On Aug. 5, 2026, we hosted a #StetChat about worldbuilding. Worldbuilding is the process of constructing an imaginary world or setting and developing that world with coherent qualities like history, geography, culture, ecology, technology, language. (“Imaginary” in the sense that it’s the author’s version of that world, even if it’s historical or contemporary.)
As editors, we aren’t constructing the world—that’s the author’s job!—but we often help assess aspects of their worldbuilding at various levels of editing. In this #StetChat, we explored how we can assess if worldbuilding is working and help authors strengthen it.
Please be patient while this blog post page loads—it contains lots of embedded Bluesky links.
In this blog post, we’ve rounded up the questions we posed and some of the best answers from our #StetChat about worldbuilding.
There were too many answers to include them all! And some people’s privacy settings mean we can’t link to their posts because their posts are only visible to logged-in users.
Click on the Bluesky links below to read the full threads and posts from #StetChat over on Bluesky.
#StetChat Worldbuilding Recap
Click through this Bluesky post to see editors introducing themselves!
StetChatters, please introduce yourself. Remember to use the hashtag #StetChat for all your answers today. #StetChatAnd remember, if you miss a question, you can see all the questions under the Media tab on our profile.
— #StetChat (@stetchat.com) 2026-08-05T20:01:50.406Z
1. What’s an example of immersive worldbuilding in a book, movie, TV show, or game that enthralled you?
A1: The Monk & Robot series by Becky Chambers; The Lady Astronaut series by Mary Robinette Kowal; Animal Crossing (especially the cultural elements). #StetChat
— Barbie Halaby (@monocleediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:09:38.166Z
A1: The Expanse, Stardew Valley, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, The Legend of Zelda games, Martha Wells’s Murderbot Diaries, The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin, Star Trek (DS9 esp.), the Discworld series, the Elder Scrolls series, and more #StetChat
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:05:05.098Z
#StetChat A1I could list sooo many but I'll stick to a fewTV: The Owl House, Avatar the Last Airbender (animated)Books: Immortal Dark, Legenborn, Bones at the Crossroads, Broken Earth Triology
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-08-05T20:07:37.774Z
#StetChat | #Cyberpunk2077! And it's hard to pick one thing! From gang lore to environmental issues (for example, seeing any animal outside of roaches was RARE▬no pigeons, no squirrels, etc.), there are so many little details CDPR thought of that expertly matched with the story of the game.
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:13:26.195Z
Q1: There are so many book worlds that I feel like I’ve never left—including The Hunger Games, The Skinjacker Trilogy, the Catastrophe Incoming series, Sir Callie, and a ton more!I love when a story expands not just the present but into the past. Like the layers of history seen throughout THG.
— Robin LeeAnn 🐉🖊️📚 SFF Editor (@dragonediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:19:14.478Z
#StetChat A1Ah, yes, the question that makes me forget every single piece of media I've ever consumed 🤣The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers is an absolute gem in general, and the worldbuilding is rich, with science fiction tech and space travel, different species, and different cultures.
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:27:13.896Z
Too many to mention- Game of Thrones- The Expanse- Star Trek
— Saesnes (@saesnes.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:01:12.264Z
A1: I could list so many! The Lord of the Rings introduced me to fantasy and worldbuilding and remains my favorite example of worldbuilding and my biggest inspiration. #StetChat
— Amaris (@amarisfarr.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:12:14.001Z
A1. What first came to mind was Westworld and Mouse Guard—but I’m also just suchhhh a sucker for fictional worlds, complicated or not, like Dragonlance, Verda, Binti series, Ōoku, AoT, many paranormal/sci-fi romance universes, and dark fantasy RPGs. Plus LOTR, obviously 😉 #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:17:13.621Z
Naruto! I love different ages, skill levels, and regions contribute to character relationships. Worldbuilding decisions really point the reader philosophically as we wonder why characters make certain decisions. #StetChat
— Joel Tillman (@jtillman.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:18:32.623Z
Q1: Lord of the Rings is my favorite worldbuilding example. For me, it's the gold standard. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:06:23.824Z
A1. During my vacation with my bestie to Las Vegas earlier this year, I might have had a few drinks and complained about inconsistencies in “Dragon Ball Z.” #StetChat
— Rhiannon (@rhiannonroot.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:22:16.306Z
I love the worldbuilding in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials book series. There's something about it that feels so classically fantasy with the English boarding school vibe but also the big, grand adventure across different landscapes like the Arctic, mountains, etc. #StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T20:07:37.801Z
2. What are some in-book elements, sections, or signifiers that you encourage authors to use to help readers understand the world? Think: maps, glossaries, character lists, charts/diagrams.
