An online course for fiction line editors and copyeditors

How to create compelling editorial reports

This course teaches you how to create compelling editorial reports that are:

  • comprehensive: rich in detail, such that the author is thrilled by the additional value you've offered
  • critical: packed with honest, professional analyses of the problems you found and clear explanations of the solutions you've offered
  • constructive: mindful of the author's emotional, financial and physical investment in their writing

I'll show you what to include in your reports, how to structure the information, and how to frame your guidance so that it validates the work you've done on the book file.

Author-centric report writing

Fiction editing isn't just about amending a book file or suggesting changes in comments boxes. It's also about communicating the why of our editing practice.

When authors understand why we've made the changes we have, we demonstrate our skills, increase their trust in us, and help them become better writers.

Effective report-writing is therefore essential. ​

Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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Thank you so much. I've never had any training so your report is invaluable.

Jonathan P / Thriller Author (sample report included in course)

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Love the reports you write!

The creation of a detailed report can feel like a burden that cuts into the fee you've quoted. But the process can be enjoyable. Organization is key.

You'll learn how to write amazing reports efficiently – without compromising on quality or detail – using the following:
  
  • a branded editorial-report template
  • a content checklist
  • efficiency tools 

SUITABLE FOR: Any sentence-level fiction editor
PRICE: £39.99

Take your time and don’t be alone!

Learn at your own pace with lifetime access and live support via my Facebook group.

The course kit

Your course kit includes:
  • a webinar with subtitles/closed captions
  • a PDF ebook version of the content ... for when you need a reference source on the go
  • case studies that illustrate why a great report makes a difference
  • ​​an editable editorial report template
  • a clickable checklist to keep navigation simple
  • sample editorial reports shared with the kind permission of two of my indie authors
  • video tutorials on how to create beautiful cover pages and use styles
  • a resource list of suggested line-craft books and links to macros and tools

Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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Holy moly, Louise! I’ve just finished working through the course, and what you’ve provided is so very generous – and all presented clearly and beautifully. This will undoubtedly help any sentence-level editor save HOURS of thinking and writing time.

Sophie Playle / Fiction Editor

Sophie Playle
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Fiction Editor

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Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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This course is incredible; it's bursting with ideas, and packed with nuggets of invaluable wisdom that just keep on coming. It's beautifully presented, comprehensive and, best of all, offers oodles of actionable advice and guidance to get you started in creating stellar editorial reports for your clients.

​Just working through the course has already saved me masses of time and mental gymnastics, and given me a template that I'm proud of and can't wait to use for my future clients. Thanks so much, Louise!

Cally Worden / Fiction Editor

Sophie Playle
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Fiction Editor

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Why learn about editorial report-writing with me?

My authors consistently rave about my reports ... tell me how grateful they are, that they're superb tools full of honest but mindful guidance that help them understand my edits and develop their line craft with confidence.

My approach to teaching

My teaching approach is problem/solution based. Yes, fiction editing is subjective and nuanced, but there’s still room for practical analysis that unpicks a novel’s vulnerabilities and considers the range of literary tools available to improve what’s on the page. 

Communicating that message in accessible reports is as important as the book edit itself. Join me to find out how.

Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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This report-writing course is wonderful. I found it useful not just for line-editing reports but for my manuscript assessments too, as a lot of what’s discussed can be applied there. I’ve wanted to overhaul my reports for a while; this course was perfect and has given me a lot to think about. And my cover page looks extra lovely!

Rachel Rowlands / Editor & Writer

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Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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I've been writing editorial reports for years, so I didn't expect to learn too much from this course. I'm pleased to say I was totally wrong! This course has revolutionised the way I offer feedback to clients. It has dramatically reduced the time I spend on writing reports but has also increased the quality and usefulness of the feedback I give. Louise is immensely generous with her expertise and resources and already I've had a great response from clients who have been so impressed with the scope and depth of feedback offered. It's the best value-for-money course I've ever done.

Katherine Trail / Fiction Editor

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Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

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Your online course, How to Write the Perfect Fiction Editorial Report, contains all the excellent qualities and reflects the generosity of spirit I’m now familiar with from your website, podcasts, and other materials. But I wasn’t prepared for the clarity of explanations, many and representative examples, the generous amount of material, and the inclusion of those just-so-perfect extra resources. Thank you, Louise; it was both a pleasurable and enormously educational experience!​

Deborah A Cecere / Copyeditor

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