WordSpring 2026 Workshop

Saturday, May 30, 2026,

10 am to 12 pm

Rebecca Carrigan, Sakura Blue Studios

MARKETING VS PUBLICITY—Real-World Promotion Strategies for Indie Authors

Workshop Description:

Many new indie authors believe marketing and publicity are the same thing—but understanding the difference can completely change how you promote your book.

In this practical, engaging workshop, author and creative producer Rebecca Carrigan breaks down the real-world difference between marketing (what you control) and publicity (what you earn), and how indie authors—especially in Canada—can use both effectively, even with limited budgets and small platforms.

Participants will learn approachable, realistic strategies for building visibility, pitching media, working with festivals and libraries, and creating promotion plans that fit their personality and capacity. This workshop focuses on what actually works for indie authors, not trends designed for big publishers.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Clearly understand the difference between marketing and publicity
• Identify which promotional activities they can control vs. influence
• Learn Canadian-specific opportunities (local media, libraries, festivals, community orgs)
• Create a simple, realistic personal promotion plan
• Leave with tools they can use immediately—even pre-launch