Edit Mode: Story Editor Training for Narrative Audio

A new 7-week paid intensive program from SoundPath and the Editors Collective.

Applications open March 8, 2021!

You see that job announcement: a podcast or radio show is looking for a story editor. Your first thought: that’s me!

You know you’ve got the instincts. You’re creative; you’re visionary; you think critically about narrative, structure, audience, and voice. Most importantly, you’re collaborative — you love working with others to craft and shape a story. But there’s a problem: the job posting requires experience, and you’ve never actually had a chance to edit anything that’s gone out into the world. The path to becoming an editor can feel mysterious and infuriatingly circular: how are you supposed to get experience editing if an editing job is the only way to get experience?

When we look around the narrative audio industry, we see a relatively small pool of editors who come from too-often homogeneous backgrounds and sensibilities, all competing for the same jobs. We see a deep need for more Black and brown editors, and editors from a broader range of perspectives and life experiences. But there’s often no obvious way for people who want to be editors to get there.

WE'RE HERE TO BRIDGE THAT GAP.

This program is intended to diversify the editing landscape, build ongoing community, and set you up for future employment. It will show you the building blocks of narrative audio editing (story structure, the art of giving feedback, managing projects, etc), introduce you to your future colleagues, and connect you with a professional mentor who will work with you after the training on a real-world edit. You’ll come out with a bulked-up resume and the skills and support you need to feel confident hitting “Apply.”