Advanced Editing Course - learn online more about editing

Improve your job and career prospects in editing by studying where and when it suits you.

This course is intended for editors who are already comfortable with proofreading and copyediting, and wish to move into more senior or specialised roles.  Senior and specialist editors usually combine specific subject knowledge with project management duties. This requires the editor to be comfortable with language in all its forms, from the "basics" learned in school through to the evolution of language as a living thing.

At this level, most editors work with writers throughout the writing process. This is distinct from working after-the-fact, when an author or client brings their existing draft in for copyediting and proofreading.

• Language use and introducing higher order language and grammatical concepts.
• Referencing, notations, notes, the Oxford comma.
• Working with multiple authors.
• Media and project types - online work, commercial work, academic texts etc.

Course and Lesson Content

There are ten lessons in this course, each requiring approximately 10 hours of work including reading, additional research, completing the set tasks and assignments.

The content of each of the ten lessons is as outlined below:

Lesson 1. The Role of an Editor

• Introduction.
• The Role of the Editor.
• Language Skills and Application.
• Text Types.
• Voice, Tone, and Style.
• How to Work Within Voice, Style, and Tone.
• Language Use.
• Register.
• Project Management and Application.
• General Skills.
• Editors-in-Charge.
• Editorial Teams.
• Managing Teams.
• Staff Training and Development.
• Specialisms in Editing.
• Substantive or Developmental Editors.
• More on the Editorial Board.

Lesson 2. A Brief Summary of Grammar

• Introduction.
• The Purpose of Grammar.
• Approaches to Grammar.
• Prescriptive Grammar.
• Descriptive Grammar.
• Punctuation and Clarity.
• Word Choices.
• Selecting a More Specific Word or Term.
• Jargon.
• Grammar Basics: Refresh your Learning.
• Spelling.
• Punctuation.
• Grammar.
• Common Mistakes.
• Style Errors.
• Style Sheets.

Lesson 3. Referencing, Style Guides and Indexing

• Introduction.
• Style Guides.
• The Difference Between a Style Guide and a Style Sheet.
• Purpose of a Style Guide.
• Examples of Common Style Guides and Their Uses.
• Judgement Calls.
• Dictionaries.
• The Oxford Comma.
• Referencing.
• Bibliographies and Works Cited.
• Appendices.
• In-Text Citations vs. Notes.
• Repeat Citations.
• Footnotes and Endnotes.
• Direct vs. Indirect Use.
• Quotation Styles.
• Multiple Authors.
• Sources.
• Common Reference Styles.
• Referencing Changes.
• Margin Notes.
• Cross-References.
• Glossary.
• Other Inclusions in a Text.

Lesson 4. Editorial Ethics and Relevant Legislation

• Introduction.
• Editorial Ethics.
• Conflicts of Interest.
• Defining the Client.
• Scope of Work.
• Contract.
• Editing or Re-Writing?
• Intellectual Property and Examination Work.
• When to Step Back.
• Relevant Legislation.
• Defining the Editor's Role.
• Copyright.
• Cultural Sensitivity.
• Defamation.
• Libel and Slander.
• False Light.
• Moral Rights.
• Privacy and Confidentiality.
• Permissions and Rights for Reproduction.
• Controversial Subjects.

Lesson 5. Editor – Client Relationships

• Introduction.
• Professional vs. Personal.
• Project Definition.
• Appraisal and Suitability.
• The Responsibility of the Author in the Relationship.
• Working With Multiple Authors.
• Being Aware of the Creative Process.
• Working With Authors.
• Writing Enough or Too Much - Project Managing the Author.

Lesson 6. Defining Editorial Queries, Presenting Corporate Briefs, Goal Setting

• Editorial Queries.
• How to Write an Editorial Query.
• Corporate Briefs.
• Pitch Decks.
• Ad Copy.

Lesson 7. Developmental and Substantive Editing, and Managing Projects

• Introduction.
• Ghost Writing.
• Discretion.
• Constructive Criticism.
• Structure.

Lesson 8. Blog and Online Editorial Management

• Introduction.
• Online Considerations.
• Language Considerations.
• The Importance of Layout.
• Visual Style.
• Indexing and Subject Hierarchy.
• Evergreen Editing.
• Developmental Editing.
• Video Production.
• Multiple Platforms.
• Understanding Engagement.
• Fast Editing and Meeting Deadlines.

Lesson 9. Specialist Commercial Editing

• Introduction.
• Corporate Communications Editing.
• Corporate Storytelling.
• Problem Based Learning Project (PBL) - Corporate Editing Project.

Lesson 10. Specialist Academic Editing

• Introduction.
• Identify and Know the Work.
• Scope.
• Extent of Work and Restrictions.
• The Author's Role.
• Publication.
• Version Control.
• Order of Work.
• Style Conventions.
• Language.
• Text Elements, including Grammar and Spelling.
• Layout.
• Non-Text Elements.
• Types of Research.
• Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism.
• Intellectual Property and Ethics.Evaluating the Whole Work.
• Expression and Clarity.
• Don't be a Co-Author.
• Defining Roles.
• Is it Expressed Well?
• Is it Clear - Drawing it Together.

Becoming a Senior Editor - Could be Your Next Career Move

Senior editors often work directly with authors and clients.  You may be working within a publishing house, or organisation or you may be working as a freelancer. It is important you learn to maintain good relationships with your writers and clients.

The first point when doing editing work is to remember that it is your profession. You edit to earn money. When people find out you are an editor, they may ask you to “look at their book” or “quickly  just read my blog for me?” You may say yes to be nice, but really would they ask other people to do work for free? Also, if you work for free once, you set a precedent for free work going forward. Avoid this by always maintaining professional boundaries. 

You are an editor. It is your profession. You are good at it and you should be paid for your work.

Professional vs. Personal

It can be difficult to distinguish between the personal and the professional when working intensively with a client. This is especially true for developmental editors, who consult on ideas, address, and structure. 

Relationships should be kept professional. Even though you may get to know a lot about an author and how they think, they are a client. You should not encourage intimacy or involvement in their personal life. If you do, it can be harder when there are disagreements or problems. A common example among freelancers is starting out with a client who begins to think of you as a friend – and since friends work for free, the once-client defaults on payment.

Establish Roles and Clarity

Always be very clear at the start of any editing relationship. Define:

• Your charges
• Communication methods
• Availability for discussion and/or consultation
• Deadlines, for both you and the client

Good editors are flexible. They often slide between tasks in a large project, especially if they have a project management role. Other times, editors work within a very small area on a project, especially if they have speciality knowledge or skills. 

Working as a senior editor and project manager, you will need to document everything. This is essential for maintaining both a schedule and an efficient workflow. The most important aspect of this documentation is the project definition. You will return to this definition whenever there is a question of work to be completed and accountability.

Before beginning any work, set a project definition and include it in a scope of work. This defines all the above, and exactly what you are being contracted to do. 

Enrol today and let this course help you make your next career move

Phone (International) +61 7 5562 1088 (in Australia) 07 5562 1088, or

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