Workshops
Bay Area workshops bring together publishing professionals and others who communicate through writing. Instructors come with years of experience both in working with words and in teaching.
Developmental Editing
Course Dates and Times
Two Thursdays, January 23 and 30; 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Cost
$160 for enrollments paid on or before December 20;
$180 after December 20
Class Limit
13
Instructor
Melissa Stein
Location
Mechanics’ Institute, Board Room
57 Post Street, San Francisco, 4th Floor
Half a block from the Montgomery BART station
Course Description
Most of us are drawn to publishing because we want to engage thoughtfully with text. We prefer being editors to critics; we would rather help an author shape a successful manuscript than evaluate a book after publication. We call this empathetic, collaborative guidance developmental editing. This introductory workshop will help you understand the nature and scope of developmental editing and give you an opportunity to practice on a nonfiction manuscript sample in class.
Topics of discussion include
- Analyzing and articulating a manuscript’s needs
- Translating editorial goals and vision into a specific, realistic plan for revision
- Understanding the keys to editorial excellence
- Creating successful, productive relationships with authors
- Navigating interactions among developmental editor, author, and publisher
Note: Enroll early to receive materials for review before the first class meeting; the session will be far more fruitful with several hours’ preparation. Participants in Melissa Stein’s former program A Spoonful of Sugar: Crafting Successful Editor/Author Communications will find that some class materials overlap, and if you have taken that class, we suggest that you contact the Editcetera office before enrolling in Developmental Editing.
Instructor Bio
Melissa Stein has worked in publishing for more than 20 years. She performs project management, copywriting, and all levels of editing for publishers, packagers, corporations, advertising agencies, nonprofit organizations, and independent authors. She has taught editing for Editcetera and UC Berkeley Extension and writing at UC Davis, leads customized on-site workshops, and provides one-on-one tutoring.
