editors – Angela Wiechmann

March 26, 2019July 6, 2021

Immersion in Developmental and Content Editing

Editors, by now you know that immersion editing is all about going deeper. Well, there’s no better way to go deeper than with developmental editing and content editing. So come take the plunge with Immersion in Developmental and Content Editing on Tuesday nights, April 23 through June 4.

Please allow me to continue the water analogies: Developmental editing and content editing are uncharted seas for most editors. I know many editors who have never taken on a developmental and/or content editing assignment.

Why? Perhaps because they assume they’ll be sailing into choppy, murky waters where monsters abide.

In contrast, proofreading and copyediting are (usually) crystal-clear waters with easy-breezy cruising. After all, those editing levels are about mechanics. They boil down to rules and standards someone else has established. You can lean heavily—if not fall back on—CMOS, M-W, and in-house guides.

But there are no quick lookups with developmental editing and content editing. They’re not about grammar, spelling, style, punctuation, and other surface issues. Rather, they’re about organization, clarity, flow, intention, voice, and other in-depth issues.

How do you master developmental and content editing? By going deeper with immersion editing. So come take the plunge.

In this seven-week course, we’ll learn how to navigate these sometimes challenging waters. We will:

Define developmental editing, content editing, and copyediting—and see why the lines often blur.
Explore how developmental and content editing are perfect opportunities to go deeper with the immersion editing approach.
Compare and contrast developmental and content editing across the spectrum of traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing.
Uncover the secret immersion step that sets you up for success with developmental and content editing. (Spoiler: It happens before you make a single edit.)
Understand why developmental editing is so much more than a beta read.
Discover why content editing is the most important—yet most overlooked—level of editing.
Learn why it’s crucial to create positive, trust-based relationships with authors, project managers, and other key collaborators.

If you’ve ever worked with me, you know my copyediting and proofreading mantra: “Look up everything—even if you know it.” But developmental and content editing are things you can’t just look up. You have to learn it, swim it, sail it.

So let’s dive in together, matey.

March 26, 2019July 6, 2021

Say What: An Immersion in Dialogue—April 16

Confession: editing dialogue is, without a doubt, my favorite part of the job. It’s no surprise, then, that I’ve always wanted to do a class sharing my insights on dialogue with authors and other editors. So come join me for Say What?: An Immersion in Dialogue on April 16.

I’m not sure why editing dialogue is so enjoyable for me. Going deeper with dialogue is an essential part of my immersion editing approach. Perhaps it’s because I believe that voice—a writer’s unique style, expression, sound, rhythm, and flow of words—is what makes great writing great.

And what is dialogue if not voice? It’s the voice of the people (fictional or real) in your book. It’s how they speak to themselves, to others, and to the readers.

Or who knows—maybe I love working with dialogue simply because I’m a talker. I love talking. (Usually with my hands waving wildly about, as anyone who’s spent more than five seconds with me knows.) But I also love listening to other people talk, especially authors as they talk about their books. I suppose dialogue is nothing more than “talking on a page.” What’s there not to love?

Whatever the reason, I have a special passion for dialogue, and I’m excited to share it during this class. Here’s a taste of the topics we’ll address:

Do you really have to stick to say and ask as dialogue tags?
What’s the hidden secret behind one of the most common dialogue foibles?
How do you avoid the “tennis match” effect of back-and-forth dialogue?
What does “show, don’t tell” have to do with dialogue?
How can a trip to a coffee shop or taking a selfie help you with dialogue?
And what’s the advanced-level tip that few authors seem to know?

Authors, come learn the inside scoop on how to make your dialogue speak for itself. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, dialogue is no doubt a key element in your book.

Editors too, come learn the inside scoop so you can apply it to the manuscripts you edit. Helping authors improve their dialogue is a major way to bring both them and their manuscripts to the next level.

I’ll see you there! (Spoiler alert: there will be a lot of talking.)

September 8, 2018July 6, 2021

Two Classes This Fall

What’s better than one immersion editing class? Two immersion editing classes, of course. The fun begins on September 15 for Going Deeper: Immerse Yourself in Immersion Editing. Then join me again for Immersion in Proofreading and Copyediting on Tuesday evenings, October 9 through November 13.

Let’s take a closer look at each course.

