iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Martha Carlson

@marthaeditor.bsky.social

562 followers 347 following 189 posts

I'm a developmental editor and book coach for writers of literary fiction and upmarket fiction. I love working with writers to help them make their novels and short stories as compelling as possible.

Posts Replies Media

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This week on Crafting the Path, I discuss small revisions that make a big impact on the flow of a novel or short story. crafting-the-path.pika.page/posts/flow-i...

110

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Today on Crafting the Path, I talk about the quality of "flow" in fiction. crafting-the-path.pika.page/posts

010

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Today on Crafting the Path, I discuss how an AI policy benefits both fiction writers and their editors. crafting-the-path.pika.page/posts/protec...

000

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

In Crafting the Path today, I discuss how we leave "breadcrumbs" of our writing process in our early drafts — and how sweeping away those crumbs makes our fiction more exciting for our readers. crafting-the-path.pika.page/posts/wordin...

020

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

In Crafting the Path this morning, I review David Szalay’s novel Flesh, especially the way the writer sustains pacing and tension throughout a long novel covering decades of the main character’s life. crafting-the-path.pika.page/posts/tensio...

An illustration showing a path made of horizontal boards going through a forest.

120

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Today on Crafting the Path, I discuss the benefits of editing filter phrases like "I saw, he noticed, they felt" to make fiction more concise and and vivid. I pay special attention to the sense of smell, which writers often struggle to revise. crafting-the-path.pika.page/posts/filter...

031

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

In Crafting the Path today, I discuss the new Independent Press Top 40 Bestseller list and why it's especially useful to writers of literary fiction, upmarket fiction, and books that may have niche audiences or an unconventional approach to fiction. crafting-the-path.pika.page

041

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

On Crafting the Path this morning, I share two resources to help writers better understand the publishing industry: Kathleen Schmidt's Publishing Confidential and Jane Friedman's multiple in-print and online resources. Today's topic: how to publicize and market books. crafting-the-path.pika.page

000

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

On Crafting the Path today, I share resources for finding the next book to place on your "to be read" pile. As a writer and an editor of fiction, I want books that draw me in and teach me new things about the craft of writing. Where do you find your next reads? crafting-the-path.pika.page/posts

110

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

In Crafting the Path this week, I discuss Niall Williams's "Time of the Child" and Claire Keegan's "Small Things like These," novels set in Ireland in the weeks leading up to Christmas. crafting-the-path.pika.page/posts

020

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

It's not a peace negotiation if Ukraine was not part of the conversation creating the proposal. I stand by Ukraine.

020

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

In Craft the Path today, I discuss how adding two simple words to feedback make it easier for writers to revise their fiction. They're words we should remember when we're revising our own work. crafting-the-path.pika.page/posts/two-ki...

020

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

000

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

020

Martha Carlson @marthaeditor.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

010