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After ‘The End’: Self-Editing Strategies for Writers (Sydney) with Sherry D. Ramsey

Editing may not seem to be the most glamorous part of writing, but it is a vital part of the process and something all successful authors learn to do. Both traditionally published and independent authors benefit from being able to edit their own work with knowledge, skill, and insight—and, who knows, maybe even enjoyment! Perhaps even more important is knowing when outside editing assistance is needed.

In this workshop, we will explore the various types of editing; what they mean for your manuscript; how and when to approach each type; and when to look for help. We’ll discuss the usefulness of current editing software and tools available to writers, learn from examples, and practice hands-on exercises with our own writing and the writing of others.

Both new and more experienced writers will leave this workshop with a better understanding of the craft and nuances of editing, and improved skills to make their writing shine.

About the instructor: Sherry D. Ramsey writes science fiction and fantasy for both adults and young adults, and is one of the founding editors of Cape Breton’s Third Person Press. She has published over thirty short stories nationally and internationally, and her bestselling space opera Nearspace series is published by Edmonton’s Tyche Books. Urban fantasy readers can check out her Olympia Investigations series and her newest adventure fantasy, The Fifth Force, released in 2024. Her works for younger readers include YA fantasy, middle grade science fiction adventure, and a collection of short fiction. She’s currently working on a new cozy fantasy duology and a collection of ghost stories, as well as teaching English courses as a sessional instructor at Cape Breton University. She (rather obviously if you’ve been paying attention) lives in Cape Breton, where she consumes far more coffee and chocolate than is likely good for her.

Recommended experience level: New, emerging, and early-career writers in any form or genre (About recommended experience levels)

Participant cap: 12

Location: On The Same Page Books (311 Charlotte St, Sydney, NS)
     [In this venue, the workshop space is wheelchair-accessible; however, the washroom is up one step and cannot accommodate a wheelchair.]

Dates of 2-week workshop: Wednesdays, Nov 12 + Nov 19, 2025 (7:00pm to 9:00pm)

Registration for 2025 General Members: $109

Registration for non-members: $109 (includes discounted fall 2025 General Membership in WFNS, a $30 value)

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Experience Levels

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) uses the following terms to describe writers’ experience levels:

  • New writers: those with less than two years’ creative writing experience and/or no short-form publications (e.g., short stories, personal essays, or poems in literary magazines, journals, anthologies, or chapbooks).
  • Emerging writers: those with more than two years’ creative writing experience and/or numerous short-form publications.
  • Early-career authors: those with 1 or 2 book-length publications or the equivalent in book-length and short-form publications.
  • Established authors: those with 3 or 4 book-length publications.
  • Professional authors: those with 5 or more book-length publications.

Please keep in mind that each form of creative writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, writing for children and young adults, and others) provides you with a unique set of experiences and skills, so you might consider yourself an ‘established author’ in one form but a ‘new writer’ in another.

The “Recommended experience level” section of each workshop description refers to the above definitions. A workshop’s participants should usually have similar levels of creative writing and / or publication experience. This ensures that each participant gets value from the workshop⁠ and is presented with information, strategies, and skills that suit their career stage. 

For “intensive” and “masterclass” workshops, which provide more opportunities for peer-to-peer feedback, the recommended experience level should be followed closely.

For all other workshops, the recommended experience level is just that—a recommendation—and we encourage potential participants to follow their own judgment when registering.

If you’re uncertain of your experience level with regard to any particular workshop, please feel free to contact us at communications@writers.ns.ca