ENGL3704

What are the myriad activities that constitute a day in the life of a professional editor? According to Susan L. Greenberg’s A Poetics of Editing, “In the popular imagination, the editor is a passive creature, busy telling people ‘No.’” Are editors glorified gatekeepers, benevolent literary midwives, or cultural evangelists? This class focuses on the art and craft of editing and revision. We’ll begin the semester by analyzing the relationship between author and editor, writer and reader. Students will learn the creative, professional, and relational aspects of editing in addition to learning how to sharpen their inner critic.

We’ll experiment in the classroom with giving and receiving critical feedback in an attempt to make better, more discerning and curious readers of us all. We’ll also explore the surrounding professional landscape that is the Twin Cities’ local literary and publishing cultures, and on occasion, meet seasoned professionals working with print and digital media across literature and the arts. Students will adventure behind-the-scenes in order to discover how a book comes into print as it is shepherded through the various stages of production from editorial through publication. We’ll also spend time researching and discussing editorial fellowships, freelance, and entry level job opportunities as we explore post-graduate career options in publishing. Recommended for students studying Creative Writing, English, Journalism, and Communications.

Credit will not be granted if credit has been received for ENGW 5401, ENGL 5711, ENGL 5401, or ENGL 4711