What is Editing in Paradise?
Editing in Paradise is a 6-day self-editing masterclass retreat, designed to kick-start the writer’s own editing process, to guide experienced writers wanting to take their written manuscripts to the next stage and increase their chance of publishing success.
I’m writing memoir. Am I still eligible?
Yes. EIP is open to all genres. You may be writing fiction, or non-fiction. It may be a memoir or a novel or short stories or essays. For any of those pieces, you may be just starting out, or you’re stuck halfway through. Perhaps you’ve done your final draft and need direction to take the next step?
Or…maybe you’ve lost the way altogether (or perhaps written so many drafts you’ve lost the will to live!). In every case, Editing in Paradise can help.
How was Editing in Paradise born?
An annual retreat, Editing in Paradise is the brainchild of prominent editor Shelley Kenigsberg. She and editor and author, Selena Hanet-Hutchins, developed the retreat program, tailored to developing writers—those who have completed a fiction or creative non-fiction manuscript to at least first draft—as a way of combining their love of working with authors and stories, and, of course, travel.
This collaboration between trusted colleagues means the masterclass retreat is a very special creative time. (Read the feedback)
Why these two?
Between them, Shelley and Selena have worked in publishing for over 35 years. They’ve edited hundreds of books and worked with and mentored a vast number of authors including Lisa Heidke, Peter Macinnis, Anne Geddes, Janine Macdonald, Glen Short (Shelley) and Kirsty Eagar, Candice Bruce, Richard Harland, Nathan Burrage, Annarosa Berman (Selena).
They’re passionate about words… about the world of writing, books, ideas… different forms of publishing (digital included) and different forms of writing (short story, poetry, spoken word).
The power of the collaboration lies in the blending of each one’s enthusiasm backed by deep professional experience. Shelley has a particular interest in memoir and literary fiction and non-fiction (humanities, education, health, social policy). Selena also works with memoir but mostly commercial and crossover fiction, including children’s, young adult and fantasy.
Shelley and Selena have worked in-house and as freelancers and, for the past few years, have begun presenting their unique (and successful) blend of self-editing techniques for writers in Australia and, at Editing in Paradise in 2009, 2010, internationally.
Will the editors give feedback on my work?
Yes. That’s one of the greatest strengths of the work with Shelley and Selena, and the unique way EIP is structured. In one-on-one sessions, not only will we edit part of the work with you, we will provide feedback on strengths and weaknesses, structure and more. Plus, we will coach you, give you all the tips, techniques and information you need to identify the right markets as well as develop your ability to pitch for publication.
Why would I come to the retreat when I can pay for an editor and have their undivided attention?
Editing in Paradise offers you the best of both worlds. Six days of in-depth and focussed editorial support and guidance plus the luxury of time and space to develop your relationship with your writing.
Joining an Editing in Paradise masterclass retreat will give you the benefit of Shelley and Selena’s reading of the whole ms (not just a few chapters or even pages as some publishers or agents might if you just submitted ‘cold’). We’re working with you hand in hand as you edit, not in a distant consultation.
Do I need a completed draft of my manuscript?
Actually, you don’t. You do, though, need a manuscript that is developed to the point where you have some idea of your intention, style, plot, etc. You do need to bring a hard copy of the manuscript with you (if you write on a laptop, bring both). You may want to bring any reports, appraisals or rejection letters too; we’d be happy to help you understand where or how to apply the feedback (including that tricky instruction ‘Show, don’t tell’!). Shelley and Selena will read your manuscripts in advance of the retreats. That way, you’re getting focussed attention and guidance on your particular strengths and weaknesses.
What about intellectual property?
We have no rights to your work. Unless you have signed a contract giving another party rights to your work, you hold copyright. We do read your whole manuscript to ensure our editorial support and guidance is appropriate and useful. We identify each writer’s challenges and tailor the retreat program to be of greatest benefit to the small group (max 8) and their developing works.
Do I have to read my work out to the group?
Not if you don’t want to. During group sessions, you may read out pieces resulting from the tailored exercises, if you wish to. Or not. It’s entirely at your discretion. There is no formal group critique or workshopping but there’s room for that to grow from the group—just one bonus of having a small community of other writers. You can share with the group as much or as little of their work as you wish to. Mainly, the retreat is about your relationship with your writing, and getting the benefit of multi-faceted guidance from professional editors to help you realise its potential.
Will we have access to literary agents at the retreat?
We know lots of publishers, the lists they’re creating, and the agents who can get through to publishers. Though we cannot guarantee you access to agents and publishers, we can guarantee that you will equip yourself with the editorial eye, tips and techniques to develop your work to get there.
We believe there’s no point pitching to a publisher or agent before the manuscript is ready to succeed, but we’ll help set your direction for that goal.
What can I do to prepare myself for the retreat?
Get yourself ready to really delve into the world of your manuscript and the world of editing it. That might involve reading books on writing; it may involve just relaxing and trusting that this will be a very intense and productive 6 days in which you are free to play, as well as work! There’s enough time for work; there’s enough time for reflection and rejuvenation; there’s plenty of inspiration.
Read the feedback from Bali 2009 and 2010, Byron Bay 2010.
Can I bring friends or family?
With notice, we can arrange for the EIP program to be part of a longer stay at any of the locations (Bali’s Mimpi Menjangan is blissful and you wouldn’t be the first to be tempted!) but the program is intensive and part of it is to make space in your life to focus on your writing, away from distractions.
Will my laptop connection work in Bali? Or South Africa?
All the accommodation provided has secure electrical connections and facilities for wi-fi. You will have individual writing space as well as a common meeting room with air-conditioned comfort.
How much of the program is group time?
That’s up to you. We’ve designed the EIP program to maximise your individual time with your writing, while providing the guidance to make it productive. The daily program includes group masterclass sessions (tips and tools) in the mornings, with the after-dinner evening session focussed on tailored self-editing exercises. Each afternoon we encourage you to spend time writing or in one-on-one consultations with Shelley and Selena. If you just want every minute to write, write, write, that’s fine—the group sessions are not compulsory. You will have the support and freedom you need to go with your own writing flow.
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