Developmental Editing for Fiction
When?
9 Weeks — Oct. 14 to Dec. 9, 2025
Where?
Online (Semi-Synchronous)
How much?
USD $529
USD $149 Optional Feedback Add-on
Level: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Designed for anyone who wants to learn the essentials of developmental editing for fiction or who wants a comprehensive refresher and reboot for their current developmental editing process.
Starts: October 14, 2025
This semi-synchronous course will release modules once a week on Tuesdays, starting October 14 and ending December 9, 2025.
Price: $529 USD
The 9 classes in this course, along with the forum and instructor office hours, cover what you need to know to succeed as a developmental editor for commercial and literary fiction.
Instructor Office Hours
In addition to the online course modules, the instructor will hold two “live” (Zoom) Q&A sessions during the course–bring your questions!
Create a Rewarding Career as a Freelance Developmental Editor for Fiction
Are you an avid reader of fiction? Are you interested in dramatic structure and in unpacking how stories are told? Do you have an analytical mind and strong communication skills? Did you get Bookworm and/or Teacher in our Book Editor Profile Quiz?
If so, you might be a good developmental editor of fiction—commercial and literary, middle grade and YA, fantasy, romance, science fiction, and more. This class will teach you how!
This class was exactly what I was looking for (and I looked everywhere). It promised a great deal in a short period of time and over-delivered in every category. Pat is not only a deeply skilled and talented editor, she’s also a uniquely gifted and masterful teacher. The course is designed and structured with the same insight, depth of experience and relentless clarity that she brings to her editing practice. Walked step by logical step, through a rigorous, systematic and road-tested evaluation processes, you arrive at your final destination, book map in hand, with everything you need to deliver a thoughtful and professional developmental edit…I really can’t recommend it enough!
Pat is an amazingly skilled teacher, and I’m so grateful she shared her process for completing a developmental edit. I’d taken DE classes before but never really figured out a method for working with a client on a DE. I felt like Pat was letting us look over her shoulder as she worked—that was the perfect approach. She gave such positive feedback on my work, and the exercises were just so FUN! Halfway through the course I started thinking that I just MIGHT be able to do developmental edits! By the end of the class, I was convinced!
This class was excellent preparation to launch a freelance developmental editing business. Pat was generous with her feedback and experience. I came away with a good structure for my developmental edits that I can develop as I gain more experience.
I finally know what I want to be when I grow up! I’m so glad I decided to take this class. The in-depth study of a manuscript and learning to book map were so helpful, I intend to map on my own novels. Today is the day I hang out my shingle and call myself a Developmental Editor.
Learning from an experienced editor on a full manuscript was the ultimate experience in developmental editing training!
Pat Dobie is an outstanding instructor. She is positive, encouraging and responds to all questions. She openly shares her methods and knowledge gained from many years of experience. The course is clearly laid out and covers all aspects of a developmental edit. Pat streamlines the presentations on craft, so participants can see where to focus their edits and pursue further study. Her business tips and insight are invaluable.
Editorial Arts Academy’s Developmental Editing for Fiction class taught by Pat Dobie was exactly what I needed to make the leap to hanging out my shingle as an editor. I am a writer and had done some editing but I lacked confidence in my skills. I wanted a clear system of working through a novel and providing useful feedback and support to the author. Pat’s generous, honest teaching gave me the tools and confidence I needed to get Soul Stories off the ground. The combination of the lectures and hands-on practical exercises was bang on for me. I learned so much and I know I will return to my class notes for years to come. Kudos to Pat and the EAA for creating a fabulous course!
I participated in the summer 2025 class and am very glad I did. I had done some developmental editing of fiction before, but knew there was more I had to learn. Pat Dobie’s Developmental Editing Course checked all the boxes for me–useful content delivered by a seasoned editor who was generous in recounting her own experiences and passion for editing while being very attentive to the needs of students.
Is this course for you?
Learn the essentials of developmentally editing fiction through this hands-on course.
There are more people writing fiction than ever before, and developmental editing is an integral part of helping writers create a book they can be proud of.
This course is for you if you are:
- An avid and discerning fiction reader who wants to turn your passion for novels into a rewarding income stream
- An editor working in other fields (trade nonfiction, academic, corporate, or institutional) who loves fiction and wants to learn more about it so you can expand your offerings
- A copyeditor or proofreader who wants to add big-picture developmental editing to your toolkit
Class Information
This is hands-on training in the art and craft of developmental editing for book-length fiction. We will cover how and why writers work with developmental editors and how a writer’s publishing goals will influence the type of editorial feedback they seek.
Since developmental editing is best learned by doing, you will be guided step by step through the developmental edit of an unpublished novella manuscript. You will learn:
- How to crack open the inner life of a book-length manuscript and convey your experience through the four main developmental editing tools.
- How to articulate your reading experience in a way the writer can absorb and act on.
- How to meet the book (and writer) where they’re at—not by suggesting a different book, but by showing them how to make the book they wrote fulfill its maximum potential.
