THE PUBLISHING PRIMER: Demystifying Publishing in 90-minutes

Following our first comprehensive Driftless Roundtable intensive, we are excited to announce our NEW flagship series: a 90-minute Publishing Primer offered on a recurring monthly basis, designed to empower writers by breaking down the byzantine maze of contemporary publishing and offering our monthly assessment of trends across the Big 5, indie publishing, and small press scenes.

This concise, action-oriented session is designed to give you the clarity and confidence to start your publishing journey or pivot in a new direction.

What We’ll Cover:

Publishing Ecosystems 101: The differences between independent publishing, small presses, and The Big 5. Gain clarity on how these pathways align with your goals and creative work.

Monthly Weather Report: The latest trends across all spheres of publishing, as well as upcoming open-submission periods and direct-to-author opportunities offered by indies and university presses with a trade division.

Agent or No?: Explore the benefits and limitations of seeking representation versus submitting directly to publishers, including insights into how to approach each route strategically.

Ask Driftless: Participate in a live 45-minute Q&A session to demystify the publishing process and gain tailored advice for your specific needs

What’s Included:

• A live, interactive presentation with Q&A to address your most pressing questions.
• A downloadable packet with exclusive templates, tips, and links to publishing opportunities.
• A comp'd paid subscription to The Whole Utopianotes Catalog, a twice-monthly opportunities list featuring open calls for submissions, residencies, grants, and more, which comes with a complimentary 30-minute coaching session with Adrian Shirk.

CHECK OUT our other monthly course offerings spanning revision, experimental publishing, building your roundtable, and ongoing generative workshops for writing in your voice on your own terms against the machine of corporate publishing.

Host or Publisher Jaclyn Gilbert