Saturday, July 11th, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. San Francisco
$55 members/ $65 non-members REGISTER
If you’re writing a book and hope to have it published, you’ll be that much more successful if you understand how the publishing industry works and what editors and agents want. Join instructor Dianne Jacob at this primer that looks at how to get happily published. In today’s rapidly changing world, what exactly does the book industry want?
One of the main things, besides a beautifully written book on a killer subject, is your platform—that is, your ability to attract an audience that will buy the book. “I’ll define that term at length,” says Dianne, “and we’ll do some exercises on how to create or improve upon on yours. I’ll also answer burning questions such as: How do you submit your manuscript, and to whom? Is it best to find an agent, or can you submit directly to editors? Do you need a book proposal for fiction, or just a cover letter? Do you send your manuscript by snail mail or email? Can a literary attorney do just as good a job as an agent in reviewing a contract? How do publishers decide to buy your book? Who pays for the photography and illustration? And, once your book is ready to launch, how much publicity can you expect?
You’ll see a copy of my own book proposal, and I’ll provide a handout on what makes one irresistible to agents and editors. Plus, I’ll have a handout of the kind of letter a fiction author might write to an agent or editor.
Dianne Jacob is the author of Will Write for Food, winner of the 2005 award for Best Literary Culinary Reference Book from the International Cordon D’Or (Da Capo Press); and coauthor of Grilled Pizzas & Piadinas (Dorling-Kindersley, 2008). She is working on her third book, a biography of an adventurous woman, and also freelance edits manuscripts for publishing houses. She teaches the class on writing book proposals at the Writing Salon.
Read testimonials for Dianne’s book-publishing and/or book proposal classes HERE