WHEN 4 weeks, January 20 - February 17 Chats Tuesdays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Beginner PRICE $350 ($325 for ) more info

Course Details

Your great book will never see the light of day unless you know how to go about getting published. Navigating the ins and outs of the publishing industry can be a daunting experience, but this class will teach you how to do it.

In this class, designed for fiction writers, learn the process of having your book published from beginning to end. Find out why getting an agent is a crucial step, and what to expect once your book is published (and what not to expect). You'll draft a query letter, have your first chapter reviewed and edited, and learn who does what in those giant publishing companies.

In this class, you will learn:

• How to accurately describe your book in a few attention grabbing sentences
• The role of a literary agent and how to find one that's best for you
• How to identify which publisher will be a good fit for your book
• What your editor can do for you and your book
• What will happen to your manuscript once it is at the publisher
• What you can do to have the best editor, best publicist, and best publishing experience

By the end of this class, you will have:
A clear, concise pitch for your book, a first chapter completed and edited, and the knowledge you need to ensure a positive publishing experience.

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.
  
  

Get Your Fiction Book Published (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Instructor Bio

Allison Dickens's Courses

Allison Dickens has worked at large and small publishing houses, most recently as senior editor for Plume, a division of the Penguin Publishing Group. She began her book publishing career, after a short stint in magazines, as an editorial assistant at Ballantine, a division of Random House. She went on to establish her own list as an editor at Ballantine/Random House, including being one of the founders of an editorial and marketing program for twentysomething fiction. She has edited both fiction and nonfiction with a particular focus on women's fiction and reading group favorites.

Testimonials

I appreciated Allison's feedback and value her professional opinion.-- Jane Conroy

"Allison was great to work with. She was very professional but accessible and was able to offer specific advice about fine-tuning my pitch." -- Paul Einarsen

"Allison is a knowledgeable editor. She can help new and seasoned authors get their book published. She is honest and will review your material with respect and a critical eye. I highly recommend her." -- Regis Geoffrion