THE BUSINESS OF WRITING

Websites for Writers

S10-B03
1 Tuesday, 6-9 p.m.
June 15
$39 W&B members / $43 general public
Instructor: Ruth E. Thaler-Carter

Writers today have to get noticed on the World Wide Web, and that means having our own websites. Find out the basics of getting a domain name, using it for a permanent e-mail address, and creating an effective, attractive website that will help attract readers and publishers to your work. Freelance writer/editor Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, who maintains her own website, manages content for several others and has created some sites herself, will show you how to find and use templates and basic design techniques, and will include examples of writers’ good and bad sites to use as inspiration. Note: This is a general class, not a high-tech offering.

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Paths to Publication

J10-B01
1 Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 26
$39 W&B members / $43 general public
Instructor: Steven Huff

How does book publication really work? How should I approach a publisher? Should I look for an agent first? What about copyrights, permissions, and royalties? How will I know a good publisher if I see one? If I sign a contract, am I signing away all rights to my own work? Are there hidden pitfalls and problems that I have not yet imagined? How long does the whole process take from finished manuscript to seeing my work on a bookstore shelf? Should I consider self-publishing? Steven Huff brings his years of experience as a publisher to this class. There will also be advice for those who are just beginning to send their work to magazines.

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The Novel Submission Guide

S10-B05
3 Mondays 7-9 p.m.
June 14 through 28
$61 W&B members / $66 general public
Instructor: Jennifer Talty

What is the perfect pitch? Or Query letter? It’s the ability to sum up your novel in five sentences, or less. In most pitch session, you only have 8 minutes to talk about your book. In a Query letter, you only have one page. Think about it. The idea is to generate interest to get the editor or agent to ask to see material. In this case, less is more. Basically, a pitch or query is your back cover copy. Many writers agonize over writing a synopsis. How long should it be? What to include? What to leave out? This class will show writers how to breakdown their main story line using the basic narrative structure to write a short and concise synopsis in five pages or less. By the end of the third class, students will have prepared a query letter and synopsis for submission to editors and agents.

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