The Editor's Half Hour

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, proofr...

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 mat...

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 interactiv...

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 cl...

Most writers think they’re ready for editing. Most manuscripts say otherwise.

In this episode of The Editor’s Half Hour, Nadia Geagea Pupa explores one of the most misunderstood—and often skipped—stages of the editorial process: manuscript evaluations, alongside Steph Thompson. This conversation gets to the core of what writers actually need before line editing begins. Steph shares how she approaches evaluati...

In this episode of The Editor’s Half Hour, I’m joined by Tia Ross to talk about the realities behind one of the most misunderstood professions in publishing. At the center of our conversation is her book, "So You Want to Be an Editor... But Can You Edit?," which challenges the idea that editing is a casual or easily acquired skill.

Tia breaks down what it actually takes to do this work well—from...

In this episode, I interviewed Barbara Gastel about the evolving field of medical editing—and the persistent myths that keep talented editors from stepping into it.

Barbara is the author of "Medical Editing: A Guide for Authors and Editors," published by the University of Chicago Press. Drawing on decades of experience in science and medical communication, she offers a grounded, practical look at what medical editors actually...

Editing Romantasy

Romantasy is having a moment—and for good reason.

In this episode, I’m joined by editor Brenna Bailey-Davies for a thoughtful conversation about what makes romantasy so compelling for readers and editors alike. We explore the genre’s emotional pull, immersive worlds, and beloved tropes, while also discussing the editorial considerations that help these stories truly shine.

Together, we talk about:

·&...

Jane Friedman: The Business of Being a Writer (and a Freelancer)

In this episode, I talk with publishing expert, educator, and author Jane Friedman about the realities of building a writing or editing career in today’s shifting marketplace.

Jane has spent more than two decades working across traditional publishing, digital media, and higher education. Her insights cut through industry myths and offer a clear, practical look at ...

For the Season 3 finale of The Editor’s Half Hour, I’m joined by a truly extraordinary guest: Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster. With the highly anticipated 12th edition of the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary—the first major update in more than two decades—Peter gives us a rare look behind the scenes of how our language is shaped, refined, and recorded.

In this conversation, P...

Book Marketing for Editors

What happens after the edits are done? In this episode, I interview Aryn Van Dyke, founder of Book Rockstar and former HarperCollins marketing expert, about how editors can better understand the world of book marketing—and why it matters more than ever.

Aryn shares how her background in corporate publishing led her to create Book Rockstar, a boutique agency dedicated to helping authors build authentic...

In this episode of The Editor’s Half Hour, Nadia Pupa talks with Marie Ellis, founder of Muse Content and an experienced editor and content strategist. Marie shares how she helps authors and organizations shape their ideas into clear, meaningful content while staying grounded in the joy of editing.

Together, we explore:

·       What it means to find your “happy place” as an editor

·...

If you’ve spent any time on LinkedIn, you may have seen this episode’s guest in action—Laura Poole. She’s become known for her signature ‘snip snip’ posts, where she takes a sentence, trims the excess, and shows how just a few smart cuts can transform writing into something sharper, cleaner, and more powerful.

In this episode, we discuss the art of concise editing: how to cut the clutter, keep the...

In “Not Your Grandma’s Grammar,” we dive deep into the evolving landscape of language, exploring what’s truly worth holding onto from the old-school grammar playbook and what’s time to retire.

Dave Nelsen shares what he thinks Grandma did get right, the most common mistakes he still spots out in the wild, and the grammar “hills” he’s ready to defend fiercely.

Dave has more than two dec...

Developmental editor and anthropologist Andrew Hodges shares his view of the editor’s role in shaping fictional worlds—especially in speculative fiction. He brings a unique perspective to the craft, blending editorial expertise with a background in cultural anthropology. We discuss:

• How editors can guide world-building without taking over the creative vision
• Common mistakes writers make when creating new worlds
• Approac...

In this episode of The Editor’s Half Hour, Nadia Geagea Pupa welcomes editor Rachel Lapidow for an in-depth look at the role editors play in the world of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). From rulebooks and lore to quests and character creation, editing TTRPGs involves far more than just grammar—it’s about helping writers and designers bring expansive, interactive worlds to life with clarity, consistency, and ...

In this special double feature episode, I’m joined by two standout voices from this year’s ACES conference in Salt Lake City.

First, I interview Heather Saunders, president of ACES: The Society for Editing and CEO of Nova Arc Content. Heather shares her perspective on leading in the editing world, the importance of advocating for editors in specialized fields like STEM, and how she’s working to build a stronger, mo...

Let’s be real—promoting yourself can feel like a microfiber cloth snagging on dry skin. Ick. We’re editors, not salespeople! But fear not, because in this episode, I speak with marketing guru, and work and life coach, Colleen Newvine, all about how to feel more authentic and less cringey when it comes to self-promotion.

Colleen’s approach to marketing makes you feel at ease, that promoting your brand is less ...

What if copy editing was more than just a profession—what if it was a lifestyle? In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Jamaal Pittman, author of The Copy Editor’s Life(Style) Guide, for a deep dive into the world of editing, career longevity, and what it really takes to thrive in the publishing industry.

Jamaal’s book isn’t just another style guide—it’s an insightful, engaging, and often ...