EDITOR IN BOOK PUBLISHING

Kick off your publishing journey! Meet your instructor, get a rundown of the course, and set expectations for what you’ll gain, and what this course isn’t. We'll also touch on using AI responsibly in your editorial workflow (think cautionary tales, not shortcuts).

• Instructor introduction
• General housekeeping
• Class and assignment overview

(OPTIONAL) Assignment #0: Write a 4–5 page fiction piece (~5,000 words) to use in upcoming assignments and workshops.

Step inside the world of publishing, from the Big Five to indie upstarts, and see where editors really operate. Explore the ecosystem of print, digital, and audiobooks, and dive into how publishers, retailers and authors fit into the industry in ways that show publishing in action.

• The current publishing landscape
• Emerging book trends
• Book formats
• Author paths to publishing
• Case Study: Author paths to publishing: Traditional, self-publishing, hybrid

From acquisitions to line edits, this class is your editorial roadmap that will guide the rest of the course. We’ll explore the “life of a book,” tools for tracking projects and reading, and how to read like an editor, not just a reader. Begin to learn the subtle art of giving feedback that goes beyond “boring” to “here’s why it’s not working.”

• Types of editors
• “Life of a book”
• Tools for editors
• Editor role
• Discussion: What is the difference between an editor and reader?

Unpack the magic behind acquisition: what draws an editor to a manuscript, and how vision, market awareness, and value drive decisions. Learn to break down query letters, explore comps, and see how to translate assessment into acquisition strategy. And watch an editor break down a story in a real-time live demo!

• Assessing manuscripts: Evaluation criteria & building a publishing vision 
• Breaking down Query Letters
• Evaluation criteria
• Types of negotiation: Auction, pre-emp, etc.
• Demo: Assessing a story

From first offer to final signature, learn how editors negotiate, collaborate with agents, and understand contract nuances. Then dive into how those offers are built through one of the most important aspects of being an editor - the P&L. A P&L breakdown demo will show you how acquisition decisions make dollars and sense.

• Value & acquisition
• Offer & contract process
• The Profit & Loss Statement (P&L)
• Demo: Building and analyzing a P&L

(OPTIONAL) Assignment #1: Analyze and problem-solve a P&L.

Time to roll up your sleeves. Discover how to give feedback that’s insightful, actionable, and respectful. Practice developing your editorial voice on sample manuscripts and try your hand at doing a group editorial assessment.

• Intro to the Edit Letter
• Writing to a “real” person”
• Editorial assessments & critiques
• Constructive feedback
• Workshop: Conduct an editorial assessment of an excerpt of a sample manuscript in groups

Assignment #2: Using an assigned manuscript, conduct an editorial assessment, evaluating strengths, weaknesses, and initial impressions on publication.

Learn how to diagnose plot holes, strengthen characters, enhance pacing, and polish narrative structure. You’ll also see how developmental edits fit into the overall editorial letter.

• Pre-edit conversation with author
• Developmental/content editing
• Finding inconsistencies:
• Integrating developmental edits into the edit letter

Assignment #3: Read, evaluate and write a 1-2 page editorial letter focused on developmental and line edits for a manuscript.

Line editing refines the manuscript’s rhythm, clarity, and style. Focus on word choice, pacing, dialogue, and audience perspective, all while honoring the author’s voice.

• Style & maintaining author voice
• Developmental edits
• Cutting text
• Pacing
• Editing dialogue
• Audience perspective
• Group Demo: Line edit manuscript excerpts

Editing is more than notes on a page – it’s empathy, trust, and collaboration. Hear directly from New York Times bestselling author Delilah S. Dawson on what makes editor-author relationships thrive (and survive).

• Editing as an act of empathy
• Initiating & cultivating author relationships
• How authors prefer to be edited
• Negotiating feedback and finding compromise
• Guest Speaker: Author, New York Times Bestselling author Delilah S. Dawson, discussing the importance of author/editor relationships.

Explore scheduling, production workflows, and cover design elements. Learn how to coordinate between designers, authors, and teams to ensure a smooth book launch.

• Building effective schedules
• Parts of the production process 
• Group Demo: Managing production timelines 
• Cover design consultation & author liaising

Handle tricky conversations, negotiate critiques, and learn more about the author-editor relationship from an award-winning author, Fran Wilde.

• Build on concepts from Class 8
• Handling difficult conversations
• Writing for different mediums 
• Guest Speaker: Award-winning author, Fran Wilde

Explore the 4 Cs – clarity, coherence, consistency, correctness – and see how copyediting and proofreading strengthen narratives without erasing the author’s voice. Learn from a top production editor on how to work with authors and as a freelancer.

• The 4 Cs
• Style and maintaining author voice
• Grammar & mechanical errors
• Working as a freelance copyeditor
• Guest Speaker: Abby Duval - Production Editor, Penguin Random House

Editors aren’t just story shepherds—they’re ambassadors for the book. Learn to support sales, marketing, and PR teams, craft TI sheets, and write copy that converts.

• How Sales “sells” books
• Supporting M&PR
• Title information sheets
• The tenets of effective book copy

Assignment #4: Create a TI sheet or Internal Launch Script.

Work collaboratively in a group to define a cover approach for a short story. Share and present as part of a larger class discussion on book cover design, audience, etc.

• Choosing a story & writing a brief for a book cover designer 
• Working in groups & presenting a cover brief

Read, discuss, and critique student edit letters with a focus on clarity, tone, style, and substance – negotiating revisions like a pro.

• Resolving feedback
• Peer-to-peer edit letter review
• Inhabiting & experiencing the Author/Editor relationship
• Practical application & negotiation

Learn how to build meaningful industry connections, ace informational interviews, and approach job applications with editorial savvy.

• Effective networking
• Informational interviews
• Open job ads
• Cover letter & resume tactics
• Case Study: Job ads & resume/cover letter review

From BookTok influence to AI ethics, understand the trends that will shape the books of tomorrow. Class will also incorporate deep dives into topics identified by students throughout the course to ensure the final class is tailored to your needs and interests.

• Impact of book bans
• Social media trends
• Tech and ethical trends
• Student choice topics