Courses and Objectives
Editing
The purpose of my one-semester Editing class is to teach students the basics in the three main types of editing--content editing, copyediting, and proofreading. I especially want them to understand the basics of copyediting since that role is often the entry- level position at a publishing house from which they can eventually move into other roles if they choose to do so. I created the curriculum in such a way that the result is a final portfolio with key information, a full "lingo list" for publishing, and samples of their editing.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course teaches students:
1. How a publishing house works--and how the roles of the various types of editors fit together.
2. The basics of editing--the 30,000-foot view of the manuscript.
3. The basics of copyediting--the 10,000-foot view of the manuscript.
4. The basics of proofreading--the 10-foot view of the manuscript.
5. Basic grammar and punctuation rules.
6. How to use all of the editing tools in order to improve a sentence, a paragraph, and an entire manuscript.
7. How to edit on hard copy with proofreading marks and on screen with track changes.
8. How to "style tag" and prepare a manuscript for typesetting and for ebook.
9. How to determine their own "sweet spot" when it comes to these various editing roles.
10. Practical skills and vocabulary that will help them get in the door at a publishing house and sustain them as they move forward in their careers as writers and/or as editors.
From Manuscript to Book: How It Happens
I created the curriculum for this class based on my experience in publishing. I have taught this as a three-week intensive, but it could also be a semester class. The purpose of this class is for students to work with several pages of real manuscripts submitted by authors. The students work with the authors by phone, skype, or in person, learning each author's purpose, and then taking the manuscript from there. Students also work with a designer who will create cover designs based on their communication about the books, and with typesetters who will typeset the pages and deliver them back for proofreading. As part of my class, we also visit a local bookstore (preferably a privately-owned one) and have a meeting with the bookstore owner to discuss the actual selling of books.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course teaches students:
1. How to work as editors with real authors, giving feedback and offering advice on the manuscript.
2. How to project manage the manuscript in order to get it through all of its phases by the end of the class (this requires scheduling and planning).
3. How to communicate the purpose of the book with a designer who will create cover and interior design directions for them to choose.
4. How to copyedit a manuscript and improve sentences and word choices.
5. How to work with the typesetter in preparing the style tags for typesetting and ebook preparation.
6. How to create front matter, including title page, copyright page, and table of contents.
7. How to work with pdfs to do proofreading.
8. How to communicate with the author throughout the entire process.
9. How to communicate with the print buyer regarding paper for the interior and the cover.
10. How to do a pro forma to plan for the book to actually make some money.
Writing for Business
The purpose of this class is to practice the fundamentals of business communication. Students learn the appropriate formats for and complete a variety of assignments exemplifying the types of writing routinely practiced in business settings, including memos, emails, letters, direct mail letters, news releases, blogs, and flyers--some of which will be used in real-life settings. Students professionalize their social media presence (such as Twitter and LinkedIn), then they will create a resume and cover letter to (pretend) apply for a job they locate as we search various job-search engines. In addition, students complete two major projects: (1) a mock business website as a group, and (2) a proposal and Powerpoint/Prezi accompanied by a 10- to 12-minute verbal presentation. The emphasis is on real-world experiences and application.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Learn the format and protocol for the various types of business documents noted above.
2. Learn how to communicate clearly and effectively in both speaking and writing.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluating audience and synthesizing information to be presented.
4. Apply writing skills to real-world situations.
5. Prepare documents to aid in searching for practicums and jobs.
Writing Online (and Literary Citizenship)
Like it or not, much of the writing world is online—and as my students become professional writers, they need to be in that community. In the Writing Online class, my students begin to understand what it means to join the writing world “out there” and professionalize themselves in their writing career. They will become good literary citizens because they will do the following.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Create their own personal blog (or if they have one already, find a focus and a target based on their interests).
2. Use social media effectively to build their membership in a writing community (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc.).
3. Interview writers and publish those interviews on their blogs.
4. Find blogs of interest to follow and comment on.
5. Review books and publish those reviews--also on their blogs.
6. Understand networking (it's about who you know!).
7. Write "charming notes" of appreciation to writers.
8. Know the ins and outs of query letters, agents, and book proposals.
9. Understand the value of writers conferences for continued personal growth. (Often the class includes attendance at a local writers conference.)
