How to Get Published (Self-Paced)

You’ve spent months, or years, sweating and swearing over a book and now you’re ready to draw the interest of agents and/or publishing houses. Or perhaps you’re in the midst of writing a book and you want to know the publishing challenges up ahead. The question looms: how do you get a book published?Here you will learn how to navigate the ins-and-outs of the publishing business and you’ll write (and refine) the most important selling tool for your book—the query letter. All under the guidance of an established literary agent.You won’t be told it’s impossible, or that it’s easy. You will, however, gain a realistic understanding of how the process works and how you can maximize your chances for success. This course shows you the process of getting your book published, and helps you craft a winning query letter. Course components:LecturesWriting and receiving feedback on a query letter for your book (each student presenting work two times) How To Get Published is open to writers of any level. Students must be 18 years or older.Course Syllabus:A Book is a Product: Defining your book (product). Types of fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. Hooks and angles. Titles. Nonfiction book proposals. The physical manuscript/proposal. Query letters. Novel synopsis. (Samples are provided for query letters, nonfiction book proposals, and novel synopses.)The Publishing World: Understanding publishing houses, editors, and agents. How readers are accessed. The promotional role of today's author. Self-publishing.Zeroing In, Sending Out: Should you approach agents or editors first? Criteria to consider for agents and editors. Number of targets to choose. Researching the right agents and editors for your book. What to send, how to send it.Acceptance and Rejection: The slush pile. Deciphering responses. Keeping track of submissions. Dealing with rejection. What to do when an agent or editor says yes. Contracts. The preparation process. The writing community. Other writing outlets. Sharpening skills. Attitude.Content may vary among individual classes.Important:Schedule posted is the Start and End date of the class. You may access the class at any time, day or night, within the schedule provided. Please see Online Class Delivery for more details.Registrants will receive email instructions and information on how to access the online classroom.