The Freelancer

Send us Fan MailThis episode is all about book editor visibility.tl;dr: For most editors, visibility is an optional strategy, not a necessityTune in to hear how:Visibility isn't something you have to do if you're an editor.You can have a fallow season without pressure to be visible.The pressure to be consistent can have negative mental health implications.Referrals are a significant source of clients for editors.Not all visible editors are successfulBuilding relationships is often more effective than audience building.Social media visibility can help if you're selling low-ticket offerings or editing for self-published authors.It's possible to run a successful editing business without social media.A focus on depth in client relationships rather than quantity can work well.Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailIn today's ep I'm chatting with Vesna Kurilic of Shtriga Books again!Today we discuss inclusive language and nonbinary gender in Croatian language and fiction. We explore how culturally specific the discussions around conscious and inclusive language are, and what challenges other contexts face with different approaches toward languages.Then we get onto grammar. In Croatian, which has three grammatical genders, you flag the speaker's gender much more often than in English. We explore what this means for getting your head around nonbinary pronouns, and what that means for Croatian spec fic!Shtriga Books: https://shtriga.comMilena Benini: https://www.croatian-literature.hr/zzindex_sing.php?tekst_id=609&menu_id=1Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailIn the last episode of 2025, I discuss how the year went from a business and marketing perspective.2025 was a big experiment in running my business without social media.Things didn't go exactly to plan—tune in to learn which part of my business suffered, the big decisions I made at the end of the year, and find out how much I earned exactly in 2025.I finish with some predictions for 2026. YAY!Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailHow does publishing work outside the Anglosphere?In today's ep, I'm chatting with Vesna Kurilic, owner of Shtriga Books – a small press in Croatia publishing queer speculative fiction.We discuss how things work differently in Croatia, the yawning gulf between literary and genre fiction there (compared with in the Anglosphere), and what Anglo-American publishing could learn from Croatia and vice versa.You can check out Shtriga Books here: https://shtriga.com/Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailWhy do you read stories? What keeps you turning the page?Wish fulfilment is one possible answer! Tune in to hear other reasons, alongside a chat about wish fulfilment in romance and dystopian fiction, the story problems it can create, and how wish fulfilment links to the oppression of marginalized groups.Enjoy!Links mentioned:Call of the Camino: https://www.suzanneredfearnauthor.com/copy-of-where-butterflies-wander-1Falconsaga: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222253066-falconsagaMythcreants (candy and spinach): https://mythcreants.com/blog/the-best-characters-eat-their-spinach-and-their-candy/Mind-melding with fictional characters: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/time-travelling-apollo/202104/mind-melding-our-favorite-fictional-charactersSupport the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailThis week's ep is all about how we balance our editing, coaching, and writerly selves and businesses! 😍We discuss the query trenches, writing routines and habits, whether you need to be a writer to coach writers, and lots more besides!Here are a few things we mention:Karen's coaching: https://www.karenaparker.com/book-coachingMythcreants community: https://www.patreon.com/MythcreantsMythcreant's idea of a magnum opus: https://mythcreants.com/blog/six-tips-for-writing-your-first-novel-and-series/Karen's Captured Phantoms fund and 25 ways to resist in 2025: https://www.karenaparker.com/blog/25-ways-to-resist-in-2025My Pay-It-Forward fund: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/pay-it-forward-fundSupport the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailThis week's ep is all about lit mags! ✨If you're exploring this space and trying to figure it out, this podcast ep is for you.I discuss how to find the right magazine for your story, the importance of reading widely, and the realities of rejection in the submission process. I also explore the culture and industry of literary magazines, including issues of elitism, gatekeeping, and the value of punk/DIY publications. Here are a few resources I recommend you check out:Chill Subs: https://www.chillsubs.com/Writer Beware: https://writerbeware.blog/ALLi Watchdog: https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/watchdog/Taco Bell Quarterly: https://tacobellquarterly.org/Hustle Culture versus the Literary Academy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/post/two-cultures-in-publishing-hustle-culture-vs-the-literary-academyMy lit mag wins so far: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/books-short-stories-andrew-hodgesSupport the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailWelcome to Season 2! Yay!Today's topic is decolonizing fiction craft, and I'm chatting with the book coach and fiction editor Karen Parker. We cover everything from the hero's journey and remakes to the Iowa Writers' Workshop and how NOT to workshop. Come hang out with us :)Here's Karen's coaching – if you're ready to start pitching your novel, or you've tried and failed so far in the query trenches, come join their coaching cohort from September:  https://www.karenaparker.com/book-coachingHere's a piece by Karen on Jane Friedman's blog: https://janefriedman.com/sensitivity-reading-in-speculative-fiction-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think Here are some of the links mentioned in the show:Ben Bacon:  https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64162799Orly Goldwasser:  https://museum.imj.org.il/en/exhibitions/2016/pharaoh-in-canaan/pdf/alphabet-en.pdf Felicia Rose Chavez:  https://www.antiracistworkshop.com/the-antiracist-writing-workshop Clarion West: https://www.clarionwest.org/resources/workshop-methods/Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailStory structure is one issue fiction editors love to disagree about. At one end of the spectrum, some promote rigid templates, while others say "anything goes."In this episode, I cover ...the problem with rigid approaches to story structurewhy I dislike Save the Cat! and the Hero's Journeywhy you should think about story structure but not get hung up about itEnjoy!Links from today's ep!Hustle culture versus the Literary Academy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/post/two-cultures-in-publishing-hustle-culture-vs-the-literary-academyHow universal