iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

What (some) people think it means to be neutral about human rights: “I’m being moral by rising above it and refusing to take sides.” What being neutral about human rights actually means: “I can’t be bothered to deal it because it doesn’t affect me personally.”

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I made the longlist for the 2026 Creative Future Writers’ Award 🥹 Reaching the longlist feels amazing: especially during a rough few weeks. Huge congratulations to the winners and shortlistees! I can’t wait to read your stories 😊 creativefuture.org.uk/news/2026-writers-award-winners-announced/

creativefuture.org.uk

2026 Writers' Award winners announced - Creative Future

The Creative Future Writers’ Award 2026 received over 1,850 entries from underrepresented writers across the country. We sincerely thank each and every one of you for giving us a chance to read your w...

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Reposted by Claire Bentley

Ruth Nineke @ruthnineke.co · 15/09/2026

I know people cringe at the idea of bossgirling, or they're loathe to embrace hustle culture but 2 things are true: The illusion of a system of security is dissolving. You have to be willing and motivated to secure your own bag. Period. Also, you deserve to do work you actually love.

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Had a mini-moan about being ghosted on sample edits yesterday, so now I’m going to talk about one of my favourite parts of developmental editing 🙂 That joy when a client is getting close to publishing their book? 🥹 Helping people achieve their dreams is one of the best parts of my job!

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Well… it looks like I’ve been ghosted on another sample edit. I went from never being ghosted on sample edits, to it happening 3 times in the last 6 months 😞 Authors - I don’t mind if you decide not to book my service. I’m not the right editor for everyone, and that’s ok! 😊 But… please tell me 😅

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I’m trying out skeleton-drafting a novel for the first time ever! 😬 Normally I’m a slow and careful writer, but I’m also a believer in trying new things…

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I’m back from my social media break 🙂 Sadly, my health is still a mess, and the world is even more of a fiery hellscape than usual. However, words are my joy and my strength, and I’ll keep using them to try and make the world a tiny bit better 💜

M. K. Martin @mkmartinwriter.com · 25/08/2026

Reposted by Claire Bentley

Working on the edits I got back from the amazing @cbentleywriter.bsky.social for my steampunk fantasy novel. Dang, but does Claire know her stuff! The book is already so much better. #WritingCommunity - who do you recommend and why? #ReadingRecommendation #Editor #CoverArt #Illustrations #NoAI

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

I’m taking a break from social media until Sept. I’m still writing and freelance-editing. But I’m exhausted and I need to step back from some stuff. Plus my kids are about to be off school for the summer, and I want to spend quality time with them. I look forward to catching up with you soon 🙂💜

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Just a reminder that books, reading, and writing are inherently political 🙂

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

The proportion of the global human population who are white AND male AND able-bodied AND heterosexual AND cisgender must be really small. Even smaller when you add wealth to the list. It’s mind-boggling that humans built - and bend over backwards to maintain - a society which only favours a few.

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

If you’re looking for a fiction editor then I have availability from November! - Trained, CIEP-registered, and ALLi partner member. - Free sample edits. - Discounts for newsletter subscribers and members of marginalised communities. - I DO NOT use gen-AI. Please see my website for more info 🙂

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

The hot weather has returned to Yorkshire 🥵 Bright side: it means I can read in the summer house after the kids are in bed 🙂

White outdoor sofa cushions with a leafy and flowery trellis in the background and lights above them

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Months ago, I posted that I get nervous when delivering authors’ edits. Many editors replied to say they felt the same. One said he didn’t experience that: which is valid. However, he also said that I must not be a good editor! Supposedly because I *checks notes* am a human being with emotions 🫠

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Editor confession time 🙂 The thought of having your manuscript professionally edited can be daunting and nerve-wracking (I know this from experience!) But I wanted to let you know (in case it helps) that editors get nervous too 🙂

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Does your kid grass you up to others when you make a ‘mistake’, even to strangers? My 5yo: “Mummy’s running late.” “Mummy has no food in the house for lunch.” “Mummy forgot to do reading with me yesterday.” “Mummy, Grandma told me not to tell you that she gave me three bowls of ice cream.”

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

It’s been a year since I won a Writers College non-fiction essay competition 🥹 I received an email from a fellow writer letting me know it helped her 😭 I met two wonderful critique partners because of it. And it gave me more confidence to keep writing 🙂 www.thewriterscollege.com/the-worst-wr...

thewriterscollege.com

The Worst Writing Mistake I’ve Ever Made? I Stopped Writing

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Am I supposed to be writing? Yes. Do I only have one month to finish drafting my manuscript? Also yes. Am I currently reorganising my kids’ bedrooms instead? Look at that. Three in a row.

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Been in a reading slump for weeks 🥴 I’m trying to get out of it by reading outside in the evenings. Being in nature is definitely helping!

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Me, husband, kids, and grandparents all having a meal together… 5yo: *In announcement voice* Guess who my favourite person is? He does a drumroll against the table. Me, husband, big brother, and grandparents are all looking expectant… 5yo: *Dramatic pause* 5yo: IT’S ME!!!

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I only have one editing slot left in 2026! I’ve opened bookings for 2027 And I’m about to delve back into a client’s developmental edit (which I’m loving) 🙂 Today is a good day!

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Is it time to move the dystopian genre from science fiction to narrative non-fiction yet?

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

A few years ago, I had no idea that by 2026 one of the core USPs of my writing and editing business would be ‘100% human’. What are we even doing?

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Would you like to sign up for my free newsletter? 🙂 You get: 10% off my editing and coaching services; My free guide to common ‘mistakes’ I see in manuscripts; Regular updates on writing and editing life; No generative AI used in any part of my business. www.clairebentley.co.uk/newsletter

clairebentley.co.uk

Newsletter | Claire Bentley

Claire Bentley's newsletter: sign up and receive a free common editing mistakes checklist, 10% off my editorial and coaching services, and regular updates on writing and editing life

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Happy Monday to everyone except trillionaires, billionaires, and fascists.

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

So, to summarise, a load of Pantone Cloud Wankers are (once again) taking to the streets to prove their supposed moral and intellectual superiority by terrorising Black and Brown people and destroying property.

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Another day, another attempt to denigrate women: this time because lots of women *checks notes* enjoy reading. If anyone needs me, I’ll be over here with my fantasy novels and my critical thinking skills.

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

A photo of my ‘follow your dreams’ mug: in case you need a reminder 🙂 I often need the reminder too!

Mug sitting between laptop and keyboard. It is decorated in pink and blue, has a hot air balloon and butterflies, and has the words follow your dreams.

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Are you looking for a freelance fiction editor? 🙂 I’m trained, CIEP-registered, and an ALLi partner member. I do free sample edits. I don’t use gen-AI. And I’m a writer too, so I know many of the challenges 😅 I have availability from October. Please get in touch if you’re interested 🙂

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Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

It says a lot that waiting for my car to be serviced yesterday felt like a treat! Two hours of uninterrupted reading time, in which no one wanted or needed me, and I could enjoy my coffee in peace 🙃

Claire Bentley @cbentleywriter.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

I don’t want to make loads of political posts! I want to make whimsical posts about books, and reading, and writing, and editing, and my kid crying because he has elbows. But I won’t stay quiet. Aside from all the other great reasons to fight for a better world: books are inherently political 📚