Erin Brenner (she/her)

Hyphenating "X-Year-Olds," Part 2: What We Actually Do Last month, I looked at what the dictionaries and style guides have to say about the structure x-year-olds, as in We hosted a party for eight 10-year-olds. Those references that listed it used the hyphenated version, but I have a habit of using it without hyphens: 10 year olds.

Style guides say keep the hyphens in "24-year-olds."

Real usage says most writers drop them entirely.

This month's LinkedIn newsletter explores the gap—and the one form you should always avoid.

zurl.co/X3BGS

#WritingTips #PunctuationTips #AmEditing

The Hidden Truth Every Thought Leader Must Know: You’re Also the CEO YouTube video by Thought Leadership Leverage

Thought leaders put a lot of effort into the information they share, and their followers love that. But when those efforts turn into a business, it's time to think like a business. This is true of #FreelanceEditors, as well.
youtu.be/7nHnAjnlgao...
#BizTips

Join Erin Brenner at Editors 26 for "Working Globally: What Every Editors Needs to Know About International Clients." Register now at bit.ly/Editors26Registration

I'm speaking at Editors Canada on a panel about working with international clients!

Join Janet MacMillan, Aalap Trivedi, and me if you're curious about expanding your freelance editing business globally.

zurl.co/hgMPD
#FreelanceEditing #AmEditing

Clients rarely find you through just one channel. They move through a funnel—directory, LinkedIn, website—before reaching out.

Understanding that path helps you show up in the right places.

zurl.co/42zNe

#FreelanceEditing #AmEditing

Ever written "10 year olds" instead of "10-year-olds" on autopilot? So do most professional writers. What that tells us about rules vs. real usage is the subject of next week's LinkedIn newsletter.

Subscribe: zurl.co/BRSja

#WritingTips #PunctuationTips #AmEditing

Shop - Right Touch Editing

Need help growing your freelance editing business?
I offer coaching sessions, website reviews, LinkedIn profile reviews, and a complete website toolkit course—all designed for editors.
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#FreelanceEditing #Freelancing #AmEditing

Avoiding Editorial Team Burnout: The Foundation - Right Touch Editing Burnout hits editorial teams hard. Learn how leaders can reduce stress, protect focus time, and create a culture that supports sustainable performance.

Missed errors. Slipping deadlines. Endless revision cycles. If your #comms team is feeling the winter slump, burnout may be part of the story. Take these concrete steps to build sustainable performance: zurl.co/JxPFE
#CommsTeams #BizTips

I think we all depend at least partially on luck and people who helped when they didn't have to. I know I have!

Freelance editing skills are just the start. Building a sustainable business takes strategy.
The Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors covers what training programs don't: finding clients, setting rates, managing your business, and avoiding burnout.
amzn.to/42JaLMI
#FreelanceEditing #AmEditing

Breaking into Copyediting, Part 3: Getting Your First Editing Job - Right Touch Editing In this series, I’ve been digging into how to get started in copyediting. In part 1, I outlined the knowledge and skills you need to get started. In part 2, I discussed how you’ll need to continue your education to move into the journeyman stage. But how do you get that first editing job? Do

Want to break into copyediting? Start applying once you've finished your initial training—don't wait until you feel "ready." But take job qualifications seriously. If they want 5 years' experience, believe them.
zurl.co/j2YKW
#Freelancing #AmEditing

Editorial Teams for Organizations - Right Touch Editing Organizations with complex editorial needs face unique challenges that individual freelancers often can’t address. Right Touch Editing’s team model provides the solution.

Need more editorial support than one freelancer can provide? I offer team-based editing for organizations—dedicated or flexible teams that scale with your content needs and maintain consistent quality across every project.
zurl.co/GCR0S
#ContentMarketing #BusinessWriting #EditorialServices

How to Write When You Just Don’t Have the Motivation - Right Touch Editing If you're struggling to write when motivation is low, small steps matter. Here’s how to start with one sentence and build enough momentum to finish the work.

Not every writing day is inspired. When motivation is low, small, strategic steps can help you build momentum and move the work forward. Sean Brenner breaks down his approach in the latest edition of The Writing Resource: zurl.co/nGKh0
#AmWriting #WritingTips

How do you hyphenate "three-year-olds"?
When a student challenged my edit, I consulted dictionaries, style guides, and grammar references. The answer? Style guides are unanimous—but getting there was a journey.
Read the full piece: zurl.co/lUARa
#WritingTips #PunctuationTips #AmEditing

Yes! There are days when I just want someone to assign me some editing, I do it, and then I'm done for the day.