A2: Big fan of maps if the world is large or characters are traveling. Character lists, sometimes, but as a reader, I tend to skim them and wind up going back & forth. Better to introduce characters well & w/context if possible & remind reader of relationships from time to time, imo. #StetChat
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:16:41.514Z
A2: Maps are always great to have. I actually think a lot of other elements, like character lists, can be intimidating and unhelpful. I'll skim a character list but I never remember who anyone is because I don't have context for them yet. Better to meet them as I go! #StetChat
— Amaris (@amarisfarr.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:19:41.149Z
A2: As a reader, glosseries can be fun, though again, I usually forget they are there until I get to the end of the book. But usually, these days, if I run into a word I don't know, I look it up on my phone. Never asked a writer to add one to a book, fwiw. #StetChat
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:30:23.252Z
A2. Being aware of the level of technology as society has and the language around it is important. For example, “automatic” wouldn’t make sense in a preindustrial environment. #StetChat
— Rhiannon (@rhiannonroot.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:20:11.755Z
A2: If the characters are going on a journey, include a map. If we're dealing with big, multigenerational drama, give us family trees. Glossaries are also fun and helpful if we're dealing with a new language. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:13:29.416Z
A2. I like the simplicity of a date or place stamp at the beginning of a chapter/section (if/when it makes sense). For some stories, times/days/places shift in ways that can be clunky to explain, so this can function as a seamless note to help readers dive in between shifting POVs/times. #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:23:00.969Z
A2: Love a good map! When I'm editing, I often ask the author if they can draw me a map so I can follow along and make sure the logistics of their story make sense—travel times are consistent and make sense in the world. #StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T20:17:21.678Z
#StetChat A2I love maps and glossaries! They help me keep track as both a reader and a writer. Less of a fan of charts and diagrams (my brain is bad with those personally) but I can see why they can be helpful to others!
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-08-05T20:12:17.472Z
A2: I adore a good map in a book. Spatially, they help me wrap my head around the relationships and distances between places, not to mention the topography and borders. #StetChat
— Barbie Halaby (@monocleediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:12:40.683Z
A2: I love a good chart in a TTRPG. Often, a chart is the perfect thing when laying out currency, weapon types, character abilities, magical items, etc. What’s great about a chart is that it serves as an easy reference point for players to refer to when playing. #StetChat
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:13:01.570Z
I think I'm with many others here in that I love a good map. A great detailed map can tell a lot about not only the country but the surrounding world and how everything coexists together. #StetChat
— Robin LeeAnn 🐉🖊️📚 SFF Editor (@dragonediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:24:58.971Z
#StetChat A2I don't I typically suggest any of this. I'm always happy to see maps, and glossaries can be useful, but it's up to the author to include them if they want to. Thing is, readers may skip these kinds of sections, so I don't like encouraging the author to rely too much on them. 1/3
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:43:05.184Z
3. If you’ve worked with maps in a project you’ve edited, what issues have you run into with them? What makes a map good?
