TWS260

Getting Published: From Manuscript to Book

This course is for writers who are ready to embark on the adventure of getting published. It is designed to give authors the information they need to work confidently with professional publishers in getting fiction, non-fiction, and poetry manuscripts into print. You will learn to prepare a query letter, position your work to your advantage, research the publishing market, approach agents and companies.

Overview

Location: Online or Vancouver
Available only to students enrolled in:
The Writer's Studio

What you will learn

After completing this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Write a summary and tag/pitch line of your work that describes the content, voice, and audience
  • Identify agents and publishing companies appropriate for your work
  • Write a concise query letter and prepare a cogent book proposal
  • Approach agents and publishers with confidence
  • Describe the criteria that agents and publishers use in acquiring books for publication
  • Describe the essential elements of a standard author-publisher trade book contract
  • Describe the challenges and opportunities for a previously unpublished writer entering the trade publishing marketplace
  • List the publishing alternatives for a previously unpublished writer, including self-publishing options

How you will learn and be evaluated

  • Lectures
  • Class discussions
  • Workshops
  • Independent take-home assignments
  • Case studies
  • Q & A sessions with guest industry professionals

You will be evaluated on:

  • 5 assignments, reports and/or projects
  • Attendance of at least three sessions required to pass

Learning Materials

No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.

Technical Requirements

For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.