Crystal | Fiction Editor
@redpenrabbit.bsky.social
Fiction editor and proofreader for hire. Advocate of intentional language and respectful representation. Board member of ACES: The Society for Editing. Visit rabbitwitharedpen.com/links for writing and editing resources. She/her.
My Kona is featured as today's #StetPet. 🐾 I'll miss her when I'm at the Red Pencil conference in November, but I'm so excited to be speaking and attending for the first time! Registration is still open, and I hope to see some of you there.
Today we check in with Kona, #StetPet editorial assistant of #EdsGuild2025 Red Pencil panelist @redpenrabbit.bsky.social.
"Kona is a pro at encouraging me to take snuggle breaks with her, which give my eyes and my brain some much-needed rest throughout the workday."
"Kona is a pro at encouraging me to take snuggle breaks with her, which give my eyes and my brain some much-needed rest throughout the workday."
September 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
My Kona is featured as today's #StetPet. 🐾 I'll miss her when I'm at the Red Pencil conference in November, but I'm so excited to be speaking and attending for the first time! Registration is still open, and I hope to see some of you there.
I'll be speaking on a panel called "Finding Work as a Freelancer" at the 2025 Red Pencil Conference hosted by the Northwest Editors Guild on Nov. 8! This will be my first Red Pencil, and I'm excited to experience it. Will you be there?
Registration info: www.edsguild.org/red-pencil-2...
Registration info: www.edsguild.org/red-pencil-2...
August 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I'll be speaking on a panel called "Finding Work as a Freelancer" at the 2025 Red Pencil Conference hosted by the Northwest Editors Guild on Nov. 8! This will be my first Red Pencil, and I'm excited to experience it. Will you be there?
Registration info: www.edsguild.org/red-pencil-2...
Registration info: www.edsguild.org/red-pencil-2...
I'm working on a book that was published years ago but is being republished in a new format, and I feel like a fairy god-editor, fixing the typos that managed to make it to print the first time around. #AmEditing
August 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I'm working on a book that was published years ago but is being republished in a new format, and I feel like a fairy god-editor, fixing the typos that managed to make it to print the first time around. #AmEditing
Random language tip: A limb that's favored refers to the limb that needs protecting, often because of injury.
If I'm favoring my right arm, it doesn't mean I'm using it more. It means I'm treating my right arm carefully and likely using my left arm more. #AmEditing
If I'm favoring my right arm, it doesn't mean I'm using it more. It means I'm treating my right arm carefully and likely using my left arm more. #AmEditing
July 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Random language tip: A limb that's favored refers to the limb that needs protecting, often because of injury.
If I'm favoring my right arm, it doesn't mean I'm using it more. It means I'm treating my right arm carefully and likely using my left arm more. #AmEditing
If I'm favoring my right arm, it doesn't mean I'm using it more. It means I'm treating my right arm carefully and likely using my left arm more. #AmEditing
New blog post! This one is all about freelancing for publishers as a copyeditor, proofreader, and authenticity/sensitivity reader. I talk about how to get work, what the workflow looks like from start to finish, rates, and more.
www.rabbitwitharedpen.com/blog/working...
www.rabbitwitharedpen.com/blog/working...
Working with Publishers as a Freelance Editor — Rabbit with a Red Pen
Curious about what it's like to work with publishers as a freelance editor? I provide information about getting a foot in the door, what the working process looks like, getting paid, and more.
www.rabbitwitharedpen.com
July 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
New blog post! This one is all about freelancing for publishers as a copyeditor, proofreader, and authenticity/sensitivity reader. I talk about how to get work, what the workflow looks like from start to finish, rates, and more.
www.rabbitwitharedpen.com/blog/working...
www.rabbitwitharedpen.com/blog/working...
Editing catch of the day: pixilated ➡️ pixelated
"Pixelated" relates to pixels in a digital image, while "pixilated" derives from "pixie" and is used to describe things as whimsical or dazed. #AmEditing
"Pixelated" relates to pixels in a digital image, while "pixilated" derives from "pixie" and is used to describe things as whimsical or dazed. #AmEditing
June 4, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Editing catch of the day: pixilated ➡️ pixelated
"Pixelated" relates to pixels in a digital image, while "pixilated" derives from "pixie" and is used to describe things as whimsical or dazed. #AmEditing
"Pixelated" relates to pixels in a digital image, while "pixilated" derives from "pixie" and is used to describe things as whimsical or dazed. #AmEditing
Reposted by Crystal | Fiction Editor
Right after "Don't use semicolons," "Don't use adverbs," "Don't use speech tags beyond 'said' and 'says,'" and "Always delete the word 'that,'" my favorite piece of writing advice is "Don't listen to people giving writing advice who are incessantly telling you not to do things."