A3: I think a good map should be fairly simple. If there's too many places shown, especially if they aren't relevant to the story, it can be difficult for readers to orient themselves. UNLESS the map is there more for vibes, in which case it should be full of mystery and whimsy! #StetChat
— Amaris (@amarisfarr.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:26:09.100Z
A3: Scale matters for maps. Digital quality makes a huge difference, and paying a graphic designer to turn a sketch into a clear map is a great investment. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:23:38.620Z
This! Having a clear map drawn by a designer/artist is so helpful! Don't want the readers spending time trying to understand what's on the page.
— Robin LeeAnn 🐉🖊️📚 SFF Editor (@dragonediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:29:08.109Z
A3: For nonfiction and fiction, I use Google maps a lot to look up stuff like:—How long is the drive between Nashville and Knoxville?—What does the outside of this church look like?—Can the character actually walk between this convention center and the police station in 15 minutes?#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T20:30:31.013Z
A3: With maps, I've run into stuff like the book says the characters walked home after this quest….but the quest is on the mainland and their guild house is on an island.Also, the MS will say a place is to the west when it's actually to the east, stuff like that! #StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T20:21:52.569Z
A3. I’ve worked on some projects where a story is growing on a map created by another AU/book, so making sure my AU's location references are consistent (e.g., CityA is always "east" of FlowingRiver). Plus making sure map logic matches story logic—are they walking THAT far in 2 days? #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:28:27.386Z
#StetChat A3Inconsistencies can make their way into maps just as much as they can be present in the text.A good map is easily readable and understandable. Maps can also be fantastic marketing tools, so making them pretty (but still readable!) is important too.
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:45:45.025Z
Q3: Great maps have the most important/most discussed places visible. They also have clear ways to show how the formation changes—where the mountains start, where the rivers round about, etc. The scale of how long it should take to get to one place to the next should also be clear. #StetChat
— Robin LeeAnn 🐉🖊️📚 SFF Editor (@dragonediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:37:09.273Z
#StetChat | Literally, just basic legibility can be a problem! 😀 I can't tell you how many maps I've come across in books that are swallowed by the gutter or have text that you can't read because it's on top of some area that's colored in the same hue / shade of gray as the copy.
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:26:22.140Z
A3a: When I work on a game that discusses a lot of locations but doesn’t provide a map, I’ll often sketch one out to refer to as I work to ensure consistency (you’d be surprised at how often a city swaps from east to west). So, when the creator has a map ready to go, I’m thrilled. 1/2 #StetChat
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:23:33.413Z
4. What are some common mistakes that authors make with worldbuilding? For example: problematic elements, cultural appropriation, clichés, anachronisms, infodumping.
A4: having all information be a "neutral observation," rather than having it be colored by the perspective of the one recounting the information. I want to hear about the world, but it's so much better if it also tells me about the character.
— Ale (@aleebrija.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:49:47.667Z
Q4: Infodumping comes up a lot. I tell authors that readers need the base knowledge of what's going on up front when a new concept is introduced—but not everything. It's better to slowly give the readers another piece of the puzzle throughout the whole story rather than all up front. #StetChat
— Robin LeeAnn 🐉🖊️📚 SFF Editor (@dragonediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:47:21.960Z
With fantasy especially, stereotypes and problematic tropes can pop up.@mollyrookwood.bsky.social has a great article about on antisemitism in fiction and fantasy, for instance:www.rookwoodediting.com/post/antisem… #StetChat #fictionediting
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T20:53:10.807Z
A4a: You can include references to other cultures, but you need to do your research first. Skimming a Wikipedia article isn’t enough, especially if you hope to depict a culture that is frequently exoticized or othered. Your best bet is to hire a sensitivity editor from that culture. 1/3 #StetChat
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:31:03.037Z
#StetChat | I mostly run into situations where they forget the rules they made. LOL! If every being can fly, they'll have somebody stuck at the bottom of an open grave or some such!
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:34:11.581Z
#StetChat A4Always get an authenticity reader/editor to work with if you are writing about cultures you are not a part of. Infodumping is also really common. Worldbuilding is done over chapters, not all in one. Outlining scenes and what's important to introduce per scene can help.
