookshop.org now offers ebooks!
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
How humanities classes benefit students in the workplace and combat loneliness
How humanities classes benefit students in the workplace and combat loneliness
Despite pressure for students to choose STEM over the humanities, classes in literature, art and history can provide students with vital life skills and help combat the current epidemic of loneliness.
buff.ly
February 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
How humanities classes benefit students in the workplace and combat loneliness
This week I've been re-reading old favorite books, both for comfort and to remember my roots. I forgot how much I love it (and I always have) when an author is clearly having fun — no ego, no fear, just whimsical grinny joy in words and story. Joy is infectious and some books MAKE me adore them.
January 21, 2025 at 5:31 AM
This week I've been re-reading old favorite books, both for comfort and to remember my roots. I forgot how much I love it (and I always have) when an author is clearly having fun — no ego, no fear, just whimsical grinny joy in words and story. Joy is infectious and some books MAKE me adore them.
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
A reminder: The deadline for entering the 2025 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest is fast approaching. 8,000 words. Near Earth, near future sci-fi. February 1st. www.baen.com/contest-jbmssa
Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award
Baen's eBook marketplace. eBooks with no DRM in every major format--for the Kindle, iPad, Nook, and more.
www.baen.com
January 9, 2025 at 2:49 AM
A reminder: The deadline for entering the 2025 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest is fast approaching. 8,000 words. Near Earth, near future sci-fi. February 1st. www.baen.com/contest-jbmssa
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday! Please support the Editors of Color Database, one of Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers (2024). All contributions go toward running this site. Thank you for helping me promote 500+ editors of color in the US and Canada.
💟 Donate: editorsofcolor.com/donate/
💟 Donate: editorsofcolor.com/donate/
December 2, 2024 at 4:44 PM
Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday! Please support the Editors of Color Database, one of Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers (2024). All contributions go toward running this site. Thank you for helping me promote 500+ editors of color in the US and Canada.
💟 Donate: editorsofcolor.com/donate/
💟 Donate: editorsofcolor.com/donate/
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
November 19, 2024 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
Elizabeth,
I have included you in the Starter Pack, “People who have had the pleasure of my company.”
You’re welcome,
Darcy
I have included you in the Starter Pack, “People who have had the pleasure of my company.”
You’re welcome,
Darcy
November 17, 2024 at 11:53 PM
Elizabeth,
I have included you in the Starter Pack, “People who have had the pleasure of my company.”
You’re welcome,
Darcy
I have included you in the Starter Pack, “People who have had the pleasure of my company.”
You’re welcome,
Darcy
Encountered the word "vitrine" for the first time today (also file under: things I have seen many times without knowing their precise names). Before looking it up, I was sort of hoping it would turn out to be an evil gemstone. You know, like a villainous citrine.
November 26, 2024 at 11:39 PM
Encountered the word "vitrine" for the first time today (also file under: things I have seen many times without knowing their precise names). Before looking it up, I was sort of hoping it would turn out to be an evil gemstone. You know, like a villainous citrine.
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
The ‘Bridport Never Too Late’ award.
This £500 award is for the highest placed writer aged 60+ across poetry, short story, novel or flash fiction.
This £500 award is for the highest placed writer aged 60+ across poetry, short story, novel or flash fiction.
NEW! Never Too Late 60+ award - Bridport Prize
bridportprize.org.uk
November 26, 2024 at 7:40 PM
The ‘Bridport Never Too Late’ award.
This £500 award is for the highest placed writer aged 60+ across poetry, short story, novel or flash fiction.
This £500 award is for the highest placed writer aged 60+ across poetry, short story, novel or flash fiction.
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
Call for unpublished female writers …
‘Discoveries invites all unpublished and unagented women writers aged 18 and up, currently residing in the UK or Ireland and writing in English, to submit their works of adult fiction to the Discoveries Prize.’
‘Discoveries invites all unpublished and unagented women writers aged 18 and up, currently residing in the UK or Ireland and writing in English, to submit their works of adult fiction to the Discoveries Prize.’
