iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

#writersky #amwriting #amediting #writing #authors #proofreading #writingcommunity Question: Which HOMOPHONES make even experienced writers question their entire existence? Answer: Here are 10 word pairs that humble us all ⬇️

100

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

It’s Indie Bookshop Week here in the UK, and to celebrate, Bookshop .org is offering FREE SHIPPING all weekend. The perfect excuse to show some love to the brilliant independent bookshops that keep our literary world spinning. 💛📚 #booksky #readersky #amreading uk.bookshop.org/shop/vanessa...

uk.bookshop.org

Vanessa the Proofreader Bookshop UK

Welcome to my bookshop! I love supporting indie bookshops and featuring books I have worked on whenever possible. As a freelance proof-editor and proofreader, I appreciate great stories across all gen...

150

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

#writersky #amwriting #amediting #writing #authors #proofreading #writingcommunity Question: How do you write pages that are PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to put down? Answer: Here are 10 PACING TRICKS that turn readers into sleep-deprived zombies ⬇️

100

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

#writersky #amwriting #amediting #writing #authors #proofreading #writingcommunity Question: How do I show a PROTECTIVE (but secretly soft) character without saying it? Answer: Here are 10 subtle ways ⬇️

110

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

For the first time ever, I’m offering 20% off all #proofreading services for July, August, and September 2025 bookings! First come, first served basis. Interested? Please fill out a contact form on my website and mention #writersky #discount in your message. vanessatheproofreader.com/contact/

vanessatheproofreader.com

Contact

Looking for expert proofreading and proof-editing services? Get in touch with Vanessa Macfarlane for professional services tailored to authors, businesses, and publishers. Whether you need manuscri…

110

Reposted by Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor

Mark Rees @reviewwales.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Vampire caught unawares by sudden British heatwave. 🧛‍♂️🌞

1246810717

Reposted by Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor

Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

My latest @newscientist.com cartoon

Title:
SOME GRAMMATICAL VOICES FOR USE IN SCIENTIFIC WRITING

ACTIVE VOICE
e.g.
Our team collected samples and then we tested them.

CLICKBAIT VOICE
e.g.
We collected some samples...
You won't believe what happened next!

PASSIVE VOICE
e.g.
Samples were collected and tested.

HAIKU VOICE
e.g.
Quiet science lab.
Workers arrive with samples.
The testing begins.

PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE VOICE
e.g. We did all the collecting and testing.
No need to thank us.
Just doing our job.

CONSPIRACY VOICE
e.g.
Mysterious "Samples" were harvested and covertly "tested" by so-called scientists.

7250041893

Reposted by Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor

Elle @elleisanisland.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

In the 14th century, someone who didn't have a highlighter handy thought to use octopus tentacles to mark the most important parts. I love it so much (Manuscript from the Bankcroft library, UC Berkeley)

An ancient manuscript. Along the left margin is a drawn-on octopus whose tentacles point out important sentences on the page.

332097569

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

#writersky #amwriting #amediting #writing #authors #proofreading #writingcommunity Question: How do you show a MORALLY GREY character without saying it? Answer: Here are 10 subtle ways ⬇️

120

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

#supportingbookshopsnotbillionaires #Easter #booksky #books #supportlocal Win a £250 Gift Card! Buy ANY book through my link over the Easter weekend (18-21 April) and you could win a £250 digital gift card! uk.bookshop.org/shop/vanessa...

010

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

#editing #amediting #proofreading #amproofreading #horoscope #writingcommunity Question: What happens when the STARS ALIGN for those who edit/proofread for a living? Answer: Your grammatical fortunes await. ⬇️

110

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

#writingcommunity #writers #amwriting #booksky #writersky Question: Readers aren’t bothered about PUNCTUATION so why do I need a proofreader? Answer: dont hire a proof reader punctuation is a scam. hear me out ⬇️

230

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

#writingcommunity #writers #amwriting #booksky #writersky Question: Do publishers have WORD COUNT GUIDELINES for each genre? Answer: Absolutely! Here are the typical word count ranges per genre that most publishers or agents look for ⬇️

130

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

So many #writers are saying they can't afford an editor. If you're struggling and plan to #self-edit, I HIGHLY recommend this book. For me, it's the best 'how to self-edit' guide available. Don't be fooled by the title… it works for all! vanessatheproofreader.com/self-editing...

021

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

WriterThreads Question: What are redundant phrases, and are they weakening my writing? Answer: Well, every time you use one of these phrases, a literary agent somewhere twitches… 😊 ⬇️ #amwriting #writersky #proofreading #amediting #literarynonos #writing

110

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

#Booksky readers, I need your input! I’m writing an article on why readers DNF (Did Not Finish) books. As a proofreader, I’d say typos and poor grammar can be deal-breakers, but I want to hear from YOU. What actually makes you stop reading? Comment below. I’d love to include your thoughts!

