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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260422T190000
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SUMMARY:Self Editing Fiction
DESCRIPTION:Self Editing Fiction \n\n\n\n\n“This is one of the best courses I have ever had the pleasure to take. It is so refreshing to be guided with real kindness and generosity of spirit through a daunting part of the writing process. When you are taught to evaluate your own writing\, rather than feeding you information\, the result is growth of confidence and a sense of resilience. I truly recommend this course.”Self Editing Fiction participant \n\n\n\n\nEditing is a fundamental tool in the writer’s arsenal\, but how do we edit our own writing effectively? How might we apply traditional editing principles to increase our chances of success if we aim to submit our writing to agents or publishers\, or direct to market? Join Self Editing Fiction and hone your skills with the UK’s longest-standing editing consultancy\, alongside fellow writers in a supportive environment. \n\n\n\nUsing a mixture of theory\, close reading of published texts\, and practical exercises\, this TLC Course\, led by author and editor Jon Barton\, will take you through the fundamentals of self-editing for fiction. We draw on TLC’s own Editing Principles\, developed over three decades of work with writers\, and also take into consideration international storytelling perspectives. \n\n\n\n\n“The TLC Self Editing course was so very useful. Jon was brilliant. The content and delivery has really given me the confidence to be bold in my editing. I got straight to it and am busy totally restructuring the first quarter of my novel for submission. I was really struggling to be objective with it before\, so the course has really made a difference to how I now approach editing my own work.”Self Editing Fiction participant \n\n\n\n\nFormat\n\n\n\n✅6 weeks✅12 hours of live teaching\, online✅One-to-one for every student✅A suite of digital resources✅A reading list for your ongoing practice✅Maximum 12 writers per group✅Teaching draws on TLC’s Ethical Editing principles\, used by publishers \n\n\n\nDates: April 22nd – May 27th (Wednesdays\, weekly) \n\n\n\nTimes: 7-9pm (UK time but international students welcome) \n\n\n\n\n“I’ll be continuing with the draft I’m working on with a concrete belief in my editing skills – while also having really useful notes to refer to. Thank you!”Self Editing Fiction participant \n\n\n\n\nHow it works\n\n\n\nThis six-session course will be offered online via Zoom. All sessions will be live\, and we kindly ask you to ensure you can attend sessions and participate fully. A capacity limit allows for maximum interaction per cohort. Over a series of two-hour workshops\, we will cover writing craft and elements of technique including voice\, character\, plot and genre\, and consider how each of these can be approached and finessed when editing a full length of work of fiction. A full Curriculum can be found below. \n\n\n\nAll students will get the opportunity for a 30 minute one-to-one with the course tutor. Graduating students will be issued with a certificate of completion\, and you will have the option to access discounts on any of TLC’s professional editing and mentoring services. \n\n\n\nTo optimise your time and to help you get the most value out of this course\, we will not be asking you to give peer feedback\, and instead focus on teaching you the practical nuts and bolts of self-editing that you can carry forward into your practice and writing life. \n\n\n\nThis course is suitable for writers with novels in progress and complete first drafts. You will be able to make connections and discuss your projects with other writers in small breakout groups\, and a reading list will be provided to help you continue to engage with the topics covered during the sessions and apply them to your own writing\, beyond the course. Each session has its own take-home resource\, yours to keep\, and we will create individualised Ultimate Editing Checklists\, adding to these each week. \n\n\n\nMembers of Being A Writer can access a 15% discount\, please check Circle for details. \n\n\n\nBooking\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMore about this TLC Course\n\n\n\nYour Tutor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJon Barton is a novelist and creative writing tutor\, and is also a TLC Editor. Jon studied for an MA in Dramaturgy and Script Development at the University of Exeter and is an alumnus of Curtis Brown Creative. He teaches screenwriting for young people