Alexa Bigwarfe of Write, Publish, Sell, is a writer, publisher, and book marketer, and understands the struggle many writers have when dealing with the business side of being an author. She’s offering a free webinar, Learn to Love Marketing! on April 29 at 2pm ET/11am PST, and if you can’t make it live, she’ll send you the recording. You’ll learn why your marketing might be working against you (even when you’re trying hard), the 4-part foundation every author needs before they scale, and how to simplify your approach so marketing feels sustainable—not chaotic. Free. Register here!
Member Libby Waterford recommends this recorded class on Selling More Books by Selling to Libraries. Erin Wright of the Wide for the Win circle group has a number of these classes on publishing, and this one costs $95. Scroll down this list to find this one. Among the topics it covers are: Overdrive, the Indie Author Project (open for submissions through April 30), what a one-sheet is and how to make one, and all three format types (eBooks, audiobooks, and print books). Libby says she’s taken this class and it’s great, though slightly out of date, as it was held before Baker and Taylor went out of business.
RESOURCES FOR WRITERS SEEKING TO PUBLISH
So many paths to publication exist these days, that if you can narrow down your options you may find it easier to get there.
Erica Verrillo has published a Mega-List of Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazines in Paying markets – an extensive list of journals accepting speculative fiction. Some have specific submission periods, so make sure you read their guidelines carefully. All are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. Read more here.
She’s also published a list of six new literary agents actively seeking clients. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients. All of these agents work for established agencies with good track records and they’re looking for all genres. Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change.
You may know Reedsy as a source of freelance editors and designers who can help you with getting your book into the world. They also have other free resources for writers. If you plan to go the traditional publishing route, they offer a comprehensive directory of agents and publishers, the Literary Agents Directory. You can filter by genre and location and check whether an agent is interested in debut authors to save time. Their Publishers Directory includes 400+ publishers that accept direct submissions from unagented authors. Filter by genre, location, book format, and even the size of the publishing house to find the best fit for your book.
When you’re ready to submit, experienced agents and editors on the Reedsy Marketplace offer query letter review services that can help your project stand out for the right reasons.
SUBMITTING TO PUBLISHERS WITHOUT AN AGENT
As always, Authors Publish has produced another interesting list for writers – particularly those who write in a more niche genre. 84 Specialized Publishers Open to Manuscript Submissions include those that publish books on Buddhism, silly poems, feminist science, gore, gardening, DIY, and more. You get the picture. Who knew there were so many specialist publishers?
Sites like QueryTracker and PublishersArchive are other sources for finding specialized smaller and mid-sized indie publishers.
Dave Chesson at Kindlepreneur has one more way to find publishers that accept unagented submissions. Check out his article here.
MEMBER SUCCESSES
Poet Ed Ahern is releasing a poetry anthology with a number of fabulous CT poets, and poet Mary Keating will be at several live events over the coming month.
Steven M. Rubin’s debut novel, The Unraveling of Michael Galler, is a a psychological family drama about a teenager whose entanglement in an intense, complex new relationship exacerbates his obsession over his greatest fear. It comes out on May 12.
