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:
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  • 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.

Order now and start learning today

WHAT YOU PAY ...
55.99
+ tax
No time limits on access. Payment plan available

The course kit

Here's what's included with your lifetime 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.

What authors and editors are saying ...

Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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  • 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

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Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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  • 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. 

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Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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  • 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. 

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Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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  • Told me masses of new stuff, and gave me a set of new tools to use immediately.

Society of Authors SoA @ Home Festival (Self-Publishing) attendee

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Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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  • 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

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Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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  • 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

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Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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> ​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
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> Really useful on the practical and instinctive fronts, and can transfer to construction in non-fiction too. 

> 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

> Fictional 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

​> This was such an insightful [webinar]. So many fiction editing resources are aimed at a lower level, and it was great to listen to some more advanced, specific tips. 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

Society of Authors SoA @ Home Festival attendees

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Listen to audio tasters for 2 of the discounted books

Course access

How do I pay?
Just click on one of the green buttons. That'll take you to the order form on my training site hosted by Teachable. From there you can make your payment and enrol immediately.
​
​​​CIEP members can get a 20% discount. Log in to Promoted courses · Louise Harnby’s online courses. Then enter the coupon code at my checkout.
What support do you give me?
I'm always happy to help. You can email me for support whenever you need to.
How long can I access the course for?
For as long as you want! All my courses come with lifetime access so you can learn when it suits you, not me.
How do I access the course?
As soon as you've purchased the course, you'll get immediate and continuing access to the course materials 24/7 via Teachable.
How do I get the discount coupons?
The 20% discount coupon codes are in the resource booklet included on the course page when you log in.
Does the course come with CIEP membership upgrade points?
If you're ready to upgrade your CIEP membership, the following courses count towards total training/CPD upgrade points.
  • Style Sheets for Fiction Editing: 3 non-core skills points
  • Switching to Fiction: 2 non-core skills points
  • How to Line Edit for Suspense: 2 non-core skills points
  • How to Write the Perfect Fiction Editorial Report: 2 non-core skills points
  • Narrative Distance: 1 non-core skills point
  • Branding for Business Growth: 1 non-core skills point
  • ​Blogging for Business Growth: 1 non-core skills point
  • Social Media for Business Growth: 1 non-core skills point

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