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Crystal Calhoun | Editor

@crystaledits.bsky.social
160 followers 176 following 114 posts

Freelance editor, nature lover, cozy gamer, hot beverage aficionado. Anthropology BA. Occasionally I play the mountain dulcimer, muck around with craft supplies, or wear brightly-colored wigs, but usually only two out of three at once.

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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
And another asynchronous proof of #StetWalk photo, this one from after yesterday’s #ACESVCON26 sessions were over. It was even non-hot and non-humid, almost like fall is on the way.
Evening sun filtering through a tangle of trees, with a path running beside a patch of grass.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Day two of #ACESVCON26 has been overwhelmingly awesome! (The overwhelm may be from sleep debt accumulation.) Best bits as of 1:57 p.m.: multifaceted crafty edibuddies and dulcimers in SpatialChat, and discovering editors are witches — abracadabra! My eye bags and I are eager to see what's next.
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#StetChat @stetchat.com · 16/09/2026
We’re 30 minutes away from the start of #StetChat 🚩 Red Flag Roulette! 🚩 Just type in that hashtag to the search bar, look at "latest," and you'll find the chat. You can also find the questions at the Media tab on our profile. #edibuddies #amediting #freelanceeditor
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
BTW, if anyone has found me here due to my #ACESVCON26 commentary and LinkedIn is your thing, you're welcome to connect with me there: www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-c...
linkedin.com
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A theme of #ACESVCON26 sessions that I need to burn into my heart and soul: Editors are valuable even in an age of AI because we actually understand humans and their motivations. We're not just checking boxes. We're inferring truths, supporting humans with needs, and connecting ideas holistically.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Belatedly remembering to post proof of a much-needed #StetWalk! Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is currently in the berrying phase.
A few ripe beautyberries peek through a bunch of plant leaves.
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Andrea Thompson @andreatweather.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Calling all science and pop culture fans, @sciam.bsky.social has a new newsletter written by my fabulous colleague @emmalgometz.bsky.social. Subscribe and keep up with the latest in science-y movies, books and other areas where science and art collide! 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/newsletters/
A screen grab of an email that says "SciAM Cultured" at top and then "
September 10, 2026—Hollywood is going all in on movies critical of big tech, recognizing that public goodwill has dried up. I’ll run you through the upcoming film projects you won’t want to miss. But first, join me on a quick trip to an art exhibit about an octopus’ mind.
—Emma Gometz
Cultured Editor
 
P.S. Help another reader discover this newsletter. If you know someone who’d enjoy it, forward it along!"A photo still of Andrew Garfield and Yura Borisov sitting facing each other with shot glasses from the film Artificial. Below that, text reads, "This week, I’m going to canvas a group of upcoming films profiling (roasting?) real-life big-tech icons slated to release by the end of 2026. All of them feature psychoanalyses of the de facto technocrats shaping our world—and it’s easy to revel in the unflattering portraits. As billionaires, they seem untouchable. But this fall’s wave of movies and media announcements (plus some prominent lawsuits) seems to be making contact."
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Fresh haul from the library bookstore! It was storming outside, so I may have spent a little extra time perusing the new additions. Then the lights started flickering, so I grabbed my holds and checked out before the rain could stop me. #bookhaul #booksky
Four books sit on a wood-grained tabletop: A Guide to Field Identification: Birds of North America; Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland; The Contemporary American Essay edited by Phillip Lopate; and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
I need a big sticky note that says “Stop using the word ‘today’ in all your social media posts.” I don’t know when I started doing that or why, but I swear there there was a before time.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
A 95% frivolous question: Are people worse at taking feedback and/or fielding questions in the middle of a gigantic heat wave? Noticing some tetchiness on social media today, and because my brain is this kind of silly, I wondered if heat waves affect how writers react to editorial suggestions. 😆
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Weeknight Writers @weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
TIME'S UP! Thanks for joining tonight's #WeeknightWriters chat! Thinking about submitting to our recently announced e-zine? Join our FREE brainstorming session this Saturday from 6-7PM EST to chat about the theme, Growth, and build a story idea!
