SheWrites Class
A new offering from the Story Summit Writer’s School
In today’s changing landscape of book publishing, what’s the best way to get your book published and ensure its success?
The short answer is: It depends. With different paths to publishing and endless opportunities for marketing, it’s essential to know as much about the process as possible so you can make smart decisions for your own career as an author.
That’s why we’re devoting an entire week to the ins and outs of book publishing. You’ll get a detailed picture of the industry and how to find your place in it, including traditional, hybrid and self-publishing, plus building a following and feeling confident about the decisions you make for yourself and your book.
And, through writing prompts and expert advice, you’ll strengthen your writing to make your work — fiction and nonfiction — even more marketable.
This is all about greenlighting your way to success, which means advocating for yourself and your book, no matter what path you take.
SheWrites Week gives you the inside information you need to use your time and money wisely.
It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re entering a new industry. For instance…
—What are the different paths to publishing my book?
— How do I decide which path is the best fit for me?
— What’s involved in building a platform, and when do I start?
— Do I really need an author website?
— Is Instagram better than Facebook for building a platform?
— How many followers do I need to make an impression on a publisher?
— How many book sales constitute a success?
— Does self-publishing mean I can’t sign with a traditional publisher later?
Between polishing your final draft and doing your first book-signing event, the business of publishing may seem like a mysterious black hole. And there’s no doubt about it: writing your book is just the beginning. What comes after is probably not the reason you started writing in the first place, but it’s essential in becoming a successful author. That’s what SheWrites Week is all about.
This is for you, whether you are a first-time author or have already been published.
If you’re working on your first book, this course will give you an invaluable overview of the industry and how to navigate the right trajectory for you.
And if you’ve been published before, you probably already know that paths to publishing are fluid and may change with every book you write. Plus, opportunities for marketing change and expand every day.
Also, while this course supports women’s voices entering the publishing world, it will be equally helpful for men. Please join us!
Our expert faculty has planned an invaluable week for you:
Monday, January 25: Getting Published: Exploring Your Paths to Publishing
Brooke Warner guides you through the publishing landscape, from the shrinking world of traditional publishing to the rising opportunities in hybrid and self publishing. Brooke is the publisher of She Writes Press and SparkPress and author of Write On, Sisters! and Green-light Your Book. She is the former Executive Editor of Seal Press.
She’ll walk through the ins and outs of what it takes to get a traditional deal, and why green-lighting your own work is equally inspiring and even more empowering. This session presents all the most up-to-date insights and tips for navigating this constantly changing terrain.
Tuesday, January 26: How to Start and End Your Book
Ellen Meister will focus on how to write a strong opening to your book and structure
your manuscript toward a satisfying resolution. Ellen has a wide base of experience. She started her career as a copywriter, worked on staff and later became a freelancer.
Her dream of being a novelist came true in 2006 with the publication of her first book, Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA (Harper Collins). Her sixth book, Love Sold Separately, was published in August 2020.
She is the author of Dorothy Parker Drank Here (Putnam 2015), Farewell, Dorothy Parker (Putnam 2013), The Other Life (Putnam 2011), and The Smart One (HarperCollins 2008). She has appeared on NPR, in the New York Times, Huffington Post and more.
Ellen also will speak to the pros and cons of the traditional publishing model.
Wednesday, January 27: Getting Amplified: Starting and Growing Your Author Platform
Brooke Warner will get in the trenches with you to show you exactly how and where to start building your author platform, whether you’re at Ground Zero or you’ve already started. She’ll continue to talk about the importance of green-lighting yourself when it comes to author platform — from tending to your author persona and voice on social media, to content creation, to creatively inspired and outside-the-box ideas. You’ll leave with a commitment and an action plan to bring your message into the world in a way that engages conversations and builds a fan base.
Thursday, January 28: The ABCs: Celebrating the Power of Your Unique Voice
Through Authenticity, Boldness, and Courage
Katrina Anne Willis has experienced the hybrid publishing for her book , Parting Gifts, which was published by Brooke’s imprint, SheWrites in 2016. Katrina’s personal essays have been featured in numerous anthologies, including Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Possible, My Other Ex: Women’s True Stories of Leaving and Losing Friends, and Nothing but the Truth So Help Me God.
Katrina will share her experience with the process and what she learned along the way to help you prepare for a successful launch and life of your book. Plus, she’ll focus on brave writing that is borne of the body and the senses, breaking traditional barriers to storytelling.
Friday, January 29: Locking It All in with Confidence and a Plan
On this final day with Brooke Warner, you’ll be prompted to confront any lingering
doubts or fears about what it means to step into your greatness and green-light your own work first. It takes a lot of gumption and confidence to amplify your message, pursue publication, and promote your work. This class will explore how to do this well, and with generosity, and how to think about your long-range vision as an author. This class is all about preparing you to own your author identity — with pride and confidence.
Please join us for this fabulous week on instruction, inspiration, and direction. For more information or to register, please go here. If you have a question, one of our friendly staff will be happy to answer it. To read more about other offering from Story Summit, please go here.
The Story Summit gathers award-winning professionals and accomplished experts from across the globe to provide intimate, meaningful and profitable relationships with screenwriters and authors. A stimulating community of successful writers guides you to finish well with your personal project.
You will discover new and transformative habits to strengthen your ability and confidence to complete your undertaking, launching it into a commercial product.
