Yippee – you’ve reached the final stage with your novel – you’re happy with your latest draft and ready to dig in and get that manuscript agent-ready. Congratulations!
If you’re considering applying to join our 18-week online course, Edit Your Novel: the Professional Way, it’s worth putting together an application that showcases your dedication and readiness to progress.
Here’s how to craft an application that stands out from the crowd.
1. Start with Your Author Biography
Your author bio is the first impression we have of you so make it count. Keep things concise – no more than 200 words – and focused around your writing journey, achievements and what drives your creative process.
What to Include:
- Writing Experience: mention any relevant courses, workshops or writing groups you’ve participated in.
- Publishing History: if you’ve been published, whether traditionally or independently, include that information. But don’t worry, first-timers are welcome, too.
- Accolades and Accomplishments: have you won any writing prizes or received significant recognition? Be sure to reference it.
- Writing Interests and Goals: Share the genres you write in and why, what excites you about writing, and your long-term writing aspirations.
Example: ‘I’m a fiction writer with a passion for historical novels sparked by a love of Robert Goddard’s work. I’ve completed several writing courses, including a Jumpstart Your Novel course with the Professional Writing Academy, which helped me develop my premise and synopsis. I’m driven by a love of history and storytelling, and my goal is to create compelling, character-driven narratives that entice in readers and keep them turning the page.’
2. Explain Why You Want to Join the Course
This section is your opportunity to express your motivation and enthusiasm for learning. Be specific about what you hope to gain and why this course is the right fit for you at this stage of your writing journey.
What to Include:
- Your Motivation: why do you want to edit your novel now? What are your goals?
- Course Alignment: how do you think the course will help you achieve your writing objectives? What are you struggling with? What do you want to improve?
- Commitment: show you’re ready to engage fully with the course content and work on your manuscript.
Example: ‘I’m eager to refine my manuscript and gain structural editing skills. I’m particularly excited about the focus on creating a strong submission package. I’m committed to making the most of this opportunity and am ready to put in a lot of work on my manuscript.’
3. Provide a Clear Synopsis
Your one-page synopsis is crucial – it gives us an overview of your plot, characters and themes. The synopsis should be single-spaced and provide a concise yet engaging summary of your novel. Don’t hold back on the spoilers!
Tips for Writing Your Synopsis:
- Focus on the Main Plot: highlight the central conflict, major events and resolution.
- Introduce Key Characters: briefly describe your main cast, and their roles in the story.
- Keep it Concise: no more than one page, for clarity and readability.
If you’re struggling with your synopsis don’t worry, we spend a lot of time refining this during the course sessions.
‘As an agent and published author, I found the session on synopsis writing incredibly useful. I’ve always struggled with these, and the same is true for all authors I know. I doubt you’d find a writer who wouldn’t benefit… Kathryn is the perfect course tutor. I’d recommend her a thousand times over to anyone – published or unpublished.’ – alum, Rachel Hamilton.
4. Submit the First 10 Pages of Your Manuscript
The first ten pages are a chance to demonstrate your writing style, voice and ability to engage readers. Ensure these pages are double-spaced and carefully edited for grammatical or typographical errors.
Tips for a Strong Submission:
- Engage Immediately: start with a compelling scene or opening that hooks the reader.
- Showcase Your Style: let your unique voice shine through.
- Proofread Thoroughly: avoid simple mistakes that could distract from your writing.
5. Review and Submit
Before you hit submit, review your application thoroughly. Ensure all sections are complete, your writing is polished, and your enthusiasm for the course is evident.
What Happens Next?
Once you submit your application, the team will review it and respond within five working days (often sooner). If your application is successful, you’ll receive information on next steps by email.
Ready to Apply?
If you’re serious about refining your manuscript and preparing to submit to agents or self-publish, don’t miss this opportunity to work with industry experts and a small group of dedicated writers. Apply for the Edit Your Novel course today to transform your draft into a submission-ready work that stands out to agents.
What Our Alumni Say
‘Shortly after completing the Edit Your Novel course, I used my newly-polished pitch, synopsis and extract to enter the SCBWI Undiscovered Voices competition while finishing edits on my manuscript ready to query. Just as I’d finished getting everything into shape, I found out that I was a 2024 winner and my submission would be included in the UV anthology, which is sent out to agents and editors. I was lucky enough to be approached by two agents, and signed with Becky Bagnell shortly afterwards. We managed to turn around edits within a couple of weeks and then it went off on submission. There was quite a bit of interest, and after speaking to a few editors, we accepted a pre-empt from Macmillan.
I loved the breadth of the Edit Your Novel course – it helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses and gave me new tools to improve my writing. As a discovery writer, it helped me to understand the narrative arc of my book and make adjustments to bring out the core elements to build tension and emotional resonance. The reading list and materials helped me to look at my writing through different lenses when editing – I still log on and use some of the materials when I’m working on manuscripts.
I really enjoyed the collaborative work with the other writers on the course; there was a fantastic mix of different stories, styles and skills, and I learned as much from giving feedback as I did from receiving it. One of my great struggles was identifying when to stop editing and get my work out there, and Kathryn gave me the confidence to know when to stop tinkering and press send.
When you’re working on a manuscript it can be easy to lose yourself in that one piece of work. The best thing about this course is that it will not only improve the novel you’re working on, but will give you tools and skills that improve your writing craft for future projects too. It’s made me a better writer, a better critique partner and when I’m working with my editor, the fantastic Sarah Hughes, it’s helped me understand and better implement her editorial feedback ready for publication.’ – Louise Austin, alum (longlisted Bath Novel Awards, author of Alex Abbot is [un]Dead, represented by Becky Bagnell at Lindsay Literary Agency).
Head to the application form.
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