bedits

Bedits is a term used in some online writing communities to describe an editing practice in which authors publish a sequence of revised drafts of a text, often accompanied by notes, over a short period and sometimes during late hours. The label combines bed and edits, signaling the timing and collaborative atmosphere of late-night writing sessions. It is an informal term without formal standards and has appeared in discussions on writing forums and social platforms since the 2010s.

Etymology and scope: The word is a neologism that arose in English-language writing spaces; it lacks universal definition but generally refers to transparent editing workflows where readers can follow changes live or near-live.

Practice and features: Bedits typically involve posting successive versions with change logs or inline notes, inviting feedback from readers or editors, and maintaining a visible version history. Participants may or may not preserve earlier drafts; the emphasis is on iterative refinement and communal input.

Reception and considerations: Proponents argue that bedits facilitate rapid improvement and deepen reader engagement. Critics point to potential confusion from multiple versions and the absence of formal version control. The approach is most common in fan-fiction and serialized fiction communities, less so in formal publication.

See also: iterative editing, version control, beta reading, fan fiction.