May 27, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Right after "Don't use semicolons," "Don't use adverbs," "Don't use speech tags beyond 'said' and 'says,'" and "Always delete the word 'that,'" my favorite piece of writing advice is "Don't listen to people giving writing advice who are incessantly telling you not to do things."
There's something so satisfying about running Word's spellcheck and seeing the number of issues drastically disappear every time I hit "ignore all" on a made-up name in a fantasy novel. #AmEditing
May 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
There's something so satisfying about running Word's spellcheck and seeing the number of issues drastically disappear every time I hit "ignore all" on a made-up name in a fantasy novel. #AmEditing
I got to have an "I worked on that book!" moment recently when a family member recommended that I read a book I had proofread. 🥰
May 22, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I got to have an "I worked on that book!" moment recently when a family member recommended that I read a book I had proofread. 🥰
The grammar checker in MS Word wants me to change "What was there seemed to be stationary" to "What was there seemed to be stationery" because "a noun works better than an adjective here."
Except "immobile" and "materials for writing" are two very different things, so there's also that. #AmEditing
Except "immobile" and "materials for writing" are two very different things, so there's also that. #AmEditing
May 19, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The grammar checker in MS Word wants me to change "What was there seemed to be stationary" to "What was there seemed to be stationery" because "a noun works better than an adjective here."
Except "immobile" and "materials for writing" are two very different things, so there's also that. #AmEditing
Except "immobile" and "materials for writing" are two very different things, so there's also that. #AmEditing
I recently celebrated a fun professional achievement: I have now worked with every Big 5 publisher!
If you had told me when I started my editing career that this would be in the cards, I never would've believed it. This is definitely going in the win jar! ✨
If you had told me when I started my editing career that this would be in the cards, I never would've believed it. This is definitely going in the win jar! ✨
May 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I recently celebrated a fun professional achievement: I have now worked with every Big 5 publisher!
If you had told me when I started my editing career that this would be in the cards, I never would've believed it. This is definitely going in the win jar! ✨
If you had told me when I started my editing career that this would be in the cards, I never would've believed it. This is definitely going in the win jar! ✨
Proofreading catch of the day: quaffed hair ➡️ coiffed hair
"Quaff" means to drink heartily, or it can refer to a drink that's quaffed. "Coiffed" refers to hair that's arranged by brushing or curling.
"Quaff" means to drink heartily, or it can refer to a drink that's quaffed. "Coiffed" refers to hair that's arranged by brushing or curling.
April 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Proofreading catch of the day: quaffed hair ➡️ coiffed hair
"Quaff" means to drink heartily, or it can refer to a drink that's quaffed. "Coiffed" refers to hair that's arranged by brushing or curling.
"Quaff" means to drink heartily, or it can refer to a drink that's quaffed. "Coiffed" refers to hair that's arranged by brushing or curling.
Today someone asked me, "Oxford comma or no Oxford comma?"
My response has changed over the years, but now it boils down to:
1. I use it in my writing.
2. It should be used if it makes things clearer.
3. Don't be a jerk about it.
My response has changed over the years, but now it boils down to:
1. I use it in my writing.
2. It should be used if it makes things clearer.
3. Don't be a jerk about it.
April 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Today someone asked me, "Oxford comma or no Oxford comma?"
My response has changed over the years, but now it boils down to:
1. I use it in my writing.
2. It should be used if it makes things clearer.
3. Don't be a jerk about it.
My response has changed over the years, but now it boils down to:
1. I use it in my writing.
2. It should be used if it makes things clearer.
3. Don't be a jerk about it.
"Strive for excellence, not perfection."
My biggest takeaway from #ACES2025 came from DeAnna Burghart's session on being human.
Many editors think perfection is the only acceptable outcome, but we can reframe the goal as striving for excellence, which we get to define in each context.
My biggest takeaway from #ACES2025 came from DeAnna Burghart's session on being human.
Many editors think perfection is the only acceptable outcome, but we can reframe the goal as striving for excellence, which we get to define in each context.
April 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
"Strive for excellence, not perfection."
My biggest takeaway from #ACES2025 came from DeAnna Burghart's session on being human.
Many editors think perfection is the only acceptable outcome, but we can reframe the goal as striving for excellence, which we get to define in each context.
My biggest takeaway from #ACES2025 came from DeAnna Burghart's session on being human.
Many editors think perfection is the only acceptable outcome, but we can reframe the goal as striving for excellence, which we get to define in each context.