850

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Question: The Oxford Comma Wars… Why is there so much debate over the Oxford comma? 🤔 Answer: Well, a punctuation showdown that’s been going on for decades. 🔽 #grammar #grammarsky #proofreading #amediting #writersky #amwriting #booksky

130

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

The shockingly offensive English language on Swiss radio still has me scrambling to mute the volume whenever my child is in the car. This sign on the way to the gym, however, never fails to bring a smile to my face. #proofreading #noproofreadingrequired #switzerland #icehockey #photography

030

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

#writing #writingcommunity #editing #proofreading #booksky #writersky Question: Are there any sentence starters (or as UK schools like to call them… fronted adverbials 🙄🤯) that readers are utterly bored of? Answer: Absolutely! There are plenty. Here's my top ten...

120

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Question: How do I write a NARCISSISTIC character using speech patterns? Answer: A narcissistic antagonist isn’t just cruel – they’re calculated. Their words manipulate, distort, and control. Here are 8 speech patterns that make them chillingly real. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky

110

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Question: How do I show a CHARMING character without saying it? Answer: Here are 10 subtle ways 🔽 #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #booksky #proofreading #editing

120

Reposted by Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor

Bookshelfie ⭐️ @bookshelfie.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

#booksky

783781262

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

‘And’… it’s an easy word to mistype. Our fingers naturally want to type ‘adn’ – no problem, autocorrect fixes it (most of the time). But type ‘dan’ instead? Now we’ve got Dan. Who is Dan? Why is he here? Dan is not a character in this manuscript… #amproofreading #writersky #writingcommunity

061

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

#writingcommunity #writersky #nonfiction #proofreading #amediting #amwriting 5 Essential Proofreading Tips for Non-Fiction Authors Writing a non-fiction book is a monumental task, but even the best ideas can lose impact if they’re buried in errors or unclear writing. 🔽

111

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

#writingcommunity #writersky #booksky Question: How do I show a JEALOUS character without saying it? Answer: Here are 10 subtle ways 🔽

110

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

You learn something new everyday… I’m Scottish (though admittedly with a very English accent). My father was from the Isle of Mull and a Gaelic speaker and my mother is from Perth, yet I’ve never heard this word in my life!

121

Reposted by Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor

Penstricken @penstricken.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Less than a week to go now until submissions close! 😱 Send us your short #fiction, #poetry or articles about #writing to be considered for our spring issue, Lines. It's free to submit and we promise to be nice 🙂. Full submission guidelines: penstricken.com/submissions

penstricken.com

Issue 2 – Submissions

Submissions Open We are now accepting submissions of short stories, poetry and non-fiction for our Spring issue, which will be entitled Lines. Please note we will be unable to offer any monetary co…

062

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

#amwriting #writers #amediting Question: How do I show a SHY character without saying it? Answer: Here are 10 subtle ways 🔽

140

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

#grammar #businesswriting #amwriting Question: When do I use ‘Whom’ instead of ‘Who’? Answer: It’s easier than you think! 👇

110

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

These are my top tell-tale signs a book has not been proofread before publication: 🚩 Double full stops (periods) or missing ones 🚩 Missing quotation marks 🚩 Commas in odd places that interrupt flow What do you see most? #writingcommunity #amwriting #amediting #writers #authors #readers #booksky

240

Reposted by Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor

#SmallPitch @smallpitch.org · 26/01/2025

The #SmallPitch pitch submission window opens soon, so let's go over some reminders. First, you can view all the guidelines on our website at www.smallpitch.org. Please read them carefully! There's also an FAQ and a list of participating publishers. Now, onto the key information.

smallpitch.org

#SmallPitch, the big pitch event for small presses

15142

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Fewer vs. Less No → “I have less books than you.” Yes → “I have fewer books than you.” Fewer is for countable things – books, donuts, regrets. Less is for things that can’t be counted – like the patience you lose while waiting in line (queuing 😊). Fewer books; less patience.

120

Reposted by Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor

Sandy McIntosh @sandymcintosh.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Writing poetry can be a powerful way to express and process emotions, whether it's joy, sadness, anger, or confusion. #PoetryLovers #poems #poetry #PoetryCommunity #PoetrySky

072

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

To all my #writer friends, When you have a British character in your masterpiece and weave the word “peeved” into their dialogue, please be aware that autocorrect often changes “peeved” to “perved,” and that, my friends, has a very different connotation! 😱🤣 My day is going to be fun!

120

Vanessa Macfarlane | Proofreader | Proof-editor @myproofreadinglife.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

I’m pretty sure 90% of Europe’s cloud formation happens right in the canton of Zurich. I haven’t seen more than two feet in front of me for days! At this rate, I’ll need GPS on my coffee cup just to find it in the morning! 😄

000