Edit Academy - March 2026

Are you an aspiring editor? Do you want to learn how to shape a writer’s manuscript? In the role of Editor, you have the privilege of playing a key part in a book's development. You are an integral part in the creative process, helping authors transform their work from manuscript to published book. Edit Academy, an intimate full-day event held in partnership with The Literary Consultancy (TLC), presents an unmissable chance to learn from industry professionals and focus on the core skills required to take a book from first to final draft. Attendees will also benefit from guidance on author management and the opportunities (and pitfalls) that come associated with stepping out as freelance editor. The day includes:

• Developmental editing: how to look at a fiction and non-fiction manuscript as a whole, and offer feedback on structure, character and plot
• Line editing: how to work with writing at a sentence and language level
• How to work with authors
• How to find work as an editor (in-house and freelance)

Optional extra

All participants of the Edit Academy are eligible to book a one-hour consultancy call with TLC’s Aki Schilz at a reduced rate of £50 (RRP £99). These one-to-one slots are modelled on TLC’s popular Power Hour, and only a limited number are available. Please email [email protected] to register your interest.

Schedule

9.30: Registration and refreshments 

10:00: Welcome and orientation

10.10-10.45: Editing 101 – what are the different forms of editing? From line-editing to developmental editing, different writers want and need different things from their editors. In this session we will define the different ways you can work editorially with writers, and the key skills you need to develop.

10:45-11:45: Zooming out – how to edit at a developmental level. Getting the structure, plot, and through lines of a character right requires stepping back and taking in the whole manuscript. In this session we will tackle how to shape a story, how to identify issues with structure, character and pace, and how to fix them.*

11:45-12:00: Break

12.00-13.00:  Zooming in – how to edit at a line level. How a story is written is important. In this workshop we will explore how to edit at paragraph and sentence level, offering attendees the tools to approach the voice, style and language of a piece (whether a short story or a novel).*

13.00-14.00: Lunch and refreshments

14.00-15.00: The author-editor relationship. In this session, a commissioning editor will offer their advice on the nuances of working with authors across a range of genres, how to champion them, how to navigate difficult conversations, and how to guide an author through the vulnerable process of editing their book to make it the very best it can be.

15.00-16.00: Building a career as an editor. For our final session of the day, we will discuss how to find your niche as an editor, and how to approach career options, from working in-house for a publisher or building a portfolio to go freelance.

16.00-16.30: Delegate networking

(*each of these sessions will discuss editing from both a fiction and non-fiction perspective)

Joining Instructions

Thank you very much for booking a place at our Edit Academy event in partnership with The Literary Consultancy. This email is just to let you know a few things about the day, including what you’ll need to bring, and directions to the venue. If you have any questions, or if there’s anything I can clarify further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

When

The event programme will begin at 10.00am on Saturday 7th March. Doors will open at 9:30am and there will be teas and coffees available, so please do aim to join us from then as it will be a good chance for everyone to have a quick chat and get settled before the day begins.

Where

The event is being held at Bloomsbury Publishing’s offices: 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP.

The nearest tube stations are Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street, Holborn and Russell Square. For anyone travelling into London for the first time, the TFL website has a very useful Journey Planner.

On the day, there will be someone waiting at the front door to greet you and show you to the right room. We also have another entrance for anyone who may require wheelchair access. If this is you or you have any other specific access requirements, please do get in touch to let me know.

The sessions will take place on the first floor, which is accessible via stairs and a lift.

The workshops

All you need to bring with you on the day is something to make notes on, whether that be a laptop or notebook. We will have extra paper and pens for anyone who may need them.

A reminder that you can find the full schedule on the event page: https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/events-and-courses/edit-academy-march-2026

Lunch

Lunch will be provided on the day and there will be additional vegetarian and gluten-free options. If you have any specific dietary requirements please let me know no later than Sunday 1st March.

Other

• We have a quiet room on the second floor of the building, so if anyone needs a moment alone to rest or gather their thoughts please do find myself or my colleague James and we will show you the way
• We will be selling our Yearbooks and a range of titles at the event, including speaker Sara Grant’s excellent The Ultimate Guide to Editing Your Novel at a discounted rate. Please note that we can only accommodate card payments.

Look forward to seeing you then.