Going Deeper: Immerse Yourself in Immersion Editing

September 15

This is the foundational class for immersion editing and what it truly means to go deeper. This one-day intensive is a game-changer for editors of all levels, authors, project managers, and basically anyone who works with writing.

We’ll discuss how immersion editing is like scuba diving and what it has in common with servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and even “whispering.” It’s a whole new—and better—way to take authors, manuscripts, and your own career to the next level.

Immersion in Proofreading and Copyediting

Tuesdays, October 9 through November 13

Editors, this is the nitty-gritty, in-the-trenches, getting-your-hands-dirty class you’ve all been waiting for. In this in-depth six-week course, we’ll explore all sorts of “secrets” about proofreading and copyediting—from mechanics and style sheets to best practices and tips. I’ll walk through sample edits to give you a glimpse into my mind. (Scary stuff—I know.) And you’ll get plenty of hands-on exercises to practice what you’ve learned. Authors, come join us too if you’ve ever wanted to be your own first editor or perhaps get a foot in the editorial door.

With both courses, what excites me the most is that they bring like-minded people together in our growing network of immersion editors. It’s a bit of a revolution, and it’s incredible to see how it’s growing.

I wholeheartedly believe that editors learn best from each other. In these classes, I swear I learn more from the participants than they learn from me. It’s an enlightening experience for all.

Immersion editing is about making the world a better place for authors, manuscripts, and editors. So come take not one but two plunges with me this fall.

March 26, 2018July 6, 2021

Editing Secrets Made Easy: April 19

There’s so much to remember when it comes to grammar, punctuation, style, and other mechanics. Sometimes it seems as though these are secrets only your eighth-grade English teacher knows. With that said, I’m happy to invite editors and authors to Editing Secrets Made Easy on April 19, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Beaver’s Pond Press. (Many thanks to the Pond for graciously opening their office for these classes. It’s a wonderfully creative and inspirational space for bookish folks to gather.)

This will be my second time presenting this class. It’s easily my most popular class to date. Last time, we packed in nearly twenty people, a mix of editors and authors and a few in-betweens. Here’s hoping we get a big turnout this time too. If you didn’t join us for the first go-around, please check it out this time.

I think the class is so popular because everyone wants and needs a better grasp on grammar, punctuation, style—the nuts and bolts. Specifically, everyone wants and needs someone to explain it all in simple, common-sense, easy-to-remember terms. That’s true not only for writers but for editors, and we’re the so-called experts.

Case in point, I’m the first to admit I’m no grammarian. I often forget the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling participle. But it doesn’t really matter, so long as I know how to identify each of them in a manuscript and polish them up.

Along those same lines, the class won’t focus on jargon. Rather, it’ll help you recognize there’s something wrong with this sentence: “Sensing a collision, the oncoming bus made Sherry brace herself.” (By the way, that’s a misplaced modifier. I think…)

The other reason Editing Secrets Made Easy is so popular is because these “secrets” are culled from real experiences, real manuscripts, real authors, real editors. With eighteen years of professional editing, I’ve seen these issues pop up in countless raw manuscripts from authors. I’ve also seen them pop up in countless copyedited manuscripts when I do proofreads. For that matter, some of these issues have baffled me too for years. (Lay versus lie. I swear I have to look it up every time, just to be safe.)

Authors, this is a great way to boost your writing. Knowing the ins and outs of mechanics will make you a better writer, hands down. Fact is, master wordsmiths have also mastered the basics of language. And the more you know about mechanics, the better shape your manuscript will be in when it comes time to start the publishing process. You will save yourself time and quite possibly money.

Learning the basics will make all your writing better, including the pieces that don’t go through a professional editor. Think about every tweet, blog post, email, cover letter, and so on. What effect will you create as a professional author if you mistakenly use affect instead of effect?

Editors, this is a great chance for us to gather and learn together. I’m all about sharing knowledge, especially because we no longer have an apprenticeship model in our industry. (Something I’ll discuss more in posts to come.) We need to find our own ways to share trade secrets. There’s something here for everyone, from newbies to seasoned pros.

This particular class creates a unique experience to learn alongside authors. You’ll see how to approach copyediting mechanics in an author-friendly, common-sense way. So, let me break out some jargon here: Maybe you know the difference between a restrictive and nonrestrictive appositive, but do you know how to explain it to an author without making her eyes cross—or worst yet, without sounding patronizing?

