Claudia Ann Seaman Award
Summer Editing Apprenticeship (SEA)
Register Now For Session 1: May 25-June 29, 2025
Scholarships Available: Click here to apply
Supporter purchase includes 3 bonuses
Standard purchase includes 2 bonuses
Discount purchase includes 1 bonus
Register Now For Session 2: July 13-August 17, 2025
Scholarships Available: Click here to apply
Supporter purchase includes 3 bonuses
Standard purchase includes 2 bonuses
Discount purchase includes 1 bonus
*Purchasing this product at the "supporter" rate allows us to subsidize a deserving student who cannot afford the full cost
Train Part-Time as a Literary Editor
This Summer!
Session 1: May 25-June 29, 2025
Session 2: July 13-August 17, 2025
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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!
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The program combines asynchronous training modules, live lectures, collaborative group discussions, and weekly assignmehttps://www.polyphonylit.org/summer-workshopsspond to actual author submissions to Polyphony Lit.
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Space is limited. Register early to guarantee your spot!
Training: Weeks 1 - 3
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​Week 1
Approaching Poetry: online content, live lecture and discussion with poetry instructor. Collaborate with other Apprentices on one poetry submission.
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Week 2
Approaching Fiction: online content, live lecture and discussion with fiction instructor. Collaborate with other Apprentices on one fiction submission.
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Week 3
Approaching Creative Nonfiction: online content, live lecture, and discussion with creative nonfiction instructor. Collaborate with other Apprentices on one creative nonfiction submission.
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Work: Weeks 4 - 5
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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:​
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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
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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
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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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Optional opportunity to write a post for our “Voices” blog
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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?
"Reflecting on the past few weeks, I am amazed by how SEA has helped me grow both as a literary editor and a writer in such a short time... While tackling areas I’m not familiar with previously like fiction, it was [the] weekly pre-recorded mini-lectures that helped me to turn the corner. I am grateful for being a part of the Polyphony community, where young writers develop mutual relationships and work collectively to create a literary fantasia... and I look forward to continuing this journey... Again, thank you so much for organizing the program!"​
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— 2024 Summer Apprentice
Summer Editing Apprenticeship Page Art by Austin Liu, Tony Fitzpatrick, and Julian Riccobon.