Author | Lightnews

Martha Chargot Edits

@chargoteditions.bsky.social

37 followers 29 following 210 posts

Editor to the un-agented author, dog mom, dill pickle enthusiast, still can't seem to get away from list-style profile intros. (she/her) Let's take a look at your book together: www.chargoteditions.com

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Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · 22d

So, how have y’all being doing without me? Oh, you didn’t realize I was gone? Yeah. So the social internet goes.

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 17

Reminder: You can’t make progress without rest. If you’ve been staring at a blinking cursor for days, ignore it tomorrow. #WritingTip

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 10

Breaking: Local editor found muttering 'show don't tell' in their sleep for the fifth night this week.

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 9

Your story has good bones, but maybe the skeleton is doing the macarena when it should be waltzing. Developmental editing helps choreograph your plot so readers can follow the dance 💃

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 8

The moment when you find the perfect word to replace one that's been bugging you for three chapters. Chef's kiss

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 7

Author: "I've read this 47 times, it's perfect!"

Beta reader: "Your main character's name changes from Jake to James in chapter 8"

Author: "...oh"

Fresh eyes catch what tired ones miss.

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 6

Because we know it will be all over social media.

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Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 6

I've seen more misplaced apostrophes than a grocery store produce section. The trauma is real.

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 5

The query process isn't just about finding an agent—it's about finding YOUR agent. The right person who gets your vision and fights for your work. You don’t want an agent who rejects you anyway.

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 4

Client: 'Just a light edit!'

sends 80,000-word manuscript with no paragraph breaks

Me: 'Define light.'

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Sep 4

Reposted by Martha Chargot Edits

Madelyn is ✨Editing✨🌈 @madelynknecht.bsky.social · Sep 1

Reasons comps are necessary: a thread 🧵
#amquerying #amwriting #writersky
Seeing lots of doubts and confusion surrounding comp titles and whether they're necessary, so here's why agents (and editors!) need them:

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Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 31

POV consistency, sentence rhythm, word repetition - the stuff that makes readers go 'something feels off' without knowing why. Line editing catches what spell-check misses and what you're too close to see. 🔍📝

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 30

Editor pickup line: Are you a run-on sentence? Because you just keep going and I can't find a good place to stop you.

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 29

Word choice matters. The difference between 'she walked quickly' and 'she hurried' is the difference between amateur and polished. Line editing turns your good writing into can't-put-it-down writing. 🎯✍️

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 29

I've read the same paragraph so many times it no longer looks like English. Pretty sure 'the' isn't a real word. #amediting

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 28

“My beta readers said it's confusing but they can't explain why.” Me: cracks knuckles 'Time for some structural surgery' Sometimes you need someone to diagnose WHY your story isn't clicking yet. 🔍 #StructuralEditing

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 27

That first draft you're embarrassed about? It's not supposed to be perfect—it's supposed to exist. You've already done the hardest part: you started. Every published author has been exactly where you are. Keep going. 💪 #WritingCommunity

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 26

Beta readers are like your story's first audience—except they actually tell you the truth instead of politely nodding while secretly confused. We're the friends who'll say 'your plot has spinach in its teeth' before you go to the publishing party 🦷 #BetaReading"

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 25

PSA: 'Then' and 'than' are not interchangeable, no matter how passionately you believe they are.

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 24

Dear querying authors: That form rejection isn't a reflection of your worth as a writer. Agents reject for a million reasons—market saturation, personal taste, what they had for lunch. Keep going. #QueryLife

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 23

Plot twist: hiring an editor isn't admitting defeat, it's leveling up. We're like personal trainers for your prose—here to make your story stronger, not judge your literary biceps 💪 #EditingServices

Reposted by Martha Chargot Edits

Madelyn is ✨Editing✨🌈 @madelynknecht.bsky.social · Aug 22

Psst drop your favorite queer indie authors 👇👀 #booksky #writersky #indieauthors

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Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 21

Looking for Beanaska

Martha Chargot Edits @chargoteditions.bsky.social · Aug 21

Me: I'll just do a quick read-through.
Also me: completely rewrites chapter seven