Several new options for writers appeared in my inbox over the weekend, and I’m happy to include them here. Hybrid publishing turned out to be a recurring theme.

The American University in Paris offers three- or six-week courses in creative writing, in June and July for credit or to audit, and some travel stipends are available. The courses aren’t inexpensive, and there’s travel and housing costs to consider, but I did a one week course there a few years back and it was unforgettable. Enrolled students select from writing workshops in Poetry, Fiction, or Creative Nonfiction, all of which are designed to help students to read their own work objectively, develop a critical vocabulary, and work deeply on issues of craft. One evening per week, students from all three workshops come together to attend readings and question-and-answer sessions with inspiring authors. More information and application forms here. Deadline for applications: April 15.

Join a community of storytellers and listeners at the Westport Library (CT) For some Sunday-afternoon storytelling each month. Facilitated by Northeast Storytelling President ChaChanna Simpson, each gathering will allow storytellers to share personal tales on a chosen theme (five minutes each), preferably with no notes. Come to share or to listen. Absolutely no experience is necessary. Please click on the date to register, and email ChaChanna at chachannas@gmail.com if you’re interested in sharing a story. Upcoming themes: April 21: Betrayal, May 19:  Adventure, June 9: Secrets.

I hosted a virtual CAPA talk last week on the various options for publishing, featuring the Acquisitions Director from my publisher, Atmosphere Press, Kyle McCord. If you’d like to check it out, you can watch it here.

And here’s an article I wrote about how to choose a hybrid publisher – thanks to Matt Knight (The Writer’s Legal GPS) and Sidebar Saturdays for posting it! Sidebar Saturdays is a website run by lawyers who know everything there is to know about the law and writers. It’s a great place to find answers about copyright, contracts and more.

Here’s a recommendation from writing guru Jane Friedman: a new Facebook Group called Book Cover Design Advice – is run by Damonza, one of the best firms out there in terms of design for indie books or just to get ideas if you’re with a press and need to communicate your ideas. It’s free to join and is going to offer tips and best practices and evaluations of covers so if this isn’t your strong suit or like Jane, you’re just a strong advocate for getting the cover right, might be worth a join.

Laurie Newkirk asked about a timeline for book release marketing, and fellow member Alison McBain suggested this book launch checklist and marketing timeline.

Making money from your writing can be hard, so Authors Publish have come up with a list of literary journals that pay their authors. AP always checks the publications they mention, which is particularly helpful since it helps writers winnow out those publishers that are appropriate for your specific kind of writing.

You may know Netgalley as a source for free new eBooks whose authors are looking for reviews. If you have a book that needs more reviews, the Inkfluence, a book marketing company is offering an opportunity to list your book on Netgalley for a month for only $99. They do all the work for you, which is an added advantage. Kindlepreneur offers an overview of the regular pricing plans for authors, who generally have to buy a three or six-month plan, which costs substantially more. BTW, my novel is available for free on Netgalley for the next couple of weeks – download a copy if you’d like to read it!

All Author will promote/make ads for your new book if you’re a member ($59 for 1-year membership_: https://allauthor.com/join-as-an-author/  – they post on their website and social media every week.

And here’s a website where you can find great free photos for your blog.

Keep writing!