Katherine Kirk
@geckoedit.com
A hopeless semantic. Copyeditor, line editor, proofreader, alt-text writer, tentacle counter. (she/her). www.geckoedit.com
linktr.ee/kirkldk
🦎🏳️🌈🧠🌶️🖖🏻💙📚👀✍️🔥 #amediting
Scritcher in Chief to Peaches and Alabaster. 🐈🐈
linktr.ee/kirkldk
🦎🏳️🌈🧠🌶️🖖🏻💙📚👀✍️🔥 #amediting
Scritcher in Chief to Peaches and Alabaster. 🐈🐈
Reposted by Katherine Kirk
In addition to all the editing tools I shared on my blog this week (www.righttouchediting.com/2025/09/11/s...), I've got a collection of of tools created by editors for editors: docs.google.com/spreadsheets.... Check 'em out! #AmEditing
a man in a suit and tie says edit edit edit in front of a shelf full of shoes
Alt: a man in a suit and tie says edit edit edit in front of a shelf full of shoes
media.tenor.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:37 PM
In addition to all the editing tools I shared on my blog this week (www.righttouchediting.com/2025/09/11/s...), I've got a collection of of tools created by editors for editors: docs.google.com/spreadsheets.... Check 'em out! #AmEditing
@chicagomanual.bsky.social Are you doing OK? Any ETA on fixing whatever's gone wrong?
*tries to soothe the hyperventilating list of deadlines*
*tries to soothe the hyperventilating list of deadlines*
September 12, 2025 at 10:04 AM
@chicagomanual.bsky.social Are you doing OK? Any ETA on fixing whatever's gone wrong?
*tries to soothe the hyperventilating list of deadlines*
*tries to soothe the hyperventilating list of deadlines*
Reposted by Katherine Kirk
Here's Alabaster, #StetPet editorial assistant of Morocco editor @geckoedit.com.
"Alabaster's favorite spot in summer is on the deck, on this comfy lounger. That is, when he hasn't spent the day fishing. As long as I keep him supplied with treats and scritches, he's content to leave me to work."
"Alabaster's favorite spot in summer is on the deck, on this comfy lounger. That is, when he hasn't spent the day fishing. As long as I keep him supplied with treats and scritches, he's content to leave me to work."
August 13, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Here's Alabaster, #StetPet editorial assistant of Morocco editor @geckoedit.com.
"Alabaster's favorite spot in summer is on the deck, on this comfy lounger. That is, when he hasn't spent the day fishing. As long as I keep him supplied with treats and scritches, he's content to leave me to work."
"Alabaster's favorite spot in summer is on the deck, on this comfy lounger. That is, when he hasn't spent the day fishing. As long as I keep him supplied with treats and scritches, he's content to leave me to work."
My Bluesky account is becoming an "airing my gripes with M-W" account. I do like @merriam-webster.com, I swear. It's my favorite dictionary. My frustration is more with the inconsistencies of English as it is used than with the people working so hard to descriptively record it. #AmEditing
July 22, 2025 at 8:44 AM
My Bluesky account is becoming an "airing my gripes with M-W" account. I do like @merriam-webster.com, I swear. It's my favorite dictionary. My frustration is more with the inconsistencies of English as it is used than with the people working so hard to descriptively record it. #AmEditing
@merriam-webster.com whyyyy? #AmEditing
July 22, 2025 at 8:42 AM
@merriam-webster.com whyyyy? #AmEditing
No one really cares about the Oxford comma. But... @chicagomanual.bsky.social and @merriam-webster.com, the "begs the question" question begs the question: Does this mean war?
Is "begs the question" OK for "invites the question?"
Whose side are you on?
#PedanticNonsense #AmEditing
Is "begs the question" OK for "invites the question?"
Whose side are you on?
#PedanticNonsense #AmEditing
July 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
No one really cares about the Oxford comma. But... @chicagomanual.bsky.social and @merriam-webster.com, the "begs the question" question begs the question: Does this mean war?
Is "begs the question" OK for "invites the question?"
Whose side are you on?
#PedanticNonsense #AmEditing
Is "begs the question" OK for "invites the question?"
Whose side are you on?
