Carly Hayward
@fromcarly.bsky.social
760 followers 200 following 860 posts
Book Light Editorial & #RevPit editor, Story Chat Radio co-host. Disabled. You'll usually find me cuddling w/ a cup of tea and a great book. She/her Editing: https://booklighteditorial.com/ Podcast: https://www.storychatradio.com/
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fromcarly.bsky.social
When we think about how we approach editing, we found that there were three key aspects.

Meet our editing familiars:
-The Raven represents knowledge, creativity, and expertise when it comes to manuscript editing.
-The Dragon is a fierce protector of your voice and wo, making
The image has a solid dark jade color background. In the bottom left corner, the company symbol is there which is an open book with a lightbulb in the center. The main text says, “Editing Familiars: The three aspects of our editorial approach.” There are three items in the middle; a golden raven, a black cat, and a jade dragon. Underneath each character, there is some text that reads, “The Raven: Knowledge and creativity, The Cat: Supportive and long-lasting partnerships, The Dragon: Protection of your voice and vision.”
fromcarly.bsky.social
Today’s the day to enter!

reviseresub.com/mini-events/...

#RevPit #10Queries #AuthorServices #AuthorCommunity #Editor #BookLightEditorial #BookCommunity
Gradient dark jade background. Blue and gold flowers in the top right corner. The main image on the bottom half of the graphic is a woman sitting at a desk with a cat and books on the desk. The woman has black, green, and red hair. To the left of her is the RevPit symbol that has an opened book and a plant growing out of it. Main text reads, “#10Queries Enter on 10/10 to receive feedback on your query and first pages from an editor (and maybe even me!)
fromcarly.bsky.social
Discussing Motif, Symbols, and Themes on Episode 36 of #StoryChatRadio

#WritingCommunity #EditingTips #AuthorCommunity #Editor #BookLightEditorial #BookCommunity #WritingPodcast #StoryChatRadio #Podcast
Solid white background. On the bottom center, there is the company logo for book light editorial, an open book with a lightbulb in the center. There are two teal and blue bullhorns on both bottom corners. The text says, “What is the difference between a motif, a symbol, and a theme? A symbol can be a one-off thing, while a motif is repeated. It takes a symbol and repeats it throughout the work. And through its repetition, it expresses the theme of the story. On Episode ‘36’ of Story Chat Radio.”
Reposted by Carly Hayward
reviseresub.bsky.social
Meet the editors who are giving feedback for this round of #RevPit #10Queries!
RevPit 10Queries participating editors. Allison Alexander, Ash P, Ayesha Ali, Carly Hayward, Demi Michelle Schwartz, Hannah Kate Kelly, Jeni Chappelle, Laura Galan-Wells, Leah Rambadt, Madelyn Knecht, Maria Tureaud, Nicole Frail. Don’t forget to sign up for substack
Reposted by Carly Hayward
nordlichtinla.bsky.social
Who’s joining me in entering a chance to win a free query critique from the kind RevPit editors?
fromcarly.bsky.social
Tomorrow is the day!

Want feedback on your first pages and query? Getting ready to sub to agents? This is your chance! You can win free feedback from a #RevPit editor (maybe me... if you're lucky 😉)!

#RevPit #10Queries #Editor #BookLightEditorial
Gradient dark jade background. Blue and gold flowers in the top right corner. The main image on the bottom half of the graphic is a woman sitting at a desk with a cat and books on the desk. The woman has black, green, and red hair. To the left of her is the RevPit symbol that has an opened book and a plant growing out of it. Main text reads, “#10Queries Enter on 10/10 to receive feedback on your query and first pages from an editor (and maybe even me!)
fromcarly.bsky.social
Testimonial from Rara Hope, author of The Moon Could Only Weep 🎉

#WritingCommunity #AuthorServices #AuthorCommunity #Editor #BookLightEditorial #BookCommunity #Testimonial
Solid dark green background. Turquoise texts on the top that says, “Testimonials.” On the bottom right corner, the company name, “Book Light Editorial” is there in green font next to a dark jade colored flower. On the left side of the graphic, there is a golden raven sitting on a branch that is covered in flowers. The main text reads, “It's been just over three years since I first met Carly through an online writing event and I couldn't be more grateful for those stars aligning! Carly is one of the most passionate and brilliant people in the industry I've ever met and have had the privilege of working with. We've gone through two manuscript assessments and are now preparing my novel to be self-published. She helped me see my novel in a way I never would have been able to find or process, completely transforming not only the manuscript itself, but my skills as a writer and storyteller. Her care and attention to detail for my piece is palpable in her feedback, completely personalized and insightful. I'm over the moon to be working with her again and in the future. She has been the ultimate guide and mentor over these years. I'm looking forward to many more! -Rara Hope, author of The Moon Could Only Weep”
Reposted by Carly Hayward
goodwords.bsky.social
Linatta Mosset: curmudgeon, witch, plant-enthusiast, and a secret harborer of a sense of humor 🌱

