Editing Masterclass

Learn from established book editors and receive individual feedback and peer support through workshops, forums and online course material. This course improves skills and expands opportunities for experienced editors already working in publishing.

Full Course Details
Course Overview
Career Opportunities & Related Info

The only course of its kind, the Editing Masterclass improves skills and expands opportunities for experienced editors working in publishing.

Programme Overview

The Editing Masterclass develops the skills of mid-career editors, focusing on the expertise needed to work on book-length manuscripts.

In this masterclass, established book editors mentor students through work on real book manuscripts. The course offers individual feedback, peer support and collaboration. It is delivered through workshops, online discussion groups, and course material especially developed in the context of the New Zealand book trade. Students will finish this course with:

the skills to take their editing work to a new stage
realistic feedback on their strengths and weaknesses
exclusive membership of an online forum of editing peers.

Programme Outline

appraising manuscripts in terms of the intended reader, the publisher’s requirements and the author’s intentions
assessing and working with structure, organisation and content
analysing voice and tone, working with literary skills and devices
the types and levels of editorial intervention necessary for different genres, purposes and contexts
collaboration and negotiation, particularly for working with authors.

The programme is run online with two compulsory face-to-face workshops.

For further information about the course: Editing Masterclass [63KB PDF file]

Campus	Starts on	Duration
	16 July - 30 November	18 weeks part-time

Domestic Fees: $1,981

International Fees: $2,500 NZD

From 1 January 2012, membership in the Whitireia Independent Students Association (WISA) will be voluntary. Whitireia New Zealand and WISA are working together to set up processes for this change.

Entry Requirements

Domestic students

Evidence of a minimum of three to four years’ experience as a working editor, and references from employers and clients.

International students

Participants on the inaugural Editing Masterclass held 2011–12 said:

“The Whitireia course has filled in many blanks – many more than I imagined existed! The course exercises have refined my editing skills, while the extensive reading material, tutor talks and workshops have given me a far more in-depth understanding of the editor’s role, and the invaluable feedback from the course tutors has given me a confidence I lacked before. As the course progressed I often found myself thinking ‘Wish I’d done this 10 years ago!’ Upon its completion I felt enthused and excited about, and even more committed to my future as an editor.”
– Antoinette Wilson, freelance editor for 12 years

“One of the most valuable things about the Editing Masterclass (as with the Diploma in Publishing) was the industry involvement – the tutors are working editors, as are the other students. . . . The Masterclass was not only an opportunity to refresh and expand on my skills, but a chance to build my confidence and experience working on a real manuscript that was different to those I come across in my job.”
– Theresa Crewdson, publisher at South Pacific Press