EDITING NON-FICTION 2025
An introductory course
for editors in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
COURSE DESCRIPTION
About the course
This 3-session course offers an introduction to the major considerations in editing non-fiction, including structural editing, style editing and copyediting, and business and professional opportunities..
The course would appeal to editors who are:
- working in-house or freelance
- have some editing experience (fiction or non-fiction), or are new to editing non-fiction
- are interested in a range of types and formats in non-fiction, such as narrative non-fiction, memoir, biography and life writing, collections of essays and interviews, textbooks, professional and other reference works, and more.
Each session will be 3 hours in duration, delivered live and online, via Zoom. The sessions are not recorded.
To check the course start time against your local time, go to timeanddate.com
About your trainers
Pamela Hewitt AE
Pamela is an accredited editor who has worked in editing and publishing for over 35 years. After an in-house career in educational and academic editing, she established a freelance practice specialising in fiction, memoir and narrative non-fiction. Pamela has taught editing in universities, colleges and for writers’ and editors’ organisations in Australia and internationally.
SESSION OVERVIEW
1: An introduction to non-fiction editing
1.30 pm to 4.30 pm AEST
Tuesday, 19 August 2025
In this session, Renée Otmar will introduce the professional and business aspects of editing that are essential in developing a career in non-fiction editing, and emerging opportunities for practising and aspiring editors. She will examine the types of traditional, non-traditional and emerging works an editor may be asked to work on, and some of the pitfalls and opportunities.
Topics include:
- Building your knowledge about conventions in non-fiction editing, including the major style guides, citation and referencing, fact-checking, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools
- Similarities and differences in editing works for a variety of different markets and reading audiences
- The nuances and complexities in managing the editor–author/client relationship
- How to establish strong and ethical business practices, including service types, fee structures, quoting and marketing yourself as an editor.
Outcomes
You will come away from this session with a clear understanding of the types of non-fiction editing you wish to do; the values and principles that govern your personal approach; and a plan for kickstarting or reinvigorating your career in non-fiction editing.
2: Developmental and structural editing
1.30 pm to 4.30 pm AEST
Wednesday, 20 August 2025
In this session, Nadine Davidoff will explore the role of the structural editor and analyse the key elements in an approach to structural editing in non-fiction, including:
- Moving from diagnosing a manuscript’s weaknesses to offering clear solutions
- Narrative choices such as vantage point, voice and tense
- Openings, endings and transitions.
Nadine will draw on examples of published and unpublished ficiton to exemplify the above topics.
Outcomes
You will come away from this session with a clear sense of how to write a detailed structural report advising the author on the strengths and shortfalls of a manuscript and providing an essential roadmap for how to proceed to the next draft.
3: Editing and writing style in non-fiction
1.30 pm to 4.30 pm AEST
Thursday, 21 August 2025
In this session, Pamela Hewitt will cover strengths and weaknesses in style that editors often encounter in texts by experienced writers and those newer to the editing process, especially those making the transition to a wider audience. Combining copyediting with writing style and expression, we will focus on the sentence level to explore how to identify and edit:
- Writing that has a bureaucratic or academic tone, finding ways to appeal to a more general readership
- Practical ways to incorporate techniques such as dialogue, anecdote and other writing styles into narrative non-fiction
- Considering when to observe the conventions of the genre and standard expression and when to explore more experimental or contemporary territory
- Technical and presentational issues – presenting a professional manuscript.
REGISTRATION
Registration is open and will close at midnight on 14 July AEST.
Please send us an email if you would like to be included on the waiting list (for cancellations or for next time).
FULL COURSE: $770.00
All prices are quoted in Australian dollars and include 10% GST.
Terms and conditions
- Registration is for the full course – note that registration is not available for single sessions.
- Full payment is required upon registration.
- You will receive an email to confirm your payment and registration. (Check your spam/junkmail folder.)
- Class notes, reading lists and/or instructions for joining the Zoom sessions will be sent to you by email in the week prior to each session.
- For any enquiries, or to put your name on the waiting list, please send an email through our contact page: click here.
Cancellation policy
Sometimes life gets in the way of the best-laid plans. We will do our best, where possible, to accommodate your changing needs, within reason.
- If we postpone a session, we will be in touch with all registrants to reschedule.
- If we cancel the course, you will receive a full refund.
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If you wish to cancel, a refund, less a 10% administration fee ($77.00, inclusive of GST), may be possible with more than 7 days’ notice and if a replacement can be found to take your place. If a replacement is not possible, a refund may be available, on a case-by-case basis, provided you let us know in writing:
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- up to 14 days prior to commencement (full refund less 10% administration fee)
- 7–13 days prior to commencement (50% refund)
- If you cancel less than 7 days prior to commencement, no refund will be available.
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Transfer of registration
Registration is not transferable. Please contact us if you need to cancel and you know of someone who is on the waiting list.