You will learn how to read analytically and deeply, how to use marginal comments to convey key aspects of your reading experience to the writer, how to deconstruct a novel and create a book map to analyze its structure, pacing, and component parts, and how to use your analysis and reading sensibility to create the bones of your editorial feedback.
You’ll create a book map and craft an editorial letter that delivers your findings to the writer in a way that rallies their enthusiasm for the task of revision. If you choose the optional feedback add-on, you will also get personal feedback from a working developmental editor (your instructor) on your editorial letter, book map, and manuscript markup.
We will also cover the essentials of working with your first few clients, or for experienced developmental editors, refreshing how you take on clients—how to land on your ‘niche,’ convey what you offer, assess “fit” with both the client and the manuscript, and design your editorial offerings for maximum flexibility and value to you and the writer. We’ll cover how to establish and maintain strong ongoing relationships with a variety of writers, and how you can expand your offerings as you gain experience and know-how.
Class Breakdown
Week 1: Who Are Developmental Editors, Anyway? | The Publishing Landscape | A Sample Trajectory
| Making Space for the Project | Your Reading History
Week 2: What to Learn Before You Start | The Developmental Edit Scope of Work | The 5 Stages of a Dev Edit | The Fundamental Tools of a Dev Edit | Getting Started
Week 3: Capturing Your Reading Experience | Fiction Craft Elements #1 | Active Reading | Principles of Developmental Commentary | Time Management Ideas
Week 4: Gathering Context as You Work | MS Eval vs. Dev Edit | The Book Map: A Preview |Fiction Craft Elements #2
Week 5: Creating a Book Map
| Book Mapping, Step by Step| How to Analyze Book Maps | Fiction Craft Elements #3
Week 6: Making Sense of Your Findings | Genre Considerations in Craft | Identifying Strengths & Weaknesses Part 1 | Preview of the Editorial Letter
Week 7: Writing the Editorial Letter | Various Editorial Letter Approaches | Identifying Strengths & Weaknesses Part 2 | 7 Steps to a Powerful Editorial Letter
Week 8: Delivering Your Edit| The Must-Haves for a Professional Edit | Post-Edit Services | Scope Creep and How to Manage It
Week 9: Hanging Out Your Shingle | Onboarding Clients | Professionalism & Systems | Your Career Trajectory
Class Curriculum
Week 1 – Who Are Developmental Editors, Anyway?
- 1.1: A Short Tour of The Publishing Landscape
- 1.2: A Sample Trajectory to Developmental Editing
- 1.3: Making Space for the Project (What to Expect, Assignments, Deadlines)
- 1.4: Your Reading History & Why it Matters
Homework: Self-Assessment Questionnaire & Making Space ; Readings from Assigned Texts; Sign and Return NDA
Week 2 – What to Learn Before You Start
- 2.1: The Developmental Edit Scope of Work
- 2.2: The 5 Stages of a Dev Edit
- 2.3: Fundamental Tools of a Dev Edit
- 2.4: Getting Started
Homework: Prepare Manuscript for Edit, Read & Comment on first 20 pages ; Readings from Assigned Texts
Week 3 – Capturing Your Reading Experience
- 3.1: Fiction Craft Elements #1
- 3.2: Active Reading
- 3.3: Principles of Developmental Commentary
- 3.4: Time Management Ideas
Homework: Get Halfway Through MS with Marginal Comments; Readings from Optional Texts
Week 4 – Gathering Context As You Work
- 4.1: MS. Evaluation vs. Developmental Edit
- 4.2: The Book Map: A Preview
- 4.3: Fiction Craft Elements #2
Homework: Complete reading MS w/ comments
[optional add-on: submit MS for instructor feedback]
Week 5 – Creating a Book Map
- 5.1: Book Mapping, Step by Step
- 5.2: How to Analyze Book Maps
- 5.3: Fiction Craft Elements #3
Homework: Begin Creating a Book Map ; Readings from Optional Texts
Week 6 – Making Sense of Your Findings
- 6.1: Genre Considerations in Craft
- 6.2: Identifying Strengths & Weaknesses, Part 1
- 6.3: Preview of the Editorial Letter
Homework: Complete Book Map; Begin Identifying the Novel’s Strengths & Weaknesses
[optional add-on: submit book map for feedback]
Week 7 – Writing the Editorial Letter
- 7.1: Various Editorial Letter Approaches
- 7.2: Identifying Strengths & Weaknesses, Part 2
- 7.3: Seven Steps to a Powerful Editorial Letter
Homework: Write the Editorial Letter
Week 8 – Delivering Your Developmental Edit
- 8.1: The Must-Haves for a Professional Edit
- 8.2: Post-Edit Services
- 8.3: Scope Creep & How to Manage It
Homework: Email Your entire Developmental Edit to the Instructor
[optional add-on: submit editorial letter for feedback]
Week 9 – Hanging Out Your Shingle
- 9.1: Onboarding Clients
- 9.2: Professionalism & Systems
- 9.3: Your Career Trajectory
Homework: Email Your entire Developmental Edit to the Instructor. (It will be forwarded to the writer.)
What Students Are Saying…
“Wow, what a fantastic class! I’m still on a high. I loved everything about it and am completely convinced I can really do this. For me, Pat’s teaching style, tons of experience, and genuine kindness wrapped it all up in a big colorful bow.”
