Class : Lets Get Published

"I don't write to become famous - I write to be heard."

Burn this phrase into your mind as you approach this course. Whether you care to admit it to yourself, it's your whole reason for being here.

This class is for those of you who have a story you want to publish - be it a short story or a full-length novel.
We will walk together through the process, from the moment you end your story to the elation of making a sale. For some, it might be a short road. For others, it might be longer. That's okay. We're in this together. So, if you're interested - or even think you might be - read on!
Please note, we are here to publish your story, so as a prerequisite we ask that you already have a completed short story or novel. Throughout this course we will prepare this manuscript for publishing so don't sweat over whether it's perfect yet, as making it so is part of the publishing process.
  
The Class Question Board will be used to reply to your assignment questions and to hold discussions on subjects. Feel free to add a query there as you begin the class.
  
Course Rules


- All storywrite rules apply. Please, respect the teachers and fellow students.

- The student should contact the teacher if s/he is away for more than two weeks or is unable to complete a course in three months.

-Courses are copyrighted to the teachers and the materials/discussions are not to be shared outside of the classroom.

-If there are any student-teacher issues/conflicts, they should be taken to the Director.

- On entering the course, you agree to follow all points of the Student Code of Conduct. Full version can be found here: Student Code Of Conduct

Course Introduction:

As many times as you sit down and write out your ideas, they never become stories until somebody else reads them. Doubt what we say?

Consider the funniest thing that ever happened in your life. Did the thought of it bring a smile to your face? We're willing to bet it did, and we're also willing to bet you couldn't wait to tell others about your experience.

Of course, it's not only our humor we share. There's a whole spectrum of emotions. We share are anguish, our rage, our passion. And why not? As humans, we're communal in nature, and sharing our experiences helps bond us together. That's why it's so important for us to share - and we do this by telling others of our experiences, allowing them to take part in pieces of life they missed out on.

So, how does this apply to our own writings? Unless they are shared with others, the experience is held to ourselves, preventing others from sharing in our lives. A bit selfish in natute. Privatized. Just like a diary. But, we as writers are not private people. We share our emotions freely, and if we find the right market we can share them with millions of people around the world. Amazing, right?

Which brings  us to why we're both here. You want to share what you have written, and we want to help you accomplish your dream.

Don't bother to place the word 'dream' at the end of the last sentence. It doesn't belong there. Dreams are experienced with both eyes closed, and we intend to open them both up wide, allowing you to accomplish your ambition.

Through the next five assignments we will help you publish your manuscript (you know, the important words you want to share with the world). Listen carefully to what we say, and know that we're in this together.

This course is dedicated to the success of an unknown author who is about to become known ... you.

 NO more students can be accepted for some time. Do NOT proceed to Assignment 1. It will NOT be graded. 17th June 2009.

Taught by Elisabeth. Teaching assistants: yoshi97, Oblivion Kitty God.

Start the first assignment "Writers Toolkit - Story Revision" →