Show Notes
In this “STET Special” one-hour podcast episode with the award-winning copywriter, Erin Brenner, we take a deep dive into her latest book, The Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors: How to Take Care of Your Business, Your Clients, and Yourself from Start-Up to Sustainability. We cover a variety of topics like branding, marketing, finances, setting rates, and last but not least, self-care. This book, published by the University of Chicago Press, has wonderful takeaways for newbies and seasoned professionals. Erin Brenner is an award-winning copywriter who has been a communications professional for two decades, but before running her own company, she worked for ClickZ, IDC, and Epsilon, which gave her a deep understanding of marketers’ needs. Erin shares her expertise in communications and business by speaking at industry conferences, such as those for ACES, Editors’ Association of Canada, and MagsBC. She also provides staff training in writing for private companies, such as Slipstream and Meister Consultants Group. She is the former co-owner of Copyediting, a publications and training brand, where she was CEO and publisher. She is also a former instructor in the Copyediting certificate program at the University of California San Diego. Erin is the author of Copyediting’s Grammar Tune-Up Workbook, 1001 Words for Success: Synonyms, Antonyms & Homonyms, and Quick Study Dictionary of Commonly Confused and Misspelled Words (with Steve Berner). She has written hundreds of articles and blog posts for Copyediting.com, Visual Thesaurus, and others. Read more of her work on Right Touch Editing’s blog (https://www.righttouchediting.com/blog).
More from The Editor's Half Hour
What happens when two editors decide they want to spend a little less time staring at screens—and a little more time putting pencil to paper? In this episode, I’m joined by Riley O’Connell, the master behind much of the magic of Pique Post: The Mail Club for Editing Pros(e). We’re sharing the story behind Pique Post: why we wanted to create an analog experience specifically for editors, what inspired us to bring a little surprise and creativity back to the mailbox, and how the idea grew from a simple conversation into an entire mail club. We also talk about what subscribers can expect from each issue, from opportunities to practice editorial skills by hand (and showcase those sample edits in their portfolios) to the thoughtful details we hope make opening Pique Post feel like a small event each month. But Pique Post isn’t just about what arrives in the envelope. It’s about creating space to slow down, engage with words differently, and connect with a community of people who understand the strange and wonderful pleasure of noticing the things everyone else misses. Riley and I also reflect on what we hope Pique Post becomes as the community grows—and why, in an increasingly digital world, there may be something especially valuable about returning to paper, pencils, proofreading marks, and a little something in the post.
What does it really take to become a freelance editor for a major publishing house? In this episode, I talk with Crystal Yang, owner of Rabbit with a Red Pen, about the skills, experience, and professional relationships that can help editors break into Big Five—Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette Book Group, and Macmillan Publishers. Crystal shares how she built her career as a copyeditor, proofreader, and authenticity reader and explains why there is no single path into working with a major publisher. We discuss how editors can strengthen their résumés, expand their networks, prepare for editorial tests, and position themselves for opportunities when they arise. Whether working with a Big Five publisher is a long-term goal or simply one possible direction for your editing career, this conversation offers a practical and encouraging look at how to prepare for the opportunity. Visit https://www.rabbitwitharedpen.com/ to learn more about Crystal and her business.
Editing a memoir requires more than shaping a compelling narrative. It also requires sensitivity, trust, and a deep respect for the writer’s voice. In this episode, Barbie Halaby of Monocle Editing discusses the unique responsibilities that come with helping writers transform personal experiences into stories that connect with readers. We explore how memoir editors approach structure, emotional truth, and sensitive subject matter without taking control of the writer’s story. Barbie also shares how she helps clients make difficult decisions about what belongs on the page, how editors can offer honest feedback with care, and why strong communication is essential when working with such personal material. Whether you edit memoirs, write them, or are curious about the relationship between an editor and a memoirist, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at how editors can help writers strengthen their stories while remaining true to the experiences behind them. Learn more about Barbie and her business by visiting https://monocle-editing.com/
When most people think of editing, they think of books, magazines, newspapers, or websites. Video games rarely make the list. Yet behind every quest, character interaction, dialogue option, and story arc is a team of writers, designers, and editors working together to create an immersive experience for players. In this episode, I interview video game editor and narrative designer Jess Haskins about the fascinating world of interactive storytelling. Jess pulls back the curtain on what game editors actually do, from shaping dialogue and maintaining character consistency to navigating branching narratives and player-driven choices. Together, we explore how editing changes when the audience actively participates in the story and why many of the core skills editors use every day—clarity, consistency, collaboration, and audience awareness—are just as important in gaming as they are in traditional publishing. Whether you're a gamer, an editor, or simply curious about unexpected career paths, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how editors help shape experiences far beyond the page. In this episode, you'll learn: • What a video game editor does • The difference between indie, AA, and AAA games • How dialogue trees and player choice influence storytelling • The challenges of editing branching narratives • How editors collaborate with writers, designers, developers, and voice actors • Common misconceptions about video game editing • The role of AI in game development and narrative design • Why the editorial mindset translates across industries and mediums About Jess Haskins: Jess Haskins is a video game editor, narrative designer, and founder of The Game Editors, a boutique studio specializing in narrative consulting, editing, and voiceover production for games. She has worked on a variety of narrative-driven projects and is passionate about helping game developers create compelling player experiences through strong storytelling and thoughtful editorial collaboration. Additional links to resources and contact info mentioned in this episode: Twine - https://twinery.org/ Articy - https://www.articy.com/en/ Connect with Jess Haskins on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesshaskins/ Learn more about her business – thegameeditors.com
Technical editing is often overlooked in conversations about the publishing and editing industry, but it plays a critical role in how readers understand complex information. In this episode, we are joined by Jess Stampe of Just Ask Jess (https://justaskjess.work/) about what technical editing actually involves and why it requires far more than simply correcting grammar. Together, we explore the balance between clarity and accuracy, the challenges of editing highly specialized material, and the importance of structure, readability, and audience awareness. Jess also shares insight into working with subject-matter experts (SMEs), approaching unfamiliar industries with confidence, and helping readers navigate dense information without oversimplifying it. This conversation offers an honest look at a niche many editors find intimidating, while also revealing the growing opportunities available for those willing to strengthen their skills in technical communication and editing. Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-stampe/