Without a Solid System, Writing Your Book Can Get Messy—Fast
If you’ve ever felt like your manuscript isn’t working, but you can’t figure out why, you’re not alone.
❌ You tweak sentences, but the story feels stuck.
❌ You keep rewriting the same scenes, yet your plot still isn’t coming together.
❌ You’re juggling advice from too many sources, and none of it sticks.
❌ You’ve drained your budget on editing before your draft was ready.
❌ You want to write a great book, but you don’t know what to fix, or in what order.
This isn’t a reflection of your ability. It’s a sign that you’re ready for a new approach that actually works.
Write a Stronger Book, From First Draft to Final Polish
Whether you’re outlining your first novel or refining your third, Book Editing Blueprint offers the insight, tools, and support to bring your story across the finish line. Created by a multi-published author and seasoned editor with over 3,000 articles and 10 books, this course condenses decades of experience into a practical approach you can apply again and again.
You’ll follow a process that shows you what to focus on at every point in your writing and editing journey. And with its two-track, self-paced roadmap, you’ll get customized guidance that meets you where you are.
Here’s what sets this course apart:
✅ Straightforward action steps at every stage. Know exactly what to work on, when to work on it, and why, so you can finally make steady progress and start trusting your creative instincts.
✅ Choose your path. Select the Drafting or Editing Track and follow tactics, worksheets, and lessons geared toward your current stage.
✅ A logical flow. Work through the self-editing process in order, starting with structure and ending with polish, so nothing gets missed.
✅ Hands-on resources. Get checklists, cheat sheets, workbooks, and spreadsheets that help you move from learning to doing, right inside your draft.
✅ Taught by an editor who has been in your shoes. This course shares the strategies I’ve used to rewrite my own books and to help hundreds of other writers develop stronger manuscripts.
You’ll go from wondering if you’re “doing it right” to thinking like a skilled editor with every pass.
A Complete System Customizable for Where You Are Now
Inside Book Editing Blueprint, you’ll learn how to:
✅ Spot and fix big-picture story issues like plot holes, weak character arcs, and confusing point of view
✅ Fine-tune your pacing, dialogue, and description so every scene pulls its weight
✅ Tighten your writing at the sentence level for smoother flow and sharper delivery
✅ Move through your manuscript with a plan that feels doable, even on a busy schedule
✅ Build an editing workflow you can count on for every book you write
Real Writers. Real Results.
Invaluable
“Stacy’s class has been invaluable! It was like a fresh set of eyes that I was privy to! I do not regret the investment and plan to use it for every book I write.
Before I took the course, my editing was disjointed—like throwing all my know-how at a wall and seeing what sticks. I love a good map. The lessons were great, but that checklist! After writing I can get frazzled, and it’s like having my pre-frazzled brain’s plan.” Sydney Patton
Makes editing simple
“This is a clear, step-by-step editing guide for authors. I’m a checklist person, and this course has been a real boon for me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” Marsha Hinton
LIKE YOUR PRIVATE WRITING COACH
“This course takes you deeper into your story than you have ever been before to make sure you never get a review that says the story was flat! She’s like your private writing coach helping you remember all the little things and make sure you reach your potential on both the big AND little things.” Kat Caldwell
Stacy lays out everything you need
“No one writes a perfect first draft, and sometimes staring at the pile of words is incredibly daunting. How am I supposed to mold this into a cohesive story, with twists, complex characters, and a compelling plot?
You need a roadmap. No, you need a Blueprint. Learning what to tackle first is half the battle. Stacy lays out everything you need to know about how to self-edit, because we all want to hold a polished novel in our hands. Editing is incredibly intimidating, especially if you’re new at it. Having a guide and a toolkit makes it feel possible.” Lena Johnson
Best thing I have done for my writing career
“I wish I took this course a year before my first submission. I might be at my dream publishing company. This course is the best thing I have done for my writing career.” Zerry Greenwood
Choose Your Track: Drafting or Editing
Writers join Book Editing Blueprint at all stages. That’s why the course includes two flexible tracks.
Drafting Track — Still writing your novel? You’ll use The Draft Your Novel Planner to apply what you’re learning as your story takes shape. It helps you make more informed decisions and avoid major structure problems.
Editing Track — Learn how to prep your manuscript for a thorough self-edit. You’ll get a workbook and a customizable tracker to walk you through each step and make editing feel manageable.
