— FREE virtual classroom visits through 2020 —
If your book group or class is reading The Subversive Copy Editor or Eddie’s War, please invite me to drop in for an informal Q&A! To arrange a visit, please use the Contact form.
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AS A CREATIVE WRITER, children’s book editor, and long-time manuscript editor at the University of Chicago Press, I’ve read thousands of queries and drafts by writers of everything from picture books to scholarly monographs. My book The Subversive Copy Editor is all about win-win strategies for editors and writers, a book Publishers Weekly called “practical, relentlessly supportive and full of ed-head laughs.” My conference and retreat sessions are geared toward helping writers give their work a final polish before they submit.
♦ Acts of Submission: Working with Editors
Understanding the goals of copyediting gives writers an immediate advantage in the creative breaking of style and grammar “rules,” in achieving a professional look in their submissions, and in negotiating with editors.
Includes:
- 10 minutes shrinking the 1,200-page Chicago Manual of Style to a lovable, usable writing tool
- 10 hackle-raising blemishes writers can eliminate from their manuscripts
- 5 insider tactics for credibly faking Chicago style
(60–90 minutes)
♦ From Yourself to the Shelf: How a Book Gets Published
Knowing in advance what happens in copyediting and proofreading helps writers understand their responsibilities, manage expectations, and work well with editors.
This introduction to the publishing process from submission to printed (or digital) product will prepare writers to work capably alongside traditional or indie-press pros in delivering their work to readers.
Bonus: Tips for getting a foot in the publishing door and building an online presence.
(60–90 minutes)
♦ 10 Very Last Things: Your Submission Checklist
You’re done writing and ready to submit. Ten last-minute double checks will put your manuscript into top form before you click Attach. Learn what’s important and what’s not in formatting and styling a manuscript. Feel confident that your agent or editor will focus on your content and not be distracted by flaws in presentation.
Bonus: Cover letter dos and don’ts.
(60–90 minutes)
♦ [Your Topic Here]
Let me know what you need! We’ll work together to tailor a session for your event.