#PedanticNonsense #AmEditing
I've woken up in a very mentor-y kind of mood. So: If you're a fiction editor at the start of your career, or you're stuck on something editing-related, how can I help?
I'm great at answering questions on:
- Word styling
- client management
- CPD
- efficiency
- SPaG
#AskMeAnything #AmEditing
I'm great at answering questions on:
- Word styling
- client management
- CPD
- efficiency
- SPaG
#AskMeAnything #AmEditing
July 16, 2025 at 6:24 AM
I've woken up in a very mentor-y kind of mood. So: If you're a fiction editor at the start of your career, or you're stuck on something editing-related, how can I help?
I'm great at answering questions on:
- Word styling
- client management
- CPD
- efficiency
- SPaG
#AskMeAnything #AmEditing
I'm great at answering questions on:
- Word styling
- client management
- CPD
- efficiency
- SPaG
#AskMeAnything #AmEditing
Reposted by Katherine Kirk
I *totally* helped this happen.
July 14, 2025 at 3:29 AM
I *totally* helped this happen.
I lived in Mauritius in the nineties, when there was a werewolf scare. The police put a notice in the newspaper saying "The werewolf does not exist, but if you see it, please report it..."
werewolves were real. seriously, it was a whole thing. also we all wore astronaut helmets on astronaut day.
What’s a real thing from your childhood that kids these days would find completely foreign?
Like, how we used to be able to walk right up to the gate to meet our family coming off a flight.
Or how we had to pick a spot to meet at the theater BEFORE we went.
Like, how we used to be able to walk right up to the gate to meet our family coming off a flight.
Or how we had to pick a spot to meet at the theater BEFORE we went.
July 14, 2025 at 4:13 AM
I lived in Mauritius in the nineties, when there was a werewolf scare. The police put a notice in the newspaper saying "The werewolf does not exist, but if you see it, please report it..."
Reposted by Katherine Kirk
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 17387:
The world is filled with writing advice.
Some of it is personal, some of it is fairly universal.
But advice is only ever advice: all authors are different. And if a method doesn't work for you, or get you the results you need, you don't have to follow it.
The world is filled with writing advice.
Some of it is personal, some of it is fairly universal.
But advice is only ever advice: all authors are different. And if a method doesn't work for you, or get you the results you need, you don't have to follow it.
June 23, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 17387:
The world is filled with writing advice.
Some of it is personal, some of it is fairly universal.
But advice is only ever advice: all authors are different. And if a method doesn't work for you, or get you the results you need, you don't have to follow it.
The world is filled with writing advice.
Some of it is personal, some of it is fairly universal.
But advice is only ever advice: all authors are different. And if a method doesn't work for you, or get you the results you need, you don't have to follow it.
Reposted by Katherine Kirk
Genuinely was surprised that Missing White Woman won the Thriller Award for Best Mystery! A huge thank you to ITV, Tosca, Jean, and all the judges. Congrats to all winners and nominees! Bio has been updated.
June 23, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Genuinely was surprised that Missing White Woman won the Thriller Award for Best Mystery! A huge thank you to ITV, Tosca, Jean, and all the judges. Congrats to all winners and nominees! Bio has been updated.
Reposted by Katherine Kirk
Come join me on July 14 for some real story nerd stuff – there will be charts and spreadsheets and templates! #AmEditing
And more free, virtual #AmEditing events:
New! 📖 Sharpen Your Editing Skills by Studying Fiction with @kristentate.bsky.social, 7/14, 6:30 pm Pacific
📖 Developmental Editing Happy Hour, 7/15, 5 pm Pacific
🍻 Copyediting & Proofreading Fiction Happy Hour, 7/16, 4 pm Pacific
(🧵: 3/4)
New! 📖 Sharpen Your Editing Skills by Studying Fiction with @kristentate.bsky.social, 7/14, 6:30 pm Pacific
📖 Developmental Editing Happy Hour, 7/15, 5 pm Pacific
🍻 Copyediting & Proofreading Fiction Happy Hour, 7/16, 4 pm Pacific
(🧵: 3/4)
June 24, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Come join me on July 14 for some real story nerd stuff – there will be charts and spreadsheets and templates! #AmEditing
Reposted by Katherine Kirk
Of the many things I resent about the last decade, toward the top of the list is the way my jaw clenches whenever I think of Anne Frank's "I still believe that people are really good at heart."