discord.gg
weeknightwriterspro
Check out the weeknightwriterspro community on Discord - hang out with 108 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
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Jane Friedman @janefriedman.com · 09/07/2026
Ironically, fiction has to be more credible than real life. Anecdotes tend to say, “You’re not going to believe this one,” and we’re not entirely sure we do. We believe stories b/c they go deeper and don’t end neatly. Insight from @lesleykrueger.bsky.social on turning real life into fiction.
janefriedman.com
How to Turn an Anecdote Into a Story | Jane Friedman
For an anecdote (“You won’t believe what I saw!”) to grow into an impactful story, a surprise element isn’t enough—real change needs to occur.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Oddly jazzed every time I come across a fresh post on a Blogger site, because I liked the old internet, and it's reassuring to see pieces of it still working just fine to help people bring their cool stuff to the world. (1/2)
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
My fingers and brain want to time travel today. I just tried to type "July 2026" and first I typed "August" (what) and then I typed "2027." Just ... what can you do. Maybe I'm an editor partly because some days I really need one. 😆
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Me in the morning: Today I rest and recharge! I'll do the minimum of checking work email and spend the rest of the day on hobbies and housework that have gotten neglected during this big edit! Me in the afternoon: Oh look my friend needs a beta read and I have space in my editing schedule right now
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Jennifer London @jlondonlit.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Fellow writers and editors, there's still time to donate your books/services to @romancingthevote.com! Donations close 6/28. Help preserve the right for every person to have their vote counted.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
That's a wrap! This year's EFACon is officially over (shout-out to @efafreelancers.bsky.social!), and as many of my fellow attendees at the impostor syndrome session will understand, it is now time for me to dedicate some quality time to hermiting and recovery.
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Weeknight Writers @weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
I've faced writer's block many times. I've learned that it's often a symptom of something else, whether that's a problem with the story or personal struggles like burnout I created the FREE Writer's Block Buster to help you figure out what's causing your writer's block - and how to conquer it
weeknightwriters.com
Writer's Block Buster - Weeknight Writers
Originally released as a worksheet for the Weeknight Writers Pro community, Writer’s Block Buster: Your Guide to Getting Un-Stuck walks you through the journalling process our founder, Dianna Gunn, ha...
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Dani Finn 🐙 🏳️‍⚧️ 📚 @danifinnwrites.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Occasional reminder that if you’re writing a character whose marginalization is significantly outside your lived experience, it’s not ideal to go it alone! A. Hire a sensitivity editor or pay for a consult if you can, or B. Ask around to see if anyone you know would do a swap with you!
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Tanya Gold | Editor & Translator 💕📚 (they/iel) @tanyagold.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
A whole conference on disability in writing? You bet I'm taking part. And I couldn't be more excited. #WriterSky #WritingCommunity
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SusanHughes @susanhughes.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
My new MG biography about inspiring #Cambodian Phymean Noun, THE DREAM OF AN EDUCATION: HOW PHYMEAN NOUN BUILT A SCHOOL (illus by Tida Kheav), is featured with these 5 other super books! @orcabook.bsky.social @inkedvoices.bsky.social @writerjolene.bsky.social @elyssagavin.bsky.social #AAPI
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Some days are so full of Zoom, I almost feel like I have a regular office job. Sitting in meetings, talking to tons of people, not actually editing ... Whew. One more to go!
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Heads up on more shady behavior related to the publishing industry. 😫 "Third parties who are not affiliated with Macmillan Publishers have been impersonating our employees, as well as literary agents, editors, and providers of other literary services." More here: us.macmillan.com/publishing-f...
us.macmillan.com
Publishing Fraud Alert - Macmillan Publishers
It has come to our attention that third parties continue to target authors in schemes that involved the fraudulent use of Macmillan Publishers’ company and imprint names.
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Mignon Fogarty @grammargirl.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Have you intentionally included typos in your work? Last week, I talked with Reader's Digest about whether typos are — get this — the new status symbol. 😱 I'd heard of people doing it to "prove" they aren't AI (bad), but I hadn't heard of the new "status symbol" idea. It's wild! is.gd/sp6ho0
is.gd
Typos Are the Latest Status Symbol, but Should You Really Let Those Messy Messages Fly?
