GetSmART!: The Art of Publishing

Join poet, author, publisher and community advocate Brody Parrish Craig for a free, online workshop that will offer valuable, hands-on tips and practical advice for navigating the world of sending out creative, literary work for publication opportunities.

Whether you're preparing to submit poetry, short stories or other forms of creative writing, knowing how to present your work professionally is crucial. Craig will share strategies for creating compelling submission packages, tracking your submissions efficiently, and finding the right outlets for your work.

In addition to submission strategies, the workshop will provide an insightful comparison of different publishing options—specifically, small presses versus self-publishing. Having experience with both avenues, Craig will talk through the pros and cons of working with an indie or small press and self-publishing options, including how to design and format your own book, how to tackle distribution channels, and what freedoms (and responsibilities) come with self-publishing.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a clear understanding of the various paths available to them as writers, whether they’re aiming to work with a publishing house or self-publish their work.

Brody Parrish Craig (they/them) is a southern writer who upheaves expectations to open spaces for connection, unlearning and change. They are the author of “Boyish,” the winner of the 2019 Omnidawn Poetry Chapbook Contest, and editor of TWANG, a regional collection of trans, nonbinary and gender-non-conforming creators tied to the South/Midwest.
Craig believes in the power of community, creativity and collaboration. They have hosted many writing workshops across various topics, from trans poetry to ekphrasis to creative writing for mental health and wellness. As an educator, they have taught writing to adults and youth alike in both academic and community settings.
Craig's debut full-length collection, “The Patient is An Unreliable Historian,” exploring madness, harm reduction, and disability justice, was published this fall by Omnidawn. They earned the state’s top award, the Arkansas Arts Council’s Individual Artist Fellowship, for their work in Community Engagement Art earlier this year.

This workshop is sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Council. For more information, please email [email protected].

Host or Publisher Arkansas Arts Council