Reposted by Crystal | Fiction Editor
Hey, #ACES2025 folks! If you heard me talk about botheration studies at the experts roundtable yesterday, here are links to a few:
scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
publicationsncte.org/content/jour...
teaching.berkeley.edu/sites/defaul...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
publicationsncte.org/content/jour...
teaching.berkeley.edu/sites/defaul...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
scholarsarchive.byu.edu
April 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Hey, #ACES2025 folks! If you heard me talk about botheration studies at the experts roundtable yesterday, here are links to a few:
scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
publicationsncte.org/content/jour...
teaching.berkeley.edu/sites/defaul...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
publicationsncte.org/content/jour...
teaching.berkeley.edu/sites/defaul...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Obligatory #ACES2025 selfie! I'm so excited to see all my edibuddies and meet new ones. The conference hasn't even technically started, but I've been having too much fun already. 💕
April 3, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Obligatory #ACES2025 selfie! I'm so excited to see all my edibuddies and meet new ones. The conference hasn't even technically started, but I've been having too much fun already. 💕
Since today is Trans Day of Visibility, here are two resources for writing about trans people with accuracy and respect (on all days):
Trans Journalists Assoc. style guide: styleguide.transjournalists.org
Radical Copyeditor style guide: radicalcopyeditor.com/2017/08/31/t...
Trans Journalists Assoc. style guide: styleguide.transjournalists.org
Radical Copyeditor style guide: radicalcopyeditor.com/2017/08/31/t...
March 31, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Since today is Trans Day of Visibility, here are two resources for writing about trans people with accuracy and respect (on all days):
Trans Journalists Assoc. style guide: styleguide.transjournalists.org
Radical Copyeditor style guide: radicalcopyeditor.com/2017/08/31/t...
Trans Journalists Assoc. style guide: styleguide.transjournalists.org
Radical Copyeditor style guide: radicalcopyeditor.com/2017/08/31/t...
Where are we at with human cloning? I'd love it if I could take on all the cool editing projects that hit my inbox, please and thank you. #AmEditing
March 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Where are we at with human cloning? I'd love it if I could take on all the cool editing projects that hit my inbox, please and thank you. #AmEditing
After long days of editing, I've been finding a lot of joy in doing non-word-related hobbies like cross-stitching, embroidery, jigsaw puzzles, and paint-by-numbers.
I just finished my second-ever embroidery piece, this little dog paw, which will be a gift to our dog trainer. 🐾
I just finished my second-ever embroidery piece, this little dog paw, which will be a gift to our dog trainer. 🐾
March 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
After long days of editing, I've been finding a lot of joy in doing non-word-related hobbies like cross-stitching, embroidery, jigsaw puzzles, and paint-by-numbers.
I just finished my second-ever embroidery piece, this little dog paw, which will be a gift to our dog trainer. 🐾
I just finished my second-ever embroidery piece, this little dog paw, which will be a gift to our dog trainer. 🐾
AM I BEING THOROUGH, OR AM I OVERTHINKING THIS: Memoir of a Copyeditor
March 19, 2025 at 7:43 PM
AM I BEING THOROUGH, OR AM I OVERTHINKING THIS: Memoir of a Copyeditor
Reposted by Crystal | Fiction Editor
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 8:48 PM
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!
If I had a nickel for every time I found a perfect synonym so I could avoid repeating the same word, then saw that perfect synonym already used in the next sentence, I'd be swimming in my vault of riches like Scrooge McDuck. #AmEditing
March 6, 2025 at 7:38 PM
If I had a nickel for every time I found a perfect synonym so I could avoid repeating the same word, then saw that perfect synonym already used in the next sentence, I'd be swimming in my vault of riches like Scrooge McDuck. #AmEditing
Post a fictional Castle
February 27, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Post a fictional Castle
Terms I've recently learned are capitalized:
Ping-Pong (a trademarked name when referring to table tennis)
Bundt cake (a trademarked cake pan)
Gatling gun (named after its inventor)
#AmEditing
Ping-Pong (a trademarked name when referring to table tennis)
Bundt cake (a trademarked cake pan)
Gatling gun (named after its inventor)
#AmEditing
February 27, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Terms I've recently learned are capitalized:
Ping-Pong (a trademarked name when referring to table tennis)
Bundt cake (a trademarked cake pan)
Gatling gun (named after its inventor)
#AmEditing
Ping-Pong (a trademarked name when referring to table tennis)
Bundt cake (a trademarked cake pan)
Gatling gun (named after its inventor)
#AmEditing