You’ll have your choice of:
The Blueprinter’s Complete Editing Tracker, an interactive Google spreadsheet with 8 tabs, each outlining tasks for a different stage of editing. It includes space to log what still needs fixing (and where), along with quick links back to the course.
A 26-page printable checklist, simple to mark up if you prefer pen and paper.
Here’s What’s Waiting for You Inside the Course
• 10 core modules on plot, structure, point of view, dialogue, pacing, line editing, copyediting, and more — So you can fix the issues holding your story back
• 35 bite-sized videos filled with examples — Ready whenever you are
• Practice worksheets and quizzes — To reinforce what you’re learning
• Two downloadable workbooks — One for drafting and one for editing, giving you a roadmap for your writing and revisions
• The Blueprinter’s Complete Editing Tracker 8-tab Google spreadsheet with demo video — To keep you organized and thinking like an editor
• A printable 26-page editing checklist — Breaks down the process into individual passes that target one problem at a time
• A resource library with 255 pages of transcripts, notes, and cheat sheets — For revisiting whenever you need a refresher
• Lifetime access, including to future updates — Pay once and come back as often as you like, for any book
Strengthen Every Part of Your Story With These Blueprints
Each blueprint gives you a pivotal focus area to improve your story, one layer at a time. You’ll zoom in on one key craft element per module—like structure, pacing, or dialogue—through lessons, action steps, and cheat sheets that make it easy to apply what you learn.
1. Character – Flesh out your characters by digging into arcs, emotions, and motivations
2. Structure – Make sure your story is built on solid ground
3. Point of View – Avoid common POV mistakes and develop your narrators’ voices
4. Show, Don’t Tell – Pump up your prose through vivid descriptions and body language
5. Dialogue – Make your characters sound distinct and real
6. Pacing – Cut the padding, build tension, and keep readers glued to the page
7. Line Editing – Eliminate vague, wordy, or repetitive writing
8. Copyediting – Polish grammar, punctuation, and mechanics
9. Hiring Editors – Know who to hire, when, and how to prepare
10. Putting It All Together – Use checklists and systems to catch what others miss
A romance writer friend once read an early draft of my chick lit novel Fooling Around with Cinderella and said, “You know you use the word as a lot, right?”
I didn’t believe her—until I looked. It was everywhere. That one little word was watering down tension. Slowing my pacing. Softening sentences that needed more punch. Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. That moment changed how I write—and how I edit for others.
That’s the power of line editing. One small insight can shift how you see your pages forever. And line editing is just one of the ten areas we cover in Book Editing Blueprint.
The Blueprint Bonus Vault: Extra Resources to Support Your Progress (Valued at Over $300)
As part of your enrollment, you’ll gain access to The Blueprint Bonus Vault, an exclusive library of tools and workshops to deepen your learning and give you the encouragement to push through the toughest drafts.
🎁 Where AI Fits in Your Editing Toolbox — Learn how to use Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and ChatGPT without losing your voice. Discover the strengths, limits, and thoughtful ways to make AI support your revisions—not hurt them.
🎁 Lessons from the Trenches: How These Authors Conquered Tough Rewrites — In this nearly 2-hour panel, three editing clients share how they survived setbacks, tackled overwhelming revisions, and implemented systems that kept them going.
🎁 Rewriting Without Regret — If you’ve ever wanted to dust off an old project, this session helps you decide if it’s worth revisiting and how to approach it with fresh eyes.
🎁 Copyright for Authors Workshop — Hear from a law professor how to protect your work, understand fair use, and avoid common legal pitfalls.
🎁 The Read Like an Editor 10-Book Challenge — Hone your editing instincts by analyzing published novels—and understand what’s effective, what’s not, and why.
🎁 How to Apply Creative Techniques to Your Nonfiction Book —Blend fiction techniques with real-life events to make memoirs and essays more vivid and engaging.
Why This Course Pays for Itself
Professional editing is a necessary investment. Even experienced authors under contract with major publishing houses hire freelance editors. I know because I’ve worked with them.
But editing isn’t cheap. According to Reedsy, developmental editing for an 80,000-word book costs between $2,000 and $4,720 per round. And most authors need multiple rounds. Add in line editing, copyediting, and proofreading, and you’re easily looking at several thousand dollars per book.
Many writers have no idea what they’re getting themselves into when they hire an editor. They assume they’re paying for a polish, but usually, they’re paying to learn skills they didn’t know they were missing. Unfortunately, those skills take time to build. You won’t absorb them from a couple of editorial letters. It’s easy to burn through your entire editing budget on early drafts that weren’t ready.
