In the words of iconic (fictional) editor Miranda Priestly, ‘Why is no-one ready?’ Avoid the Devil Wears Prada doyenne’s pursed lips of contempt and learn how to get your work ready for public enjoyment and professional scrutiny.
Presented by editor Adolfo Aranjuez, this workshop series will arm you with the knowledge and skills necessary to strengthen your story’s logic, structure and flow; make your syntax expressive yet punchy; avoid icky errors and inconsistencies; and ensure that you say what you mean and mean what you say. From theoretical discussions to industry case studies to hands-on activities, these four sessions will give you both a bird’s-eye and a grassroots view of the editing process.
31 July | Session 1 | Correctness, convention, style
What exactly is editing and what role does it play in the publication pipeline? You’ll learn about the process from the editor’s and author’s perspective, demystify some misconceptions, and grasp the notions of editing as ‘invisible mending’, ‘quality control’ and ‘value-adding’.
7 August | Session 2 | Substance and structure.
Editing starts with a ‘macro’ view of the work, known as structural editing. You’ll understand the importance of cogency, cohesion and flow; how sensitivity, tenor and voice can significantly change a piece; and why your Year 8 English teacher kept raving about ‘audience and purpose’.
14 August | Session 3 | Say what you mean
The ‘micro’ stage, copyediting, homes in on the details. But first, in this session, you’ll get a crash course on grammar, publishing conventions and sociolinguistics, giving you the tools you need to dive in with Track Changes or a red pen.
21 August | Session 4 | Mean what you say
In this session, you’ll copyedit in earnest – refine syntax, concision and consistency; check precision, facts and tact; and clean up formatting. You’ll also get a sneak peek at editing’s third stage, proofreading, which normally happens after design/layout.
- Workshop: Thursday 31 July, 7, 14 and 21 August, 6:30—8:30pm
- Where: Online
- With: Adolfo Aranjuez
About the Tutor
Adolfo Aranjuez is an editor, writer, speaker and dancer. He has worked across periodical, book and digital/web publishing for over fifteen years, having held editorial tenures for anti-racist literary platform Liminal, screen journal Metro, LGBTQIA+ magazine Archer and the Melbourne International Film Festival. His essays, criticism and poetry have been published widely in Australia and abroad, including in Meanjin, Right Now, Screen Education, The Manila Review and Cordite. Alongside editing and writing, he has hosted and appeared on panels, run mentorships and workshops, judged literary prizes, acted as industry advisor, and performed movement and spoken word. Find out more: adolfoaranjuez.com