Self-Edit Your Novel: 6-week Tutored Course
The best self-editing course for your book
Our longest-running course, where one in four alumni have gone on to publishing success. You’ll learn how to self-edit your manuscript, ensuring it’s submission-ready for agents or self-publishing. Master narrative drive, voice, plot, and story development.
Ideal for fiction and narrative non-fiction writers looking to refine their drafts.
Dates now available for 2026. Places are limited and sell out fast.
What’s included in this course
Our longest-running course, Self-Edit Your Novel, gives students the opportunity to work on their drafts with two exceptional tutors and build lifelong connections with authors from around the world.
Weekly tutorials
Direct feedback
A community of writers
Indefinite access
Enrol today
Premium Members save 10%
SELF-EDITING YOUR NOVEL COURSE
The self-edit course syllabus
Meet your course tutors
At Jericho Writers, we’re a team of Big 5 published authors who’ve been exactly where you are now. We bring this experience together with expert tutors to create the best courses available. Our approach has helped authors launch their careers, sign with top literary agents and even go on to become Sunday Times Bestsellers.
Throughout the course you’ll work closely with tutor Debi Alper, who will assign you weekly exercises and provide critical feedback on your manuscript. You’ll also benefit from Emma Darwin’s weekly overview and curated online readings.
Debi Alper
Lead Tutor
- Bio
Debi Alper is the author of five published novels and has worked as a freelance editor and creative writing tutor for over twenty years. She is the lead tutor for Jericho Writers’ longest running course, the phenomenally successful Self-Edit Your Novel, which launched in 2010. Debi won the inaugural RNA Indie Editor of the Year Award in 2021 and also acts as a competition judge.
Emma Darwin
Tutor
- Bio
Emma Darwin’s bestselling novels have been nominated for several awards including the Commonwealth Writers and RNA Novel of the Year. She is the author of Get Started in Writing Historical Fiction, This is Not a Book About Charles Darwin, and renowned Substack ‘This Itch of Writing’. Emma has taught at Goldsmiths and Oxford University, and is a creative writing tutor, editor, and mentor.
Are you an under-represented writer?
With thanks to tutors Debi Alper and Emma Darwin, we’re able to offer a fully-funded place for an under-represented writer on every cohort of this course. Bursary places available throughout 2025 and we encourage you to apply. For more information on eligibility, check out our Bursaries page.
The self-edit hall of fame
We’re so proud to see our students’ novels get snapped up by publishers or self-published and landing in the hands of readers across the globe. In fact, one-in-four of our alumni in the first five years of the course have gone on to get published! Could you be next?
We’ve helped hundreds of writers achieve their goals
But don’t take our word for it! Hear what our students have to say about this career-changing course below.
Are you ready to secure your place?
After purchasing the course, you will receive an email to confirm that your place has been officially booked. You’ll be invited to join a group on Townhouse to get to know your fellow students, and we’ll be in touch the week before the course starts to help you set up your account. Rest assured, even if you’re not ‘techy’, we’ll be here to help every step of the way.
Not sure if this is the right course for you? Book a call with our Student Support team.
If you have a question about any of our courses, book a call with our student support team. We’d love to discuss where you are with your writing and what your goals are so we can help you identify your next steps.
Frequently asked
questions
Which genres are accepted?
The course is suitable for writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction.
What manuscript lengths do you accept?
All.
Is this service for UK writers only?
No, we work with writers from all around the world.
Who are the tutors on the Self-Edit Your Novel Course?
This course is led by professional editors, and acclaimed authors, Debi Alper and Emma Darwin.
How much is the Self-Edit Your Novel Course?
The Self-Edit Your Novel Course costs £900. Premium Members save 10%.
How long is the course?
Six weeks.
What if I don’t have much time?
We get it. Life is busy. That’s why the course is designed to fit around your schedule. You only need around 2–3 hours a week, and you’ll have indefinite access to all materials, so you can revisit lessons whenever you need. Even if you fall behind, you won’t miss out.
How many will be on the course?
There are twelve students on each course in total. Many go on to become lifelong friends.
Will I still have access to the course materials after the six weeks?
Yes, the threads and discussions all remain on the site for the foreseeable future and you will also receive a comprehensive alum pack after the course ends.
What support will be available to me?
As a student on this course, you will receive peer-to-peer feedback on weekly assignments. Tutor Debi Alper will also provide detailed weekly feedback to help you shape specific sections of your novel and will participate in forum discussions via the online learning platform. You may also reach out to the Jericho Writers team at any time if you would like any additional support.
Who is the Self-Edit Your Novel Course suitable for?
This course is suitable for authors of fiction and narrative non-fiction of any length. We recommend it to authors who have either:
- A finished draft that needs to be polished and refined ahead of self-publishing or submitting to agents.
- A first draft near completion, so that the editing stage can be approached with confidence.
What will I get from the course?
After completing the course, you will have:
- A polished manuscript ready for further editorial work OR submitting to agents OR self-publication.
- Key editing skills to apply to future manuscripts and writing projects.
What if this doesn’t get me published?
Publication is never guaranteed, but this course gives you something incredibly valuable: the skills to edit your own work to a professional standard. That means you’ll be in a far stronger position to impress agents, editors, or readers if you choose to go down the self-publishing route. This course will not just benefit this book, but every novel you write.
Is it really worth it?
Hiring a developmental editor for one manuscript can cost upwards of £1,500. With this course, you not only get expert feedback on your work, but you also learn how to edit every book you’ll ever write. Think of it as an investment in your writing career, building skills you’ll use for years to come.
What if I’m not confident in my writing yet?
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need a draft and a willingness to improve. The step-by-step structure and supportive feedback will help you gain confidence as you go.
What are the technical requirements for the course?
The Self-Edit Your Novel Course is held on our state-of-the-art online learning platform. To access the course, you will need a computer or laptop. You can access the learning platform on a phone or tablet but the platform is not optimised for these devices so you may not be able to access the full content. You will also need a reliable internet connection.
Please note, there are no live calls on the Self-Edit Your Novel Course, so you will not be required to log in to the learning platform at certain times/days. Both the online written tutorials and the pre-recorded video tutorials are released each week and can be accessed on the learning platform.