I’ve worked with writers who needed at least 6–8 rounds of developmental edits, but could only afford one or two. We barely touched line editing because the structure still needed so much work—and they never even made it to copyediting or proofreading.
That’s why I created Book Editing Blueprint.
To help writers become less dependent on editors draft after draft, and more confident revising on their own. The course gives you the same guidance I’d share with my one-on-one clients, but at a fraction of the cost. You can use it to revise as many drafts as you need, on your own timeline.
You’ll still want professional eyes on your final draft, but you’ll save money by doing the foundational work yourself and get higher-quality feedback when you do hire an editor.
Enroll Today.
Get lifetime access to Book Editing Blueprint and all the bonuses for a one-time payment of:
$497
See What’s Possible With the Right Support
ADDS VALUE TO YOUR WRITING PRACTICE
“After taking the course, I have more confidence in my ability to revise my early drafts. It is a course that doesn’t waste your time, adds value to your writing practice, and shows respect for your pocketbook. Thank you, Stacy.” Maryclaire Torinus
does not have to be a chore
“My biggest takeaway was that editing does not have to be a chore. Using Stacy’s step-by-step blueprint helps to break it down into small and manageable sections that don’t result in frustration and loss of motivation.” Theresa Hall
there is a lot more I can do as a writer
“Before taking the course, I felt like I only had half of the information and my manuscript showed it. What I liked best was how well she explains it. How often the ‘duh’ effect struck me, and I can see why. I learned there is a lot more I can do as a writer.” Doree Anderson
Hi there, I’m Stacy Juba.
I created Book Editing Blueprint because I’ve been where you are, staring at a messy draft, unsure how to fix it. Years ago, my agent submitted my novel Twenty-Five Years Ago Today to publishers, and the rejections rolled in.
“It’s too quiet.”
“Not edgy enough.”
At the time, I felt crushed. I believed in the story but didn’t know how to improve it. Then my agent and I got on the phone. She suggested ways to give the main character more edge. I got to work. And something clicked. The rewrite wasn’t easy, but I was proud of it. When I sent the new version, my agent said, “You took a good book and made it even better.”
That experience taught me something I never forgot:
You can survive messy rewrites.
You can turn overwhelm into clarity.
And you can write a book you’re proud of—even if the process feels murky.
That’s exactly why I created Book Editing Blueprint: to give you a clear, step-by-step system for writing and editing your novel. Too many writers spend months revising without real progress or draft stories that fall apart later due to weak structure and poor choices. It doesn’t have to be that way. This course is the same system I’ve refined over decades—as both a writer and editor—and it’s here to guide you.
I’m the author of 10 published books, a freelance developmental editor, and a course creator dedicated to helping writers at all levels. As an award-winning journalist, I’ve published over 3,000 articles. In my role as an editor and course creator, I’ve spoken at 35+ online writing conferences, led private workshops, and been interviewed on more than 50 podcasts.
I’m also a mom of two girls and have more than 700 books on my Kindle, an obsession with the TV show Supernatural, and a fascination with office supplies and planners.
Over the years, I’ve tackled my fair share of tough rewrites, including:
✅ Reworking my debut novel at age 18 based on 14 pages of single-spaced editorial notes from a major publisher.
✅ Pulling a 25-year-old manuscript out of a drawer and completely rewriting it.
✅ Overhauling a major subplot and character in my first chick lit novel.
Those rewrites paid off—my books have hit bestseller lists and even landed on recommended reading lists, including:
⭐ GalleyCat’s Barnes & Noble Bestseller list
⭐ GalleyCat’s Mystery and Thriller Bestseller list
⭐ #30 on the Amazon Kindle Paid List
⭐ #5 and #11 in the Nook Store
⭐ Best Books for Young Teen Readers (Grades 7-10)
⭐ Hockey Hall of Fame’s Junior Education Program Recommended Reading List
I’ve also helped hundreds of writers shape their manuscripts, giving them the tools to create stronger books.
Here’s my promise to you: this isn’t a random mix of editing tips. It’s a structured system that teaches you how to think like an editor before you hire one. You’ll learn what to focus on while you write—and what to fix before bringing in a professional—so when you do invest in editing, you’ll get far more value for your money.
And because writing a publishable book can feel overwhelming, I’ve also woven in motivation and mindset support to help you stay focused and confident along the way.
If you’re like most writers, you have a limited amount of time to work on your book. Let’s make every minute count and get your manuscript where it needs to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will I still need to hire an editor?
