Online Class: Book Publishing 101

Getting a book published can be one of the most exciting things you will ever do. It can also be one of the most frustrating. Not only is the book industry incredibly specific about how they want you to go about approaching editors, literary agents, and other publishing professionals, but you have to compete with thousands of other aspiring authors.

COURSE CLOSED

We're sorry, this course is no longer open for enrollment.
 
  • 12
    Lessons
  • 26
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 11
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.1
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

Getting a book published can be one of the most exciting things you will ever do. It can also be one of the most frustrating. Not only is the book industry incredibly specific about how they want you to go about approaching editors, literary agents, and other publishing professionals, but you have to compete with thousands of other aspiring authors.

 

This course will explore what you need to do to transition from a completed manuscript or nonfiction book idea to book publication, including traditional avenues, options in self-publication, and even ebook applications. It includes everything you need to know about crafting the perfect query letter, creating a nonfiction book proposal, and even what to do in the face of rejection letters. With a comprehensive list of resources to top it all off, there is no better place to turn for learning how to get your book on the shelves and into the hands of readers.

 
 
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Lesson 1. Getting Ready for Publication

Learn how to properly prepare a manuscript for presentation to a literary agent or editor. 35 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Truth is Stranger than Fiction; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 1: Getting Ready for Publication

Lesson 2. Literary Agents

Learn how a literary agent works, and how to choose a good one. 35 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Reliability Issues
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 2: Literary Agents

Lesson 3. Landing an Agent

Landing an agent is not easy, but this lesson will help offer advice for getting noticed. 39 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 3: Landing an Agent

Lesson 4. Crafting a Fiction Query

This lesson explains the major components of a well written query letter. 30 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 4: Crafting a Fiction Query

Lesson 5. The Nonfiction Process

Learn the difference between a fiction and a nonfiction book proposal in this lesson. 45 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 5: The Nonfiction Process

Lesson 6. Big Publishing Houses

Understanding what major publishing houses expect and how to meet their requirements is discussed in this lesson. 30 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 6: Big Publishing Houses

Lesson 7. Small Publishers

Learn what types of books smaller houses publish and how to approach them. Additional lesson topics: Small Publishers 40 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 7: Small Publishers

Lesson 8. Handling Rejection

Learn how to handle rejection professionally and positively. 35 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Taking Rejection
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 8: Handling Rejection

Lesson 9. Getting noticed in the Book Community

Learn how to get your book noticed by literary agents and others in the book publishing industry. Additional lesson topics: Association of Writers and Writing Programs 30 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 9: Getting Noticed in the Book Community

Lesson 10. About Self-Publication

Learn the difference between self-publication and POD publishing and its drawbacks and benefits. 35 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 10: About Self-Publication

Lesson 11. The Realities of Self-Publishing

Learn about special requirements or tasks someone who self-publishes may need to know. Additional lesson topics: Self-Publishing 101 30 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 11: The Realities of Self-Publishing

Lesson 12. e-Books

e-Books and electronic reading devices are growing more popular. This lesson explains what they are and how they can help you publish 88 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Final Course Poll - Your Opinion; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 12: eBooks
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
472
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Describe the details of preparing a work for publication.
  • Summarize the role and purpose of Literary Agents.
  • Describe the procedures to landing an agent.
  • Demonstrate writing a fiction query.
  • Distinguish the differences between big publishing houses and small publisher.
  • Summarize the techniques used to better handle rejection.
  • Describe the pros and cons of self-publishing.
  • Determine whether or not e-books is right for your publication.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Student Testimonials

  • "I liked the written lessons or the choice of video. This is very helpful because people learn in different ways." -- Vicki V.
  • "All parts were extremely helpful. I learned a lot. Love UniversalClass courses! The ability to go at my own pace is WONDERFUL!" -- Donna N.
  • "Excellent instructor." -- Lee K.
  • "Every lesson was very helpful. The instructor was knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with." -- Cynthia S.
  • "Instructor was awesome." -- Gary H.
  • "As an author I found this so helpful in ways to allow me to self-publish." -- Ryan R.
  • "There were many aspects of the publishing process I only had sketchy information on, or misinformation altogether. This course was highly informative." -- Scott W.
  • "Thought the course was great! Felt like I learned a lot!" -- Kimber C.