Her best friend is Toad, a cat-shaped familiar with a snarky (but loveable) attitude 🐈‍⬛

Chronic illness makes life challenging, but her journey is full of heart 💚

#DVpit #Cozy #A #R #F #CI #DIS #LGBT
Reposted by Carly Hayward
kjharrowick.bsky.social
Day 2 of trying to crawl back into social media, and I've been thinking about publishing paths.

The general consensus is that there's a path for everyone... so here's a little bit about my path. 1/
fromcarly.bsky.social
Hey authors, how do you make your character’s voice standout?

#WritingTips #AuthorServices #AuthorCommunity #Editor #BookLightEditorial #BookCommunity
Solid black background. On both sides of the graphics, there are blue, orange, and red flowers. The main text says, “Ask yourself: How has your character’s background, situation, experiences, changed how they view the world? What lenses color the way they speak and interact with others?” The company logo is on the bottom left corner, it's a lightbulb standing on top of an open book.  Solid dark teal background. The main text says, “Disclaimer.” The body text says, “As always, general advice is complicated and hard. There are always exceptions and times when it isn’t applicable. This is why getting individual feedback can be so important. Remember: use the advice that works best for you and your writing!”
fromcarly.bsky.social
Need help with your first pages and query? Getting ready to enter RevPit or sub to agents? This is your chance! You can win free feedback from a #RevPit editor (maybe me... if you're lucky😉)

reviseresub.com/mini-events/...

#RevPit #10Queries #AuthorServices #BookSky #Editor #BookLightEditorial
Gradient dark jade background. Blue and gold flowers in the top right corner. The main image on the bottom half of the graphic is a woman sitting at a desk with a cat and books on the desk. The woman has black, green, and red hair. To the left of her is the RevPit symbol that has an opened book and a plant growing out of it. Main text reads, “#10Queries Enter on 10/10 to receive feedback on your query and first pages from an editor (and maybe even me!)
fromcarly.bsky.social
It's how we learn, grow, and gain empathy. Banning books just shows your fear and your need for power over others.
fromcarly.bsky.social
Books that make us uncomfortable are so important. Blocking access to other views, experiences, and lives stunts us. People need to experience the world, the good, the bad, and the ugly, no matter how uncomfortable that makes you.

#BannedBooksWeek #BookRecommendations #BookLightEditorial
fromcarly.bsky.social
Our most flexible service that fits our authors’ unique style.

-We can read your full manuscript & have a critique call
-Read sections as you write to keep you on schedule
-Outline brainstorming to set you on the best path

#EditingTips #AuthorServices #Editor #BookLightEditorial #BookSky
Solid white background. The main text reads, “Coaching Call.” The company logo is on the bottom left corner. The company symbol is an open book with a lightbulb in the center. The center image is a woman sitting at a desk with a cat and books on the desk. The woman has black, green, and red hair. The body of the image says, “Our most flexible service that fits our authors’ unique style. We can read your full manuscript & have a critique call. Read sections as you write to keep you on schedule. Outline brainstorming to set you on the best path.”
fromcarly.bsky.social
Discussing Goal, Motivation, and Conflict on Episode 34 of #StoryChatRadio

#WritingCommunity #EditingTips #AuthorCommunity #Editor #BookLightEditorial #BookCommunity #WritingPodcast #StoryChatRadio #Podcast
Solid dark grey background. On the bottom center, there is the company logo for book light editorial, an open book with a lightbulb in the center. There are two teal and blue bullhorns on both bottom corners. The text says, “Every character needs a GMC (goal, motivation and conflict), because honestly, that’s the basics of humanity. We all want something and we all have our reasons for wanting it. On Episode ‘34’ of Story Chat Radio.”
fromcarly.bsky.social
Testimonial from Sarah Hawley, author of A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon 🎉

