EDITORIAL SERIES
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This course is ideal for writers who already have a rough draft.
November 10 - 13, 2026
The Architect's Edit
The structural revamp. One of the most important stages in revision.​ Tell your story in the most effective and fitting way. What scenes are working for you and where would they have the most impact? Which chapters need to be eliminated? ​
The Prose Polish
More than writing pretty sentences, this is where you showcase your voice, your style. Scrape and buff and polish all the extra modifiers, redundancies, all the "darlings" that sound great but don't really say anything.​​​​​
Narrative Voice
Voice is in the details. We'll look at dialogue, psychic distance, and the "ear" of the story.
Ela Brooks
Editor & Editorial Series Instructor
Ela Brooks is an editor, writing educator, and founder of Pen and Polish, where she helps fiction and nonfiction authors craft stories and messages that resonate with readers. Through developmental editing, line editing, and educational resources, she specializes in helping writers strengthen character depth, emotional impact, reader immersion, and narrative momentum.
Ela has worked with authors across a variety of genres and is known for providing thoughtful, actionable feedback that helps writers strengthen what is already working while identifying opportunities for deeper impact and clarity. She has also served as a judge for novel contests, evaluating submissions and providing editorial feedback to emerging writers.
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Her teaching focuses on the storytelling techniques that create emotional investment, compelling characters, and unforgettable reading experiences. Through Pen and Polish, she has helped hundreds of writers develop stronger revision skills, grow in confidence, and continue pursuing the stories they feel called to tell.
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When she's not editing or teaching, she's usually reading, writing, or spending time with her husband and dogs.
What you will receive:
A leather-bound writing journal.
A credit for the Book of the Year submission.
Professional review of select pieces of your manuscript.
Residency Overview
Each Professional residency will follow the same general outline:
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Tuesday (optional add-on)
5pm Check-in
5:30-7pm welcome drinks & ice-breakers
7pm Dinner at the Grand Haven / Spring Lake Holiday Inn
8:30-9pm Opening Lesson​
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Wednesday
8-10am Breakfast
10:30am - Noon - First Session
Noon - 3pm Lunch & free write
3:30-5pm - Second Session
5:30-7pm - Free write
7pm Dinner at Mud Penny (or your preference)
8:30-9pm Open Mic Readings
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Thursday
8-10am Breakfast
10:30am - Noon - First Session
Noon - 3pm Lunch & free write
3:30-5pm - Second Session
5:30-7pm - Free write
7pm Dinner at Mud Penny (or your preference)
8:30-9pm Open Mic Readings
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Friday
8-10am Breakfast
10:30-11am final lesson
11am Check-out