Typos are the latest status symbol, but it's not a free-for-all. Here's a quick guide to when you can relax—and when you should proofread.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Some interesting numbers from Pew on book-reading habits of Americans. Print is still much more popular than digital and audio, for one. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
pewresearch.org
Do Americans read print books, e-books or audiobooks more? | Pew Research Center
Most U.S. adults read books, with print still favored over digital formats, though e-book and audiobook use has grown. Habits vary by demographics and few join book clubs.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
For anyone who’s ever publicly typoed. You are not alone, and also I’m saving this video forever. youtube.com/shorts/a8x6w...
youtube.com
the Eric Clapton guy wins
YouTube video by Lyndsey
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Some trendy writing scams to watch out for in the article below. Sigh. Scammers are forever. They’ll probably be around longer than diamonds, even. (Gift link to NYT, free to all.)
nytimes.com
Hungry for Affirmation, Vulnerable to Scams: As a Writer, I Know the Feeling
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Jane Eksie @janeismundane.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Thank you so much to @brianbergstrom.bsky.social for answering my questions on fiction, translation, and liminality. :) janeeksie.substack.com/p/interview-...
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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Almost 10,000 authors have come together to publish an empty book protesting the theft of books by tech companies to train AI models. Titled Don’t Steal This Book, it is empty of text except the names of the authors involved.. 🧵
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Conscious Style Guide by Karen Yin @consciousstyleguide.com · 31/10/2025
Conscious Style Guide is on Bluesky! What to expect: posts that help you think critically about language and design as tools for equity and self-expression. Check out the whole family of resources: Book | Website | Community | Newsletter By @karenyin.bsky.social 🌷
karenyin.com
The Conscious Style Guide: A Flexible Approach to Language That Includes, Respects, and Empowers - Karen Yin
The Conscious Style Guide provides a roadmap for communicating with sensitivity and awareness—no matter how the world around us progresses.
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Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @carolinavonkampen.com · 07/03/2025
Great resource for folks attending #ACES2025 in Salt Lake City next month! #amediting #freelanceeditor
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
This: "The sweet spot for a trope—for me—is somewhere in between the moment when it gets a catchy name, and the moment when it abruptly slams into oversaturation." #BookSky
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Lots of good stuff in this Substack post from Alice Hoffman on the magic of libraries and reading. One quote in the image, and here’s another: “Often the people who succeed in spite of the difficulties they face have one thing in common. They read.” #booksky open.substack.com/pub/ahoffman...
On an out of focus background photo of a person in front of full bookshelves, white text contains a quote from a Substack post by Alice Hoffman, entitled “Library Love.” The quote reads:

“In my neighborhood, many of my friends did not make it out. They were waylaid by crime and by drugs. Beautiful smart girls were lost, boys who were artists or musicians went to jail. It was a tough neighborhood and some people couldn't see outside of the boundaries of our town. But I could look over the wall. It was as if I pied up all of those books I had read and climbed to the top to peer over…”

The URL of the Substack is included: ahoffmanwriter.substack.com
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Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Hey, artists, in case you were wondering if your work matters: I'm a scientist working on climate change and biodiversity, and I would not be who I am today without The Lorax, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn, and The X-Files. I know I'm not alone. Thank you for all you do.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Yup. AI still isn't a substitute for a good old-fashioned human editor or writer when it comes to making actual sense. (Whew. 😁)
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
For anyone who has Kindle books and hasn't heard: If you have any interest in downloading your books to your computer, do it soon, because that feature is going away as of February 26. 😤
pcmag.com
How to Download Kindle Books to Your Computer Before Amazon Kills the Feature
On Feb. 26, Amazon will remove the 'Download & Transfer via USB' option from its website. Here's how to save your collection.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
With thanks to @elizabethlblock.bsky.social for posting the link first: www.chronicle.com/article/this... (Note that you need to sign up for a free account to read the whole article.)
chronicle.com
Opinion | This Is a Golden Age for University Presses
The focus on efficiency and innovation misses the point: We are producing fabulous books.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Just a reminder that Bookshop.org now offers ebooks!
bookshop.org
Bookshop: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
An online bookstore that financially supports local independent bookstores and gives back to the book community.
