Claudia Ann Seaman Award
Summer Editing Apprenticeship (SEA)
Register For Session 1: May 31 - July 4, 2026
Register Now For Session 2: July 12 - August 15, 2026
*Purchasing this product at the "supporter" rate will allow us to subsidize a deserving student who cannot afford the full cost
Train Part-Time as a Literary Editor
This Summer!
Session 1: May 31 - July 4, 2026
Session 2: July 12 - August 15, 2026
The Summer Editing Apprenticeship is a part-time online program for rising 9th - 12th-grade high school students. Over the five weeks of the apprenticeship students will gain advanced knowledge of the craft and art of literary editing and be prepared for senior editing roles at Polyphony Lit or their high school literary magazine.
Through this course, students will connect with a global community of peer writers and readers. We believe that editing offers students an opportunity to develop and celebrate their unique voices in a way that is both fun and rewarding!
The program combines asynchronous training modules, live lectures, collaborative group discussions, and weekly assignments to actual author submissions to Polyphony Lit.
Space is limited. Register early to guarantee your spot!
Training: Weeks 1 - 3
Week 1
Approaching Poetry: online content, live lecture and discussion with poetry instructor. Collaborate with other Apprentices on one poetry submission.
Week 2
Approaching Fiction: online content, live lecture and discussion with fiction instructor. Collaborate with other Apprentices on one fiction submission.
Week 3
Approaching Creative Nonfiction: online content, live lecture, and discussion with creative nonfiction instructor. Collaborate with other Apprentices on one creative nonfiction submission.
Work: Weeks 4 - 5
Weeks 4 - 5
Work as Junior Editor, responding to two editorial assignments from active Polyphony Lit submissions per week. Apprentices will receive feedback on every assignment. Conference with mentor to discuss interests, feedback, and areas for focus.
Learning Outcomes
We expect Apprentices will advance their literary skills while doing meaningful work. Specific learning goals include:
Craft & Technique
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Method to approach poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction
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Understanding of elements of each genre
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Practice using literary devices to interpret and analyze submissions and give editorial feedback
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Consideration for how the overall effect of structure, devices, and themes contribute to the effect of the piece
The Responsibility of Criticism (Judging Quality)
& The Writer/Editor Relationship
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Embracing multiple standards of quality: diverse aesthetic, authentic voice, style, technique
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Awareness of contemporary challenges of creative works in a diverse world
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Honing judgment about quality
Process & Challenges in Publishing
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Responsibilities and functions of the editorial pipeline
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Acceptance and rejection criteria and decision-making
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Polyphony Lit's unique mission to encourage and support emerging writers
Program Details
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Detailed written feedback on all editing assignments.
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Opportunity to meet and learn from other students through collaborative assignments, our online community forum, and in our live online lectures
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Phone/Zoom conference with instructor
Cost
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Sliding Scale Pricing enables Polyphony Lit to offer discounts to families in need. Applicants may select the registration option most appropriate for them.
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Supporter: $549*
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Standard: $449
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Discount: $349
* Purchasing this product at the "supporter" rate will allow us to subsidize a deserving student who cannot afford the full cost.
Participant Expectations
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Expected commitment: 3-5 hours per week
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We expect Apprentices will have other work/study/vacation commitments, so all live lectures will be recorded to avoid schedule conflicts
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We welcome international students and will do our best to work around time zone issues
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We hope that Apprentices will continue working on staff with Polyphony Lit after concluding the program. Instructors will give you personal feedback about your path to promotion, but enrollment as an Apprentice is not a guarantee of promotion. Historically, about 10% of our Junior Editors earn promotion to Genre Editor and Executive Editor
What Are People
Saying?
This program was my first glimpse into the world of literary editing and it was really eye opening. I got to understand how to really dissect a person's work and understand every individual layer, and how to give constructive criticism on a piece while respecting the author's voice and still expressing your own opinion. The Q&A and personal sessions were also so great because we got to take a peek into the minds of professional writers and editors, and get questions that's been itching at us answered. Shout out to all the TAs and Julian for being such kind, understanding and helpful teachers. Everything was explained and taught really well, and the course was an overall wonderful experience!
— Vaishnavi Kelath, Summer Editing Apprenticeship 2025 Student
Summer Editing Apprenticeship Page Art by Austin Liu, Tony Fitzpatrick, and Julian Riccobon.