The Society for Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria (SBMEN) is calling for applications to its third editing workshop of 2019, to be held in Lagos. Themed “The Fundamentals of Editing Fiction and Non-Fiction,” and planned for 21-22 September, facilitators include BMS Editorial Services founder Adebukola Bassey, Quramo Publishing senior editor Tahirah Sagaya, Narrative Landscape Press co-founder Eghosa Imasuen, and The Son of the House author Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia. Brittle Paper deputy editor Otosirieze Obi-Young, whose name appears on the publicity poster, will no longer be available. This comes after the Society’s second workshop in June, which focused on magazines and digital platforms.

Founded in 2017 by Narrative Landscape Press co-founder Anwuli Ojogwu, who is its Executive Director, and Kachifo Limited managing editor Enajite Efemuaje, who is its Director of Training, the Society for Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria was created to support aspiring and professional editors, through provision of training and resources, to develop their skills. Members of the Lagos-based organisation include professionals in fields such as broadcasting, digital media, legal services, communications, public relations, and academia. The organisation provides training and resources for professionals to increase their proficiency in editing.

“It is important that an editor understands the elements of creative writing to be able to edit proficiently,” said Ojogwu, who will be teaching a class at this third workshop. “An editor must not be a creative writer to be a good editor—they are separate careers—but she must know how to write competently, understand the rules and techniques to polish good work to be of good service to a writer.” The training, she explained, is meant “to demonstrate the important skills an editor brings to the ecosystem of publishing and sharpen the participants’ knowledge.”

From the press release:

This workshop is valuable to established editors who desire to refresh their knowledge; budding editors eager to hone their craft; proofreaders who want to transit to developmental editing; writers looking to learn how to expertly self-edit their work and people who love literature and want to learn a new skill-set. The SBMEN aims to advance and promote the profession of editing by equipping professionals with the tools and skills.

The training will explore a broad range of subjects from the process of creative writing, the best practices for editing creative fiction and non-fiction; how to manage author relationships and give feedback; how to find and pursue business opportunities and practical experience of an expert in the field.

Workshop will be delivered through lectures, interactive sessions, class exercises, case studies, and breakout sessions. Interested editors and writers are encouraged to apply.

The application fee is N20,000. SBMEN members will get a 50% discount.

For more information on how to enrol in the training, email [email protected], or send a WhatsApp message to 08120055823. For more on SBMEN, visit www.sbmen.org.ng.