Online: Editing for Writers with Pamela Hewitt

You’ve written the end on the last page of your manuscript. Now what?

Finishing a draft is a milestone. Learning how to edit it is what takes your writing to the next level.

In this online editing course for writers, Pamela Hewitt walks you through this next part of the journey. We analyse structural, stylistic and presentational problems, exploring effective strategies to improve them. We go behind the scenes, demystifying the editing process and providing proven, practical techniques for taking your text to the next stage of writing quality. We investigate the levels of editing, and how to identify and deal with common issues in unpublished manuscripts. We also take a realistic look at trends in editing for digital publishing. You will return to your manuscript with new eyes and fresh ideas.

Editing for Writers includes content on cultural diversity and sensitivity, the latest on developments in artificial intelligence, and trends in contemporary fiction.

This six-week online editing course with Pamela Hewitt is aimed at writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction who wish to develop their editing skills and techniques, and apply it to their work.

It is designed for writers who want to improve their manuscripts with an aim to secure a publishing contract or self-publish. Using practical examples and sample texts, participants will learn what is needed to present a polished, professional manuscript in a competitive and globalised publishing industry. Participants will receive resources for further skill development and weekly feedback on course topics.

Expected Learning Outcomes

In this course, participants will:

1. Develop the skills to approach fiction and non-fiction texts with the discerning eye of a professional editor, including differentiating the three main levels of structural editing, copyediting and proofreading

2. Identify the flaws most commonly encountered in unpublished texts and develop techniques to improve them, enhancing readability and publishability

3. Enhance skills as writers operating in a globalised, digital media environment.

Participant Requirements

• Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program.

• There will be a couple of essays to read and a small amount of work to prepare beforehand. You will be emailed the details the week before the course.