LIVE ONLINE COURSE

BECOME A BOOK EDITOR

Dates: 24 FEB 2026 - 2 APR 2026

Duration: 6 WEEKS
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
6:30 PM GMT

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FRANCISCO VILHENA
BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING

LIVE ONLINE COURSE

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Decode the publishing world. Explore how the industry works to shape a book's journey from page to reader.

Learn from Francisco Vilhena, a writer, translator, and managing editor at Bloomsbury Publishing, to uncover every step of a book's creation, from concept to final print and everything in between.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

YOU ARE A CAREER SWITCHER, STUDENT, OR A FRESH GRADUATE

No experience in book editing & publishing at all? No worries! We’ll guide you through the full book production cycle and explain all the details necessary to confidently pursue a career in editing, build a network of industry professionals, and get clarity on the roles, responsibilities, and salary expectations that will shape your future in this exciting field.
YOU ARE AN ASPIRING AUTHOR OR A FREELANCE WRITER

Already self-editing? Great! We’ll perfect your editing skills and equip you with the professional-level expertise. You’ll learn how to manage multiple projects, create detailed editorial plans, and collaborate seamlessly with authors, designers, and production teams. Gain the confidence to transition into more senior editorial roles or break into book publishing.

Behind every great book is a great editor.

Master editing skills to enhance the text with purpose & learn to give thoughtful, constructive feedback that guides writers toward their best work — top-selling authors will thank you for transforming their manuscripts into polished, publishable books.

Turn your passion for literature into a dream career from the comfort of your home.

Explore the publishing world through classes led by an industry expert from the powerhouse behind today’s most popular books. Gain insider tips, build professional connections, and refine your skills with guest speaker insights, personalised feedback, and ongoing support — all live & online.

COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME

We cover everything you need: manuscript evaluation, editing techniques, editorial letters, cover design, and more. Learn the nuances of publicity and law & get tips from expert guests — ranging from editors and authors to legal experts.

CASE STUDIES & WORKSHOPS

Analyse bestselling novels like Sally Rooney's, craft pitch-perfect cover briefs, and learn from real creative marketing campaigns of titles like My Sister, the Serial Killer & Yellowface. Collaborate and critique as you sharpen your editorial eye.

FINAL COURSE PROJECT

Create your own editorial plan for a promising title — from market research and editorial assessments to cover critiques and publication strategies. Put your skills to the test with copyediting and showcase your vision to prepare for the evolving job market.

FRANCISCO VILHENA LINKEDIN PROFILE

Manages editorial projects at Bloomsbury Publishing.
Previously worked with Faber, Granta, and And Other Stories.
Co-translated the hammer and other poems (Adelaide Ivánova), shortlisted for the 2020 Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry.
Serves on the advisory board of the Poetry Translation Centre and directs programs at Pint, a cultural association promoting Portuguese-language literature in translation.
Published in Granta, Modern Poetry in Translation, Asymptote, and more.

THU (19/2) AT 6:30 PM GMT

👋Welcome Lesson

☝️Takeaway: You’ll know exactly how the course is structured and what’s expected of you.

Class description: Meet your instructor, get the roadmap for the course, and understand how assignments and projects will work.

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TUE (24/2) AT 6:30 PM GMT

🌐Introduction: The World of Publishing

Case Study

☝️Takeaway: You’ll be able to map the journey of a book from idea to marketplace and identify key players in the process.

Class description: Explore the publishing ecosystem — from how books come to life to the forces shaping today’s market.

Case Study: How a book gets published: Sally Rooney novel comparison

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THU (26/2) AT 6:30 PM GMT

📜The Manuscript

Workshop

Assignment #1

☝️Takeaway: You’ll know how to evaluate and pitch manuscripts effectively and understand the editor’s role post-acquisition.

Class description: Learn how manuscripts reach editors, how pitches work, and what happens after a book is acquired.

Workshop: Writing a pitch together

Assignment #1

Book Analysis — Pick a recent release and analyse why it was appealing, how it was marketed, etc.

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TUE (3/3) AT 6:30 PM GMT

📖Workshop: Submissions

Workshop

Assignment #2

☝️Takeaway: You’ll be able to assess submissions critically and write professional feedback for agents.

Class description: Practice reading like an editor, analysing submissions, weighing strengths, and giving actionable feedback.

Workshop: Rank and debate 4 short stories

Assignment #2

Agent Letter — Reject one story with clear reasoning.