So, come one, come all—join us for Editing Secrets Made Easy on April 19. Let’s shed some much-needed light on these secrets!

February 28, 2018July 6, 2021

Immersion Editing vs. Surface Editing

I’m thrilled to report that the Going Deeper class on February 24 was a smashing success. By immersing ourselves in immersion editing, we uncovered what the mantra of “going deeper” really means. For starters, “going deeper” begs the question, “Deeper than . . . what?”

The short answer is, immersion editing goes deeper than surface editing.

For the long answer, let’s imagine we’re on an ocean excursion to check out a coral reef forty feet below the surface.

When the boat comes to a stop above the reef, many people roll up their pant cuffs, dangle their legs over the edge, and dip their toes into the water.

Maybe they look down every now and then, squinting and trying to peer through the blindly bright sun bouncing off the surface. Honestly, they can’t see a thing. They have no clue whether a reef is even down there. They might as well be back on land.

Meanwhile, a few other people eagerly don scuba gear and flip into the water. They are properly trained and properly equipped to dive deep and explore the reef up close and in-depth. They see firsthand that it’s teeming with exotic marine life. When they eventually reemerge, they’re bursting with incredible details about being in this amazing underwater world. Just from the way they talk and the expressions on their faces, you can tell it was a meaningful, transformative experience.

As the scuba divers rave on and on, you can’t help but look over at those who never left the boat. The whole point of this excursion was to explore the reef. So why didn’t they dive in too? Do they not know how to scuba dive? Or do they know how to scuba dive, yet they choose not to? If so . . . why not? It’s hard not to draw some bleak conclusions about their motives.

Now let’s translate this little allegory into reality. As I’m sure you’ve already figured out, the coral reef represents a manuscript that needs editing. But what you might not realize is that it also represents the author behind the manuscript, the person who wants a positive connection with the editor, one built on trust.

The people with their toes in the water are surface editors. They barely engage themselves with manuscripts. They typically do the bare minimum—if that. They exert little to no energy on connecting with authors. I’ve seen surface editing’s effects on manuscripts and authors. It’s heartbreaking. And maddening.

As for the scuba divers, they are immersion editors. Immersion editing is my special approach because I know authors and manuscripts deserve much more.

Yep, you guessed it: immersion editing is about going deeper. I know that truly great editing can only be achieved if I immerse myself in the manuscript, truly understand it and its message. I also immerse myself in a relationship with the author because I know the entire edit is built on rapport and trust.

If you’re an author, what do you want for your manuscript? (And let’s be frank: for your time and money?) Which type of editor do you want to work with: someone who’s ready and able to dive down deep to discover the wonders below, or someone who barely breaks the surface and hardly gets wet? If immersion editing sounds like a fit for you, let’s chat about your project and your goals.

If you’re an editor, what do you want for your career? Do you want to just sit there with your toes skimming the surface, never knowing the amazing underwater world below? Or do you want to take the plunge and go deeper? If immersion editing sounds like a fit for you too, stay tuned, as I have more classes planned for the spring and summer. My goal is to train and equip more editors to dive in and go deeper.

Now, who’s ready to check out that reef?

February 7, 2018July 6, 2021

Immersion Editing Class: February 24

So, are you ready to take the plunge? I’m proud to announce my next class—Going Deeper: An Immersion in Immersion Editing. In this one-day intensive, I’ll share the secrets of the immersion editing approach.

Editors, come unlock your power to take your career and craft to real depths. Authors, don’t feel left out. This is a great chance to explore the other side of the editing experience and learn how to deepen your own critique skills.

Come join us too if you’re a project manager or designer or if you work with writers in virtually any way. Whatever your experience, this class will inspire and challenge you to go deeper. It’s a fun time, if I do say so myself.

We won’t talk about serial commas and who versus whom. Rather, we’ll discuss how immersion editing is like scuba diving and what it has in common with servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and even “whispering.”

If you are indeed ready to take the plunge—and I hope you are—then check out the Eventbrite listing for Going Deeper: An Immersion in Immersion Editing. Seats are limited, so sign up today.

I hope to see you there!