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-08-05T20:36:04.771Z
A4: I'm personally a sucker for a good infodump so I've trained myself to look at them critically. I've seen cliches and stereotypes, sometimes about stuff I know well, so I tend to look closely at details. Often it's well-intentioned, just ignorant or due to limited research.#StetChat
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:40:43.003Z
A4. What came to mind was busting the myth of “not reading XYZ helps my work stay more original." First ofc, originality isn’t everything. But ALSO, Your Clever Element may have been done! Which is 100% fine, but YOU should probably know before you publish (because your readers will!!) #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:43:28.029Z
A4. [cont.] Write what you want! But know: Great minds think alike, often, so read read read so you can learn and grow with each other. #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:44:10.428Z
A4: Not thinking through the implications of their choices. It's easy to get caught up in the fun and not think about the consequences of some of your choices. #StetChat
— Amaris (@amarisfarr.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:44:05.357Z
A4: I often see authors infodumping, aka dropping a huge chunk of info about the world, the character's backstory, or even physical descriptions, rather than weaving these details into the narrative more naturally. It's all about balance! #StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T20:35:38.155Z
A4: I often tell authors: We don’t need to know everything about the world right away all at once. Tell us what’s interesting in the present moment, what details gives us an insight into the way a character thinks or feels, or things that will be relevant later in the story. #StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T20:37:58.917Z
#StetChat A4All of the above? 😅 (well, below, technically)Problematic elements are something I especially look out for in the developmental stage. Another big one is problems with logic or consistency (love diving into that!)On the dev and line level, infodumping is a really common issue.
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:58:07.120Z
5. When working with your clients, how do you suggest balancing complex information/explanations with trusting the reader? How does this show up in the type of material you work on?
Recently my class read A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury, and we talked about how the author provided just enough information for a reader to follow along. This is crucial in sci-fi! Making relatable comparisons, e.g., a hunting safari, shares a lot of implicit nuance. #StetChat
— Joel Tillman (@jtillman.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:45:11.342Z
A5. With my AUs, we circle back a lot to audience—who/when/where, and what kind of experience they want their readers to have. For example: Keeping this block of very dense and intricate prose may not be every reader’s jam, but is exactly what a fan of your specific subgenre would want. #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:49:56.237Z
A5: the answer to this differs with every project. Sometimes I have to tell a writer that the thing they clearly adore & know backwards & forwards is something most people will not know much of anything about.1/
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:48:47.229Z
and if they don't clarify at least some broad elements, readers aren't going to feel engaged. I worked on an historical once where a character name-dropped (real) famous people. Great if you knew who they were, completely befuddling if you didn't. So in that case, I asked for context.#StetChat
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:48:47.230Z
#StetChat A5Trusting the reader is important (so long as enough information is provided so they can infer the rest). Not only does this avoid infodumping, it also avoids a big pitfall: making the reader feel like they're taken by the hand as if they're not capable enough. 1/2
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:05:14.392Z
Q5: A lot of repetition.If a character/concept hasn't been seen on the page for a while (100+ pages), it's good to provide some context again. But there are times when a character/concept would be reintroduced every single chapter.Trust the readers to remember, to make the connections. #StetChat
— Robin LeeAnn 🐉🖊️📚 SFF Editor (@dragonediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:58:32.761Z
#StetChat A5A lot of what I work on in terms of trusting the readers is authors explaining things multiple times (repetition). Generally, only need to explain something once. Twice maybe if the repetition is for emphasis, but anything more can get annoying for readers.
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-08-05T20:45:01.574Z
#StetChat | I've come across quite a few writers who are heavy handed when it comes to repetition, almost as if they think the reader forgot what they wrote three pages ago. I get that reminders about the world can be helpful, but I encourage varying how those reminders are delivered.
