Workshops

Self or Indie Publishing: Answering the Big Questions 2017 | June 19 – June 22, 2017

Considering self or indie publishing? Let us help you prepare.

Overview:
Thanks to advances in technology, it’s easier than it’s ever been for anyone to self-publish a book–but to do it successfully there are many things to consider. Your workshop leader is author and indie publisher (Mims House) Darcy Pattison. After being traditionally published, Darcy started a publishing company and created a successful self-publishing career, publishing over 20 books through Mims House in the last four years. She’ll share her experiences and expertise to help you avoid the pitfalls that are common in the self-publishing business.

What You’ll Learn:
Our goal is to answer these questions, and more:

• What is the difference between “self” and “indie” publishing?
• How much will it cost to publish my book myself?
• Where can I find resources to help with my writing process?
• How will I know if my book is ready for publication?
• How do I find a professional editor for my book?
• What do I do if the book needs to be illustrated?
• Who can design the book’s layout and cover?
• Where should I get the book printed?
• How do I get the book placed for sale with bookstores and online retailers?
• How much should I charge for the book?

During the workshop you will discover:

• What’s needed to structure your writing
• The mind shift needed to successfully self-publish
• Today’s new publishing opportunities and resources
• Ways to successfully market a self-published book
• Technical details of creating a picture book or novel
• Business planning basics
• How to hire a freelance editor

In addition to learning the business of self-publishing, optional manuscript critiques are available for writers.

Who Should Take This Course:

• Anyone who would like to know more about self-publishing: the benefits and the challenges.
• Writers with out-of-print titles who would like to make them available again.

Blog Posts of Interest:
Darcy Pattison: 4 Tips for Self (or Indie) Publishing Children’s Picture Books or Novels
Harold Underdown: How to Start Revising That First Draft

Sample Schedule
Monday
Afternoon: Optional tour of Highlights Magazine for Children and Boyds Mills Press
Appetizers, Ice Breakers and Dinner
After dinner:
Competing with Mo Willems – Shifting the Mind-Set
Discussion: Mindset Shifts

Tuesday
Morning:
Breakfast with a story
What Will You Publish?
How to Set up Your Business: Legal Issues of Self-Publishing

Afternoon:
How Will Your Business Plan Support Your Vision?
How Will You Market Your Book?

Appetizers & Dinner
After dinner: More on marketing and advertising

Wednesday
Morning:
Breakfast with a story
Editing Your Self-Published Book
Technical details of creating a book – Printers

Afternoon:
What if? The Opportunity of Special Sales
Free Time for working on your Publishing plan.
Discussing individual publishing plans.

Appetizers & Dinner
After dinner:
Q&A: Legal, practical, visionary, technical or other questions.

Thursday
Morning:
Breakfast with a story
How Do I Grow My Business?
Decisions: What Will YOUR Publishing Program Look Like?
Lunch & Farewells

Faculty & Special Guests

Darcy Pattison