From Page to Publication
come join my online course this summer!
I’m at a week-long writing retreat that I teach at every June, and next week I hope to have a little recap of that to share with you here. But today I’m just popping in to tell you about an online class that I’m teaching this summer (starting July 2nd!) since I’ve been terrible about letting anyone know it exists!
This is a class that pulls back the curtain on the publishing industry and will walk you through the entire process from finishing your manuscript to publication day. The idea from this class came from all the conversations I have with writers at conventions inbetween the official programming. So much of the publishing industry is opaque and there’s no real way to know how any of it works until you’ve run the gauntlet yourself. This is my effort to tell you everything you need to know about every step of the process so that you understand what’s standard, what’s a red flag, and what you can do to advocate for yourself at every step along the way.
There’s only 12 spots left in the class, and we start soon, so if you’d like to join us you can register now!
From Page to Publication
Your manuscript is finished! Now what? Are you wondering how to get your story off of your computer screen and onto bookshelves everywhere? This class is for you! Step-by-step we'll do a deep dive on all the stages of getting your book published. We'll discuss the different ways to publish--self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing--and how to determine which is right for you. You'll learn how to write a query and put together a pitch package, and all students will receive two rounds of feedback from the instructor on their query and first ten pages. We'll walk through how to get a literary agent, the submission process, deal negotiation, editorial relationships, book production, marketing and publicity, and shine a light on any red flags or warning signs to be wary of along the way. The publishing industry is infamously opaque, and this is your opportunity to see behind the curtain. The perfect mix of craft-based and career-focused--let's get you from page to publication!
Syllabus
Week One: Three Ways To Publish. We'll discuss self-publishing, indie publishing, and traditional publishing and how to determine which path is best for you.
Week Two: How To Write A Query Letter. We'll discuss what a query is and what purpose it serves, and how to effectively write one, using examples of real queries that successfully landed an agent. Assignment: write a draft of a query letter.
Week Three: Literary Agents. We'll discuss the role of a literary agent, what they do, and why you need one if you want to pursue traditional publishing. We'll cover how to research which agents to query, what questions to ask on an offer call, and different styles of agenting and how to know which will be the best fit for you.
Week Four: Live Workshop. We'll review the query letters written for a previous assignment live in class. We'll discuss how to give and receive constructive criticism. Feedback will be led by the instructor and students will be invited to contribute. Assignment: revise your query letter.
Week Five: Book Deals. We'll discuss receiving an offer to publish your work! How to evaluate whether an offer is worth taking, what rights are on the table, how to spot red flags in an agreement, advance payments and royalties, and how to retain creative control over your work.
Week Six: Production. We'll cover everything from revisions with your editor, to copy editing and proof reading. We'll talk about book cover design, print runs, and the many things that go into making a book and what power the author does and doesn't have in the process. Assignment: Turn in your revised query and first 10 pages
Week Seven: Marketing & Publicity. How much marketing should your publisher do? How much should you do? What is a good use of your effort, time, and money, and what isn't? We'll talk about ARCs, street teams, preorder campaigns, netgalley, trade reviews, and more.
Week Eight: The Business of Being an Author. Your book is officially on shelves! Now what? We'll talk about the public-facing work of being an author, long term career management and strategy, and what comes next. Students will receive the final round of feedback from the course instructor on their query package.
You can find out more and register here!
Odds & Ends
Happy Pride! If you’re looking for some recently published, queer-focused non-fiction, please allow me to recommend Charlie Claire Burgess’ QUEER DEVOTION and Cassandra Snow’s TAROT IN OTHER WORDS or if you’re hankering for some fiction, pre-order Hal Schrieve’s FAWN’S BLOOD.
Goodreads is hosting a giveaway of 100 copies of the conclusion to the INFERNO’S HEIR duology, TEMPEST’S QUEEN by Tiffany Wang, so go enter!
If you’d like to read an early copy of YA Jazz Age fantasy BLOOD & BREATH by Qurratulayn about a Black girl who makes a literal deal with a devil in order to infiltrate the ruling magical class and bring it down (and trust me, you absolutely want to read it) you can request an ARC here!