at Iconic Steps\, The Princes Trust\, and Lambeth Adult Learning. He also teaches fiction writing for City Lit and City Academy. Jon works freelance as a script editor for various independent filmmakers\, with a focus on genre storytelling. As a playwright\, Jon has been shortlisted for the Theatre503 International Playwriting Prize and for Papatango. His plays have toured venues across the UK. His TV credits include episodes of Holby City. He is a member of BAFTA and co-writes with Isaac Tomiczek as Barton/Tomiczek. Jon’s debut novel\, Dive\, was published by Joffe Books in 2023. \n\n\n\nCourse Curriculum\n\n\n\nSession 1: Introduction to Editing \n\n\n\nWhat is editing? An exploration into the stages of professional editing and the chance to take stock of where we are\, and identify key challenges. \n\n\n\nWhat do we mean by self-editing? How to approach self-editing with curiosity and creativity\, to unlock your writing’s fullest potential. \n\n\n\nSession 2: Crafting Your Plot \n\n\n\nWhat is plot? The theoretical and historical context of the relationship between plot and story\, including international and neurodiverse perspectives to widen our understanding of cultural variances in storytelling styles\, with examples. \n\n\n\nHow do we know if our plot is working? Practical exercises will help us explore our best approach to perfecting a plot\, according to our own ambitions and styles. \n\n\n\nSession 3: Approaches to Character  \n\n\n\nFrom sacred flaws to the three dimensions of character\, we’ll recontextualise established theory into actionable story beats. There will be space to test our characters against these theories. \n\n\n\nExamples from published texts act as a springboard to an inspiring group exercise to explore how a character might behave in response to a range of stimuli.  \n\n\n\nSession 4: Honing Your Voice \n\n\n\nA series of examples provide a way to interrogate the conscious stylistic choices writers make\, and how these demonstrate a compelling and unique writing voice. \n\n\n\nTurning the lens inward\, we consider when and how to bend the rules to suit our voice and make our stories come alive in the reader’s mind in new and exciting ways. \n\n\n\nSession 5: Consider Your Genre \n\n\n\nWhat is ‘the market’ and (how) does it apply to how we write and self-edit our work? We look at current publishing trends\, including a range of synopses and author bios\, to consider how writing is pitched within a commercial context\, and what we can learn from this\, including what to do when we want to challenge the status quo. \n\n\n\nFocusing on ‘the reader’\, we discover how to edit our work in a way that feels truthful to our intentions\, but mindful of the context we are writing in. \n\n\n\nSession 6: Am I Ready? \n\n\n\nIn this final session\, we take a practical look at the specific techniques writers can absorb or adapt into their editing process\, and how to apply them to your own works in progress in the most effective and impactful way. \n\n\n\nWe will create a toolkit that covers macro and micro issues of self-editing\, from plot and character to questions of cultural authenticity and internal bias\, equipping you with an actionable plan for editing writing that showcases your unique writing voice. \n\n\n\nBeing A Writer members get 15% off this course. A coupon code will be emailed to all members. If you did not receive your coupon code\, please email us at hello@beingawriter.co.uk \n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nFormat: Zoom. A stable internet connection is recommended. Video participation is encouraged. All sessions include short comfort breaks. Taught sessions include small break-out groups in the second half\, for discussion and implementation of learning. \n\n\n\nCaptions: Automated (Otter.ai). Live Transcript available. \n\n\n\nMaterials: Materials can be made available in advance or after the session on request. Any shared screens will be audio-described by the tutor. No flashing images will be used at any time. \n\n\n\nBursaries: 1x full bursary available\, 1x 50% bursary available. Please apply with a short covering letter telling us why you are applying to info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk with the subject header ‘Bursary [Full/50%]\, Self Editing FICTION’ by no later than 9am Monday March 23rd. \n\n\n\nOther: We invite any access requirements not covered here to be sent to us at least 10 business days clear of the start date by email to info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk
URL:https://literaryconsultancy.co.uk/event/self-editing-fiction-6/