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The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 09/02/2025
How humanities classes benefit students in the workplace and combat loneliness
buff.ly
How humanities classes benefit students in the workplace and combat loneliness
Despite pressure for students to choose STEM over the humanities, classes in literature, art and history can provide students with vital life skills and help combat the current epidemic of loneliness.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
This week I've been re-reading old favorite books, both for comfort and to remember my roots. I forgot how much I love it (and I always have) when an author is clearly having fun — no ego, no fear, just whimsical grinny joy in words and story. Joy is infectious and some books MAKE me adore them.
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ᴄ ꜱᴛᴜᴀʀᴛ ʜᴀʀᴅᴡɪᴄᴋ🛸 @cstuarthardwick.com · 09/01/2025
A reminder: The deadline for entering the 2025 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest is fast approaching. 8,000 words. Near Earth, near future sci-fi. February 1st. www.baen.com/contest-jbmssa
baen.com
Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award
Baen's eBook marketplace. eBooks with no DRM in every major format--for the Kindle, iPad, Nook, and more.
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Karen Yin (Nice to Eat You / Scholastic) 🧙🏻‍♀️🎃 @karenyin.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday! Please support the Editors of Color Database, one of Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers (2024). All contributions go toward running this site. Thank you for helping me promote 500+ editors of color in the US and Canada. 💟 Donate: editorsofcolor.com/donate/
On a pumpkin-orange background are the words "On #GivingTuesday, please support Editors of Color. EditorsOfColor.com/Donate." Below the EOC logo and URL are colorful graphic illustrations of a racially and culturally diverse group of people, from the shoulders or neck up.
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Earthling Beta Readers @earthlingbeta.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
This is just getting started. If you'd like to join, let me know 😊📚 go.bsky.app/3jQDKEj
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Ash Dylan @ashdylan.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Elizabeth, I have included you in the Starter Pack, “People who have had the pleasure of my company.” You’re welcome, Darcy
Darcy writing
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Today’s #StetWalk.
A tree stump with a crude face carved into it stands in front of another tree trunk. In the background, grass and more trees are visible. In the foreground, plants creep up the bark of the stump.A cluster of tall, skinny-trunked pine trees seen from below and standing against a bright blue sky.A peaceful lake with spatterdock leaves in the foreground and more floating aquatic plants in the distance. The clear, gradient blue sky is reflected in the surface of the water.
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Crystal Calhoun | Editor @crystaledits.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Encountered the word "vitrine" for the first time today (also file under: things I have seen many times without knowing their precise names). Before looking it up, I was sort of hoping it would turn out to be an evil gemstone. You know, like a villainous citrine.
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Emm 🦋📚🇬🇧 @emmhenderson.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
The ‘Bridport Never Too Late’ award. This £500 award is for the highest placed writer aged 60+ across poetry, short story, novel or flash fiction.
bridportprize.org.uk
NEW! Never Too Late 60+ award - Bridport Prize
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Emm 🦋📚🇬🇧 @emmhenderson.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Call for unpublished female writers … ‘Discoveries invites all unpublished and unagented women writers aged 18 and up, currently residing in the UK or Ireland and writing in English, to submit their works of adult fiction to the Discoveries Prize.’
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Colin Schultz @colinschultz.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
It's OFFICIAL. @hakaimagazine.com will continue; not in name, but in spirit. In January 2025, senior staff from Hakai will be joining bioGraphic magazine www.biographic.com That means more awesome narrative features and science-based news. But, of course, WE NEED YOUR HELP
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Adrienne Mason @toughcitywriter.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
A few times a year I have the pleasure of being able to review new children's books on marine/coastal themes for @hakaimagazine.com Here's the latest: hakaimagazine.com/features/lit... #kidlit #childrensbooks #picturebooks #bookreviews #oceanliteracy
hakaimagazine.com
Little Books with Big Subjects | Hakai Magazine
These marine-themed children’s books have lessons to share without sacrificing story.
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