Author | Lightnews

Editcetera @editcetera.com · 1d

Which of these great writers didn’t write spooky stories? And which will we read at our Literary Karaoke Halloween debut? Find out starting Monday, 10/27.

Unmute your speakers if you dare ...

Please subscribe! YouTube.com/@EditceteraSolutions

#GreatWriters #SpookyStories #LiteraryKaraoke

1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · 2d

Our Literary Karaoke/Reading Series debuts soon, with illustrated video readings posting all Halloween week starting October 27, 2025.

YouTube.com/@EditceteraSolutions Please subscribe!

Play the teaser video with the sound unmuted if you dare ...

#Halloween2025 #GhostStories #LiteraryKaraoke

1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · 3d

The vampiric gaze ... is not to be ignored. Nor is our Halloween-themed literary karaoke series, debuting Monday, 10/27/25. View this teaser unmuted if you dare … YouTube.com/@EditceteraSolutions

#HalloweenReads #HorrorStories #LiteraryKaraoke

(Video made by KJN in Canva Pro)

2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · 8d

Our Literary Karaoke YouTube channel debuts soon; we’ll be posting illustrated audio readings throughout Halloween week and beyond. Please subscribe!

Play this video unmuted if you dare ...

YouTube.com/@EditceteraSolutions

#Halloween2025 #GhostStories #LiteraryKaraoke

1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · 9d

Watch the video with your speakers unmuted if you dare ...

YouTube.com/@EditceteraSolutions

#HalloweenReads #GhostStories #LiteraryKaraoke

1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · 9d

Announcing the Editcetera LITERARY KARAOKE/Reading Series YouTube channel, debuting this Halloween with tales of horror and haunting.

Posting illustrated audio readings October 27–31, 2025, and beyond ...

YouTube.com/@EditceteraSolutions

#HalloweenReads #GhostStories #LiteraryKaraoke

1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · 16d

Emojis, 2/2: If an emoji applies to a whole sentence, place it after the punctuation: “What should I read next? 🤔” If it applies to part of the sentence, place it in that part of the sentence: “Are you excited 🥳 about this book 📖?” (Chicago 18, 6.137) #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack

1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · 16d

Emojis, 1/2: Chicago 18 (6.137) is keeping up with modern writing, with new guidance on emojis. Basically, treat an emoji like a word, with a space before and after, except when followed by punctuation. However, there should be no spaces between consecutive emojis. 👍🙌 #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack

1 1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · 23d

UPCOMING WEBINAR: Writing Concisely, with editor Melissa Stein. Get results with more powerful, persuasive communications. Two Wednesdays starting November 5 at 12:30 p.m. PT. Sign up here: editcetera.com/writing-conc.... #FreelanceEditing #ProfessionalDevelopment

Writing Concisely – Editcetera

editcetera.com

1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Sep 24

When it comes to the question of capitalization following a colon, Chicago 18 (6.67) has shifted gears. Put this in your memory bank: Initial cap even a single full sentence following that colon henceforth. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack

2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Sep 17

Editors, looking to up your game? Editcetera offers ongoing professional development webinars and self-paced training. Among our upcoming offerings: Writing Concisely, Pesky Punctuation, Grammar Guidelines, and Developmental Editing. For details, go to editcetera.com/workshops/. #FreelanceEditing

Workshops and Online Training – Editcetera

editcetera.com

1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Sep 10

How to credit an AI image? According to Chicago 18 (3.38), you must both name the AI model and give the user’s prompt, for example: “Image generated by DALL-E 2, April 7, 2023, from the prompt ‘An ornate bookshelf with a portal into another dimension.’” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack

1

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Aug 27

Even more on hyphenation. In another departure, Chicago 18 (7.96) now hyphenates terms modified by “then” when used in the sense of “former”; for example, “then-president.” If “then” appears before an open compound, use an en dash; for example, “then–vice president.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack

1 1 2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Aug 20

Timekeeping and billing can be challenging parts of freelancing. Get help tracking your time and creating invoices with free and low-cost apps such as Clockify, MyHours, or TogglTrack. #FreelanceEditing
clockify.me
myhours.com
toggl.com

2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Aug 13

More on hyphenation. Another reversal in Chicago 18 (7.96): “mid” is now treated as an adjective combining form instead of a prefix, needing hyphenation unless listed as closed in Merriam-Webster. So we have mid-thirties and mid-central (but midair and midafternoon). #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack

3

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Aug 6

Now that the “Big Beautiful Bill” (all 870 pages) is law, you may want to know how it affects freelancers. Here’s one resource: The Freelancers Union breaks down key takeaways regarding healthcare and taxes on its blog at freelancersunion.org/blog/. #FreelanceEditing

3

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Jul 30

Compound modifiers, 2/2: But wait! The rule for adjective compounds containing “half” has changed in the reverse (Chicago 18, 7.96). These compounds should now be hyphenated before the noun but open after the noun: a “half-finished meal” but a “meal half finished.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack

2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Jul 30

Compound modifiers, 1/2: Chicago 18 (7.92) has changed some of its hyphenation rules. Certain compound modifiers are now hyphenated both before and after the noun: a task that is all-consuming, a plan that is cost-effective, or a snack that is fat-free. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack

2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Jul 23

These days, clients expect copyeditors to work quickly. But this doesn’t have to mean “read faster.” Tools like PerfectIt and/or expertise with Word macros can help with routine aspects of editing while leaving decisions and nuance to humans. www.perfectit.com

2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Jul 16

Comma minimalists rejoice! Two imperative clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction are now considered a single clause with a compound predicate: “Wait for me at the bottom of the hill on Buffalo Street or walk up to Eddy Street and meet me next to the Yield sign” (Chicago 18, 6.25).

2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Jul 2

The Freelancers Union is a nonprofit providing education and advocacy for freelancers of all kinds. Member benefits include tax prep guidelines; access to health, dental, life, and disability insurance; information about retirement planning; and networking, training, and events. freelancersunion.org

1 2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Jun 25

Jump-start your proofreading skills this summer with Editcetera’s self-paced course, The ABCs of Proofreading. Sign up anytime and work at your own pace with instructor feedback. editcetera.com/abcs-of-proo...

4

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Jun 11

Do you use “peruse” to mean “scan” or “read quickly”? If so, Chicago 18 wants you to peruse its Glossary of problematic words and phrases (5.254). There you will find that “peruse” means “to read with great care” and that it shouldn’t be deployed as a fancy synonym for “read.”

2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · Jun 4

UPCOMING WEBINAR: Conscious Language: A Conversation with Karen Yin. Join the author of The Conscious Style Guide and inventor of the term “conscious language” for a Q&A about cultivating mindful, compassionate language. Tues, June 10, 4 pm PT. Sign up here: editcetera.com/conscious-la...

1 2

Editcetera @editcetera.com · May 28

E-vocabulary remains e-mergent. Chicago 18 (7.96) has declared that we can read ebooks and watch esports, but we will still be riding e-bikes and engaging in e-commerce … for now!

2