Learn how to recognize and control narrative distance

An accessible teaching framework

Confused about narrative distance?​ This course demystifies it.

You'll learn how to recognize narrative (or psychic) distance, edit with confidence and deliver a better reader experience.

Learning outcomes

By the time you've completed this introductory course, you'll understand:
​
  • what narrative distance is
  • common narrative styles
  • why authors and editors need to understand distance
  • the narrative distance continuum framework
  • frequent problems with distance
  • stylistic tools that offer solutions.

Price

£55.99 (+ tax)

Format

Self-paced

Access

No time restrictions

Start learning

The course kit

Here's what's included with your access to the course.

Webinar

40 minutes of line-craft tuition
Learn how to master this complex topic with my accessible visual framework.

Booklet #1

My recommended craft resources
​Get a template and a list of recommended reading resources and software.

Booklet #2

Conscious language resources
Discover a bank of tools to help you write and edit with representation and respect in mind.

Closed captions

Accessibility
Students who are Deaf or hard of hearing can access a live transcript of the audiovisual content.

Transcript

For when you want to read
Download a PDF containing all 76 slides, each with its own word-for-word transcript.

Resources

 Quick access to craft tools
Access these links to hone your sentence-level writing and self-editing skills.

20% discount on all online courses for CIEP members

Log in to Promoted courses · Louise Harnby’s online courses. Then enter the coupon code at my checkout.

Listen to audio tasters for 2 of the discounted books

Course reviews from editors and proofreaders​

This course provided a clear overview of some of the challenges and issues surrounding narrative distance and viewpoint. The information is clearly presented and sufficient without being overwhelming. 
Course student, May 2024​
As an editor, I believe you can never know enough about writing craft, so I’m always exploring further opportunities to develop my knowledge and skills. Investing in Louise’s courses is undoubtedly one of the best decisions I’ve made for my editorial education. I’ve learned more from her incredible workshops, books, and hands-on exercises than during my entire university education. If you want to deepen your understanding of fiction, look no further!
Meera J.C. of J.C. Editing Ink, LLC. ​
Within a day of Louise’s talk, I’d already applied it to my own work. I can’t wait to see the lightbulbs pop on over my clients’ heads when I explain narrative distance to them.
Katherine Kirk, fiction editor, reviewed on the CIEP blog​
I'm an experienced line editor and often deal with narrative distance issues, but her visualisation of the five different points of distance really made something click and simplified this complex area. I think that will really help when trying to explain it to some of my authors.
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) 2021 conference attendee​
Just totally brilliant.
​Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) 2021 conference attendee
Absolutely fantastic – as expected!
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) 2021 conference attendee
Fiction editing is not my area, but I will definitely look at every book I read now in a completely different light.
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) 2021 conference attendee
The points and approach were very nice and clear. It has also brought some issues to my attention which I do not primarily focus on. It also reminded me of my undergraduate and early post-graduate days when I – sort of – lived for literature and art.
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) 2021 conference attendee
Excellent [webinar]. I loved the examples Louise gave – they really helped to show what she meant by changing narrative distance. It's such an important topic for fiction editors to know about.
​Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) 2021 conference attendee
I got a lot out of this [webinar]. Very clear slides, and good practical examples. I’m grateful for direction that I can use to improve. Thank you!
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) 2021 conference attendee

Course reviews from authors​

I’m a writer, not an editor. But 99% of great writing is re-writing. So, to be a BETTER writer, I have to be a better editor — at least to the extent that I edit and re-write before I turn my work over to a professional editor. Louise’s training won’t ever turn me into a gifted editor; I just don’t have the DNA for it! But thanks to her book and her teaching, I’m becoming a way better writer! ​
Phyllis Horne, Horne Creative Group, Inc. ​
​Highly professional, well-structured, excellent simple visuals to break up bullet points, bright clear delivery at a comprehensible speed. Air of calm confidence without being patronising.
​Society of Authors SoA @ Home Festival (Self-Publishing) attendee
It was informative, just the right length and nicely informal.
Society of Authors SoA @ Home Festival (Self-Publishing) attendee
Very practical and well-constructed. Fast (= good) pace.
Society of Authors SoA @ Home Festival (Self-Publishing) attendee
Very experienced and informative speaker.
​Society of Authors SoA @ Home Festival (Self-Publishing) attendee
Hadn't realised how the different narrative distances could affect the reader. Her presentation was very clear, with excellent slides, and her enthusiasm for improving texts etc was engaging.
Society of Authors SoA @ Home Festival (Self-Publishing) attendee
​Really useful on the practical and instinctive fronts, and can transfer to construction in non-fiction too. 
Society of Authors SoA @ Home Festival (Self-Publishing) attendee

You might also like ...