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THU (5/3) AT 6:30 PM GMT

✏️Editing + Guest Speaker

[Optional] Assignment #3

☝️Takeaway: You’ll understand the key types of editing and start identifying your own editorial niche.

Guest Speaker:

Joel Arcanjo, editor and YA author

Class description: Break down the fundamentals of editing across genres and hear firsthand from a working editor.

[Optional] Assignment #3

Text Samples — Categorise text samples by genre and evaluate cover designs.

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TUE (10/3) AT 6:30 PM GMT

📝Structural Editing

Workshop

Assignment #4

☝️Takeaway: You’ll be able to identify structural issues and draft editorial letters that guide authors effectively.

Class description: Develop your structural editing skills and learn how to write comprehensive editorial letters.

Workshop: Apply developmental edits to sample texts

Assignment #4

Editorial Letter — Write an editorial letter for a chosen sample text.

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THU (12/3) AT 6:30 PM GMT

✍️Copyediting

Demo

☝️Takeaway: You’ll be able to perform a professional copyedit and improve text clarity, consistency, and flow.

Class description: Gain hands-on experience with copyediting: from grammar and house style to pacing and text cutting.

Demo: Copyediting a manuscript excerpt

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TUE (17/3) AT 6:30 PM GMT

⚖️The Grey Areas + Guest Speaker

☝️Takeaway: You’ll be able to spot and navigate the legal and sensitivity issues editors face in real projects.

Guest Speaker:

Paula Lejbowicz, Senior Legal Counsel at Bloomsbury

Class description: Explore the legal and ethical considerations in publishing, including copyright, rights, and AI’s impact.

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THU (19/3) AT 6:30 PM GMT

📚Book Production

Workshop

Assignment #5

☝️Takeaway: You’ll understand production workflows and how design and layout affect the reader’s experience.

Class description: Understand how editorial hands off to production and what it takes to turn a manuscript into a physical book.

Workshop: Analyse how text layout impacts readability

Assignment #5

Pick one — Write on either the future of AI in publishing OR analyse what makes text visually beautiful.

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TUE (24/3) AT 6:30 PM GMT

📔Judging Books by the Cover

Case Study & Workshop

Assignment #6

☝️Takeaway: You’ll be able to brief designers, edit jacket copy, and evaluate book covers strategically.

Class description: Learn how covers, jacket copy, and blurbs shape first impressions and practice writing them.

Case Study: Covers of The List (Yomi Adegoke) and Our Share of Night (Mariana Enríquez)
Workshop: Create a cover brief and refine jacket copy

Assignment #6

Cover Reflection — Pick the most effective cover of the past year and explain why.

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THU (26/3) AT 6:30 PM GMT

📢Publicity and Marketing + Guest Speaker

Case Study

☝️Takeaway: You’ll know how publicity, marketing, and online presence drive book sales and visibility.

Guest Speaker:

On publicity

Class description: Dive into how books are marketed: from critics and reviews to TikTok trends and viral campaigns.

Case Study: Campaigns for My Sister, the Serial Killer and Yellowface

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TUE (31/3) AT 6:30 PM BST

👨‍💻The Editor + Guest Speaker

☝️Takeaway: You’ll gain practical advice on navigating the editor’s role from an expert active in the field.

Guest Speaker:

Q&A

Class description: Join an open Q&A with an experienced editor to connect the dots and get insider insights.

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THU (2/4) AT 6:30 PM BST

💼The Job Market

Final Project

☝️Takeaway: You’ll leave with a polished, portfolio-ready editorial project that shows your skills across the editorial workflow.

Class description: Learn how to enter and grow in the publishing industry: from building skills to networking effectively.

Q&A: Career advice

Final Project

Editorial Plan for a Book — Put it all together: research, edit, and create a professional editorial plan.

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What our students say

Sherlyn Assam

BECOME A BOOK EDITOR
"The Become a Book Editor course was a perfect blend of editorial training, professional development, and networking opportunities. The assignments challenged me to make creative and business decisions that could support authors and benefit publishing houses. Francisco was an intelligent, personable, and encouraging instructor who made himself accessible for support outside of class hours. This course demystified the publishing industry. It turned my curiosity for book editing into a career aspiration. I look forward to pursuing book editing roles in my freelancing career."

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BECOME A BOOK EDITOR

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

YOU ARE A CAREER SWITCHER, STUDENT, OR A FRESH GRADUATE

YOU ARE AN ASPIRING AUTHOR OR A FREELANCE WRITER

Behind every great book is a great editor.

Turn your passion for literature into a dream career from the comfort of your home.

What our students say