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:43:09.675Z
A5a: I’m going to talk about games here. When it comes to mechanics, you don’t want to leave it to readers/players to figure it out. Rules need to be clear, if only to prevent fights at the table over what happens if moonbeam is cast in a three-story building. 1/2 #StetChat
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:40:50.429Z
6. Consistency is a key part of worldbuilding. How do you track consistency in the manuscript you’re editing, like character details, timelines, units of measurement (time, currencies, distance), magical systems, and advanced technologies?
A6: Detailed character lists, timelines, and style sheets are crucial for consistency within a manuscript and a series. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:48:41.625Z
A6: *nodding along with others*style sheets! timelines! additional notes as needed! also I ask the author what they have/use. often that's very helpful. #StetChat
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:52:03.146Z
A6. For something like line/copyediting, all significant notes go on the style sheet! But for a DE project, that could go in an author’s story guide/story bible of their own design *or* I like to suggest a specific outline format that tracks these elements from chapter-to-chapter. #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:56:12.849Z
A6: Gotta make good use of that style sheet! I use Excel and have a page for every aspect that's relevant to the manuscript. #StetChat
— Amaris (@amarisfarr.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:54:32.743Z
A6: Style sheets all the way! I track a lot of worldbuilding details in my style sheet, including character descriptions and backstory, descriptions of places in the book, even fun stuff like vampire clans' special abilities!carolinavonkampen.com/style-sheet/ #StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T20:49:52.891Z
I’m not always perfect at this. Usually I have a world doc that describes the world, systems, and characters, but doesn’t necessarily include the actual story and/or story elements. Usually I manage, but I did accidentally have a character in a cryopod and awake at the same time. Betas didn’t notice
— Brian J. Watt (@brian-j-watt.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:35:55.584Z
#StetChat A6Style sheets. Also, the search function! Sometimes you forgot to take note of an element, or you didn't think it would be important/reoccur, so the search function can help find the previous passage where the info was mentioned.
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:17:46.440Z
Q6: Style sheets all the way!I have whole sections dedicated to characters (their age, their descriptions, their past, their pronouns, etc.) and to worldbuilding (types of creatures, currency, maps, etc.). They're really important for consistency, especially within series! #StetChat
— Robin LeeAnn 🐉🖊️📚 SFF Editor (@dragonediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:00:54.020Z
#StetChat A6I know this StetChat is coming up so Style Sheets!! I love them!As an author, I also highly recommend all authors have a book bible. You can send your book bible to your editor even!
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-08-05T20:47:56.566Z
A6a: Styles sheets, baby! Big honking style sheets! I will often dedicate parts of the sheet to measuring things like spells, units of measurement, character traits, NPCs (nonplayer characters), location names, and more. 1/2 #StetChat
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:48:16.327Z
#StetChat | Tracking tables. My manuscript evaluations always include tables. One of my most recent additions to this service (especially for my sci-fi and fantasy folks) is name tracking. For whatever reason, I run into people who favor an initial letter.
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:49:46.931Z
7. In her blog post “Immersive Worldbuilding Through Copyediting,” Kristy S. Gilbert (Looseleaf Editorial) says: “Copyediting choices like capitalization, italics, and more can support your epic worldbuilding or undermine it and keep your reader at arm’s length.” How do you approach stylistic and grammatical worldbuilding decisions like capitalization, italics, spelling, etc.?
