The Editor's Half Hour

Nadia Geagea Pupa
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Step into the life of an editor for 30 minutes as we discuss the craft of editing, industry trends, and editorial resources. Join Nadia Geagea Pupa, host and co-founder of Pique Publishing, and her guests as they take a deep dive into the nuances and intricate details in the world of editing. Listen to real-life stories and secrets about the publishing process to help you build your editorial business and professional services.

  1. The Business of Being a Writer

    5D AGO

    The Business of Being a Writer

    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 what it really takes to sustain creative work—especially for freelancers. We explore the principles behind her book The Business of Being a Writer, how to position yourself in a crowded market, and why understanding your value is essential, no matter what stage of your career you’re in. We also discuss common misconceptions around agents, the submissions process, and why packaging and pricing matter just as much as skill. Jane shares a thoughtful perspective on AI in the exclusive interview—its potential, its limits, and what writers and editors should pay attention to as technology evolves. This is a grounded, generous conversation for anyone navigating the business side of creative work. Topics We Cover Why positioning matters for freelancersPricing, packaging, and communicating your valueHow editors can strengthen their visibility and reach Resources & Links Jane Friedman’s Website: https://janefriedman.comThe Business of Being a Writer (Book): https://janefriedman.com/book/the-business-of-being-a-writerJane’s Substack Article: There Is No Such Thing as a Good Editor https://janefriedman.substack.com/p/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-good If you’re planning to attend the LoveLitCon in San Diego (Feb. 13–16), visit lovelit. and use code PP7299 to get $25 off the registration fee. Leave a review or share this episode with your fellow editors! Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour Become a Patreon Sneak “Pique” supporter to get access to exclusive content on YouTube: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour

    32 min
  2. Inside the New Merriam-Webster Collegiate

    12/01/2025

    Inside the New Merriam-Webster Collegiate

    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, Peter takes us inside the meticulous world of lexicography: how new words earn their place, how usage guides definition, and how the dictionary reflects the culture around us. We talk about nuance, evolution, clarity, and the responsibility of capturing the living nature of English—while honoring history, accuracy, and meaning. This episode is a celebration of everything editors love about language. Whether you’re an editor, a writer, or a full-on word nerd, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the craft behind the dictionary you’ve trusted for years. In this episode, you’ll learn: ·       What goes into updating a major dictionary edition ·       How lexicographers track evolving usage and cultural influence ·       The surprising ways words shift meaning over time ·       What gets added and what gets revised in the 12th edition ·       How editors and lexicographers share similar instincts for clarity and precision ·       Why dictionary work is both deeply technical and beautifully human And because this is the season finale, the episode begins with a special announcement: the winner of this season’s listener giveaway! Become a sneak “Pique” Patreon supporter to get access to exclusive content. Visit https://www.merriam-webster.com/collegiate-dictionary-twelfth-edition to get your copy of the latest 12th edition. If you’re planning to attend the LoveLitCon in San Diego (Feb. 13–16), visit lovelit. and use code PP7299 to get $25 off the registration fee. Leave a review or share this episode with your fellow editors! Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour Become a Patreon Sneak “Pique” supporter to get access to exclusive content on YouTube: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour

    34 min
  3. Book Marketing for Editors

    11/01/2025

    Book Marketing for Editors

    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, sustainable book marketing strategies that actually fit their values. She opens up about her journey from marketing professional to author, including her own Kickstarter campaign for her debut novel and what she learned about community, vulnerability, and creative entrepreneurship along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how editors can support authors beyond the manuscript—or what it takes to turn a polished book into a thriving brand—this episode will give you real-world insight into the marketing side of publishing. In this episode, you’ll learn: What editors should know about the author marketing journeyHow to help authors think about visibility from the startThe biggest misconceptions about book marketingLessons Aryn learned from crowdfunding her debut novelWhy marketing doesn’t have to feel “salesy”How collaboration between editors and marketers benefits everyonePlus, in the exclusive after-party episode for Patreon supporters, Aryn gets personal about the emotional side of launching a novel, the lessons she’s learned about balance and burnout, and how she’s exploring the role of AI in modern book marketing. Find Aryn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryn-van-dyke/ Learn more about Book Rockstar: https://www.bookrockstar.com/ Buy your copy of Aryn’s book: https://www.arynvandyke.com/ Leave a review or share this episode with your fellow editors! Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour Become a Patreon Sneak “Pique” supporter to get access to exclusive content on YouTube: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour

    38 min
  4. Finding your Happy Place as a Freelance Editor

    10/01/2025

    Finding your Happy Place as a Freelance Editor

    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 ·       How to create a balance between editorial precision and creative satisfaction ·       The role of confidence in building an editorial career ·       Practical ways to stay motivated when projects feel overwhelming ·       Why connection—with writers, clients, and other editors—matters to sustaining joy in the profession Whether you’re new to editing or a seasoned pro, Marie’s insights are a reminder that editing is more than correcting—it’s about clarity, collaboration, and content that resonates. Learn more about Marie’s work at Muse Content: https://www.musecontent.co.uk Reach out to Marie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-ellis-content/ Leave a review or share this episode with your fellow word nerds and editing enthusiasts! Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour Become a Patreon Sneak “Pique” supporter to get access to exclusive content on YouTube: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour

    39 min
  5. Snip Snip: The Art of Concise Editing

    09/01/2025

    Snip Snip: The Art of Concise Editing

    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 meaning, and make every word earn its place. Whether you’re an editor or a writer, you’ll come away with practical tools—and maybe even the courage to pick up the scissors and give your words a little snip snip. With her decades of experience in scholarly nonfiction and her gift for teaching, Laura explains how the art of concise editing can transform writing from wordy to worthy. She reminds us that editing is not about judgment—it’s about clarity, flow, and nuance. Laura has been editing full-time since 1996, and shortly after, she founded her company, Archer Editorial Services, Inc., in 1997. She currently serves on the ACES Awards Committee as head judge for the Robinson Prize. Visit her company website: https://www.archereditorial.com/ Follow Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapoole/ Leave a review or share this episode with your fellow word nerds and editing enthusiasts! Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour Become a Patreon Sneak “Pique” supporter to get access to exclusive content on YouTube: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour

    32 min
  6. Not Your Grandma's Grammar

    08/01/2025

    Not Your Grandma's Grammar

    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 decades of experience copy editing business collateral, academic writing, proposal content, marketing materials, and anything else that’s been put in front of him. Dave has been with Dragonfly Editorial since 2017. He began as a contractor, editing and writing proposal content for several of Dragonfly’s health care and IT clients. Today, as the deputy editorial manager, he works closely with the editorial manager to develop and maintain Dragonfly’s high editing standards. He also edits and proofreads proposal content and other communication for key clients. He’s especially proud of his super-nerd-level love of style guides. Ask him any question about the Associated Press Stylebook or The Chicago Manual of Style, and you’ll have a hard time shutting him up. In this episode, we challenge the myths (yes, including that infamous “don’t end a sentence with a preposition” rule), and discuss how modern communication—think texting, TikTok, and Threads—is reshaping our understanding of language. We also tackle hot topics like: ·       Is autocorrect helping or hurting our grammar brains? ·       Why punctuation in texts can sometimes feel like a secret message. ·       How grammar rebels from history inspire today’s editors. ·       Why editors might want to broaden their skill sets beyond traditional copyediting. Plus, for exclusive content, Dave dives into the future of grammar in an AI-driven world. From how editors might become language ethicists to the challenge of editing algorithm-generated voices, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the craft of language. (Visit patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour to become a Patreon supporter to get access to the exclusive content.) You can find Dave on LinkedIn and Bluesky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-nelsen-0551588/ @thegrammargeek.bsky.social   Visit https://dragonflyeditorial.com/resources/top-4-english-myths/ to read the “Top 4 English Language Myths,” which is one of Dragonfly’s Field Guides written by Dave. Visit https://dragonflyeditorial.com/training/ to learn more about the webinars they have to offer. Leave a review or share this episode with your fellow word nerds and editing enthusiasts! Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour Become a Patreon Sneak “Pique” supporter: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour

    36 min
  7. Developmental Editing for World-Building

    07/01/2025

    Developmental Editing for World-Building

    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 visionCommon mistakes writers make when creating new worldsApproaches to handling culture and social structures with nuanceTools and frameworks that make complex worlds easier to manageWhy developmental editing for world-building is really about strengthening the story’s core If you’re a developmental editor working with fantasy, sci-fi, or even historical fiction, this episode is full of ideas for making world-building more intentional, inclusive, and story-driven. Andrew Hodges is a developmental editor and the founder of The Narrative Craft (TheNarrativeCraft.com), where he works with speculative fiction authors to bring their stories to life. With a PhD in social anthropology, Andrew offers deep insight into how culture, structure, and meaning shape the worlds we build. Here’s a detailed list of the resources mentioned in this episode: Andy’s podcast: https://www.thenarrativecraft.com/the-free-lancer-podcast Andy’s webinar https://payhip.com/b/UTCN9Sophie Playle Guiding Principles for Developmental Fiction Editing (Webinar) https://www.liminalpages.com/ Jennifer Lawler Developmental Editing Courses https://www.clubedfreelancers.com/jennifer-lawler-editor/Beth Hill’s book, “The Magic of Fiction” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29510704-the-magic-of-fictionJanice Hardy’s “Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft: A step-by-step guide to revising your novel”: https://a.co/d/f5y6PQuWonderbook: https://a.co/d/3YCnoWJBlog, podcast, discord: https://mythcreants.com/ Leave a review or share this episode with your fellow word nerds and editing enthusiasts! Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour Become a Patreon Sneak “Pique” supporter: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour

    31 min
  8. Editing Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs)

    06/01/2025

    Editing Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs)

    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 heart. Rachel shares how she got started in this unique niche, the editorial challenges that come with blending narrative and game mechanics, and why attention to detail matters just as much in imaginary realms as it does anywhere else. Whether you're deep into the TTRPG space or just curious about unconventional editorial careers, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse behind the screen. What You’ll Learn: ·       What editors actually do on TTRPG projects ·       How to balance creativity with consistency ·       Common pitfalls and continuity challenges in collaborative storytelling ·       Why editors are essential to immersive, playable game narratives ·       Rachel’s advice for editors interested in gaming and narrative design Rachel Lapidow is a freelance editor with a passion for TTRPGs, collaborative fiction, and genre storytelling. Her work focuses on helping teams bring complex, interactive narratives to life—ensuring that even the most magical worlds stay grounded in clear, player-friendly language. Since 2019, she has been a freelance proofreader for DC Comics and has worked on more than 20 comic collections. Visit RachelLapidow.com to learn more about Rachel and the types of projects she’s done. During this episode, we made reference to another podcast, Tech Lounge, where Rachel discussed her work on TTRPGs: https://chrischinchilla.com/podcast/copy-editing-game-rules-with-rachel-lapidow/ The idea to cover this topic on the podcast came from Rachel Fowler, magazine editor for the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. Thank you, Rachel, for your input and ideas! Find Rachel Fowler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-fowler-1b523675/ Since this episode was released, Rachel Lapidow has written an article that outlines what it takes to develop an intricate stylesheet. She shares a truncated version in her latest blog post titled, “Getting it Righ (Whale): A Reef-erence to a Whale of a Style Sheet”: https://www.rachellapidow.com/writing/2025/9/10/getting-it-right-whale-a-reef-erence-to-a-whale-of-a-style-sheet Love the Show? 💬 Leave a review to help others discover the show! 📢 Share this episode with your fellow word nerds and editing enthusiasts! 🎙️ Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast ✍️ Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour ⭐ Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Step into the life of an editor for 30 minutes as we discuss the craft of editing, industry trends, and editorial resources. Join Nadia Geagea Pupa, host and co-founder of Pique Publishing, and her guests as they take a deep dive into the nuances and intricate details in the world of editing. Listen to real-life stories and secrets about the publishing process to help you build your editorial business and professional services.

Information

  • Creator
    Nadia Geagea Pupa
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Editor's Half Hour

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