The Discoveries writing development programme and prize for unpublished women writers in the UK accepts novels in any genre of adult fiction, with entrants invited to submit the first 10,000 words of their novel and a synopsis
Discoveries 2025
Calling all unpublished women writers! The Women’s Prize Trust, Audible, the Curtis Brown literary agency and Curtis Brown Creative have partnered to run the Discoveries novel-writing development prog...
www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk
November 24, 2024 at 9:14 AM
Call for unpublished female writers …
‘Discoveries invites all unpublished and unagented women writers aged 18 and up, currently residing in the UK or Ireland and writing in English, to submit their works of adult fiction to the Discoveries Prize.’
‘Discoveries invites all unpublished and unagented women writers aged 18 and up, currently residing in the UK or Ireland and writing in English, to submit their works of adult fiction to the Discoveries Prize.’
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
It's OFFICIAL. @hakaimagazine.com will continue; not in name, but in spirit.
In January 2025, senior staff from Hakai will be joining bioGraphic magazine www.biographic.com
That means more awesome narrative features and science-based news.
But, of course, WE NEED YOUR HELP
In January 2025, senior staff from Hakai will be joining bioGraphic magazine www.biographic.com
That means more awesome narrative features and science-based news.
But, of course, WE NEED YOUR HELP
November 14, 2024 at 4:20 PM
It's OFFICIAL. @hakaimagazine.com will continue; not in name, but in spirit.
In January 2025, senior staff from Hakai will be joining bioGraphic magazine www.biographic.com
That means more awesome narrative features and science-based news.
But, of course, WE NEED YOUR HELP
In January 2025, senior staff from Hakai will be joining bioGraphic magazine www.biographic.com
That means more awesome narrative features and science-based news.
But, of course, WE NEED YOUR HELP
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
A few times a year I have the pleasure of being able to review new children's books on marine/coastal themes for @hakaimagazine.com Here's the latest: hakaimagazine.com/features/lit... #kidlit #childrensbooks #picturebooks #bookreviews #oceanliteracy
Little Books with Big Subjects | Hakai Magazine
These marine-themed children’s books have lessons to share without sacrificing story.
hakaimagazine.com
November 26, 2024 at 10:04 PM
A few times a year I have the pleasure of being able to review new children's books on marine/coastal themes for @hakaimagazine.com Here's the latest: hakaimagazine.com/features/lit... #kidlit #childrensbooks #picturebooks #bookreviews #oceanliteracy
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
The underlying assumption is that a person’s writing style is something to be divined only from what they’ve done in the past, rather than an evolving process that changes as you change as a person who experiences the world.
Anthropic says Claude AI can match your unique writing style
Or just pick from three style presets to make quick adjustments.
www.theverge.com
November 26, 2024 at 6:15 PM
The underlying assumption is that a person’s writing style is something to be divined only from what they’ve done in the past, rather than an evolving process that changes as you change as a person who experiences the world.
When I joined Bluesky, I absolutely did not anticipate it becoming a such a danger to my pocketbook.
November 26, 2024 at 6:31 PM
When I joined Bluesky, I absolutely did not anticipate it becoming a such a danger to my pocketbook.
Seems legit. The chances of my having a finished and fully edited novel would definitely be much higher if someone had at some point bribed me with an orrery. 😆
My husband is an artist who makes orreries (clockwork planetary models) out of metal and glass. When I was struggling to finish my novel, he made me a deal: if I finished the book, he'd make me an orrery based on the world of my novel.
It's freaking BEAUTIFUL.
It's freaking BEAUTIFUL.
November 26, 2024 at 6:29 PM
Seems legit. The chances of my having a finished and fully edited novel would definitely be much higher if someone had at some point bribed me with an orrery. 😆
Reposted by Crystal Calhoun | Editor
Public library energy is the best energy. Like here is all the knowledge we could find, it's been meticulously organized and vetted and it will cost you nothing today, welcome to the absolute pinnacle of human civic evolution, feel free to pull up any bean bag chair you like
November 26, 2024 at 1:32 PM
Public library energy is the best energy. Like here is all the knowledge we could find, it's been meticulously organized and vetted and it will cost you nothing today, welcome to the absolute pinnacle of human civic evolution, feel free to pull up any bean bag chair you like