So You Wanna Be An Author?

About Course

Are you interested in being an author, but unsure what it entails? So You Wanna Be An Author has got you covered…from the book idea to the bookshelf. I talk about what it takes to get your idea from your head to a literary agent to a bookstore…and it’s not as simple or as quick as you think.

Course Content

What is a book?
We'll talk about what is a book...and more importantly, what isn't a book?

Why Publishing is in the NO business as much as the KNOW business
What are the harsh realities of getting your book published, and how can your beat them?

How do you get your writing voice?
No voice? No sale. How do you find your writing voice and why is it so important?

Amateur vs. Professional Writers
What are some of the pitfalls that amateur writers fall into...and you should avoid?

Nonfiction vs. Fiction…They are not the same…
What's the difference between nonfiction and fiction books when it comes to how the publishing industry sees them? Why do I need a book proposal for nonfiction and MAYBE NOT, BUT COULD need one for fiction?

The Secret Life of Literary Agents
Do you need a literary agent for your proposed book? Yes. Do you know how to get one? I'll tell you the details.

What is a query letter?
Don't know what a query letter is, or how to write one? Don't worry, I've got you on this.

Life with your lit agent…
What happens after you get a literary agent? What do they do? How do they help craft your book? And why you should run if they tell you that you need to pay them for ANY service.

Your Book Sold…Yeah! Okay…now what?
You've sold your book, great! Celebrate! Break out the champag...hold on there. It's time to take a journey. A writing journey that will test your will. Are you up for it?

Advances & Royalties
Learn how your advance works, and your royalties.

Bestsellers Lists and the Marketing of Hype
Learn about how bestsellers lists are created, and why they're not always about sales. We'll also talk about how marketing books is less about Oprah book club, and more about Ola's book club down the block.

The Magic of Booksignings…
Did you know that booksignings are the most glamorous part of being an author...and the least efficient way to market your book?

What happens next? The writing career…
You sold your book, but no author wants to be a one book author. So what happens next? How do you create a writing career?

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About Course

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

What is a book? We'll talk about what is a book...and more importantly, what isn't a book?

Why Publishing is in the NO business as much as the KNOW business What are the harsh realities of getting your book published, and how can your beat them?

How do you get your writing voice? No voice? No sale. How do you find your writing voice and why is it so important?

Amateur vs. Professional Writers What are some of the pitfalls that amateur writers fall into...and you should avoid?

Nonfiction vs. Fiction…They are not the same… What's the difference between nonfiction and fiction books when it comes to how the publishing industry sees them? Why do I need a book proposal for nonfiction and MAYBE NOT, BUT COULD need one for fiction?

The Secret Life of Literary Agents Do you need a literary agent for your proposed book? Yes. Do you know how to get one? I'll tell you the details.

What is a query letter? Don't know what a query letter is, or how to write one? Don't worry, I've got you on this.

Life with your lit agent… What happens after you get a literary agent? What do they do? How do they help craft your book? And why you should run if they tell you that you need to pay them for ANY service.

Your Book Sold…Yeah! Okay…now what? You've sold your book, great! Celebrate! Break out the champag...hold on there. It's time to take a journey. A writing journey that will test your will. Are you up for it?

Advances & Royalties Learn how your advance works, and your royalties.

Bestsellers Lists and the Marketing of Hype Learn about how bestsellers lists are created, and why they're not always about sales. We'll also talk about how marketing books is less about Oprah book club, and more about Ola's book club down the block.

The Magic of Booksignings… Did you know that booksignings are the most glamorous part of being an author...and the least efficient way to market your book?

What happens next? The writing career… You sold your book, but no author wants to be a one book author. So what happens next? How do you create a writing career?