Beginner's Guide to Getting Published

How to Make Money From Your Writing

You really can make money with your writing. Whether you want to create your own business, add to your income, supplement your retirement, or boost what you're earning as a writer, you'll find the how-to's here.

In just six weeks, I'll share secrets, methods, and tips to help you generate income with your writing. This class includes all the practical information that so rarely gets taught in writing classes.

Now I know in most courses and social groups it's taboo to discuss money . . . but not here. We'll embrace it! Making money is the focus of the lessons. 

You'll explore a dozen genres that can help you establish a sometime, part-time, or full-time career as a writer. Along the way, you'll learn methods to work faster, suffer less rejection, and bring home more bacon (even if you're a vegan like me).

You'll get facts on ghostwriting, collaboration, writing for the Web, writing for new technologies, copywriting, article and essay writing, and novel and nonfiction book writing, plus I'll give tips for finding publishers and agents. And you're going to practice different writing techniques in a safe environment as I mentor you.

Please join me for this course. Fulfilling (and lucrative) writing work is waiting for you!

Introduction to Internet Writing Markets

Publish and Sell Your E-Books

E-books are blazing through the publishing world like a speeding comet, with thousands of previously undiscovered authors as the bright glowing lights in its tail. Independent—indie—authors are becoming overnight sensations in the New York Times and USA Today, on Amazon, and well, everywhere e-books are sold. In this course, you'll see how you can join their ranks by learning how to publish and sell your own e-book.

It's no secret that e-books now outsell traditionally published books around the world. This is great news for authors, who no longer need a large budget to self-publish and promote their books. In fact, in this course, you'll learn step by step how to use free tools to turn your manuscript into a professionally published e-book ready for distribution. Or, if you don't consider yourself a "techie," this course will give you the information you need to select the right publishing services to help you as you convert your manuscript so you're ready to sell it as an e-book.  

Whether you're a first-timer or have already put out an e-book or two, this course puts you inside the publishing industry, sharing the tricks of the trade used by traditional publishers to make sure their books are in the best position to be found by readers. You'll learn how to target your reading audience, select bookstores, get your book distributed around the world, and even have your book added to your local library's virtual shelves. By the end of this course, you can have your publishing dreams come true by selling an e-book. Make it happen today!

The Craft of Magazine Writing

Write and Publish Your Nonfiction Book

Writing and Selling Self-Help Books

Are you serious about becoming a published self-help book author—and are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work? Then this course is for you! 

One of the most important secrets in publishing is that writing self-help books is different from writing books in other genres. That’s because in this genre, you can land a writing contract before you complete your manuscript. In these lessons, a New York Times bestselling author shares the secrets for turning a book idea into a winning proposal to sell to publishing houses.  

First, you’ll learn about two of the most important players in the publishing industry—literary agents and acquisitions editors. You’ll discover what they’re looking for and find out how to maximize your chances of landing a contract. 

Once you understand how the book industry works, you’ll explore the three crucial criteria for selecting a topic for your first self-help book. You may even discover that you have more than one book in you! You’ll also investigate the pros and cons of collaborating with other writers or having your book ghost written.  

Next, you’ll conduct a market survey of your key competitors and strategize how to position your book to sell. Then you’ll find out the biggest secret for turning a self-help book into a top seller: a great hook! You’ll learn the four characteristics of a good hook, and create your own sensational hook.  

At this point, you’ll get down to business and focus on writing your book. You'll confront one of the most challenging parts of writing a book—putting your life experience and insight into a concise, linear book format. You’ll learn how to structure your book, how to speak directly to your readers, and how to use compelling stories to illustrate your message. To wrap up your writing practice, you’ll create a dynamic chapter opening and learn how to write a chapter ending that keeps your readers engaged.  

As you follow the step-by-step instructions in these lessons, you’ll create a polished proposal package consisting of a proposal summary, a writing sample, a press kit, and supplemental information. By the end of the course, you’ll have everything you need to start selling your book—and you’ll know exactly what agents are looking for in a first-time author!