Class Syllabus: Book Publishing 101

Office Hours:	Continuous
Course Meeting Times:	Continuous

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.

Course Requirements

This course will not require you to have previous experience in any particular area but you should have a high school reading level. No books will be required.

Course Topics

Lesson One: Getting Ready for Publication

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

Understanding Book Genres

Fiction Books

Nonfiction Books

Preparing a Final Manuscript for Publication

Finish Before you Query

Formatting a Manuscript

Getting Ready for Submissions

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Two: Literary Agents

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

Who are Literary Agents?

What Do Literary Agents Do?

Literary Agent Costs

Realistic Expectations

Reading Fees and Scams

Do You Really Need a Literary Agent?

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Three: Landing an Agent

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

Making Queries

Researching Queries

Networking

Where to Meet Literary Agents

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Four: Crafting a Fiction Query

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

Query Letter Essentials

What to Do

What NOT to Do

Sample Query Letter

What to Expect

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Five: The Nonfiction Process

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

How Nonfiction Publishing Differs from Fiction

Pitching a Nonfiction Book

Researching Publishers

The Book Proposal

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Six: Big Publishing Houses

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

The Big Six

How to Submit to the Big Publishers

Expected Monetary Compensations

Author Payment Realities

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Seven: Small Publishers

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

The Small Publishers

How to Submit to the Small Publishers

Benefits and Drawbacks of Smaller Publishers

Control

Communication

Money

Marketing

Contacts

Taking a Chance

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Eight: Handling Rejection

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

Publication Statistics

Hurdles to Overcome

Getting a Foot in the Door

Getting Honest Feedback

Ways to Look Ahead

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Nine: Getting Noticed in the Book Community

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

The Book Community

Writer Conferences

Writing Contests

Building an Online Presence

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Ten: About Self-Publication

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

What is Self-Publication?

Success Stories

Vanity Presses

Print-on-Demand Publishing

Scams

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Eleven: The Realities of Self-Publishing

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

Editing

Formatting

Cover Art

Marketing

Money

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Twelve: eBooks

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

eBooks as a Growing Trend

eBook Technology

Electronic Reading Devices

Reading Formats

eBook Publication

eBook Publishers

Test Your Knowledge

Lesson Thirteen: Online Resources for Writers

Introduction

Lesson Objectives

Websites to Consider

Blogs to Consider

Getting Published

The Writing Life

Becoming a Better Writer

Writing Fiction

Publishers Online

Course Materials

All course material will be provided in the lessons and netlinks. There are no required materials to purchase before taking the class.

Grading Policy

Each lesson will include a lesson review quiz along with one or two assignments. Students will successfully complete this course with 70% or better.

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, and
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

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Areas of Study

Class Syllabus: Book Publishing 101

Course Description

Course Requirements

Course Topics

Course Materials

Grading Policy

Learning Outcomes

Recommended Books

Featured Courses in Creative Writing

1. Creative Writing 101

2. Novel Writing 101

3. Creative Writing Workshop

4. How to Write a Short Story 101

Other Related Classes in Creative Writing