Courses and Workshops
Book me for your writer’s group!
Interested in having me come out to your writer’s group to present an all-day version of Before You Hit Send? Or maybe you’re interested in other workshops (see below).
Email me for details at angela AT angelajames.co
All-Day Master Class: Before You Hit Send: A Hands-on Self-Editing Course
**Note, this class can be offered in a super-condensed 2 to 3-hour version
This is the condensed version of Angela’s 5-week online self-editing workshop. The workshop runs from approximately 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (times can be revised) with a very short morning and afternoon break, and a one-hour break for lunch. Topics cover everything from the basics of self-editing (punctuation, grammar, adverb/adjective use) to the more advanced topics of pacing, passive voice, overwriting and much, much more!
Learn to self-edit and polish your manuscript in this all-day workshop presented by Angela James, editor and strategist.
What you will learn:
Develop a checklist of techniques and processes for enhancing self-editing skills and polishing future manuscripts. Learn how to make the new knowledge a habit when writing future books. Learn the basics and the advanced techniques of:
- Understanding that writing “rules” aren’t rules at all
- Dialogue and dialogue tags
- Whether all forms of “to be” are really evil (the answer is no)
- What is overwriting? How can you avoid it?
- Basic and advanced punctuation
- Passive voice vs active voice
- Point of view, voice and headhopping
- Pacing, including tips and tricks for “fixing” problem areas
- What we mean by show not tell. And how to do that!
- Thinking practically about self-editing
This workshop offers attendees concrete tips for editing, new ways to think about their writing. Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways by the end of the day, tailored to their writing and editing style.
The Business of Writing, Editing and Publishing: A Master Class in 9 Parts
- Part 1: Introduction and overview of day (10-15 minutes)
- Part 2: Indie, trad or hybrid: which path is right for you? (30 minutes)
- Part 3: How to find and hire the right editor for you (30 minutes)
- Part 4: The author/editor relationship—Managing expectations during the editorial relationship (45 minutes)
- Part 5: Self-editing: A mini Before You Hit Send course (2 hours)
- Part 6: Making a publishing pivot (45 minutes)
- Part 7: Let’s talk marketing (30 minutes)
- Part 8: Ten missteps you might be making in your publishing career (30 minutes)
- Part 9: Wrap-up & final questions (10-15 minutes)
Total time: Approximately 6 hours
Alternate options:
- How to be a good critique partner (30 minutes)
- Expand author/editor relationship to one hour, separate 1 hour for managing expectations
- Expand how to find and hire the right editor for you to one hour
- 45 minute workshops can be expanded to 60 minutes (especially w more open Q&A)
Join veteran editor Angela James for a master class intended to be an opportunity for writers at all levels to get insight into what publishing looks like from an experienced editor and former publisher’s viewpoint. During this master class, we’ll discuss how to think differently about your career, talk about what the different paths to publishing look like for different authors—with insights into considerations from a publisher point of view—dive in-depth into the author/editor relationship and how to manage expectations on both sides of the manuscript, think about what a publishing pivot may look like for authors at different stages of their careers and how to go about making one, as well as go through a craft and self-editing mini-session based on Angela’s popular online workshop, Before You Hit Send.
Throughout the day, there will be opportunity for conversation and questions, with a breadth of takeaways and action items for attendees to think about.
I am also available to writer’s groups and RWA chapters to present the following workshops:
Making a Publishing Pivot
Publishing changes fast and writers often find themselves asking “what’s next?”. Join Angela James for a one-hour conversation on what a pivot might look like, why you may want to consider a pivot, and how to develop a plan!
Your Copy Editor Is Not Your Proofreader: Understanding Editor Roles & How to Hire the Right One
The editing process is one that can feel mysterious and complicated to those who don’t have a lot of experience with it (and even to those who do). In this workshop, Angela James will explain why your copy editor is not your proofreader and take you through the different stages of editing, the different types of editors, and why each can play an important role in the development of your book. In addition, she’ll give tips and tricks on finding the best editor, questions to ask before hiring your own, and some suggestions for what to expect when working with an editor, whether one you’ve hired or the one who acquired your book at a publisher.
Your Editor Isn’t (Shouldn’t Be) Your Enemy
This workshop will delve into the editor/author relationship. What can/should an author expect from the editorial relationship? What should an editor expect from an author? What’s a good way to approach edits? How do you do you create a healthy editorial relationship? This workshop is developed after nearly 20 years of editorial experience working with authors both directly and indirectly, through the management of dozens of freelance editors and 2 imprints.
Learn to Be a Good Critique Partner
This workshop is well-paired with the small group critiques. Learn what a good critique partner does (and doesn’t do), how you can be a good critique partner, where to look for a critique partner, and why not every critique partner is the right fit for you.
Small Group Critique Workshop
(3 hours, limited to a maximum of 8 participants per session. No PowerPoint needed. Attendees must submit a 2-3 paragraph story overview and three chapters of their WIP 1 month-2 weeks before the workshop, for both the group and Angela to review in advance.
This workshop is an opportunity for authors to solicit professional and peer feedback on their manuscript, in real time, in a helpful, constructive and kind environment. We’ll discuss overall story arcs, the all-important “hook,” pacing, characterization and tension (among many others). Attendees are given marked-up manuscript pages to take with them when they go.
Candid Cold Reads
(1-2 hours, 2 copies of manuscript pages needed, as well as a “reader” to read them)
Bring the first two pages of your manuscript, your nerves of steel and your sense of humor, then listen as Angela provides insight into live reviewing this mock “slush” pile. You’ll hear why agents and editors stop reading, what they’re looking for in a submission, and some of the common mistakes they see as they go through their slush pile. Come to listen or come to get critiqued, but join Angela to discuss and review the slush pile you provide.
Finding Your Way to the Pacing Sweet Spot
(90 minutes, PowerPoint needed)
Better understand what editors and agents mean when they reference a book’s pacing. Learn what to look for in your own manuscript when it comes to figuring out pacing, structure and how to make it all work together.
This workshop defines frequently used terms (starting with pacing), offers insight into what pacing should look like for an author’s unique book, and gives concrete, actionable takeaways and next steps for working on pacing.
Q&A
(30-60 minutes, no PowerPoint needed)
Give your attendees a chance to ask questions of a long-time industry professional. An informal Q&A about the industry, publishing, working with a publisher, working with an editor and whatever your attendees are interested in!
Building Your Brand
How many times has someone told you to build your brand, but not told you what that means? You think it might mean something about a tagline, or your website header, but in reality, building your brand is an important, and sometimes complex, endeavor. One that can start right before you ever publish a book and continue throughout your career. In this workshop, learn what constitutes author brand, how it can support your career plan, why it’s important, how you can get one, and some things you should avoid.
Building Your Brand, Part II: Using Your Website to Support Your Brand
As an author, you’re told you should have both a website and a brand. In this workshop, discuss how the two should work together, and how you can use your website to support your brand. Learn via actual visual examples things to avoid and things to consider when setting up and maintaining your website.