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260425T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260530T120000
DTSTAMP:20260426T011813
CREATED:20260108T134108Z
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SUMMARY:Self Editing Non Fiction
DESCRIPTION:Self Editing Non Fiction\n\n\n\n\n“I thought I could already edit pretty well but Xanthi’s experience and the canny way in which the course was presented really opened up new possibilities. I now feel very confident that I have exactly the tools I need to edit my work. I am actually deeply surprised that so much could be learned about this! All in all an excellent course that did exactly what it said it would plus\, unexpectedly\, so much more too!”Self Editing Non Fiction participant \n\n\n\n\nEditing is a fundamental tool in the writer’s arsenal\, but how do we edit our own writing effectively? How might we apply traditional editing principles to increase our chances of success if we aim to submit our writing to agents or publishers\, or direct to market? Join Self Editing Non Fiction (the only course of its kind specifically designed for writers of narrative non fiction) and hone your skills with the UK’s longest-standing editing consultancy\, alongside fellow writers in a supportive environment. \n\n\n\nUsing a mixture of theory\, close reading\, and practical exercises\, this TLC Course\, led by author and creative writing tutor Xanthi Barker\, will take you through the fundamentals of self-editing for non fiction. \n\n\n\nFormat\n\n\n\n✅6 weeks✅12 hours of live teaching\, online✅One-to-one for every student✅A suite of digital resources✅Includes consideration of self care✅Maximum 12 writers per group✅Teaching draws on TLC’s Ethical Editing principles\, used by publishers \n\n\n\nDates: April 25th – May 30th (Saturdays\, weekly) \n\n\n\nTimes: 10am-12pm (UK time but international students welcome) \n\n\n\n\n“The TLC Self Editing Non Fiction course helped me to begin editing my book giving it emotion and details which adds interest and imagination. Xanthi Barker was an exceptional teacher and included all if they wanted to contribute\, she was very positive and helpful helping us to look at our work from different perspectives.” \n\n\n\nSelf Editing Non Fiction participant \n\n\n\n\n“This course has been liberating and exhilarating for my nonfiction writing. Xanthi is a gifted teacher. Her deep respect and curiosity for the form unravels self-imposed limits so one might ask better questions of the work. I came to the course hoping to acquire practical skills to polish and perhaps conceal. It’s a couple of weeks post-course and I am in such a different place when I edit work. The tedious reticence is faint and instead\, there is an authority that can enjoy the challenges and questions of the work.” \n\n\n\nSelf Editing Non Fiction participant \n\n\n\nHow it works\n\n\n\nThis six-session course will be offered online via Zoom. All sessions will be live\, and we kindly ask you to ensure you can attend sessions and participate fully. A capacity limit of 12 writers per TLC Course allows for maximum interaction per cohort. Over a series of two-hour workshops\, we will cover writing craft and elements of technique including structure\, character\, story\, ethics and line editing\, and consider how each of these can be approached and finessed when editing a full length of work of narrative non fiction. A full Curriculum can be found below. \n\n\n\nAll students will get the opportunity for a 30 minute one-to-one with the course tutor. Graduating students will be issued with a certificate of completion\, and you will have the option to access discounts on any of TLC’s professional editing and mentoring services. \n\n\n\nTo optimise your time and to help you get the most value out of this course\, we will not be asking you to give peer feedback\, and instead focus on teaching you the practical nuts and bolts of self-editing that you can carry forward into your practice and writing life. \n\n\n\nThis course is suitable for writers with works in progress and complete first drafts. We welcome memoirists and those writing creative non fiction. Each session has its own take-home resource\, yours to keep\, with optional accountability tasks\, journalling prompts\, and reading suggestions. \n\n\n\n\n“I have been on many courses and Xanthi delivered materials and tasks in the TLC Self Editing course that I hadn’t come across. She was thoroughly prepared and valued all contributions to discussions.”Self Editing Non Fiction participant \n\n\n\n\nMembers of Being A Writer can access a 15% discount\, please check Circle