Tuesdays 6-9pm CT – 2 sessions for Winter & Spring, 2 sessions for Fall & Winter

Here are the specific objectives of this course.

n Help students finish their book projects.

n Review different options for getting published and choose the appropriate one for them.

n Set a plan to carry out the publishing plan for each student.

n Review marketing options and other ways to make money with the book.

n Set up a marketing plan.

Writer’s Market 2022 The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published (Writer's Digest, $29.99) by Robert Lee Brewer, various magazines. Flash drive.

Week 1

Introductions and expectations  Recommended   books and magazines  Review   of each student’s book project Overview of different kinds of publishing  Review   of what would be best for each student’s project  Assignment:   Create your working title & bio.    

Finishing   the Book Set a writing plan: working title, outlines, chapter headings, writing   schedules, writers groups    Book   genres Biographies & qualifications, queries Editing issues   Assignment:   Write a book outline, and write out a writing schedule.    

Week   2

Assignment   Review Differences in publishing types  Getting   published with large publishing houses  Monetary   considerations   Marketing   expectations
 Assignment: Gather a list of appropriate publishers & list their   expectations. 

Assignment   Review Editors & agents  How   to get an agent or editor
 Query letters  Assignment: Write   a query letter.

Week   3

Assignment   Review Self-Publishing  What   to expect when self-publishing Monetary considerations  Marketing   expectations ISBNs, Art & illustrations  Assignment:   Check into different appropriate self-publishers, and bring a list of   differences. 

Assignment   Review  Online   Publishing  What to expect when   online publishing Monetary considerations and   contracts  Marketing   expectations
 Assignment: Check into different online publishers and Amazon, and bring a   list of differences.

Week   4

Assignment   Review Overview and summing up of getting published  Recommendations   and final considerations Make an informed decision on what is best for each project with each   student. 

Overview   of Marketing Your Book
 What different publishers expect Marketing basics: titles, branding, bios, business cards & printed   materials, websites, misc.   Marketing   on a shoestring  Assignment:   Devise your brand and begin marketing basics plan.

Week   5

Assignment   Review  Review of students’ plans   and fine tune  Cover   art   Making   money with your book: royalties  Making   money with your book: international royalties  
 Making money with your book: movie rights Making money with your book: television appearances  Homework: Make a list of people or franchises that   might be interested in your book. Find a book cover that you would like your book art to resemble. 

Assignment   Review Making money with your book: autographings  The art   of creating an audience for more autographing (and more sales)  Assignment: Make a list of groups to which to market   the book.   

Week   6

Assignment   Review Making money with your book: become an expert spokesperson.  Promotion as a   spokesperson Making money with your book: classes  Promotion of   classes and other events Assignment: Make a list of potential classes or events to promote your   book. Make a list of free advertising   sources you would approach. 

Assignment   Review Websites  Online   events and chats Webinars Affiliates   Assignment:   Devise a basic plan for a website and a webinar.  

Week   7

Assignment   Review Making money with your book: magazine, online, & newspaper   articles.   Blogging Reviews  Assignment:   Start a blog on the topic of your book. 

Assignment   Review  Selling   memberships Email marketing  Assignment:   Devise an email marketing letter. 

Week   8

Assignment   Review  Selling other   merchandise Where and how to sell merchandise  Apps Assignment:  Make a list of book related merchandise specific to your   book.

Assignment   Review Overview  Final   plans  Final questions Survey

My method of instruction involves student participation at many levels. I will review the topic, and then we discuss everyone’s project. We also do exercises that can then be used by the student to complete their book project, whether to complete the book, get published, or market an already existing book. In addition, students will be encouraged to share experiences and creative ideas in all categories.

My goal is to give students/authors the knowledge, skills, and creative concepts to finish a book, get it published, and market it. I want students to leave with a plan for implementation as well as usable letters, resume, and write ups to get them on their way.