This summer, I’m proud to be speaking at one of the academies at the World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon. My academy is a 3-hour session on how to get your book published, in partnership with literary agent David Fugate.
Attendees of the World Domination Summit can register for $29, but non-attendees can also join us for $59. Click here to get your ticket.
Here’s a full description of what we’ll cover.
- Introduction: It’s Not a Question of If. It’s no longer a question of if your book will be published, but how. There are an incredible range of opportunities for writers today; we’ll help you decide which way to go based on what you want to achieve.
- High-Level Overview of the Current Publishing Landscape. Learn about the key paths to publication in today’s ever-evolving industry, and the strengths and weaknesses of each, including (1) “big 5” style traditional publishing requiring an agent, (2) self-publishing, either entirely DIY and/or with service providers, and (3) smaller independent presses that don’t require agents, which tend to vary dramatically.
- The Traditional Publishing Path. Learn how to research the market, prepare professional submissions materials, and approach editors and agents with your work. For nonfiction: Understand how to come up with a great concept and write a proposal—plus what is required from a platform standpoint. For fiction: Understand how to get your manuscript in the best shape possible, then write a query and synopsis. Attendees will: Learn the most common reasons that projects get rejected; avoid the pitfalls that plague first-time authors trying to get their work accepted; understand how to assemble professional submission materials; receive a list of helpful resources for researching and understanding the market.
- How to Be Your Own Publisher. Understand the value of self-publishing, what types of projects it’s well-suited for, and how you can produce a top-quality book that’s indistinguishable from Big Five titles. Get a thorough understanding of the services, distributors, and resources available.
- No Matter How You Publish: Best Practices for Launching, Marketing, and Promoting Your Book. Learn how to successfully market your own book, whether or not you have the support of a publisher. Get case studies on authors who’ve done it well, the steps they followed, and how you can build a plan that’s customized for your work and target audience.
Jane Friedman (@JaneFriedman) has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is the publisher of The Hot Sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2019.
In addition to being a columnist for Publishers Weekly, Jane is a professor with The Great Courses, which released her 24-lecture series, How to Publish Your Book. Her book for creative writers, The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), received a starred review from Library Journal.
Jane speaks regularly at conferences and industry events such as BookExpo America, Digital Book World, and the AWP Conference, and has served on panels with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund. Find out more.