The Blog

Grab a drink and sidle up to the table: Molly's best tips for freelance editors and nonfiction writers are here for your perusing pleasure. Join the word nerd party!

The Blog

Grab a drink and sidle up to the table: Molly's best and brightest tips for freelance editors and nonfiction writers are here for your perusing pleasure. Join the word nerd party!

Editors and AI, Part V: Will AI Replace Human Editors? artificial intelligence

"Will AI replace editors?"

I see this question pop up regularly in professional forums, client conversations, and late-night worry sessions. It's whispered in conference hallways and debated in heated online discussions. I get it—there's something deeply unsettling about the possibility that work w...

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AI Resources for Editors artificial intelligence

Looking to navigate the rapidly evolving world of AI as an editorial professional? You're not alone. With the overwhelming amount of information available, it can be challenging to separate the truly valuable resources from the noise. That's why I've created this carefully curated list of my favorit...

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From AI to Z: A Plain-Language Glossary of AI Terms for Editors artificial intelligence

In my ongoing "Editors and AI" blog series, I've explored various aspects of artificial intelligence and its impact on editing. One stumbling block for many editors is simply understanding the terminology that gets thrown around in these discussions. Between industry newsletters mentioning AI, softw...

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Editors and AI, Part IV: Beyond "Just Say No"—A Nuanced Approach to Generative AI in Editing artificial intelligence

In my previous posts, I explored what artificial intelligence actually means, which editorial tools use AI features, and how generative AI really works. Today, I want to tackle something I'm seeing more and more in the editorial community: The "just say no" stance toward AI. Let's take a closer look...

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Editors and AI, Part III: How Generative AI Really Works artificial intelligence

In part 1 and part 2 of this series, I explored what the term “artificial intelligence” actually means and looked at which editorial tools use AI features. Today, let’s peek under the hood to understand how AI really works. This isn’t just theoretical—understanding AI’s mechanics helps editorial pro...

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Editors and AI, Part II: AI in Editorial Software—Which Editing Tools Use AI and Which Don’t artificial intelligence

In part I of this series, I looked at what artificial intelligence (AI) actually means for editors. I explored how AI is an umbrella term—like using “vehicle” to describe everything from skateboards to cargo ships—and how understanding these distinctions helps us have clearer conversations about AI’...

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Editors and AI, Part I: What Is AI? A Primer for Editorial Professionals artificial intelligence

When ChatGPT started making waves in November 2022, I was curious about how generative AI could simplify running a business. I created an online account and dove in, and although I couldn’t have predicted it at the time, I’ve now spent thousands of hours—and more every day—exploring and testing AI t...

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How to Estimate Freelance Editing Project Rates and Timelines: A Comprehensive Walkthrough editorial business topics

Hey there, fellow editor! If you've ever found yourself puzzled about how to estimate freelance editing project rates and timelines, you're in the right place. I’m about to demystify the entire process, breaking it down into easy-to-understand steps. I'll even walk you through an example featuring D...

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The Editor’s Guide to Getting Paid: How to Set Payment Terms as a Freelance Editor editorial business topics

So you've taken the leap into running your own editorial business—congrats! But let’s be real, figuring out the financials can be a bit overwhelming. How do you set payment terms that are fair for both you and your clients?

Don't worry; if you're wondering how to set payment terms as a freelance ed...

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Top Blogs for Editors to Follow editorial business topics

If you're anything like me, you know that staying in the loop is more than a good habit—it's a lifeline in the ever-evolving industry of editing. Whether you're a seasoned pro with years under your belt or a bright-eyed newbie eager to learn, blogs are your secret weapon. Why? Because they're chock-...

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How to Build Your Own Benefits Package as a Freelance Editor editorial business topics

As freelance editors, we're no strangers to the hustle and bustle of juggling multiple projects, meeting tight deadlines, and delivering top-notch work. But while we're engrossed in the day-to-day operations of our freelance business, it’s easy to overlook one critical aspect: our financial well-bei...

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8 Reasons Freelance Editors Shouldn’t Avoid Payment Processing Fees editorial business topics

Payment processing fees are an unavoidable part of doing business online these days, but many freelance editors still try their darndest to avoid paying them.

While the rationale makes sense (you may be trying to lower your expenses and/or avoid the hit to your effective hourly rate), it can be ris...

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Vetting Clients: 10 Red-Flag Phrases editorial business topics

The biggest rule in freelancing—and one new freelancers often break—is “trust your gut.”

No matter how a prospective client finds you (personal referral, search engine, networking event, etc.), it’s crucial to make sure you’re a good match. You don’t want to end up with a problem client, and take i...

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Are You Charging What You're Worth?

Forgoing breaks and vacation time to meet deadlines? Overworking yourself without much payoff? This free course shows you how to find your ideal freelance rates and say goodbye to the hustle.