Q&A: Quotation marks and the term “Gypsy”
Today’s blog post answers these two questions: Can fiction and academic authors mix single and double quotation marks to mean different...
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A fiction editor's blog
Hi there!
Thanks for taking the time to visit this blog.
I'm Andrew Hodges, a fiction editor.
Science fiction, fantasy, and worldbuilding are my specialisms. Check out the posts below!
Andrew Hodges
- Mar 15
- 2 min
The royal order of adjectives for fiction editors
Musings on how fiction editors can approach the royal order of adjectives
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Andrew Hodges
- Feb 21
- 2 min
How to use verbs for maximum impact in fiction
Download the FRedit sheet here: In a line edit, there are certain kinds of verbs to watch out for. Some convey an action that drives the...
15 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Feb 17
- 4 min
5 tips for new authors querying a novel in English
5 tips for new authors querying a novel in English. Publishing conventions to be aware of when sending your novel to literary agents.
36 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Jan 18
- 4 min
Passive protagonists in SFF writing
Passive protagonists cross my desk a lot. In this blog post I’ll cover: · Why they especially affect SFF writing · Why...
105 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Dec 21, 2022
- 5 min
Common problems when translating fiction and how to solve them
What problems often emerge when translating fiction?
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Andrew Hodges
- Dec 1, 2022
- 4 min
Worldbuilding 101: How to handle culture and groups in your SFF novel
Culture and representation are important to consider in your worldbuilding. Some writers ignore these elements completely, while others...
151 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Nov 19, 2022
- 6 min
How to create immersive settings that keep readers engaged
Setting can be tricky to get right. Too many details and you can bore the reader or stifle their imagination. Too little and the reader...
63 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Nov 10, 2022
- 5 min
5 common problems with characters in science-fiction and fantasy novels
Problems with characters are common in science-fiction and fantasy novels. Why? Because characters can take a backseat when an author is...
172 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Oct 30, 2022
- 4 min
Do you put a comma before ‘and’?
Takeaway: For commas before ‘and’, you must check to see which case applies. There is no simple yes or no answer to this question. If you...
28 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Oct 28, 2022
- 4 min
Styling spaceship names and planets: italics and capitalisation tips for SFF writers
Many science-fiction and fantasy writers overuse italics and capitalisation in their work. In this short blog post, I’ll cover basic...
145 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Oct 22, 2022
- 2 min
Magic systems: ideas and guiding principles
Magic systems are an important aspect of worldbuilding, and it’s important to get them right. Reveal too little, and your ideas for magic...
226 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Oct 4, 2022
- 13 min
What are exophonic authors? An interview with Ada Gadomski
Today’s blog post is an interview with an exophonic author, Ada Gadomski. In case you don’t know, exophonic authors are authors who write...
141 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Sep 14, 2022
- 3 min
How to avoid head hopping in your novel
This post covers: what head hopping is why you should avoid head hopping how to avoid head hopping Head hopping is a big problem for many...
87 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Aug 16, 2022
- 13 min
Interview with an indie fiction specialist
Time for an in-depth conversation with an indie fiction specialist! The publishing landscape can be confusing – especially for first-time...
41 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Jul 12, 2022
- 2 min
Do I need to use a comma before ‘as’?
Is a comma before ‘as’ ever mandatory? Takeaway: A comma before ‘as’ hints at a break, which suggests ‘as’ is being used in the sense of...
3,454 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Jul 8, 2022
- 6 min
Joining a critique group for writers: how to handle peer feedback
This post covers: Why joining a critique group for writers can be scary The importance of mindset How critique can help you improve How...
13 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- Jun 7, 2022
- 5 min
What is line editing?
This post covers: Where the phrase line editing may have come from The difference between line editing and copyediting The difference...
78 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- May 30, 2022
- 6 min
Are copyeditors prescriptivists? From patriotism to inclusive language
This post covers: Definitions of prescriptivism and prescriptivists Types of prescriptive language use Prescriptivism in Croatia...
37 views0 comments
Andrew Hodges
- May 18, 2022
- 6 min
How to write dialogue in a story: 7 tips from Planet Bloviate
This blog post on writing dialogue in a story covers: Common problems with writing dialogue in a story How to avoid clunky dialogue...
43 views0 comments
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