My 2026 Goals are to grow my freelance editing business, have at least one project a month, connect with more authors and editors, get clients for new services, take a developmental editing class, finish writing AnimalsWIP, and read 26 books in 2026

I believe in setting goals even if I don't complete all of them. It's something to work towards, and any progress is good.

So here are my 2026 goals that I hope to complete (or work on).

What are your goals in 2026?

#OttersEditing 🦦✍️

Writing a book is a personal journey. The stories you tell mean a lot to you. That's why editing a book can be scary.

Your #editor needs to understand the emotional investment involved.

This is why I lead with empathy and collaboration. I believe that human creativity matters.

#OttersEditing

I don't know everything. But as an editor, I know how to look it up and how to ask for help.

No, I don't have all grammar rules memorized or know how to spell everything in the English language.

No #editor does. But I know how to use resources or ask other editors when stuck.

#OttersEditing 🦦✍️

I don't take all client requests that I get. Why? Because sometimes I'm not the best #editor for the job.

Whether it's a genre I have little experience in, or a service I don't offer, helping authors find an editor that's best for their story is the right thing to do.

#OttersEditing

As an #editor I try to support the indie author community as much as I can because I believe in giving back.

I believe in caring about your stories and your writing careers here at #OttersEditing 🦦💜

The Otters Editing Booking graphic. 2 slots are open for December and January. 3 slots are open in February. To book please visit ottersediting.com or email me at stephmcollinwrites@gmail. You can find the website link in my bio on my Bluesky profile.

It's November, and I'm looking for work in December and onward!

Want to support a neurodivergent and nonbinary freelance editor? Check out #OttersEditing

I believe editing is collaborative, and you should have an empathetic editor who cares about you.

Let's make your writing Otterly amazing! 🦦✍️

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity
Day 31: Advice for new editors

My advice: Network/build a community, learn as much as you can about books & editing, and have patience. Don't give up!

It took me a long time (over a year) to get my first clients. Good things take time. You can do it!

#OttersEditing

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 29: Share a moment I felt supported by an editing community

As a newer editor, the editing community has been so welcoming and helpful. When I struggle to get clients or don't know what to do, many amazing editors are there for me.

Thank you! 💜

#OttersEditing

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 28: What stories align with my values?

Stories that center around humanity. They make me feel or think about something. They have themes of empathy and compassion.

I want to edit human stories. No generative AI/LLMs.

Human creativity matters! #OttersEditing

Editors Tea Club Community social media prompt list. Today is October 27th: What's one editing myth you'd love to bust?

No ghostbusting 👻 just mythbusting!

There's a myth that editors will change your voice or take over the story.

A good editor won't change your voice/story, but enhance it instead, with suggestions or simple but effective changes to the sentences.

#OttersEditing
#EditorsTeaClubCommunity
Day 27

I recently went on a YouTube interview show called the Indie Side meant to help showcase indie creatives!

It's a small show but I'd love if you checked it out or shared it!

There were some technical issues sadly so it's a little scuffed. #OttersEditing

youtu.be/GDLbHSYWtlQ?...

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity D25

What is my go-to snack or drink while editing?

Coffee! ☕ I don't usually eat while editing (distracting) but when I do it's dark chocolate 🍫

There's a clear theme here 😅 I'm an unmedicated ADHDer so I use a lot of daily caffeine to help me focus.

#OttersEditing

Editors Tea Club Community social media challenge prompt list. Today is October 24th: What's does being an editor mean to you?

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity D24

Being an editor means hope for a future I didn't think was possible 🥺

Being an editor means passing on that hope to my clients. Hope that their books, their dreams, will be written, polished, and published.

I'm here to help dreams come true!

#OttersEditing

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 22

I don't have a "pie in the sky" project I'd want to edit.

Because all projects I get to work on are my dream projects. I love editing your stories, books, and poems.

Simply having work, helping you, and paying back into the community is enough!

#OttersEditing

Editors Tea Club Community social media challenge prompt list. Today is October 21st: How do you recharge after a big project?

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 21

I like to recharge after finishing an editing project by taking a break away from editing, often away from reading.

Since I finished a big project yesterday, I spent time cooking, walking outside, and playing video games.

Also sleep. Lots of sleep.

#OttersEditing

I submitted my first editing project to the client today! 🎉🥺

It's done. The project is done! Three weeks of editing a few hours a day.