#WritingCommunity #AuthorServices #AuthorCommunity #Editor #BookLightEditorial #BookCommunity #Testimonial #Bookish
Solid dark green background. Turquoise texts on the top that says, “Testimonials.” On the bottom right corner, the company name, “Book Light Editorial” is there in green font next to a dark jade colored flower. On the left side of the graphic, there is a golden raven sitting on a branch that is covered in flowers. The main text reads, “Carly edited my YA fantasy manuscript during #RevPit 2018. She's an incisive, thorough editor, and her notes were spot-on. She immediately understood the themes I wanted to convey and helped me bring them out by delving deeper into my heroine's psyche. My book ended up more exciting, more romantic, and more emotionally complex because of Carly's excellent feedback. Overall, working with Carly was a dream. She was prompt with her notes and was the perfect mix of supportive and blunt about the manuscript's flaws. My manuscript is much better after her input, and I highly recommend working with her!’ -Sarah Hawley, author of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon”
fromcarly.bsky.social
Alright, I need something similar to Psalm for the Wild Built. A hopeful and cozy post-apocalyptic story that will make me feel like it's okay if everything falls apart. Plskthanks.
fromcarly.bsky.social
Why is worldbuilding important in non-fantasy stories?

#WritingTips #AuthorServices #AuthorCommunity #Editor #BookLightEditorial #BookCommunity
The background is dark jade and there is a huge jade and gold dragon that’s wrapped around the text. The text is also in a white text box that says, “Worldbuilding affects your characters’ belief systems and their understanding of that world; it shapes their choices, their circumstances, and their goals.” The company logo is on the top right corner, it's a lightbulb standing on top of an open book. Solid dark teal background. The main text says, “Disclaimer.” The body text says, “As always, general advice is complicated and hard. There are always exceptions and times when it isn’t applicable. This is why getting individual feedback can be so important. Remember: use the advice that works best for you and your writing!”
fromcarly.bsky.social
What do we think of my new sewing machine set up? Percy is suspicious but slowly accepting it

#Cat #Sewing #Editor #BookCommunity
 A gray three shelf rolling cart holding sewing machine and materials. A calico cat is to the left of the cart.
fromcarly.bsky.social
We review your query, synopsis, & first fifty pages and offer an in-depth critique, giving you steps to make it shiny before sending it off to agents.

#WritingCommunity #WritersLife #AuthorServices #AuthorCommunity #Editor #BookLightEditorial #BookCommunity
Solid dark jade colored background but on the left side of the graphic, there’s a part of a spiral staircase that has flowers wrapped around the wood. The flowers are blue, red, and gold. The text says, “Shiny Submission Package. We review your query, synopsis, & first fifty pages and offer an in-depth critique, giving you steps to make it shiny before sending it off to agents.”
Reposted by Carly Hayward
mariatureaud.bsky.social
I'll be participating after a long hiatus! Can't wait to dig into your materials! #revpit #10queries
reviseresub.bsky.social
Are you readying your manuscript to query agents? Preparing for this year’s RevPit event?

What better way to know if your query and first 5 pages have what it takes to stand out in the slush pile than to get an editor’s eye on it?

We are hosting a #10Queries event, October 10th - October 24th!
Blue image. Text reads "What is RevPit #10Queries? Don't Forget to Sign Up for Substack"
Reposted by Carly Hayward
ellenmulholland.bsky.social
I hope to stop by and offer my humble feedback on these amazing pitches. If you think you might be a DVpit writer, you probably are! Check it out. Pre party tomorrow for the real event, coming soon!!
dvpit.bsky.social
#preDV is tomorrow, MONDAY, September 29, 2025 from 8AM to 8PM Eastern Time!
Marginalized Creators join us to practice your pitches for #DVpit, get feedback from agented authors, give each other feedback & encouragement!
Make friends, polish your pitches & get excited for #DVpit! #writersky #booksky
#preDV 
September 19th, 2025
8AM - 8PM ET

Join us for our practice event, #preDV on Bluesky!
Come with your best pitches and receive feedback from agented authors.

All participants are welcome to also give feedback and make friends during the community event before October 8th's #DVpit.

More info at dvpit.carrd.co
Reposted by Carly Hayward
smartbitches.bsky.social
I shall be visiting a used bookstore with so much romance it's like a museum.

What old skool romances should I hunt for?
A Quest: What Classic Romances Should I Find? | Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
smartbitchestrashybooks.com
Reposted by Carly Hayward
courtneymilan.com
This should be the rule for the entire world.
mostlybree.kitrocha.com
we made a rule on our discord that you are only allowed to throw your own rights under the bus for the greater good, if you ask someone else to throw THEIR rights under the bus for YOUR good, I will ban you. I'm super over these people.