Workshop: Publishing in the 21st Century

Publishing in the 21^st Century
Saturday –  August 7, 2010
10 am – 4 pm
James Presho House

You’ve plotted, planned, revised, edited, re-written and agonized over three books to finish the ONE… Now the question is – do you search for an agent and hope they match you with a publisher or, maybe you’ve considered self-publishing – do it or research it? If so, this is the perfect time to make a commitment to yourself and sign up for Publishing in the 21^st Century and learn the ins and outs of getting your work into print. You would not be alone in that pursuit! Did you know that many notable writers self-published:

Edgar Rice Burroughs: Tarzan
Benjamin Franklin: Poor Richard’s Almanack
Beatrix Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Henry David Thoreau: Walden
Mark Twain: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
James Joyce: Ulysses
Richard N. Bolles: What Color is Your Parachute

 . . .and scores of others, some of whom got noticed and eventually picked up by major publishing houses because of their self-published books.

The advent of the Internet (not to mention the other mind-boggling computer advances as represented by the Kindle and Ipad) has revolutionized the options for publishing, PR, and marketing. Self-publishing is no longer a dirty word; it’s simply another way, a viable and as valuable way, to get your work out into the world…but how do you do that?

At Publishing in the 21^st Century, we’ll discuss manuscript file preparation, book layout & design, cover design, printing methods (including print-on-demand), binding choices, ISBN, marketing and distribution, fulfillment services and the associated costs. We’ll also review and discuss the role of new marketing opportunities such as social media, websites and other online marketing tools for self-publishing writers.

Lowry McFerrin learned to love the smell of printers’ ink as a teenager while working for his family-owned, San Francisco-based lithography company. He has served as VP of Distributor Sales for a barcode label manufacturer and today is President/CEO of ProForma Mactec Solutions, a printing and marketing services provider. In addition to supplying these services to publishers such as Lonely Planet Press, Travelers’ Tales, Hunter House Books, Birdcage Books, and Left Coast Writers, Lowry has helped numerous authors self-publish and market their books.

Any successful publishing journey begins with a small investment in the basics.

$95 (includes lunch) 

Space is limited. To reserve a place please respond by return email to easeintoprint@pacbell.net

Comments from past workshop participants:

I…wanted to personally let you know how much I enjoyed the class and your honesty about the whole process. I can see I have a lot of work ahead of me, but it’s better than watching re-runs all night!

Dorothy C., Writer

What fun to be your student! I really learned a lot and your guidance will be invaluable as I (cautiously) make the leap from the wee chair to the brave new frontier of cyber-self-pub, or whatever of the dizzying combinations I end up choosing. It did just what I wanted it to: it gave me a good overview of the options and a sense of the pitfalls for various kinds of “do-it-yourselfing”.

Joanna B., Teacher/writer

Very, very useful and inspiring! All my questions were answered.

TC, Author

Helped my understanding of  the publishing process and the nitty gritty of all the parts.

Lone S., Writer/photographer

Tremendous. I knew very little about the process and the session filled a lot of blanks. Lowry was dynamic and enjoying.

Bari B., novelist

I was able to really broaden my base of knowledge about self-publishing.

Tamara W., writer

Your explanation of the timeline from beginning to end of process was very helpful.

Gema W., writer