Book Editing

The Book Editing course is a highly popular course, which has succeeded in providing an excellent base for the start of a career in publishing. The course is suitable for recent graduates, those changing career direction and those already in publishing and requiring refresher training.

The examination-based course is designed for those wishing to work in editorial and proofreading and those who work in books and related publishing. It concentrates on editing and proofreading skills and the techniques required in preparing text for publication. At the same time, the focus is expanded to include information about production, design, rights and other aspects of publishing.

*Note that this course assigns homework each week. Homework consists of reading, small exercises and revision. 

Click on module for information.

• The role of the copy-editor
• Copy (manuscripts) and proofs
• Parts of a book
• The impact of technology on the editorial process
• How to work on copy
• Introduction to copy-editing marks

You will learn:

• Skills that aid the editorial process
• The professional way to copy-edit text
• Some key BSI marks to use in editorial

• Using capitals and quotes
• Introduction to House Style
• Exercise: copy-editing

You will learn

• How grammar and using quotations affect text
• The importance of House Style
• More BSI marks

• Using hyphens and dashes; using apostrophes
• Exercises: copy-editing

You will learn:

• The difference between ‘en’ dash and ‘em’ dash and where to use them
• How apostrophes change the meaning of a sentence
• More BSI marks

• Feedback on homework; discussion
• Dealing with trademarks in copy
• Introduction to typography
• Handling illustrations

You will learn:

• How copyrights and trademarks affect text
• How typography changes the tone
• How to manage illustrations in text

• Feedback on homework; discussion
• The role of the copy editor in production and how the copy editor relates to others in the production process
• Typesetting and DTP systems
• Media law: defamation and copyright

You will learn:

• How to manage tasks
• How using DTP systems improves editorial production
• Choosing media that is right for the text

• Feedback on homework; discussion
• Repro/colour houses and printers
• Print terminology
• How offset lithography works

You will learn:

• The options when choosing a printer and the different processes
• How to make the printed text look and feel how you want it to
• The benefits of using various printing operations

• Types of proofs encountered by copy editors
• Introduction to proofreading and the use of BSI proof correction marks

You will learn:

• How to manage and cope with certain proofs
• How BSI is useful, efficient, and why it is still used

• Feedback on homework; discussion
• Common problems in proofreading
• Exercises: proofreading

You will learn:

• The difficulties of proofreading and how to overcome them
• Practice and building off of mistakes.

• Feedback on homework; discussion
• Exercises: copy-editing and proofreading

You will learn:

• To target areas that you might still find tricky before the exam
• Last minute questions will be answered by the tutor

Practical two-hour examination of copy-editing and proofreading skills and editorial production knowledge

Assessment and certificate:

Delegates will tackle hands-on exercises at the end of each section to cement their learning, and personal achievement will be assessed throughout the day. Certificates will be issued upon completion of the course.

Please contact us on 0207 221 3399 for details, or complete the enquiry form.

*There will be a two-week break between week 6 and 7. 

**Please note: A marking fee of £50 is to be paid directly to the tutor at the end of the course, for the marking of the examination.

Jeff Davy has worked in journalism and publishing for more than 40 years, and in publishing education and training for the last 30 years — for colleges and training bodies as well as major publishing companies. He has been a tutor at the London School of Publishing (LSP) since 1995.

He has worked as an Editor, Publications Editor and Editorial Manager on a wide range of publications. He also jointly ran a consultancy advising companies on their internal/external communications and training policies.

He was a senior lecturer in journalism at the London College of Communication (formerly the London College of Printing), part of the University of the Arts London, for six years in the 1980s, and again as a visiting tutor from 1997-2010. During the intervening years, he worked as a freelance production editor and trainer. Jeff is one of LSP's longest established tutors, teaching on the Book Editing courses. He is also a trainer for a number of LSP's in-house bespoke courses offered to clients.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Internal Communication (formerly the British Association of Communicators in Business) and has won three national editing awards. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy; a member of the Association for Journalism Education; and a Life Member of the National Union of Journalists. In 2001 Jeff received the School's award for his contribution to editorial training. Jeff is highly valued at LSP as an approachable tutor dedicated to his students' success.

DISCOUNTS*:

• SPRING OFFER - 10% off the course fee - Use discount code: SpringSale10%

• GROUP BOOKING - 20% off group booking for 3 or more people from the same organisation - Use discount code: Group20%

• ALUMNI LOYALTY SCHEME - 20% off any course fee - Use discount code: Alumni20%

• 2 FOR 1 - bring a colleague, friend or family member for free on the same course - Use discount code: 2for1

• FREELANCERS AND CHARITIES - 15% off any course fee - Discount code: FCH15%
  

* All offers are subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Digital media and Adobe courses are excluded.Terms and conditions apply.