The Indie Publishing Primer, with Joe Mahoney

Location

Online via Zoom.

Description 

Joe Mahoney of Donovan Street Press presents an "Indie Publishing Primer." Joe will walk participants through the initial conception of their book through to its final publication and beyond. He'll discuss every stage of the indie publication process from manuscript prep to editing, covers, formatting, distribution, and marketing. He'll do this using real world examples from his experience with his own books and Donovan Street Press.

This two-hour session is designed for those new to indie publishing who would like to know how to achieve creative satisfaction by publishing their own books successfully and, perhaps most importantly, without losing their shirts.   

About JOE MAHONEY:

The Foundations of Book Marketing + Unusual Marketing Moves, with Melissa Addey

Location

Online via Zoom.

Description 

This two-hour session begins with 10 foundational steps for marketing, which are really helpful for newbies - but Melissa, who writes and markets her books from her home in the U.K. - also believes these are important for established authors to revisit regularly as they hold up all other marketing efforts. In the second hour, Melissa will go more off-piste with unusual marketing steps to take. With the advent of AI she thinks it will prove beneficial to lean in to being human, so it's worth standing out from the crowd a little. Both parts have been well received and give authors of all stages lots to think about and implement. 

 And the unusual bit is a little more fun, with lots of examples of less 'standard' marketing moves. This appeals to the creative in all writers, and encourages everyone to have a bit of fun with their marketing, since it's the task all writers complain about having to do.

About MELISSA ADDEY:

The Seven Persistent Troubles

(that keep your manuscript up at night)

with Lee Thompson

author, editor and publisher

Location

Online via Zoom.

Description 

Join editor and publisher Lee Thompson for a wide-ranging conversation and Q&A on the Seven Persistent Troubles that keep your manuscript up at night, even when you think it’s sleeping perfectly fine. Manuscripts will not edit themselves, and whine all day when you ask them to, so Lee will share observations and tips and how you may identify those SPTs and become your very best book doctor self.

About Lee

Moncton-born Lee (D) Thompson began writing fiction in his mid-twenties and started offering advice on how to write fiction shortly thereafter, whether you wanted it or not. Some wanted it, and soon Lee was cornered into giving advice, whether he liked it or not, and an editing career was born (a career that would careen into 

publishing).  Lee is the author of three books, including the award-winning novel Apastoral: A Mistopia, has turned his penchant for pushy opinions into Lee Thompson Editing, and now for fun runs Galleon Books, a very eclectic publishing house. 

Novel Apastoral out with www.coronasamizdat.com | Apastoral: A Mistopia

Editing Services: www.leethompsonediting.com

How and Why to Write a Cozy Mystery, with Chuck Bowie

Location

Online via Zoom.

Description 

This cozy mystery primer is good for established writers, as well as writers just beginning to make their way in the writing world. The aim of the workshop will be to enable writers to create a cozy mystery that lovers of this sub-genre would feel ‘at home’ when reading it.

There is a fine line between writing a formula-driven, derivative book, and creating an engaging mystery that softens the elements of the plot and characters (language, violence, etc) without losing the excitement of a great story.

This two hour workshop will touch on:

• The Classic Western Epic Journey: The Elements of a Novel
• Creating a memorable character
• The Elements of a Cozy Mystery
• Focus on Three Keys: Principal Character, The Setting (as a character), and The Supporting Cast (as a character)
• How to Murder Off-Scene
• How to Soften Language, Sexuality, and Violence Without Destroying the Story
• Why Bother With a Cozy?
• Who Reads ‘Em (and Why)
• So, A Cozy is a Formula, is it? No. It’s not 
• The Cover is a Tell, Which is a Good Thing
• Tips on How To Get Started

About CHUCK BOWIE:

Dive into short fiction with Elaine McCluskey

Location

Online via Zoom.

Description 

Short Story Love

In this two-hour workshop, Elaine McCluskey tells you why you should write short stories, and how to make them special. McCluskey will discuss topics such as character, dialogue, and setting. She will also give tips on how to avoid common traps. McCluskey believes writing short stories can be uniquely satisfying—there is a rush when it all comes together. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback.