PROS206: Editing Genres of Fiction: Working with Indie Authors
Are you ready to take your editing career in a new direction?
Self-publishing—especially fiction—is thriving, and successful authors understand the value editors bring to their creative work. Why not get the training that aligns with indie publishing expectations?
In this 10-week course, you’ll learn to assess manuscripts in the three top-selling fiction genres: young adult (YA), mystery, and romance. The course is an intensive study of the fiction-editing process and the editor’s role in preparing an indie author’s manuscript for submission.
Through required readings and hands-on practice, you’ll learn how to approach manuscripts in these genres, what they require in terms of structure, style and pace, and how they can be vastly improved. You’ll explore the conventions and tropes unique to each genre and what a story needs most to keep readers engaged. You’ll also learn the essential skills needed to communicate your observations clearly, tactfully, and professionally.
The final assignment is the review and editing of a full manuscript, an accompanying editorial letter to the author, and the preparation of a style sheet. Heavy reading is required. Two Q&A sessions via Zoom are held during the 10-week period.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is ideal for
- experienced editors who want to transition from nonfiction to fiction
- editors who have completed editing training and want to focus on fiction
Author
A seasoned copyeditor and passionate educator, CYNTHIA ROBY brings a wealth of experience to the world of working with indie authors to transform their fiction manuscripts into polished works. Beyond practical experience, ROBY earned her MFA from Lindenwood University, Certificate in Publishing from New York University, and Professional Editing Standards Certificate from Queen’s University.
Delivery Method
This course is delivered asynchronously online allowing participants to engage with flexibility at their own convenience. This method provides a balance between self-paced learning and structured coursework while promoting a supportive community where participants can share experiences and ideas. The course includes two Q&A Zoom sessions (optional but recommended) arranged by the instructor.
Course Fees
Course fees include
- full access to comprehensive course content
- timely feedback from a subject matter expert on assignments
- shareable Badge of Completion (Queen's University)
Policies and More Information
Learning Outcomes
- Identify key elements and conventions of YA, mystery, and romance genres
- Apply genre-specific editing techniques to fiction manuscripts
- Recognize and address common issues in indie author manuscripts
- Develop effective communication strategies for working with indie authors
- Create a fiction style sheet customized to the client’s work
- Create comprehensive editorial letters tailored to the client’s needs
- Complete a full manuscript edit for a YA, mystery, or romance novel
Course Outline
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Modules |
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Module 1: Preparing to Edit: Getting to Know the Indie Author and Their Needs (Read and review a short story) |
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Module 2: YA Part 1: What YA Is and Isn’t, and What to Look For |
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Module 3: YA Part 2: A Deeper look Into the Teen Voice and Dialogue (Read and review a short story) |
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Module 4: Mysteries Part 1: Exploring Sub-Genres and Recognizing Crime Fiction Beats |
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All-Class Zoom Q&A |
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Module 5: Mysteries Part 2: Looking Deeper Into the Sub-Genres of Mystery; Tips on Editing Mysteries and Cozies (Read and review a novella) |
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Module 6: Romance Part 1: Delve Into Love Relationships (This module is the beginning of the final project: Review of a full manuscript) |
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Module 7: Romance Part 2: Preparing to Write the Editorial Letter |
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Module 8: Final Project—Focusing on Feedback: Preparing the Style Sheet |
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Module 9: Putting It Together: Completing the Final Project |
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Module 10: Submitting Your Work |
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All-Class Zoom Q&A |
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Total hours: 100 |
Course Schedule
| Session | Course Dates | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter 2025 | Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 06, 2026 | Oct 31, 2025 at 4pm ET | Nov 06, 2025 at 4pm ET |
| Late Winter 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 – Apr 17, 2026 | Feb 06, 2026 at 4pm ET | Feb 12, 2026 at 4pm ET |
Fall/Winter 2025
- Dates: Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 06, 2026
- Deadline: Oct 31, 2025 at 4pm ET
- Payment Due: Nov 06, 2025 at 4pm ET
Late Winter 2026
- Dates: Feb 16, 2026 – Apr 17, 2026
- Deadline: Feb 06, 2026 at 4pm ET
- Payment Due: Feb 12, 2026 at 4pm ET
Application Requirements
This course has no application requirements.
Course Materials
Required Texts
Students are asked to purchase the following two books:
- The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction, Amy J. Schneider, University of Chicago Press, 2023 (US$17.99). Receive a 30% student discount when you buy the ebook directly from the UCP website. Use the code CDDC30 to access the Chicago Discount Digital Coursebooks program.
- Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels, Gwen Hayes, 2016 (CAD$10.00). A must-have if your niche is romance. Available as an ebook from major online retailers.
Links to other readings are provided in the coursework.
Accommodations
Applicants who require special accommodations are asked to:
- Contact us at least 1 week prior to the start of the course to allow enough time for appropriate accommodations to be made.
- Provide necessary documentation upon request.