A7: always in partnership with the author. sometimes not until line-editing.sometimes they haven't realized they were inconsistent in capitalization or punctuation (is there an inserted apostrophe to indicate a pronunciation thing, or isn't there?)#StetChat
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:56:24.644Z
A7: I try to let the author's choices lead the way as much as possible, especially when it comes to terms they've made up themselves or are using in a specific way for their story. It's their story after all! But I'll give a nudge when needed in order to preserve clarity and consistency. #StetChat
— Amaris (@amarisfarr.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:58:50.242Z
#StetChat A7Consistency is key! And clarity (for grammatical worldbuilding especially). As for italics, I would advise against overuse. And also, all these decisions need to make sense with the world and the context (different categories of people may not use the same terms or grammar, for example)
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:26:27.952Z
A7: A lot of game creators, especially if they are using bespoke rules systems, capitalize a lot of nouns. Like So Many Nouns! It’s hard to read text that has been overly styled. I urge them to avoid this, by picking and choosing which nouns to capitalize, put in italics, underline, etc. #StetChat
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:54:13.614Z
I really strongly recommend folks just follow standard capitalization rules. A bunch of stuff got oddly capitalized in Arkham Horror, and for years while working on expansions I had to try and remember if this word or that word was supposed to be capitalized or not. 0/10 – would not recommend.
— Kevin Wilson (@kevinwilson42.bsky.social) 2026-08-06T18:12:26.433Z
Q7: I agree with others to not capitalize/italicize every new word that belongs to your world. That can make the story harder to read.I treat it as we would in English—keeping it consistent. Proper nouns and titles used to address someone are capitalized, but most others are lowercased. #StetChat
— Robin LeeAnn 🐉🖊️📚 SFF Editor (@dragonediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:06:01.443Z
#StetChat | I usually support whatever is going to make the story more immersive, but still clear and easy to read. A recent evaluation included two twin characters with identical-sounding names and slightly different spellings. For example, Sendy and Cindi. I warned against this.
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:56:52.038Z
#StetChat A7This depends!Sometimes there are references to real places and proper nouns (capitalized). Same with titles that might need to be in italics. But for fictional words (made up) or alternative spellings, that's all up to the author. I just let them know to be consistent!
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-08-05T20:53:49.568Z
Q7: Keep it reasonable. Apply appropriate conventions, like capping the initial letter of a proper name, but please don't cap Every Important Thing. That'll get very old for readers, very quickly. Same thing for italics; a little goes a long way. The goal is always clarity and connection. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:55:30.806Z
A7. Capitalizing Some In-World Terms Can Definitely Be Useful But Not Too Much!! (lol) Also, I tend to suggest against italics when not used for emphasis. As it's more normalized for non-English words to be romanized, I try to advocate for the same thing for immersion in fictional worlds. #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:59:53.229Z
A7. cont. (With the caveat that I do see where italicization can be useful to ensure reader comprehension that a different language is a language and not a typo—but I think more often this can be more smoothly relayed by adjusting how the text/info is presented. #StetChat)
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:01:02.569Z
8. What resources do you recommend for editors who want to learn how to guide writers through worldbuilding? Or for writers who want more resources on worldbuilding?
A8: Really great blog post about the 4 Cs of worldbuilding by @mdpresley.bsky.social: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2021/04/the-… #StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T21:00:25.630Z
A8: Other resources on worldbuilding!www.clubedfreelancers.com/category/edi…anitamumm.com/an-editors-t… racheljrowlands.com/2022/10/24/w… www.marykole.com/worldbuilding #StetChat #amediting #fictionediting
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-08-05T21:01:05.362Z
A8: Follow HelloFutureMe on YouTube! Tim Hickson has a huge catalog of excellent videos on worldbuilding that go beyond the basic elements. He's also adapted these videos into books for easier referencing. #Stetchat
— Amaris (@amarisfarr.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:05:58.541Z
A8. Jeff VanderMeer’s Wonderbook is great, The Ultimate RPG Master’s Worldbuilding Guide, and there’s a craft book I can’t remember with a dragon on it that I liked (I know this description does not help at all 🫠). Reading other books in the genre to feel out what elements mattered most. #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:09:52.505Z
I agree, watching fantasy and sci-fi movies and TV shows and reading speculative fiction has helped me out so much as an editor. #StetChat
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:11:08.535Z
#StetChat A8The EFA has a recuring scifi and fantasy editing course which I found extremely valuable for helping authors with worldbuilding and other genre specifics.
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T21:29:23.784Z
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