Working with Authors

How to book

Please contact us at courses@publishing trainingcentre.co.uk to request an in-company quote

Course format

In-person only, 1 full working day, including breaks

The relationship between author and editor is critical for any publication’s success. Working with Authors is one of the most challenging – and rewarding – aspects of publishing life. Not all authors are the same, and some require more support or encouragement than others.

This interactive, day-long workshop covers collaborating with, and getting the most out of, your authors. From new, inexperienced writers who are going through the publishing process for the first time, to more established (and perhaps intransigent) authors, this course will consider them all. It will provide you with advice and guidance on how to make the editing process as smooth as possible, from when an author is signed up to seeing their book in print – and beyond.

Please note that this course is suitable for those working in non-fiction, ideally academic, educational, professional and/or reference publishing.

Who is it for?

Anyone who has direct contact with authors during the production of their work and needs to have good working relations with them, or anyone moving into a role working with authors for the first time. This includes:

  • assistant editors
  • commissioning editors
  • desk editors
  • development editors
  • editorial assistants
  • managing editors
  • publishers
  • publishing directors.

What will you achieve?

On completing this course, you’ll be able to:

  • make communication effective and efficient
  • help authors deliver good content on time
  • tailor feedback so that it is constructive and well received
  • make working with authors of all kinds rewarding rather than stressful
  • exercise better judgement on what to let go, when to take charge, and when to be flexible.

    Programme

    Session 1: Getting the best from your authors

    • What motivates your authors?
    • How can you handle those motivations to help them meet your objectives throughout?
    • What does your author need? New authors, experienced authors, busy authors

    Session 2: Managing expectations and different communication styles

    • Pros and cons of different tools of communication
    • Managing author expectations and dealing with different personalities
    • The author journey: effective communication at each stage

    Session 3: Managing the process

    • Giving good feedback: general principles
    • Editorial judgements: ‘silent’ edits; edit and explain; actual queries or proposals

    Session 4: Resolving problems

    • Dealing with common challenges: the tardy author, the unresponsive author, the unreceptive or ‘difficult’ author
    • Managing a team of authors
    • Proof-stage problems

    Session 5: Maintaining a good relationship

    • Working with other departments
    • After publication: retaining good authors

    How the course is delivered

    The course is delivered as a 1-day workshop, in person, on the company’s premises, customised to meet the company’s training objectives, and using texts appropriate to its publishing programme or based on its materials. You will learn through working a range of specially prepared exercises, small-group and plenary discussion, and question-and-answer sessions, guided and supported by the tutor. You will receive a course outline and timetable at the start of the course, with discussion exercises listed. After the course you will be sent the slides, updated to include key points from group discussions.

    Any information to be completed beforehand will be sent via email.

    Accessibility

    Please contact us at with any accessibility or special requirements, for example having in-session captions or the learning materials sent to you in advance.

    If you have any concerns about technical requirements or access please contact us on or telephone +44 (0)20 8874 2718.

    In-company training

    This course is also available for in-company training, either virtually or in person at your office. Course content is tailored to suit your requirements. Group sizes range from 5 to 12 attendees. To find out more, email or telephone +44 (0)20 8874 2718.

    What is included?

    Certificate

    Upon successfully completing the course you will receive a completion certificate from the PTC.

    Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) Points

    Completing this course is worth 5 points towards upgrading your CIEP membership.

    Delegate feedback

    "Caroline was great and communicated well. The day went quickly and prompted lots of discussion actions. Immediate benefits include strategies to work with editors to teamwork through issues, reframing authors mentally as suppliers, and a design meeting with the editor at the briefing stage to form a strategy for communication." Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) delegate

    About the tutor(s)

    carolinedrake

    In an in-house career that took her to Berlin, London, Oxford and Cambridge, Caroline Drake worked on a wide range of academic books, journals and illustrated trade titles. She was trained at Blackwell and Cambridge University Press, where, as senior subeditor then copy-editorial manager, she in turn trained copy-editors and proofreaders for 15 years. She updated Butcher’s Copy-editing, with a colleague, for the fourth edition.

    Now freelance, Caroline enjoys helping authors to get things right, first time. She has created and taught courses for a variety of clients, including publishers, educational organisations, the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading and the Parliamentary Research Service at the House of Commons.