Written by Ken Walker Six months ago, I would have greeted the headline on this blog with a sneering, “Sure. We’re supposed to shake hands with a tool that writes drivel and threatens to take food out of freelance editors’ and writers’ mouths?” Until June, that characterized the way I felt about artificial intelligence and […]
Written by Megan Ryan While Microsoft Word is the publishing industry standard, there are authors who like using the free tools from Google over paying for a license for Word or a 365 subscription. While Google Docs can do many of the things Word can, there are some differences to be aware of as an […]
Written by Kari Bartkus You started a new editing project at the beginning of the week, and though editing tends to bring you great joy, you find yourself tired, emotional, or on edge with those around you. What’s going on? It could be the topic of the manuscript. It’s one thing to edit fiction that […]
Written by Jayna Baas Question: What’s one benefit you’ll never see offered by secular editing organizations like Editorial Freelancers Association or ACES? Answer: Prayer support from fellow Christians. A couple of months ago, this blog post discussed the benefits of the PEN Loop, which is The Christian PEN’s thriving email community. But if you’re a […]
Written by Julie Holzman When editing a manuscript, what do you do when you encounter an author’s non-hyphenated word that should be hyphenated per a style guide? As editors, our go-to sources for checking current spelling and word formatting are Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary and The Chicago Manual of Style. If a novel or story takes […]
Written by Martin Wiles “These are the last that I have. I have not had any inspiration for a couple of months, so I don’t know if there will ever be any more. I hope so, but who knows?” I, too, had experienced those times when the words don’t come. Overcoming writer’s block is one […]
Written by Jayna Baas Ongoing education is crucial to your freelance editing career. Freelance editing takes careful attention to detail, knowledge of best business practices, and a strong foundation of up-to-date editing skills. The Christian PEN is dedicated to providing support and resources for Christian freelance editors, and those resources include PEN’s sister division The […]
Written by Megan Ryan Editing is a valuable skill and one that deserves a paycheck. Jesus told his disciples, “The worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7 NIV). So I believe it is generally good to be paid for your work, and donating your time and expertise should not be done out of guilt or obligation. […]
Written by Joanna Harris Last year someone asked me, “What is your best advice for new editors?” As I thought about the answer, I realized that one shift in my thinking had significantly changed my editing practice. This is the tip I now share with new editors all the time. But first, some background. When […]
Written by Jayna Baas When we ask our Silver and Gold members about their favorite benefit of PEN membership, the number-one answer is always the PEN Loop. If you’re a Christian editor looking for networking opportunities, the PEN Loop may be your favorite benefit too! What is the PEN Loop and how does it provide […]