June 24, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Of the many things I resent about the last decade, toward the top of the list is the way my jaw clenches whenever I think of Anne Frank's "I still believe that people are really good at heart."
The unique millennial slow-boiling panic at never having done nuclear bomb drills and being too poor (and disillusioned) thanks to the myriad of economy-crashing and totally avoidable yet unprecedented events to be preppers. #WhatHasHeDoneNow
June 24, 2025 at 5:53 AM
The unique millennial slow-boiling panic at never having done nuclear bomb drills and being too poor (and disillusioned) thanks to the myriad of economy-crashing and totally avoidable yet unprecedented events to be preppers. #WhatHasHeDoneNow
Reposted by Katherine Kirk
My latest @theguardian.com Books cartoon
June 9, 2025 at 9:26 AM
My latest @theguardian.com Books cartoon
Who'd have thought that in the twenty-first century we'd excitedly volunteer—even pay—to put ourselves in virtual panopticons to improve our own productivity?
#AmCoworking #Zoom #VirtualCoworking #CapitalistDystopia
#AmCoworking #Zoom #VirtualCoworking #CapitalistDystopia
June 9, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Who'd have thought that in the twenty-first century we'd excitedly volunteer—even pay—to put ourselves in virtual panopticons to improve our own productivity?
#AmCoworking #Zoom #VirtualCoworking #CapitalistDystopia
#AmCoworking #Zoom #VirtualCoworking #CapitalistDystopia
This is why you don't get invited to parties, M-W. Why is one closed and the other open?
June 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
This is why you don't get invited to parties, M-W. Why is one closed and the other open?
Just looked up whether "butt cheeks" is an open or closed compound because this is my professional, grown-up job.
#AmEditing
#AmEditing
June 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Just looked up whether "butt cheeks" is an open or closed compound because this is my professional, grown-up job.
#AmEditing
#AmEditing
Reposted by Katherine Kirk
The two rules that I wish I could impose on authors (and people upstream from me, like acquisitions and developmental editors) are two sides of the same coin:
1. The author should finish writing before copyediting begins.
2. The author should stop writing and rewriting after copyediting starts.
1. The author should finish writing before copyediting begins.
2. The author should stop writing and rewriting after copyediting starts.
May 28, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The two rules that I wish I could impose on authors (and people upstream from me, like acquisitions and developmental editors) are two sides of the same coin:
1. The author should finish writing before copyediting begins.
2. The author should stop writing and rewriting after copyediting starts.
1. The author should finish writing before copyediting begins.
2. The author should stop writing and rewriting after copyediting starts.
Any second now, a handyman is going to come and caulk my deck. Hard to get any work done with distractions like that.
#AmTryingToEdit
#AmTryingToEdit
May 27, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Any second now, a handyman is going to come and caulk my deck. Hard to get any work done with distractions like that.
#AmTryingToEdit
#AmTryingToEdit
Whoever edited the continuity fever dream/nightmare that is Adrian Tchaikovsky's Children of Memory, you are a god of editing and I hope you've recovered.
My brain hurts but I'm here for the ride.
#AmReading 📚💙
My brain hurts but I'm here for the ride.
#AmReading 📚💙
May 25, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Whoever edited the continuity fever dream/nightmare that is Adrian Tchaikovsky's Children of Memory, you are a god of editing and I hope you've recovered.
My brain hurts but I'm here for the ride.
#AmReading 📚💙
My brain hurts but I'm here for the ride.
#AmReading 📚💙
I've caught the holey trinity of errors today and it's not even lunch time yet.
shit ➡ shirt
arse ➡ ass (specifically a donkey)
backside ➡ back side
#AmEditing
shit ➡ shirt
arse ➡ ass (specifically a donkey)
backside ➡ back side
#AmEditing
May 22, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I've caught the holey trinity of errors today and it's not even lunch time yet.
shit ➡ shirt
arse ➡ ass (specifically a donkey)
backside ➡ back side
#AmEditing
shit ➡ shirt
arse ➡ ass (specifically a donkey)
backside ➡ back side
#AmEditing