10. Learn how to create and upload an ebook onto Amazon.
11. Explore new ways to support fellow writers.
Photo credit: iStockphoto/thinkstockphotos.com
The purpose of my one-semester Editing class is to teach students the basics in the three main types of editing--content editing, copyediting, and proofreading. I especially want them to understand the basics of copyediting since that role is often the entry- level position at a publishing house from which they can eventually move into other roles if they choose to do so. I created the curriculum in such a way that the result is a final portfolio with key information, a full "lingo list" for publishing, and samples of their editing.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course teaches students:
1. How a publishing house works--and how the roles of the various types of editors fit together.
2. The basics of editing--the 30,000-foot view of the manuscript.
3. The basics of copyediting--the 10,000-foot view of the manuscript.
4. The basics of proofreading--the 10-foot view of the manuscript.
5. Basic grammar and punctuation rules.
6. How to use all of the editing tools in order to improve a sentence, a paragraph, and an entire manuscript.
7. How to edit on hard copy with proofreading marks and on screen with track changes.
8. How to "style tag" and prepare a manuscript for typesetting and for ebook.
9. How to determine their own "sweet spot" when it comes to these various editing roles.
10. Practical skills and vocabulary that will help them get in the door at a publishing house and sustain them as they move forward in their careers as writers and/or as editors.
From Manuscript to Book: How It Happens
I created the curriculum for this class based on my experience in publishing. I have taught this as a three-week intensive, but it could also be a semester class. The purpose of this class is for students to work with several pages of real manuscripts submitted by authors. The students work with the authors by phone, skype, or in person, learning each author's purpose, and then taking the manuscript from there. Students also work with a designer who will create cover designs based on their communication about the books, and with typesetters who will typeset the pages and deliver them back for proofreading. As part of my class, we also visit a local bookstore (preferably a privately-owned one) and have a meeting with the bookstore owner to discuss the actual selling of books.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course teaches students:
1. How to work as editors with real authors, giving feedback and offering advice on the manuscript.
2. How to project manage the manuscript in order to get it through all of its phases by the end of the class (this requires scheduling and planning).
3. How to communicate the purpose of the book with a designer who will create cover and interior design directions for them to choose.
4. How to copyedit a manuscript and improve sentences and word choices.
5. How to work with the typesetter in preparing the style tags for typesetting and ebook preparation.
6. How to create front matter, including title page, copyright page, and table of contents.
7. How to work with pdfs to do proofreading.
8. How to communicate with the author throughout the entire process.
9. How to communicate with the print buyer regarding paper for the interior and the cover.
10. How to do a pro forma to plan for the book to actually make some money.
Writing for Business
The purpose of this class is to practice the fundamentals of business communication. Students learn the appropriate formats for and complete a variety of assignments exemplifying the types of writing routinely practiced in business settings, including memos, emails, letters, direct mail letters, news releases, blogs, and flyers--some of which will be used in real-life settings. Students professionalize their social media presence (such as Twitter and LinkedIn), then they will create a resume and cover letter to (pretend) apply for a job they locate as we search various job-search engines. In addition, students complete two major projects: (1) a mock business website as a group, and (2) a proposal and Powerpoint/Prezi accompanied by a 10- to 12-minute verbal presentation. The emphasis is on real-world experiences and application.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Learn the format and protocol for the various types of business documents noted above.
2. Learn how to communicate clearly and effectively in both speaking and writing.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluating audience and synthesizing information to be presented.
4. Apply writing skills to real-world situations.
5. Prepare documents to aid in searching for practicums and jobs.
Writing Online (and Literary Citizenship)
Like it or not, much of the writing world is online—and as my students become professional writers, they need to be in that community. In the Writing Online class, my students begin to understand what it means to join the writing world “out there” and professionalize themselves in their writing career. They will become good literary citizens because they will do the following.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Create their own personal blog (or if they have one already, find a focus and a target based on their interests).
2. Use social media effectively to build their membership in a writing community (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc.).
3. Interview writers and publish those interviews on their blogs.
4. Find blogs of interest to follow and comment on.
5. Review books and publish those reviews--also on their blogs.
6. Understand networking (it's about who you know!).
7. Write "charming notes" of appreciation to writers.
8. Know the ins and outs of query letters, agents, and book proposals.
9. Understand the value of writers conferences for continued personal growth. (Often the class includes attendance at a local writers conference.)
10. Learn how to create and upload an ebook onto Amazon.
11. Explore new ways to support fellow writers.
Photo credit: iStockphoto/thinkstockphotos.com
