Sofia | Editor of Greek Myth &amp; Culture works

Hello #BookSky & #WritingCommunity! I’m an editor specializing in #MythRetelling, and #HistFic on Greek culture. I help writers navigate cultural nuances and level up their stories! Whether you write epic #FantasySky, cozy #MythicFiction, #YA, #comics, or #scripts, let's connect!

Day 7 of What Writers of Greek Myth Retellings Do Wrong: Relying on other Greek Myth retellings for information 🧵 #GreekMythology #WritingCommunity #MythRetelling #Greece #BookSky #Writers

They may be lovely to read, but they often change personalities, relationships, beliefs, and even major events. Other times, they mix Greek with later Roman accounts. On top of that, there are no Author Notes to tell you what the sources where, and what has been changed.

This non-questioning culture has been cultivated for decades - even centuries, depending on how one sees it - leading to the readers not realizing there is more depth to the history and the figures - heroes, gods, notable humans - they read about. So please, don't confuse fun reads for sources!

Day 7 of What Writers of Greek Myth Retellings Do Wrong: Relying on other Greek Myth retellings for information 🧵 #GreekMythology #WritingCommunity #MythRetelling #Greece #BookSky #Writers

Books like the Percy Jackson series or popular “feminist” retellings (quotes, because they rarely are feminist) are creative, and usually very inaccurate, reinterpretations.

Thank you for reading 💙 I have lots of material coming!

Esker Park@esker.bsky.social

Thanks so much for doing this series!

Day 6 of What Writers of #GreekMyth #Retellings Do Wrong: Using Greek words for the Aesthetic 🧵

(2/3) Even Greeks will have to research it! Do you think we have all the types of ancient vessels memorized? We simply won’t bother pausing our reading to search, and the visual the author wanted to present will be lost.

(3/3) Also, that would be a visual that the writer also had to research for, so I don’t know how they expect everyone else to simply know the word. 👀 #GreekMythology #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #MythRetelling #BookSky

Day 6 of What Writers of #GreekMyth #Retellings Do Wrong: Using Greek words for the Aesthetic 🧵

(1/3) I appreciate everyone’s dedication to learning Greek words. But you don’t need the ancient Greek word for “bowl.” It’s a bowl. Readers will survive without this information. You can use the word “lekythos” to differentiate a vessel from a “kantharos”. But, I beg you, show what it is!

Day 5 of What Writers of #GreekMyth #Retellings Do Wrong: Inventing dysfunctional nicknames and diminutive. 🧵

For this reason, no Greek speaker has ever called Persephone “Perse” or Odysseus “Ody.” That’s the equivalent of an English speaker calling their daughter Gif from “gift,” or “Dre” from “dream.”

While more modern versions of Greek have diminutives, they follow their own linguistic patterns, not English ones. If your character’s names are too convenient for English speakers, something probably needs to change. #GreekMythology #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #MythRetelling #BookSky

Day 5 of What Writers of #GreekMyth #Retellings Do Wrong: Inventing dysfunctional nicknames and diminutive. 🧵

First things first: Greek names aren’t “too long.” They are our names. And if you cut them a certain way, you split their meaning too.

Yes, mine as well! I'll make a separate post about it, because I think it deserve some space. Not all names follow Anglophone logic 🤷‍♀️

❤️‍🔥 you may know me as slaymate ❤️‍🔥@agiographia.bsky.social

My biggest pet peeve is when anglophone pet name conventions are applied to Greek names 😵‍💫

Day 5 of What Writers of Greek Myth Retellings Do Wrong: Treating Greek names like aesthetic decorations. 🧵 #GreekMythology #WritingCommunity #MythRetelling #Greec #BookSky #Writers

Your female character cannot be called “Hercules” any more than an English Regency-era woman would be named Johnathan. Greek names have a set gender, history, traditions, and cultural significance. Sounds like common sense? You’ll be surprised how often non-Greek people need to be reminded of that.

Most non-Greek publishers don't care any more than most non-Greek writers do. I hope that one day this astonishing lack of research will stop being rewarded with fame when it happens to Greek names.

Day 4 of: What writers of Greek myth retellings often do wrong 🧵 "They don't have a reliable safety net." The plot and characters are perfected. But now you've gotten to know Greek culture and things got complicated. Insecurity creeps in. #GreekMythology #MythRetellings #WritingCommunity #BookSky

You can't keep researching forever! So, what can a writer do? Greek friends may be happy to help you out a couple of times, and that's great! At the same time, don't overlook Greek professionals. Friends care but won't be affected if things go south. Goodwill Isn't Accountability.

This is why seeking professionals is the best way, in my experience. Professionals stake their reputation on every recommendation. They have an obligation, and skin in the game. Friends help you start. Professionals help you finish with confidence. 💙

You feel you may have missed a few details, even – Ω, the horror! – accidentally caused your characters to break α rule of xenia in a way you can't even realize! Not to mention the different alphabet and the etymology of so. many. new. words.

Day 3 of: What writers of Greek myth retellings often do wrong 🧵 They miss their chance to explore Greek culture and make their readers fall in love with it: #GreekMythology #MythRetellings #WritingCommunity #BookSky

Don't be afraid to delve into the culture and seek out the characteristics you'd love to share with others! There are so many things to introduce about Greece, from the landscape to superstitions, to mouth-watering food, to festivals, and many more! #AmWriting #WritingTips #Greece #FantasyBooks

If you are not sure where to begin, an internet search may be a good start. Of course, don't neglect talking to Greek friends or Greek editors!

Don't you just love it when you find a book that takes you to the other side of the world with just the turn of a page? When new smells and songs and beautiful clothing come alive in your imagination? Why take this feeling away from your readers? #GreekMythology #MythRetellings #WritingCommunity

Day 2 of: What writers of Greek myth retellings often do wrong 🧵 #GreekMythology #MythRetellings #WritingCommunity #BookSky

Often, writers aren't aware of the military and social power the US has over Greece, or how much US culture is slowly erasing ours. Writers don't need to take part in this by erasing Greek culture in favor of US norms and customs.

Do the research. Ask Greek readers. Let the setting be what it actually is. #AmWriting #BetaReader #WritingTips #FantasyBooks

Day 2 of: What writers of Greek myth retellings often do wrong 🧵 #GreekMythology #MythRetellings #WritingCommunity #BookSky

Their setting is "The US, but with chitons." Not every culture and political system is that of the US, and it doesn't have to be. Writers and readers alike should be able to expect to encounter societies and cultural norms outside their own.

What writers of Greek myth retellings often do wrong (from a Greek beta reader who has seen... a lot) 🧵

Greeks don't bar foreigners from basing their creative works on our myths, but we often feel like we should. The reason is that foreign writers often erase our culture to make their books more palatable to a US-centric audience.

The saddest part is that writers are not doing it on purpose. Oftentimes, they simply don't understand that they are dealing with a foreign culture. (There's a long discussion on the normalization of ownership over Greek culture that I'll tackle in another post)

What writers of Greek myth retellings often do wrong (from a Greek beta reader who has seen... a lot) 🧵