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Paper to Polished: Editing for Success

Paper to Polished: Editing for Success is a five-month immersive program that helps unpublished Participants realize the next goal in their publishing journey: self-editing their first-draft manuscript. With a combination of written, audio, and visual materials and weekly discussion, critique sessions, writing sprints and special workshops, this program is an extraordinary value!

The Paper to Polished: Editing for Success program will return in September 2025.

If you have questions about the program, please use the Contact Us form.

 

Who Can Participate?

Paper to Polished: Editing for Success program is open to people who meet the following criteria:

  • Has completed a first-draft manuscript of a romance novel or novella for use in the program. 
  • Unpublished in novel- or novella-length romance fiction in a commercial market.
  • Not under contract or have an active pre-sale.
  • Prepared to meet the participation requirements, writing commitment, and assignment due dates for the program.
  • Agree to abide by the RWA Code of Ethics.

Can Non-members Participate?

Yes. Non-members can participate provided that they meet the criteria listed above. Non-member Participants agree to follow RWA's Code of Ethics for the duration of the program.

Non-members, we invite you to join RWA first, then register as a member at the lower rate once you receive an email that your membership is confirmed. RWA membership information may be found here. This is an opportunity to both save money and receive the benefits of being a RWA member.

 

What’s Expected of the Participants?

Participants should be prepared to commit to the entire five-month program.

  • Participants need to meet the entry requirements for the program, including having a completed first draft of a manuscript for a romance novel. A first draft is considered complete when it meets most or all of the following criteria:
    • Your draft meets the conventions of your genre.
    • Your draft meets the average word count length for your genre.
    • You’ve answered most of the story questions raised in the story’s premise.
    • Your story contains a beginning, middle, and end and includes an inciting incident, rising action, a climax, and a resolution.
    • Your protagonists have completed their external and internal arcs.
    • The Happy Ever After (HEA) or Happy For Now (HFN) has been achieved.
    • You’ve written those magical words “The End.”
  • Commit to devoting approximately 8 hours or more per week to the program, including:
  • Learn from experts in the romance universe via articles, audio recordings, live events, and exclusive videos developed for this program.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available.

  • Tuition scholarships for the Paper to Polished: Editing for Success Program are offered based on funds available as determined by the RWA Board of Directors.
  • Scholarships are intended for individuals with low income.
  • Scholarship applicants must meet all Paper to Polished: Editing for Success Program criteria as well as attest to financial need.
  • Scholarship applicants do not need to be RWA members.
  • Scholarship applicants must complete the Scholarship Application Form.
  • Scholarship applicants will be selected by a Selection Panel.
  • Scholarship recipients are expected to complete the entire Paper to Polished: Editing for Success Program.

If you have questions about the program, please use the Contact Us form.