I’ve been at University College London today: working in the library, then handling ancient Egyptian objects in the Petrie Museum, then a quick trip to Shepherd’s Bush and virtual Machu Picchu, then more work and more Egyptology. Great day!

From eco worrier to eco warrior – how Judith Leary-Joyce embraced a new career as an eco-influencer and number-one author. With thanks to Judith for making the time to meet. www.suzannearnold.com/blog/becomin...

This #WorldBookDay, I reflect on how lucky I am to have grown up with books and to have somehow become a grown-up who pays the bills by reading. And as if that weren’t blessing enough, the sun’s out and I can work outside today – bliss. 🌞📚 #AmEditing #FreelanceLife @worldbookdayuk.bsky.social

The Publishers Association has urged the government in a new AI report to rule out a copyright exception for AI to allow publishing to help the UK become an 'AI content superpower' 👇 #BookSky

Interesting piece on writing while the world feels so scary. @booklife.bsky.social booklife.com/authors/03/0...

I'm doing a writing class, to help me with developmental/structural editing. A couple of days ago, this assignment I'm working on was 'in good shape' (I thought/hoped). Now, I seem to be sneezing suspect similes all over the page while simultaneously not actually knowing any words. Oh dear.

Had a great mix of work in February, and some time off with my parents. March is busy but just as varied: Egyptology, thought leadership, annual reports, even a cookbook. Bring it on! #AmEditing #FreelanceLife

ICYMI: A number of literary agencies are adding amendments to their submission guidelines urging authors not to use AI in their submissions, as signs of its use become more prevalent 👇 #BookSky

I know this isn't funny, but 😂 There's been quite a bit of this lately, and I really don't know how they don't see it.

But not as hurtful as having to use software that's less efficient now than it was a year ago because we keep having to click to tell it we don't want AI to do anything. When you have actual useful tools, great, I'm here for them. But in the meantime, stop making my work take longer!

Great, thanks, HMRC. That'll help me work my way through the list. So glad I clicked on the option not to delete my answers... #FreelanceLife

Editing outside for the first time in 2026 🌞🎉 #AmEditing

Difficult but important read.

Excellent start to the weekend with @drnickynielsen.bsky.social and the Friends of the Petrie Museum. Fantastic lecture. Sorry not to be there in person but very glad we logged in online.

I missed this last week. Another good excuse to carry on reading. (Yes, I know it’s a serious topic. But it’s also good news.)

It’s harder to judge clearly and assess information when your mental health is suffering, and tiredness or overwhelm don’t help. Good to see this being discussed.

Today’s post – so true 🎉 @worldbookdayuk.bsky.social

'When it comes to reckoning with "the things that most need to be reckoned with", it is non-fiction books which, above all other media, are helping us do so.' (Warning: the article refers to high-profile crimes against women) @thebookseller.com www.thebookseller.com/comment/non-...

I went to this event a couple of years ago and can strongly recommend it for anyone interested in indexes.

The rain stopped for a few hours so I went out to play this morning 😍 #StetWalk

'In a challenging market, publishing non-fiction that is rigorously researched and credible is key to ensuring that readers do not “lose trust” in books and print media... There is an enduring “societal respect for books” and books remain at the apex of the “hierarchy” of information.'

I recently worked on a business book that uses fiction to illustrate the principles it describes. This blog post explains why I loved it. www.suzannearnold.com/blog/storyte...

I always enjoy looking back at what I've done over the past month. And what a month January was! I can now say I've proofread Charles Dickens 🎉

Yesterday, we launched Brave New World? a ground-breaking report about the impact of Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). This major new study has been published in partnership with other creator-led organisations. buff.ly/vIuLqfn

Colour me amazed.

Also, I’d forgotten about this amazing clock in Paddington (London). #StetWalk

I had breakfast with an influencer today! Bit of a change for introverted me. This is Judith, Instagran who went viral a couple of years ago and now chats to the UK government about climate change. And writes great books. Such a treat to meet in person!

Delighted to receive this thoughtful recommendation on LinkedIn 🎉

Really really hope they give enough space to the seminars – or finally let us have a virtual ticket to listen to seminars. I used to love the LBF seminars but didn't go last year because of how crammed it's got and the unlikelihood of getting into the seminars you're there to hear. 🤞🏻

Hey, Adobe, you know what would save me time? Not having to click to get rid of this pop-up every damn time I open a file. Okay, rant over. #AmProofreading

My mum has got into bookbinding over the past couple of years, so I’m now trying to reconcile the idea of ‘trendy’ with my wonderful mum 🥰

I've just done the first class of a course I'm starting. This is not how I'd visualised meeting my tutor and co-students 😹 😻

Ending the week with this delightfully self-deprecating testimonial from an author whose writing was already in great shape and most definitely already read like a real book. An interesting book and James made the process smooth and enjoyable. Comments like this absolutely made my day, too!

Interesting thoughts on the intersection between business decisions and fear. @thebookseller.com www.thebookseller.com/comment/we-d...

Great suggestions for any academic or non-fiction writing.

Interesting consideration of how generative AI may affect academic citations.

I’m now proofreading some text about Giza and trying to imagine myself away from a grey and rainy England to warmer climes 🌞 (This pic was November 2018.)

Fun things editors ponder... to do the plural as 'fallings-out' or 'falling-outs'? This is what Google Ngram has to say about the use in British English. I'd love to know how that red line has changed since 2022 (which is as recent as Ngram goes). #AmEditing

Lunchtime listening: @ucstonecenter.bsky.social session on editing and AI from last month, with @nadiageageapupa.bsky.social, @ebrenner.bsky.social and others. Great discussion not just about what generative AI can and can’t do editorially, but also other uses and transparency and ethics.

Important reminder that generative AI isn’t always accurate.

Friday afternoon listening: a session on developmental editing from September's @the-ciep.bsky.social conference. This session focused on fiction, but many principles apply to non-fiction, too, so I have many helpful notes. Thank you all! @aimeewalker.bsky.social @sacalfee.bsky.social

Now this type of smart glasses I *would* be interested in, if they were reliable. Varifocals are great for many things, but I'd love to be able to go back to not needing either to move my head or to swap to reading glasses to have both the top and the bottom of a page in focus 👀

I semi-accidentally signed up for an event for primary school children and I had a blast! Katherine Rundell was at the @britishlibrary.bsky.social talking about creating fantasy worlds to explore issues such as love and fear. An excellent hour – so high-energy and inspiring.

Archaeologists discover signs of Roman industrial hub at site in Sunderland

In an industry in constant flux, sticking your neck out to predict what’s coming next may seem reckless. But for the last few years we’ve done just that—and we’re doing it again.  Here are MIT Technology Review's five big AI bets for the next 12 months: www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/05/1...

Interesting round-up and predictions from MIT Technology Review on generative AI in 2026.

I’m easing in to 2026. Not back at work yet, and started this morning in the frost at Bushy Park. Lucky timing with this swan! #Stetwalk

WeTransfer has sent me a 2025 recap. I'm loving this bit: what it would have taken to transfer the year's WeTransfer projects by other means... Of course, this can't include all the files sent by other means, but it's still fun.

May you glide serenely through 2026. But life isn’t a meme and there are bound to be difficulties as well as highs. Remember that everyone is frantically paddling away below the surface, even if they don’t show it – even the swan. Happy New Year.

The last sunset of 2025. Happy New Year! #StetWalk