New editing course the first of its kind

Whitireia New Zealand is offering an exciting new training course tailored to meet the needs of working editors. Participants in the Editing Masterclass, which starts in July, will be mentored by established book editors and given individual feedback and peer support.

“Editors have traditionally learned from colleagues and through experience on the job,” says publishing programme leader Rachel Lawson. “But many publishers no longer have the time or resources to train staff in-house.
“The Editing Masterclass takes these ways of learning out of the office and offers them in a training course. Participants will work on live manuscripts, with mentoring from experienced editors, peer support and individual feedback.”

Course material has been especially developed in the context of the New Zealand book trade but has a wider application. It focuses on shaping content, organising ideas and working with authors.
“Publishing is changing rapidly but the skills of editors have never been more valuable,” says Lawson. “However people are reading books – on e-readers or even their cellphones – we will always need skilled editors to help writers make their books the best they can be.”
The Editing Masterclass blends interactive online course material, face-to-face workshops and individual feedback. Participants who complete the course are offered membership of an online forum to provide continuing peer support.

The course co-tutored by Anna Rogers and Paula Wagemaker. Anna Rogers has spent most of her working life as a book editor and edits a wide range of fiction and non-fiction for major New Zealand publishers. Paula Wagemaker, who has worked in the publishing industry for over 35 years, specialises in academic editing, working with clients around the world.

This new course sits alongside Whitireia New Zealand’s prestigious publishing programme, now in its 19th year. That qualification – the Diploma in Publishing – is virtually a prerequisite for entering the publishing industry, with most New Zealand publishers recruiting staff directly from the course.

For more information, contact:
Rachel Lawson, Publishing Programme Leader
E: rachel.lawson@whitireia.ac.nz
T: 04 237 3100 x 3975