Learn. connect. engage.
On Our Discord
All of our events and programming happen on our discord. We host various channels based on your interest. From writing advice to beta exchanges to self-promotion. Sometimes we have guests—writers, editors and bloggers—who come on the discord to teach classes, lead book discussions, and host networking sessions. We also have a whole channel called the Word Nerd Cafe dedicated to our Editor in Residence, Justine Manzano who is available for questions on story structure, querying, and general writing discussions.
Feel free to join our Discord Server or check out our Calendar of Events. We take pride in providing a safe space for all community members. No discrimination or harassment will be tolerated. Please read and understand our Code of Conduct before participating.
Meet Our Editors in Residence
Justine Manzano
I’m primarily a lover of stories, dedicated to helping writers hone their craft. I’ve worked as an acquisitions editor, content editor, and line editor at small publishing companies and in the corporate sector, helping people grammar it up in their legal briefs.
I co-founded The Inkwell Council, an editing trio that ran a monthly lottery and provided the winner with a free three chapter edit. I continued that tradition when The Council merged with CraftQuest, because I loved the idea of providing low-cost assistance to new writers. It’s for that same reason that I’ve signed up to work with WriteHiveLite.
As an editor, I will spend equal time pointing out where you can improve and fangirling over your work. I enjoy a more lax, comfortable relationship with people I edit. Imagine buddies, talking writing in their PJs. That’s my style.
Find Justine on Twitter or check our her website for info on her novels and editorial services.
Hannah Kates
Ever since being shanghaied into the secret society printing contraband pulp magazines from nineteenth-century catacombs, Hannah Kates has sworn to use her editing powers for chaotic good. As a ghostwriter, editor, story-seller, and traveling troubadour, she’s penned work everywhere from the strategic offices of the Pentagon to the haunted streets of Savannah—which are crooked due to all the rotting dead people.
With ten years of professional editing under her belt in both the traditional and indie spheres, Hannah provides bespoke, mentor-based editing services to writers in all walks of life—many of whom are now agented, published, and/or winning kickass awards. She encourages her authors to prends garde of their mental health and focus on processes rather than products.
Hannah loves editing because she knows a dirty little secret: Publishing is merely a matter of time. The real key is to keep falling in love with storycraft.
Meet Our Indie Professional in Residence
M. Dalto
M. Dalto is a bestselling Young Adult and New Adult author of adventurous romantic fantasy stories. Two Thousand Years, her debut novel from The Parliament House, was one of Wattpad’s 2016 Watty Award winners for excellence in digital storytelling. She has since released its two sequel novels and and three companion novellas, with its final installment arriving in November 2021.
She was recruited to participate in Wattpad Paid Stories program for serialized authors in March 2019 and has since been invited into the Wattpad Stars program. She continues to spend her time as both as a freelance editor and as a mentor, where she hopes to engage, assist, and inspire new writers through their literary journey.
Working as a full-time real estate paralegal, she leaves her evenings to pursue her own writing agenda. When she’s not typing furiously at her computer, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing video games, and drinking coffee. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband, their daughter, and their corgi named Loki.
Book Nook
Looking for a place to enthuse and celebrate your favorite books? Look no further than the Book Nook! Hosted by our two magnificent Bloggers-in-Residence, Kriti and Arina, the Book Nook is a channel where you can love on all things literary. They host monthly genre-themed get togethers and readings. Bring your book and hang out with others who love books just as much as you do!
Meet Our bloggers in Residence
Kriti Khari
Books have always played a pivotal role in my life. When I learned about the book blogging profession, I could not help joining the community! For the first time in my life, I had people I could talk to wholeheartedly about books. Book blogging gave me a new reason to read and write—to connect with authors and to connect them with other people—readers like you.
Thank you for accompanying me in this journey.
Feel free to take a look around and connect with me on various social media. I love talking to my readers and would be happy to have a chat, anytime! Bonus points if you have a kitty or a puppy. I have done much reading thanks to Fiona settling by my feet.
Check out Kriti’s blog, Armed with a Book or find her on Twitter!
Arina
Arina first discovered stories through her grandparents, who would regale her with tales of misbehaving kangaroos and gentle untailed monkeys, igniting a spark that would spread the wildfire of her love for books.
Currently, she mostly braves the wild worlds of SFF but is actually a sucker for any great journey no matter its realm.
Check out Arina’s blog, The Paperback Voyager or find them on Twitter!
art gallery
The art gallery is all about, well, art, of course. But not just watercolors or digital art, but the art of cover design and illustration. Come hang out in the art gallery to share your art work, hang out with other artists, and discuss art theory and techniques. If you’re looking for an all-encompassing art community, the WH Art Gallery is your space!
Meet Our Artist in Residence
Antoinette Van Sluytman
My journey in learning the craft of writing first began by handwriting novels at age eleven and reading multiple books at the same time in almost every genre I could get my hands on. A habit I’ve carried with me through my freshman year in college. That being said I am a proud self-taught writer, but it was a very specific Toni Morrison quote and the first time I noticed the lack of diverse fiction books on shelves that first motivated me to brave the next step towards dedicating my life to writing the books I always wanted to read. Which is why I am now here.
I am a creative writer, fine artist, and the co-owner of Broken Chalice Studios, a multimedia studio that promotes diversity and empowerment through graphic novels, writing, and film. I’ve also written poetry and short stories, my short stories being mostly fantasy based and my poetry tackling social issues and empowerment in the black community, which have been published in the City Works Journal spring 2021 issue, featured at the 55th SDLB annual Local Author Showcase, and gone on to win a few awards, like the Scholastic Art & Writing award. I also write graphic novels and won the #RevPit art contest, as well as volunteer as an Outreach volunteer, Moderator, Diversity Ally, and Artist Professional in Residence at the writing convention nonprofit, WriteHive.
