Fiction editing

professional development workshops and courses for editors

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Overview

Description

This professional development program is designed for professional editors who wish to gain hands-on skills in developmental editing of narrative fiction. Each stream comprises a series of closely designed workshops designed to lead you through the key processes in fiction editing, using full-length, unpublished manuscripts provided by real-life authors. It is suitable for experienced editors and those who are just starting out.

The program is unique in providing a practical, hands-on approach to incorporating fiction editing into your editing business. There are no complicated theories to get your head around, nor are there piles of notes you’ll never read. Our sessions attempt to simulate, as best we can, a real-life situation in which you have been asked to undertake a manuscript assessment and/or developmental edit.

The workshops are presented ‘live’ via Zoom, and group sizes are intentionally small to encourage discussion and ‘thinking out loud’; to help you explore your own areas of interest, your strengths and weaknesses, in a safe, non-judgemental and collegiate space. You will have direct access to your trainer for individual check-ins (as needed) by phone or email, and you will receive confidential, written and direct feedback on your assignments, followed by a final workshop to round off what we have learned together and what we might do differently next time. We also spend time discussing the business and financial implications of taking on this kind of work.

Please note that enrolment in any course offered in this program is by application. This is to assess your professional experience and potential compatibility within the group; it helps to ensure everyone can have a great experience together. Inclusivity is an important principle, as are respect and collegiality.

About your trainer

This year I joined the judging panel for Australia’s richest and most significant prize for historical fiction, the ARA Historical Novel Prize for 2023.

I’ve been a professional editor since 1989. I started my editing career at a university, first copyediting and proofreading academic papers, book manuscripts and corporate publications such as newsletters and handbooks, then copywriting for corporate communications. Over time, and with a Graduate Diploma in Editing and Publishing (RMIT University) under my belt, I gained enough confidence (and the support of my mentors) to try my hand at structural editing and developmental editing, then by coaching authors, ghostwriting and just about every other aspect of editorial and publishing practice, across corporate, government, non-government, trade and self-publishing sectors.

Today, after more than three decades as a professional editor, and parallel careers in public health research and coaching, I still enjoy wielding my red Uniball, though most of my editorial work is of course done electronically these days. If I had to choose, I would say that manuscript assessment and coaching/professional supervision are my two favourite gigs – probably the most fun to be had from behind a computer screen! I also get tremendous satisfaction from the work I do in supporting colleagues who work with sensitive or disturbing content through professional supervision.

Course delivery and registration

  • Until early 2023, the program has been delivered ‘live’ and online via Zoom. Sessions are not recorded.  In-person courses are again under consideration, so do get in touch if this is your preferred option.
  • To register, click on your preferred option and follow the prompts to online payment. (If no payment options are showing it means no course registrations are currently open.)
Ted Briggs AE, Canberra
I have just finished Renée’s amazing Manuscript Assessment and Developmental Editing — Crime Fiction workshop and I unreservedly recommend it for anyone interested in moving into this field. I learned so much about writing in general as well as the crime fiction genre. It was great to be able to do a full assessment and development edit on a real manuscript, and the feedback Renée gave us at each point in the process was comprehensive, practical and always encouraging. I now feel confident I could work in this area of editing.
Charlotte Cottier, Brisbane
Renée’s fiction editing course is perfectly paced to allow the necessary time for learning and skill development. Her warm and positive teaching style is nurturing the confidence I need to add fiction editing to my ‘bow’ of editorial skills.
Linden, Brisbane
Renée is a warm and welcoming teacher who creates a convivial environment for our Zoom sessions. I am learning so much about crime fiction and how to tackle the manuscript assessment and editing process!
Jenn, Ballarat
The course was really helpful and fun. It highlighted areas within my own knowledge and skill set where I need improvement as well as reinforcing areas I feel confident in. Renée creates a warm, friendly, inviting and safe atmosphere that encourages everyone to join in and contribute.
Vikki, Brisbane
A great introduction to the process of manuscript assessment and developmental editing. Renée provided a wealth of insights to the craft and the sessions were most enjoyable. Would recommend!
Jo Speirs, South Australia
Renée is very generous in sharing her vast knowledge of the editing process. Receiving critical and encouraging feedback both verbally and written has given me the confidence to take the next step with my business.
Amanda Webster, Moreton Bay
Renée’s contemporary fiction workshops were fantastic. She guided us through a deep analysis of a manuscript and provoked us to think deeply about the content and how it had been executed. Her feedback was critical and constructive, and her workshops gave me confidence in my own knowledge and ability.
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Introductory and intermediate courses

Introductory courses are suitable for novice, early career and experienced editors who are new to the genre or style/type of editing.
Intermediate courses are for practising editors seeking to extend their knowledge and skillset to a different genre or approach to editing.
The course objectives are to:
  1. Introduce and/or extend your knowledge of the key elements in the chosen genre, or style/type/approach to editing.
  2. Provide hands-on experience in manuscript assessment and/or developmental editing in the genre or approach, using a live, unpublished manuscript.
  3. Provide a real-life business approach to manuscript assessment and developmental editing in the relevant genre or approach.
 

Workshop 1A – crime fiction

In past years we have worked with a full-length novel of crime-fiction, set in Australia.
Register your interest for 2024.

Workshop stream 2A - historical fiction

August to November 2021 – working with a full-length historical fiction novel set in England (closed)

 

1 March to 14 June 2022 – a full-length historical fiction novel set in the USA and India (closed)

From 11 August 2023 (6 sessions) – full-length manuscript set in England (closed)

Two-session workshop (28 October & 18 November 2023) – working with a shorter novel set in England (registrations now closed)

 

Workshop stream 3A – contemporary fiction

2021 + 2022 – full-length contemporary fiction novels set in Australia and South-East Asia (closed)

Register your interest for 2024.

Workshop stream 4A - romance

6 session started 11 August 2023 (registrations closed)
 
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