Everyone has a voice worth hearing. That includes you.
Welcome to the blog at Ajatar Editing, where my passion for storytelling and professional editing experience meets my belief that every writer’s voice matters. Spurred on by my sister’s journey with writing and the challenges she faces, I’m here to share insights that help us, hoping they’ll be twinkly fireflies on your path to writing success.
From practical advice on crafting compelling stories to navigating the intricacies of punctuation, I aim to blend my personal experience and professional expertise. So you can transform your stories into captivating experiences for your readers (without hiring a professional editor for every level of editing service imaginable 🤫).
So if you’re ready to take your writing to the next level and connect deeply with your future readers, you’ve found the right place. Let’s figure it out together!
Reader favourites
Have you written the first draft of your book, but you’re not sure what to do next? The prospect of rewriting can be daunting. But if you made it to the end of your first draft, I’m confident you’ve got what it takes to do a second draft too. Keep reading →
Recent posts
Monsters & creatures in storytelling: from ancient mythology to modern fiction
I recently had immense fun talking about one of my favourite topics, monsters and mythological creatures, to lovely editor colleagues! This is a quick recording of the session introduction, which I made for friends who couldn’t attend. We then went on to discuss related books and films. A full blog post is in the works,…
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The value of writing short stories & why not all short story contests are created equal
Writing short stories is a valuable way to improve your writing craft, experiment with different techniques, and receive feedback. It allows for quick experimentation and can help you feel like a writer. Submitting work to contests can be fun and boost confidence. Pay attention to contest guidelines and remember that reading is subjective.
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Making your homepage work for you: insights from an editorial deep dive
Despite the potential impact of a great homepage on the people we want to reach, it’s easy to find ourselves thinking “But, I hate marketing.” My own recent escapades updating my website led me to analyze 28 editor websites, not to snoop on friends but to understand what makes great homepages effective. Here’s 4 things…
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The best free mythology research resources – part 2: getting specific
You don’t have to think unicorns are real to get serious about mythology and folklore research! In part 1, we explored reliable sources spanning mythology research and fantasy fiction inspiration from around the world. In this post, let’s focus on resources exploring a specific mythology in depth. This list concentrates on free online resources, but…
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The best free mythology research resources & how to read them – part 1
Researching for fiction, especially in the realms of mythology, can feel like a quest in its own right. Here are my favourite – and often underrated – sources for mythology research and fantasy fiction inspiration from around the web.
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AI as your creativity catalyst: marketing and productivity for writers and editors that doesn’t feel like cheating
On a recent call with an editorial buddy, we decided that generative AI is a bit like cutlery – how you use it is up to you. It can be helpful … but you could kill someone with a spoon. AI use is often polarizing in the writing community. But it’s not all or nothing…
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Behind the scenes: the making of ‘The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever.’
Thirty-six authors from around the world just wrote and published a book in less than ten months. And not just any book. We were the number one new release in Amazon’s advertising and marketing categories within days of launching. At the heart of this success was a safe, supportive, and forward-thinking community: Mark Schaefer’s RISE…
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Seven essential insights I discovered by writing three books.
What does it take to write a book or three? I recently came to the end of my third and final ghostwritten book. To celebrate, I’m sharing some of the insights I gained. Important takeaway: you’re a writer because you write.
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Can AI writing help with the emotional demands of fiction editing?
Life is full of challenges; can AI writing help me with any of them? I asked ChatGPT about reducing harmful bias in fiction, solving childhood malnutrition, and to generate a fictional scene.
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Is professional editing & proofreading training worth it, or can you learn for free?
What’s the point of professional editing and proofreading training if you can learn almost anything for free online? Does it matter if your editor has qualifications or is a member of a professional organization? I’ll share my training journey with you and some of my favourite free and paid training resources.
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Indispensable tools for editing your novel.
Editors are really good at looking things up, and you can be too. Here are some of my favourite editing resources. Many are free and others might be a worthwhile investment for your writing if you’re on a budget, plan to write multiple books, or want to learn editing yourself.
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How to get your book edited when you can’t afford an editor.
Does professional editing sound like a significant investment you’re not sure you’re ready for? Use these tips to make the most of your professional editing budget and bring overall costs down.
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Joanne Taylor
I don’t spend all my time telling my sister to finish her next book so I can read it. As well as editing and proofreading for clients and non-profits, I’m an ex-ghostwriter now immersed in my own fiction projects. I’m also a creative writing judge with a focus on giving honest and helpful feedback to emerging writers.
Have a question? DM me on LinkedIn or email me at joanne@ajatarbooks.com and I’ll get back to you. I’m also open to Discord server recommendations!
Joanne Taylor • Ajatar Editing 