A. Book Editing Blueprint is designed to reduce your editing costs—not replace professional feedback entirely.
By doing the work in this course, you’ll handle the early and mid-level revisions yourself, so when you do hire an editor, your manuscript is already strong and focused. That means fewer rounds, clearer feedback, and better use of your budget.
I don’t recommend querying or publishing without some level of professional editorial input. Even experienced authors benefit from outside eyes. This course helps you reach the stage where professional feedback is strategic, not instructional.
Q. Wouldn't it be faster to just hire an editor?
A. Sometimes—if your draft is already in great shape.
But if it’s not (and most drafts aren’t), editors often spend time teaching fundamentals. That leads to higher costs, multiple rounds, and slower progress.
When you come in with a solid foundation, your editor can focus on what they do best: helping you elevate a strong manuscript instead of fixing preventable issues.
Q. I haven’t started my novel yet. Should I wait?
A. No. If you’re early in the process—or starting from scratch—Book Editing Blueprint is one of the best tools you can have.
The Drafting Track helps you build your story’s foundation from the beginning: theme, plot, characters, and scene-level decisions. Once your draft is complete, the Editing Track shows you how to identify what needs fixing and tackle it in the right order.
Starting with this course helps you avoid common mistakes and save hours of rewrites later. And if you’re unsure whether you can write a novel—that’s normal. The course is designed to guide you step by step through the process of finishing one.
Q. Will this course teach me grammar and punctuation rules?
A. Not in depth. The course provides a broad overview, but its primary focus is developmental and line-level editing—plot, characterization, point of view, pacing, dialogue, and style.
We cover the most common grammar and punctuation issues and I share trusted resources for cleaning up your manuscript. However, deep copyediting is best handled by a trained copyeditor.
Your priority as a novelist is building a strong, compelling story. Fixing grammar too early—before revisions—often creates extra work. This course helps you decide what you can handle yourself and when professional copyediting is still the best choice.
Q. Can't I learn the same thing from books and free resources?
A. Books, blogs, and free resources can be helpful, but they’re often fragmented. What most writers lack isn’t information; it’s a system. You could spend years piecing together advice from different sources, or you can follow a structured framework that shows you what to focus on and when.
Book Editing Blueprint combines instruction, examples, exercises, and tools so you’re applying what you learn directly to your manuscript. Many writers try the DIY route first, only to discover they still can’t spot weaknesses in their own drafts, leading to repeated, expensive editing rounds.
This course gives you the foundation that makes all those other resources far more effective.
As one of my students said, “Hearing your voice creates a teacher-student relationship that I don’t get out of books. It was more like being in the classroom. Everybody has a preferred style of learning—voice, text, or graphics. You had video, text, recaps, bullet items, tests that you can take over as great extra reinforcement . . . I think the way you’ve done it will help the material stay with students. They can print it out and save it for reference, but the goal is to learn and absorb.”
Q. With 10 modules, are you sure I won’t get confused or more overwhelmed?
A. Ten modules are much less overwhelming than receiving all this feedback at once in an editorial letter.
Editors can only touch briefly on each issue before sending writers off to read multiple books and articles. This course breaks those same concepts into short, focused lessons with a clear order of operations.
You won’t tackle everything at once. You’ll follow a step-by-step plan, focus on one layer at a time, and see progress as you go. Editing becomes far less intimidating when you know exactly what to work on—and in what order.
Q. What happens once I purchase, and how long do I have access?
A. Purchases will be made through the Shortcuts for Writers Thrivecart Learn platform. You will be directed to set up a password and will be granted access to the classroom where you will find the lessons, videos, and downloadable files. You’ll have lifetime access, so you can revisit the lessons at any time.
Q. Can I share the materials in this course with my writer friends or clients?
A. You’re welcome to share a link where they can buy the course. You can even join the affiliate program and get a commission on sales. However, you may not share any material from Book Editing Blueprint with anyone else who has not yet purchased it. You can read the full Terms & Conditions here.
By downloading, printing, or otherwise using our products or content for personal use, you in no way assume any ownership rights of the content—it is still company property. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of any materials found in the program or content shall constitute infringement.
You're protected by a 7-Day Guarantee
Book Editing Blueprint comes with a 100% money-back guarantee, so your purchase is risk-free.
There’s a good reason clients and students describe me as generous, professional, enthusiastic, and insightful—it’s because I put tremendous care into every course and stand behind everything I teach.
If you go through the lessons and feel the course didn’t deliver the guidance promised, just email us within 7 days and you’ll get a full refund.