When you cut art in education, you never learn to understand art.

You're not alone! I've thought about it and I know others have, too. It's hard out there right now.

Orange banner with "Editor Resources" in white. Tagline reads "Improve your craft! Run your business better!" in blue italic text. Photo of an open book on a wooden table with bookshelves behind it. Directs readers to free resources at https://bit.ly/RTEresources. Website www.RightTouchEditing.com shown at bottom with orange pencil and speech bubble icon.

Free resources for editors! Improve your craft and run your business better.
zurl.co/bq2vR
#Freelancing #AmEditing

Should You Leave Freelance Editing for an Employee Position? - Right Touch Editing Considering shifting from freelance editing to becoming an employee? Here are the most important questions to ask yourself, and the most important ones to ignore.

Thinking about leaving freelance editing for an employee position?
Before you decide: list what you'd gain AND lose. And ignore those "am I a failure?" questions—they have nothing to do with whether the job is right for you.
zurl.co/n2W5e
#Freelancing #AmEditing

Are you providing information or instilling wisdom? Hi there, it’s Peter Winick. I’m the founder and CEO at Thought Leadership Leverage.And here’s the idea that I’d like to share with you today. And that’s thi...

Information -- facts, data -- are great but we can get that anywhere. It's wisdom that people need and #ThoughtLeaders should be offering. More from Peter Winick: zurl.co/iJEbw

Tell Your Members of Congress to rein in ICE NOW On January 24, federal forces with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. This was just over two weeks after the killing of Renee Good. These killings are a direc...

Tell Your Members of Congress to rein in ICE NOW act.indivisible.org/sign/ice-out...

Let's be loud!

A student once questioned my edit removing hyphens from "56-year-olds." I couldn't explain why I'd made that change. What I found when I researched it surprised me. Full story in next week's LinkedIn newsletter: zurl.co/kZVYM
#PunctuationTips #WritingTips #AmEditing

Work with a Guide on Your Business Book Journey. Schedule a free consultation and move forward on your book journey. Book time at https://www.righttouchediting.com/schedule-a-meeting/

Writing a business book? It's easy to get lost in the weeds. We can help—from developmental editing to proofreading. Schedule a free consultation: zurl.co/Wrwad
#BusinessWriting #BusinessBook

What Does “Deciding the Work” Really Mean for Freelance Editors? - Right Touch Editing Deciding the work isn’t about ignoring clients' requests, it’s about expertise. Here’s how freelance editors define scope, process, and professional boundaries.

What does “decide the work” actually mean when you're a freelance editor? It’s not about saying no to clients; it’s using your expertise intentionally. Learn what that looks like and how it can benefit your business:
zurl.co/dl9cU
#FreelanceEditing #AmFreelancing #AmEditing

Fun & happy classical music

Lifting my spirits with happy classical music: open.spotify.com/playlist/5lP...

Thank you!

I've often wondered how this works for freelancers. Don't hand in work that day? Don't invoice that day? Any insight would be appreciated!

Struggling to build a stable editing business? "The Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors" by Erin Brenner shows simple steps to grow your business sustainably. Buy it now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/42JaLMI

Building a freelance editing business doesn't have to mean constant hustle and guesswork. My "Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors" shares practical steps to grow sustainably. zurl.co/2G7Or
#LaunchYourEditingBiz #Freelancing

Freelancer Tax Tip: Organizing Your Business Expenses - Right Touch Editing The start of a new year means that tax season is around the corner. To help you prepare, here are my best tips for organizing your business expenses.

Freelance editors, tax season doesn't have to be chaos. Here are practical tips for organizing your business expenses—plus a free template to help.
zurl.co/3LaI6
#FreelanceEditing

AI for Editors: Business Growth Without Compromising Your Standards - Editors Canada Webinars Are you worried about AI’s impact on your editing career? You’re not alone. But while many editors either avoid AI entirely or wonder if they should use it for editing work, there’s a third path that’...

Today is the LAST DAY to get 10% off all Winter/Spring webinars from @editorscanada.bsky.social, including my upcoming webinar on using AI in your business (not your editing). Check it out now: webinars.editors.ca/upcoming_web.... Use the promo code EARLYBIRD at checkout.
#FreelancingEditing