The Foundations of Getting Published with Jane Friedman

In this 2-hour workshop with publishing industry expert Jane Friedman, you'll learn not just the foundational principles of getting a book published, but gain up-to-date insight into the changing landscape of the publishing industry, and how you can navigate your own path toward success. You'll discover what it takes to capture the attention of a New York publisher or literary agent (whether you write fiction or nonfiction) and come away with a better understanding of the commercial publishing business model. Jane shows you how to approach the submissions process with the right expectations and mindset.

This class will cover the following:

• Querying like a pro. Your one-page query letter should be short and sweet and pack a punch. Learn what it means to sell your story, and how to avoid problems that plague (and sabotage) writers in this critical document.
• Whether you need an agent—who they are and what they do. You’ll learn what the standard agenting practices are and why you might want one—and how to make sure you don’t get involved with a bad one.
• Researching markets (agents and editors) for your work. We’ll look at the major tools and resources for identifying the right agent or publisher for you.
• Explore traditional publishing options outside of New York. The world of independent publishers—including university presses, small presses, and regional presses—is vast and can sometimes be more challenging to understand than New York publishing, as they all operate a bit differently. Learn how to assess the strength and position of any book publisher.

The class will end with a brief discussion of alternative publishing paths (such as self-publishing and hybrid publishing) if your book isn't suited for a traditional publisher.

About Jane Friedman

Jane Friedman spent 15 years working inside the traditional publishing industry and is the former publisher of Writer’s Digest. In addition to being a columnist with Publishers Weekly and an instructor with the Authors Guild, she is a professor with The Great Courses on the topic of how to get traditionally published. Her most recent book is The Business of Being a Writer (The University of Chicago Press, 2018), a comprehensive guide on how to make a living as a writer. She has been a full-time freelancer and publishing consultant since 2014, and maintains an award-winning blog for writers at janefriedman.com.

This workshop will be held virtually!