“A really informative course! I loved the learn-by-doing aspect, and got a lot out of the craft lectures and the resources provided. Pat is a great instructor!“
“Pat is an encouraging editing instructor. She clearly knows her trade and enjoys it. It was insightful to see the work of my editing peers and compare process notes. I don’t know of any editing courses outside EAA that provide personalized instructor critique on an active edit. It is a unique opportunity.“
“I went into the course with no professional experience and little understanding of how developmental editing works, and I emerged with a strong sense that I want to develop this into a career!”
“With something as complicated as a developmental edit, there isn’t a better way to learn the process. It gave me a real world experience in DE…having the lecture notes and packets was really helpful to review after class.”
“I think the most valuable part for me was how to read a manuscript with a critical eye. It helped me understand the craft of writing better, especially since I’m a writer myself.”
“The pandemic pushed me off course from the industry I was in to the point where I had no idea what I should do or what I wanted to do. Taking this course re-invigorated my confidence in making a freelance career for myself, and I’m looking forward to the road ahead. Pat is a marvelously charismatic instructor and gives extraordinarily helpful advice and encouragement in her notes.”
Your Instructor — Pat Dobie, MFA
Pat Dobie edits literary and commercial fiction across genres, including speculative, historical, mystery, and romance. Her clients have gone on to get agents, achieve traditional publication, self-publish successfully, and win awards. As a fiction writer herself, Pat has been on both sides of the editorial exchange and knows that good editing can make a profound difference to a writer’s life. She has an MFA in Writing from Pacific University and has been editing professionally since 2010. She’s the author of FICTION EDITING: A Writer’s Roadmap and the novellas Pawn to Queen and The Tenants. Learn more about Pat at LucidEdit.com.
FAQs
Who should take this course?
The class is designed for avid readers, writers, and editors who want training in the skills and principles of developmentally editing book-length fiction.
If I have experience as an editor, is this the right course for me?
Yes. Both experienced and new editors will learn valuable skills and receive support by taking this class. Experienced editors will particularly benefit if they have worked in other types of editing and are relatively new to developmentally editing fiction.
How is the course delivered?
This is a virtual, remote-only, semi-synchronous course. Content is released once per week for nine weeks. Two office hour sessions will be held via Zoom, a video-conferencing platform. Shortly before the each office hour begins, we will email you the link to enter the meeting at the designated time. If you’re in a time zone that would make office hours hard to attend, you can watch the playbacks and ask your questions by email.
What equipment and software will I need to participate?
You’ll need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a webcam, speakers, and a microphone (all either built-in or external). You’ll also need a reliable Internet connection.
Am I responsible for buying additional materials?
Yes, students need to purchase The Editor’s Lexicon, by Sarah Cypher, and What Editors Do, ed. by Peter Ginna. An additional “suggested reading” list will be provided, but is optional.
Will the classes be recorded for viewing at a different time?
All course content is available for download. Course assignments are due on the schedule given above. Office hour playbacks will be uploaded into our class platform on Circle.
Will the lectures be transcribed?
Yes, each participant will receive a transcript and slides for each of the nine lectures.
Who is the teacher?
Pat Dobie, MFA, will be your instructor. Pat is a working professional freelance book editor who’s been developmentally editing fiction for fifteen years. Find out more on her editing services website, Lucid Edit.
Will there be a chance to interact with students and teachers?
Yes, you can ask questions and participate in the forum on Circle, and attend the two office hours.
Will there be homework/exercises?
Yes, this is an experiential learning class in which you will be taught how to do a developmental edit, using an unpublished novel manuscript as your text. You will also have short reading assignments on aspects of craft.
Will I get feedback on the editing exercises?
Feedback on assignments is an optional add-on available for 149 USD. You’ll get detailed, personalized feedback on your manuscript markup, editorial letter, and book map. Students will receive a link to registration for the feedback add-on before the course starts, but it’s totally fine to wait until the second week before considering whether to purchase it. The instructor will talk more about that in the first week, so you can decide whether it’ll be worth getting.
Will the class be an opportunity to practice editing?
You will not edit during the class meetings, but will be expected to apply the step-by-step instruction in your homework assignments and will deliver a full developmental edit (with book map) to the instructor in the final week of the class. This material will be forwarded to the writer.
How much time does the class take per week?
Including class time, students should expect to devote eight to twelve hours per week to the course.
Does the class cover marketing and finding work?
Not formally, but students are encouraged to ask any marketing-related questions they have, either during class or in the forum. See our Classes & Events page for our stand-alone marketing class.
Can I expect to get jobs editing books as a result of this class?
Yes, getting editing jobs requires the technical training that is offered in this class.
What is the cost of the class?
Registration is 529 USD and includes the lecture content, supporting materials and resources, and a forum. Personalized feedback on your completed edits can be purchased for an additional 149 USD after the course begins.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. If for any reason you find the content and delivery of Developmental Editing for Fiction less than satisfactory, we will refund your class fee.
How can I sign up?
Easy! Just scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the form.
Want more information?
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