(February 2025) 5-Week ONLINE Course: How to Self-Publish

Across 5 live and interactive online sessions, self-publishing expert Ken Preston will teach you the skills needed to publish your books and build a fanbase of readers.

Details:

Online Sessions: Thursdays 19:00 - 21:00 GMT

Dates: 13th, 20th, 27th February, 13th March and 20th March 2025(please note there is no session on the 6th March)

Course Overview:

• Understand the basics of self-publishing, the differences between self-publishing, traditional publishing, and vanity presses, overview of platforms.

• Learn the steps involved in manuscript preparation, formatting for print and digital, with recommendations for tools and software.

• Publishing your book: Do you need ISBNs? Copyright issues, barcodes, publishing requirements of different platforms.

• Marketing your book, effective strategies including building an author platform, why you need a website, email marketing, advertising.

• And much more.

• Live Zoom Sessions: Enjoy five interactive live Zoom sessions where you'll receive expert guidance from an established self-published author. Engage in real-time discussions, Q&A sessions, and personalised advice.

• Expert Feedback: Benefit from personalised feedback and guidance from an accomplished self-published author with over fifteen years of experience.

• Writing Community: Connect with a community of like-minded writers during each live session. Share your progress, exchange ideas, and receive constructive feedback in a supportive online environment.

Who is this course suitable for?

· Aspiring writers who want to explore alternative ways of publishing.

· Established writers seeking new ways of publishing their work and reaching readers directly.

This course is designed to guide aspiring authors through the entire self-publishing process, from formatting and publishing to marketing their finished books. Each session will focus on a different aspect of self-publishing, providing participants with the knowledge and tools they need to successfully publish their own work.

Tutor bio: Ken Preston has written over twenty novels and many short stories, and is both self-published and traditionally published. Since 2016 he has been leading workshops with both young people and adults, and regularly visits schools, colleges and universities as an author and publisher. He is a member of the Society of Authors, the National Association of Writers in Education, and the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading.

Live and interactive online sessions via Zoom:

The sessions will take place online via Zoom Online Meeting software. It is free to download and you will only need the free version to attend. Please download it and check it is working before your course/workshop starts.

Please try and be somewhere you can concentrate and won’t be interrupted. Headphones can be useful if you have some, to cut out other noise.

Bursary Scheme 2024:

We understand that not all writers are able to pay for their writing courses to further their career, and we run a Bursary Scheme as a consequence. Our bursary policy can be read here, if you would like to apply for a bursary, please contact us: [email protected].

Please note: you must sign up for the full course even if you cannot attend all dates. No partial course ticket is available.

Short Courses are for over 18s. If you are a young writer, you can sign up for our Spark Young Writers Programme.

All Writing West Midlands short courses are collaborative, and you will learn as much from your fellow course attendees as from the tutor. You will be expected to play an active role in group tasks, and you will also have time to reflect on your own writing during sessions.

Course handouts are sometimes (but not always) available, and notes may be available in advance upon request. If you have any additional needs, please contact Writing West Midlands in advance of the course starting and we will try to assist you.

Host or Publisher Writing West Midlands