Matt Kendrick
Writer | Editor | Teacher
The Editorial Funnel Part 1:
Structural Engineering
Three-week asynchronous editing course
You've come up with your idea. You've put that idea down on the page. But how do you take that first draft and make it the best version of itself it can possibly be? How do you create enough pyschological distance from your work so you can read it like a reader would? How do you identify what is and isn't working? And how do you fix the possible issues you pick out?
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The Editorial Funnel is a two-part editing course that explores the concept of an "editorial funnel", working through the editing process from zoomed-out to zoomed-in. Part 1 explores how we might effectively edit for narrative focus, narrative structure, originality, emotional build and structural form, considering editing as both a thing we do for our own writing and as a thing we might do for others.
Course focus and aims
This isn't a writing course. It's an editing course. Its overarching aim is to get writers thinking about editing as a standalone skill. Part 1 exclusively looks at "structural editing" (also known as "developmental editing"). Part 2 looks at "line editing" and beyond.
Who the course is for
The course is designed for any fiction writer whether their focus is on short fiction, novels or something more bespoke.
Course Content
TOPIC 1: KEY CONCEPTS
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Self-editing vs editing for others
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The editing mindset
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The editoral funnel
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TOPIC 2: NARRATIVE FOCUS
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Writer intent
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This is a story about X
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TOPIC 3: NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
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Narrative journeys
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Key narrative building blocks
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Pacing and build
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TOPIC 4: EDITING FOR USP
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Originality of narrative
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Originality of character
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TOPIC 5: EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK
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The Es of effective feedback
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Mirrors, stars, wishes and ladders
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TOPIC 6: THE EMOTIONAL LAYER
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Motivations and barriers
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Conflicts and tensions
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Atmosphere and ticking clocks
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TOPIC 7: UNUSUAL FORMS
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Possibilities and problems
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The course is delivered through a mix of written text, visual imagery, and video content, as well as through in-depth discussions on the course forum.
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As you work through the seven topics, you will:
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Consider mindfulness techniques
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Build a list of key questions to ask yourself about any story
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Analyse example texts
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Prod your writing from different angles
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Rewrite your pieces in different ways
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Provide feedback for other writers
Delivery
The course is fully online and asynchronous. This means:
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it's possible to take part from anywhere in the world.
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there are no set ("live") times you need to be online or any "Zoom" elements.
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Content is hosted on a bespoke website and all participants will receive full course notes in PDF form on completing the course.
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A course forum (using Google Classroom) is used to post responses to the preparatory exercises and as a means of discussing the "key questions" at each level of the "editorial funnel".
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In the third week, participants will have access to a workshop space (using Google Drive). The giving and receiving of feedback is a key part of the course, and participants will be expected to participate in this.
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Participants will receive feedback from the course tutor on their responses to the preparatory exercises as well as to what they post in response to "key questions." They'll then receive in-depth structural feedback on one of their pieces to complement their own analysis and the feedback they receive from peers.
Prerequisites
The course is designed for writers of all skill levels. However, it's recommended that you have a firm grounding in how to write prior to tackling the follow-up question of how to edit.
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As part of the course, you'll need to bring along three flash fiction stories or three scenes from a longer work. These pieces should each have a word count of less than 1000 words. You'll need to have:
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Two pieces that follow a "traditional" narrative arc (inciting incident, development, climax, ending) and are written in a "standard" form and voice.
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One piece that uses a more unusual form (a list, a letter, a how-to guide, a recipe etc.)
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These can be written specifically for the course, they can be pieces from your archive or they can be from a work-in-progress. It's highly recommended that you don't bring along already-published work since these pieces will be prodded and critiqued as part of the course with the aim of developing them through several editorial passes.
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To take part in the course, participants will need to have a Google Account. If you don't have a Google Account, you'll be sent information on how you can set one up following registration.
Upcoming dates
13th April - 3rd May (BOOKING OPEN JANUARY)
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1st - 21st June (BOOKING OPEN MARCH)
Price
This is a pay-what-you-can writing course. The recommended price is £130*. Where this is prohibitive, please pay what you feel you can afford**. As a workshop facilitator, I am committed to opening up writing opportunities to people from all backgrounds based on ability to write rather than ability to pay.
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*For the sake of transparency, this recommended price is calculated to cover (a) 3.5 hours of course tutor input (per participant) in terms of feedback, discussion and admin; (b) the research / writing time of the course tutor in putting together the course notes (approximately 25,000 words, available to download following the course); and (c) miscellaneous fees (transaction charges, website charges etc.)
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**Available price options: (A) £130, (B) £115, (C) £100, (D) £85. If you're a low-income writer and would like to sign up to my lottery for free places, please enter your details below.
Course Tutor
Matt Kendrick is a writer, editor and teacher based in the East Midlands, UK. His short fiction has appeared in various journals, and has been included on the Biffy 50 list for 2019-20, in Best Microfiction 2021, Best Small Fictions 2022 and the Wigleaf Top 50 2022.
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He works as a freelance editor and creative writing tutor. He aims to teach in a way that's encouraging, detailed and aspirational, helping each writer feel empowered to fulfil the potential of their stories.
Testimonials
"Matt is an absolute gem. Not only is he one of the sharpest, most detailed and comprehensive editors and educators out there, but he is also so generous, positive and supportive." (Dawn Tasaka Steffler)
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"Matt Kendrick is the best teacher. I have learned so much doing his courses. The information is detailed and specific, the feedback is comprehensive and it's all so engaging and fun. Highly recommend." (Gillian O'Shaughnessy)
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"If you're looking for an editor who truly understands the craft of storytelling and can help you realise your vision more fully, I can't recommend Matt highly enough." (Amanda Saint)
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"Matt's writing courses provide exceptional learning content and writing support. Game changing stuff from a true expert." (Paula Turner)