Courses
Editing 101: The Plot Begins
Build your editing foundation and learn how every edit shapes the story.
Build a foundation in professional editing by learning the distinctions between developmental, line, copy, and proof editing while
practicing grammar, structure, and story-level analysis in a supportive, hands-on environment.
Course Length: 6 weeks
Format: Live via Zoom with weekly practice assignments
Final Project: A fully edited short story (approximately 8,000 words) demonstrating developmental, line, copy, and proof editing skills, along with a reflective portfolio piece suitable for EFA-level standards
Course Overview
Editing 101: The Plot Begins is a six-week live course for aspiring editors, writers, or anyone new to the world of editing who wants to understand what editing really is, and what it is not.
This course moves beyond the common misconception that editing is only fixing grammar. You will learn the four major levels of editing (developmental, line, copy, and proof), where Alpha, Beta, and ARC readers fit into the process, and how editors use tools such as beat sheets, story spines, and style sheets to guide their work.
Over six weeks, you will practice editing across the full spectrum:
Developmental editing (big-picture structure, beats, conflict, POV versus perspective, story spine)
Line editing (sentence flow, transitions, rhythm, connectors)
Copyediting (grammar, punctuation, tense, sentence structures, clarity)
Proofreading (final polish: typos, consistency, formatting standards)
Along the way, you will complete grammar mini-lessons, track your editing speed using time logs, and learn how to utilize professional references, such as The Chicago Manual of Style, to inform your decisions. Each live session combines lecture, group discussion, breakout editing practice, and feedback on real manuscripts provided by published authors.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of Editing 101: The Plot Begins, you will be able to:
Define what an editor’s job is, and what it is not, across all editing levels.
Distinguish between Alpha, Beta, ARC feedback, and editorial work.
Apply developmental, line, copy, and proof editing techniques to real texts.
Use beat sheets, story spines, and conflict frameworks to evaluate story structure.
Identify and correct common grammar and punctuation issues in fiction.
Track your editing time and develop a realistic sense of professional workflow.
Create developmental notes using the What / Why / How method to guide authors.
Prepare a style sheet to document editorial decisions for consistency, based on the Chicago Manual of Style rules.
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is designed for:
Beginners curious about professional editing or building a career as an editor
Writers who want to strengthen their self-editing skills and understand how editors work
Students preparing for intermediate editing study (for example, Editing 201: The Plot Thickens)
Anyone who has been editing as an Alpha or Beta reader and wants to learn to transition into professional editing
Learners who thrive in interactive, small-group settings (two to six participants per cohort)
Editing 101: The Plot Begins will provide you with the foundation to edit with clarity and confidence.
You will leave with the ability to distinguish between editing levels, apply them in practice, and showcase
your skills with a portfolio project that aligns with industry expectations.
By the end of the course, you will know how each level of editing fits into the process and which type of work you enjoy most. To pass, all assignments must be completed with at least 90% mastery of the material.
Finally, this is a course for new editors. Prior experience is not necessary to take this class.
The next Editing 101 class will start on October 18th, 2025.
Once the courses are full, you will be added to a waitlist for the next available class opening.
There are limited seats left for the next session. If you are interested in participating, please click the button above to sign up.
$400
Optional Payment Plans Available
Editing 201: The Plot Thickens
Unlock Your Developmental Editing Potential
Course Length: 6 weeks
Format: Live via Zoom with weekly practice assignments
Final Project: A two-to-four-page edited sample with an editorial reflection, demonstrating your ability to analyze, edit, and articulate developmental feedback at a professional level
Course Overview:
Editing 201: The Plot Thickens is a six-week live course for editors ready to move beyond proofreading and copyediting into the deeper craft of developmental editing. This course helps you analyze manuscripts at the story level, evaluate the effectiveness of structure and character arcs, and provide professional-level feedback that strikes a balance between honesty and encouragement.
Over six weeks, you’ll explore the key tools of developmental editing: story structure, pacing, theme, character development, and voice, while also practicing how to communicate feedback in a way that authors can understand and apply.
Each week combines live lessons, guided exercises, and editing practice:
Breaking down story structure and identifying gaps or inconsistencies
Assessing character arcs, motivations, and conflict for depth and continuity
Analyzing pacing and flow across chapters and scenes
Writing professional editorial letters that balance critique with encouragement
Through these methods, you’ll strengthen your editorial instincts and learn how to deliver developmental feedback with clarity, empathy, and confidence.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of Editing 201: The Plot Thickens, you’ll be able to identify the building blocks of a manuscript at the story level and determine whether they serve the author’s intent. You’ll gain practical strategies for editing structure, character, pacing, and theme, and learn how to articulate your insights in a clear, professional way.
You’ll also practice drafting editorial letters and reflections that showcase your unique editorial voice while maintaining professional standards. By the final week, you’ll have an edited sample and a written reflection suitable for your professional portfolio, aligned with industry expectations.
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is designed for:
Editors seeking to move from copyediting into developmental editing
Writers who want to strengthen their self-editing skills
Students preparing to build a professional editing portfolio
Anyone interested in the craft of story analysis and structural feedback
Learners who thrive in supportive, structured, interactive environments
Editing 201: The Plot Thickens will guide you from surface-level corrections into story-level insight,
giving you the tools and confidence to edit with clarity, empathy, and precision.
Complete the course with a minimum of 90% accuracy to earn your certificate of completion and open the door
to professional opportunities by joining the Editorial Freelance Association.
Editing 101 is a prerequisite for this course, or you must test out of Editing 101 before beginning this course.
Once the courses are full, you will be added to a waitlist for the next available class opening.
There are limited seats left for the next session. If you are interested in participating, please click the button above to sign up.
$400
Optional Payment Plans Available
Creative Writing 101:
Spark to Page
Learn the craft and turn your ideas into a polished short story.
Course Length: 6 weeks
Format: Live via Zoom with weekly practice assignments
Final Project: A polished short story, ready for revision and professional feedback
Course Overview
Creative Writing 101 is a six-week live course designed for writers who want to spark their creativity and master the fundamentals of storytelling. Whether you’re building imagined worlds or drawing from life, this class helps you shape raw ideas into clear, resonant narratives.
Over six weeks, you’ll explore the essential building blocks of story: character, theme, structure, dialogue, setting, and prose style, while also developing a consistent writing practice and learning how to give and receive constructive feedback.
Each week combines live lessons, guided prompts, and practice assignments:
Working with well-known beat sheet frameworks to structure your story
Clarifying the goals of each chapter or scene
Weaving in motivation and conflict to drive tension and momentum
Applying proper motivation and proper reactions within each paragraph to build a stronger emotional impact
Through these methods, you’ll gain confidence and direction as you move from spark to page.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this course, you’ll have the tools to identify your genre, voice, and perspective, and to plot a short story using story beats that give it shape and momentum. You’ll practice developing characters with authentic goals, motivations, and depth while writing dialogue and scenes that carry emotional weight and purpose.
You’ll also strengthen your prose through rhythm, clarity, and stylistic choices, learn the basics of Intellectual Property Rights and ethical use for authors, and apply feedback with confidence as you move into revision. By the final week, you’ll be equipped to refine your manuscript and see your writing with new clarity and direction.
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is designed for:
Writers just beginning their creative journey
Writers returning to the page after time away
Fiction authors refreshing their craft
Anyone building a professional writing portfolio
Students who thrive in supportive, structured learning spaces
Creative Writing 101: Spark to Page will guide you from idea to polished story: with heart, strategy, and confidence.
The new class will start on Saturday, October 18th, 2025.
Once the courses are full, you will be added to a waitlist for the next available class opening.
There are limited seats left for the next session. If you are interested in participating, please click the button above to sign up.
$400
Optional Payment Plans Available
The Art of Making a Film Short
Coming Soon…
This will be an eight-week course, and we will meet on Zoom for a couple of hours one day a week to discuss a new topic and review the previous week’s project.
Coming Soon….
Once the courses are full, you will be added to a waitlist for the next available class opening.
There are limited seats left for the next session. If you are interested in participating, please click the button above to sign up.
$400
Optional Payment Plan Available
Basic Screen play Writing 101
Coming Soon…
This will be a six-week course, and we will meet on Zoom for a couple of hours one day a week to discuss a new topic and review the previous week’s project.
Coming Soon….
Once the courses are full, you will be added to a waitlist for the next available class opening.
There are limited seats left for the next session. If you are interested in participating, please click the button above to sign up.
$400
Optional Payment Plans Available
Future Courses In Pre-Production
Basic Non-Fiction Writing
ESL Non-Fiction Writing
ESL Basic Creative Writing
Flash Fiction Writing
Writing Short Stories
Writing Fiction Serialized Shorts
Writing Children’s Books
Writing a Stage Play
Video Game Scripting
VR Story Telling
Advanced Writing for Self-Published Authors
Advanced Writing to Query
Advanced Screen or Stage Play Writing to Distribute
Directing Basics
Cinematography Basics
Production Basics
Video/Film Editing
Sound Editing for Film
Foley Art
Audiobook Narration
Video Game Narration
Audiobook Sound Editing
Self-Editing for the Creative Writer
Copy Writing
Journalism
ESL Basic Creative Writing
Music Lyrics
Spoken Word
Poetry
History of the Theater
History of Film
History of Storytelling (Creation Myths)
Fairytales, Folklore, Tall tales, and Myths/ Legends
Once the courses are full, you will be put on a waitlist for the next class opening.
If you are interested in participating, please click the button above to sign up.
Our Creative learning Paths
Fiction Editor: How To Become one
If you have ever wanted to become a fiction editor, we have the course for you. Once you complete our courses, you will be able to begin your freelance editing journey.
Fiction editing since 2010.
Creative Writing: Idea to Novel
Description Coming Soon
Making A Film Short
If you have ever wanted to try your hand at making a film, this is the course for you. With over twenty-two years of filmmaking experience under our belts, we will be able to guide you through the exciting creation process of what it means to be behind the camera and in front of it. By the end of the course, you will have created your first film short.