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Berkeley Global
With a manuscript in hand, it can be difficult for the excited writer to figure out whether to aim for a traditional New York publishing deal or to go the self-publishing route. In this one-day course, learn to separate fact from fiction (Are New York deals more lucrative? Is the technology involved in self-publishing difficult to learn? What about marketing?) and decide which course is best for you. In the first half of the course, you discuss traditional publishing, learn how to format a query letter so that it jumps out of the slush pile, explore best practices for finding an agent and discover which online tools will keep you up to date with market changes. In the second half, during the self-publishing discussion, you review formatting, publishing tools, applications and platforms (including Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Kobo and Google Play), as well as where to find today’s best editors and designers to get your books noticed, read and reviewed. You leave equipped for publishing success no matter which track you take.
Register for this workshop at Eventbrite.
Course Outline
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Course Learning Objectives
After completing this one-day course, you gain an understanding of the differences between traditional and self-publishing, the pros and cons of each and should be able to make informed, intelligent decisions about your writing career while avoiding the more common pitfalls.
Intended Audience
This course is designed for the writer who has been writing seriously for some time and is looking to gain an outside readership. Ideally, your work (i.e., an essay, novel or memoir) has been completed or is close to completion, but this is not a requirement.
Session-by-Session Summary
10 am–12 pm: Traditional publishing overview
- Agents–do you need one? Contract details to be aware of
- Who are the big players in today’s publishing market? What do you need to know about them?
- Query letters–how to write one, resources, examples, when to follow up and how to do so
- Brick and mortar sales vs. e-versions
- Overseas markets: how critical are they? Translation rights
12–12:30 pm Lunch
12:30–2:30 pm Self-publishing overview
- When should you self-publish? How do you make this decision?
- Editing–developmental edits, line edits and copyedits
- Formatting methods (.epub, .mobi)
- Programs–Scrivener, Word, Jutoh and Calibre
- Covers–what do they promise the reader? Should you hire a designer?
- Interior formatting
- Distribution channels including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Google Play, and Kobo
- Aggregators including Smashwords and Draft2Digital
2:30–4 pm
- The Economics of publishing–payment schedules/breakdown of traditional and self-publishing
- M.F.A.–Is an advanced degree right for you?
- Question and answer period
Methods of Instruction
Lecture in both morning and afternoon sessions on the above topics, while stopping for questions as needed. At the end of the class, all unaddressed student questions are answered.
Credit Requirements
This is a not-for-credit course.
Course Grading
As this is a not for credit course, there is no final exam or grading.
Learner Outcomes
After completing this one-day course, students will understand the differences between traditional and self-publishing. They’ll know the pros and cons of each and will be able to make informed, intelligent decisions about their writing career while avoiding the more common pitfalls.
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