If you request a refund, we will ask you for feedback on how the course didn’t meet your expectations, so we can improve our marketing messaging in the future.
Is Book Editing Blueprint Right for You?
This course is for you if:
✅ You’re a fiction or creative nonfiction writer working on a novel, memoir, biography, or essay collection with scenes.
✅ You’re early in the writing process—or revising your third draft—and want a logical, repeatable system to guide you.
✅ You’ve tried editing before but felt overwhelmed, disorganized, or unsure if you were doing it “right.”
✅ You’re planning to hire an editor (now or later) and want to submit a stronger draft so you get more value for your money.
✅ You learn best with structure, examples, and hands-on resources like checklists, workbooks, and lessons.
This course isn’t for you if:
❌ You write children’s picture books, early readers, poetry, or heavily fact-based nonfiction (like academic or technical books).
❌ You’re looking for a quick fix, like hoping AI or editing software can do all the work. It won’t. You need to be willing to learn and make the changes yourself.
❌ You don’t want to improve your writing craft or storytelling skills.
Here’s a Reminder of What You’ll Get
• 10 core modules on plot, structure, POV, dialogue, pacing, line editing, copyediting, and more — So you can fix the issues holding your story back
• 35 bite-sized videos filled with examples — Ready whenever you are
• Practice worksheets and quizzes — To reinforce what you’re learning
• Two downloadable workbooks — One for drafting and one for editing, giving you a roadmap for your writing and revisions
• The Blueprinter’s Complete Editing Tracker 8-tab Google spreadsheet with demo video — To keep you organized and thinking like an editor
• A printable 26-page editing checklist — Breaks down the process into individual passes that target one problem at a time
• A resource library with 255 pages of transcripts, notes, and cheat sheets — For revisiting whenever you need a refresher
• Lifetime access, including to future updates — Pay once and come back as often as you like, for any book
The Blueprint Bonus Vault (Valued at $300+)
Where AI Fits in Your Editing Toolbox lesson
Lessons from the Trenches: How These Authors Conquered Tough Rewrites author panel
Rewriting Without Regret – Turning an Old Story into Something New workshop
Copyright for Authors Workshop workshop
The Read Like an Editor 10-Book Challenge
How to Apply Creative Techniques to Your Nonfiction Book
More Stories from the Blueprint Community
Learned a lot
“Great lesson plan for beginners and pros who want to improve their writing and editing. I felt I learned a lot of super good knowledge by taking this course.” Angela Lambkin
Gave Me Confidence
“I loved your course. I was constantly second-guessing myself when I did edits on the first book, but after your courses and quizzes, it gave me so much more confidence in my editing skills!” Ashley Kubasek
HAS HELPED SO MUCH
“This is now part of my craft toolkit! I absolutely love this blueprint. It has helped me so much as I worked through my edits and rewrites. The blueprint takes me through each of the different editing passes and what I need to look out for. I particularly appreciated the tips on how to search words I use too frequently and how to move from passive to active voice. I think all authors should have this as part of their business.” Emma Dhesi
GUIDE TO EDITING YOUR OWN WRITING
“This course by Stacy Juba covers many facets of self-editing for a writer. She discusses a wide variety of topics related to mistakes writers make. In addition, there are videos and exercises to practice the content. I found this helpful for improving my own novel. I recommend this course for beginning writers, and those who have some experience but want to take their writing to the next level.” Roberta Shepherd
Ready for a Smarter Way to Write and Edit? This Is It.
You don’t have to keep writing blind, unsure what’s working or how to make it better. Book Editing Blueprint gives you a structured process, tools that match where you are in the draft, and support to help you edit with more focus and less stress. You’ll go from relying on editors to becoming the first editor your draft needs.
If you’re ready to finally feel like you know what you’re doing—and finish your book with confidence—this is your next step.
Disclaimer: Shortcuts for Writers doesn’t promise any specific results as a result of purchasing this training (eg – you have to put in the work) and any results, testimonials, or figures quoted on this page are not intended to imply guaranteed financial gains. I present testimonials and insights about other people’s experiences with my program for purposes of illustration only. They are not intended to represent or guarantee that current or future clients will achieve the same or similar results; rather, these testimonials represent what is possible for illustrative purposes only.
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Terms & Conditions: You have 7 days starting the day after payment is received to preview the course material before your refund period expires. If you request a refund after the 7-day period, your request will be denied. Please read the full terms and conditions for this course here.