I'm so tired but so fulfilled. I love my job so much!

Now on to the next one. Cheers to more editing projects in the future!

#OttersEditing

There's a lot to do today for #OttersEditing so I'm awake early! (Read as I couldn't sleep)

Here's today's goals:
-Finish second pass for an editing project that's due today!
-Submit the project to client
-Post on socials for marketing
-Update spreadsheets
-Get started on a second editing project!

Editors Tea Club Community social media challenge prompt list. Today is October 18th: What is a story type or genre you'd like to edit more of?

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 18

I'd love to edit more sci-fi books or poetry!

While fantasy is still my favorite to edit, it's nice to mix it up.

#OttersEditing

The Editors Tea Club Community social media challenge prompt list. Today is October 17th: What do you wish more people understood about editing?

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 17

I wish more people understood the different types of editing and how important it is to go in order.

Dev editing > line editing > copyediting > proofreading.

Going out of order can be more expensive and time consuming.

#OttersEditing

I did it! I finished my first editing project for a client today!! 🥳🎉

An entire 300+ page book proofread.

Up until now, I've done only short stories and poetry, but I have edited my first full-length book as a freelancer!

#OttersEditing

Editors Tea Club Community social media challenge prompt list. Today is October 16: What is your favorite part of the editing process?

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 16

My favorite part of the editing process is the moment when I figure out how to take a sentence from "ok" to "great!"

It's an ah-ha moment that feels so good!

I love giving feedback to best help polish the writing and overall story. #OttersEditing

Editors Tea Club Community social media challenge prompt list. Today is October 14th: What is your favorite genre to edit?

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 14: My favorite genre to edit is fantasy! I'm currently working on two different fantasy editing projects!

Why? Because I love magic, dragons, spells, curses, monsters, etc!

✨ And editing is a kind of magic in itself! ✨

#OttersEditing

A screenshot of my profile at 1k followers and 1.1k posts!

I hit 1k followers!! 🎉🥳 I want to say a big thank you to all my mutuals in the indie author and freelance editing space. You guys are amazing! #OttersEditing

I wouldn't be here without all of you, genuinely 💜🫶

In celebration I'll do the 1 like = 1 fun fact about me, editing, or writing! 🧵 Below!

Otters Editing Booking! Available editing slots in November and December. To Book visit ottersediting.com or email me at stephmcollinwrites@gmail.com

Excited to announce my October is now full for editing clients!

I'm available in November and December if you have a publication date in early 2026.

#OttersEditing works with indie authors on fantasy, LGBTQ+, and sci-fi stories! I edit books, short stories, and poetry.

Editors Tea Club Community social media challenge prompt list! Today is October 12th: What is your editing superpower?

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 12: My editing superpower is empathy.

I know the countless hours of effort, emotion, love that goes into writing a book.

I know the struggles, pain, imposter syndrome.

That's why #OttersEditing provides support for the text and authors. Editing is collaborative. 🫂🤝

Editors Tea Club Community social media challenge prompt list. Today is October 11th: How do you stay organized?

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 11: Staying organized

I have trouble staying organized as an ADHDer, but I have a few systems that help.

Reminders, Color-Coding, Flexible To-Do lists, and File Organization with folders and subfolders.

#OttersEditing

Update on the goals:

✅ Poetry Post
✅Editing conference and socials
✅Marketing post

The rest will have to be completed soon/later! #OttersEditing

Failure A poem about failure and breaking down. TW: Depression/mental breakdown.

Have you ever felt like a failure? I have. I wrote this poem a few months ago, when I was really struggling in starting #OttersEditing

New poem on my website! TW: Depression and Mental Breakdown

storyotters.wordpress.com/2025/10/11/f...

Goals for today because I have a busy Saturday:

-Marketing Posts & Poetry post
-Editing for a client
-Going to an Editing conference & socials online in the morning
-Visit family in the afternoon
-Write Halloween short story

Some of this may not get done but AAA am I stressed. #OttersEditing

Editors Tea Club Community social media challenge prompt list. Today is October 10th: Share a tool or system that saves your sanity.

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity Day 10: A tool that saves my sanity.

Macros! I started using Macros to look up words in the dictionary and add words to a Style Sheet.

Macros are amazing tools that save editors lots of time. I'm excited to learn/use more of them in the future!

#OttersEditing