is the Save the Cat beat sheet?: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/post/the-save-the-cat-beat-sheet-a-cultural-anthropological-approachClub Ed course – Plot and Story Structure: https://www.clubedfreelancers.com/product/editing-for-plot-and-story-structure-sep-8-oct-5-2025/Romancing the Beat: https://www.campfirewriting.com/learn/romancing-the-beatThe Hero's Journey: https://www.jcf.org/learn/joseph-campbell-heros-journeyThe Heroine's Journey: https://gailcarriger.com/books/hj/Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailPsychotherapists and counsellors often feature in TV, film, and books. While there are all sorts of good story reasons to include them, they often do unrealistic things like sit in very nice offices and break boundaries with clients!In this episode, I discuss therapists in fiction with Aimee Walker, a counsellor/psychotherapist turned romance editor. We chat about some recent bad examples – including the therapist in Dept. Q – and look at why writers might choose to include a therapist in their book or TV/film script.You can find out more about Aimee Walker's fabulous coaching and editing business here: https://aimeewalkerproofreader.com/Dept. Q: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27995114/The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: https://www.bacp.co.uk/NEW: Support this podcast on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheFreeLancerPodcastSupport the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailToday is all about niching! Do you need one as a book editor? What will your clients say or think?How will they find you? And are niches necessary – or always a bad thing?Tune in for some fresh perspectives on the topic and the details on what I have planned for Season Two!Marketing for Weirdos: https://www.bearcoaches.com/m4wThe Tyranny of the Niche: https://offthegridclubhouse.substack.com/p/the-tyranny-of-the-nicheSupport the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailSocial media marketing isn't for everyone, and for small business owners, it comes with several tricky traps and challenges attached.Junk AI content and tech bro CEOs aligned with hard-right governments stripping people of their rights are making it less appealing too.And so this year loads more people are rethinking their social media marketing or ditching it completely.In this ep, I cover the pros and cons of social media and why I've decided to take a step back from it. Enjoy!Tarot: https://www.theuncrossedpath.com/readingsOff-the-grid toolkit with Amelia Hruby: https://offthegrid.fun/podcastAttachment styles and social media: https://www.attachmentproject.com/psychology/social-media/Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailIs generative AI making the publishing world a better place? Or is it leaving a bad taste?So far, it's pretty clear to me there's a lot of hype, stolen data, angry authors, some benefits, and a truckload of problems. But it does and will have some important uses! In this episode, I take you through my AI decision making and policies, and narrate the damage (and limited positives) I see happening at the moment.Links:Draftsmith: https://draftsmith.ai/The Mechanical Turk: https://www.mturk.com/Human-in-the-loop: https://levity.ai/blog/human-in-the-loopExpert-in-the-lead: https://www.transl8r.eu/xitl/Gartner Hype Cycles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner_hype_cycleSupport the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailIt's all take, take, take!This week is all about how extraction – a pattern of one-sided taking from others – can show up in our small businesses.I cover how it's hardwired into big businesses, and how things can get confusing for small business owners.Traps of being exploited, or of exploiting others through icky marketing and pricing strategies, can leave small business owners feeling overwhelmed.If you want to learn more, sign up for Bear Hebert's inspirational Marketing for Weirdos course, which discusses extraction in more detail.In the episode, I mention hybrid publishing. If you don't know what that is, check out Jane Friedman's blog post.And finally, here are my thoughts on Save the Cat!Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailToday's episode is all about how editors can get trapped in a cycle of satisfying and interesting but low-paid work for Big 5 publishers. #opensecretsI call this cycle a prestige trap, and explore the allure of high-prestige, satisfying projects, despite the low pay. I describe what attracts editors to take on this kind of work.In the second half of the show, I focus on the emotional aspects to this trap and how they link to editor self-esteem.And finally, I offer possible ways of escaping the trap and encourage editors to be intentional about their career choices.Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailWelcome to episode 1! Today I'm discussing all the problems I see with self-publishing from my fiction editor perspective.First, I discuss my values misalignment with the self-publishing industry.Then I dive into serious issues and points that both editors and authors need to consider.And to wrap it up, I reveal who self-publishing really works for (except for big corporations like Amazon), and explain why I've pulled away from this space.Links⭐  The Alliance of Independent Authors' AI policy:https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/ai-policy/⭐  Joanna Penn's positive take on using ChatGPT:https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2023/05/05/ai-assisted-artisan-author/⭐  The Society of Authors' more critical position statement:https://societyofauthors.org/where-we-stand/artificial-intelligence/Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5

Send us Fan MailThis is a trailer for a new show called The Free Lancer.The Free Lancer is a show discussing all things publishing through a queer, social justice lens. It’s for authors and editors navigating the industry in a heart-centered way—one that prioritizes care, relationship-building, and sustainable work practices over the relentless grind of capitalism, tech-bro culture, and AI promises. It explores how author and editor businesses can survive and thrive while also transforming the industry to fight for a better world.Please subscribe to this podcast!For fortnightly updates,sign up to The Free Lancer newsletter here.Support the showQueer-owned business. AI-free editing and consulting. Conscious language advocate.Contact me on: [email protected] 🌈Second World Editorial: Speculative fiction editing and writing: https://www.secondworldeditorial.com🎓The Narrative Craft: Cultural anthropology developmental editing and consultancy: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/💎Need a transcript? Here you go: https://thefreelancer.buzzsprout.com/🥰 Fiction newsletter: https://thenarrativecraft.kit.com/e8debf1dd5