If you find "getting published in these small press literary dead tree rags" to be a worthwhile goal, then the workshops you mention are probably of value.

If you don't, they probably aren't.

Especially if, like me, you hear an excerpt from a story nominated for a big "literary" prize and think as it's being read by the author on national radio, "damn, that's awkward. Didn't he ever learn to leak details rather than dumping character description on the reader? Hm, the characters are lecturing each other. Why didn't he just write a damn essay?"

As for personal editors, if you have the money, great - there are a lot of editors out there that will happily take your cash and write on your story. How helpful that'll be... well, I think that would depend on the editor. I've found that critiquing other people's writing helped me learn to identify problems in my own writing; that plus a few books on self-editing has brought me to the level I'm at today. To improve, in my opinion, you need to know why you're making particular changes, not just what changes to make. If you can find an editor who'll explain the "why" and not just the "what" you've found a great resource.
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Who needs to be big and burly when you can just apply physics?

 I am learning of new things all day! And it is good to know of my RSS already work. I think I need add button of RSS to make this thing clear.
 But more work to do!
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