for your coupon code. \n\n\n\nBooking\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYour Tutor  \n\n\n\nXanthi Barker \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nXanthi Barker is the author of Will This House Last Forever? a memoir about growing up with and grieving an absent father (published by Tinder Press) and the novelette One Thing (published by Open Pen). Her short fiction has appeared in various magazines and anthologies including Litro\, Mslexia and Bare Fiction. She is the winner of The Short Story Prize 2017 and her piece ‘Paradoxical’ was highly commended in the 2018 Spread the Word Life Writing Prize. She lives in London and is a writer-in-residence for the charity First Story.  \n\n\n\nCourse Outline\n\n\n\nModule 1: Introduction to Editing \n\n\n\nWhat is editing? We look at some key concepts and definitions\, and introduce the idea of self-care as an important principle for non fiction writing practice. We consider how journalling can help create new perspectives\, and create the Ultimate Pre-Editing Checklist\, to lay the ground for fruitful work over the coming weeks together. \n\n\n\nModule 2: First Sweep: Macro    \n\n\n\nIn this session we look at principles of structure\, content\, and proportion\, and apply them to our own writing. Using examples from published texts\, we explore how non fiction writers play with form and manipulate timelines. Practical exercises reveal the key ingredients of our own stories\, as a way to begin to articulate the shape into which they might best fit onto the page. \n\n\n\nModule 3: Second sweep: Micro \n\n\n\nIn this session we look at principles of character and story\, and apply them to our own writing. We explore the paradigm of character-writing for non fiction (how do you fictionalise the ‘I’ of a memoir?) through looking at different theoretical frameworks used in a range of contemporary creative non fiction texts. We also consider concepts of time\, place\, and salience. \n\n\n\nModule 4: Ethical (Self) Editing \n\n\n\nIn this session we consider the ethics of (self) editing in non fiction\, with a focus on memoir. Practical exercises help us to explore how this intersects with our writing projects\, as we consider the impact\, effect\, and the importance of a writing practice that prioritises radical empathy. We also look at how writing and editing impacts us personally\, and identify how to find time for self-reflection and self-mentoring. \n\n\n\nModule 5: Final Polish \n\n\n\nIn this session we look at principles of tone\, style and voice\, as we look at how we approach the finishing line of self editing. We learn how to become more attuned to your own most authentic voice\, and practice the art of line editing in order to find the sweet spot between under- and over-editing. Top tips help make our learning stick and we complete our final accountability task for the course together. \n\n\n\nModule 6: The Finish Line   \n\n\n\nIn this final session\, we consider how to know when the writing is ‘done’ and ready to go – what should we be looking for\, and what do we need to be vigilant about in this critical final stage before we let our writing find its way in the world? We will also look at best practice for pitching our non fiction work to the industry\, and consider how to keep ourselves feeling safe when submitting personal writing to unknown readers. Finally\, we consider how to stave off those pesky post-task blues\, so you are ready to let your super-charged\, beautifully edited writing fly\, and start afresh with something new! \n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nFormat: Zoom and Circle. A stable internet connection is recommended. Video participation is encouraged. All sessions include short comfort breaks  \n\n\n\nCaptions: Automated (Otter.ai). Live Transcript available  \n\n\n\nMaterials: Materials can be made available in advance or after the session on request. Any shared screens will be audio-described by the tutor. No flashing images will be used at any time \n\n\n\nBursaries: 1x full bursary available\, 1x 50% bursary available. Please apply with a short covering letter telling us why you are applying to info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk with the subject header ‘Bursary [100% OR 50%]\, Self Editing NON FICTION’ by no later than 9am Monday March 23rd 2026. \n\n\n\nOther: We invite any access requirements not covered here to be sent to us at least 10 working days’ clear of the start date by email.
URL:https://literaryconsultancy.co.uk/event/self-editing-non-fiction-5/
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