“Can I talk to you about self-publishing?”

I get this question often from my fellow writers, usually when they have completed or nearly completed a book, and are thinking about the next steps. They’ve heard that self-publishing is the road to riches, or that it’s career suicide. Maybe self-publishing is a sign of failure as an author, or perhaps it’s simply the new “slush pile” for editors seeking new talent. So how can you tell if self-publishing is the right choice for you and your book? And if it is the right choice, where do you start?

If you live in the Atlanta area, you might consider starting here:

On November 15th, I’ll be hosting a self-publishing workshop from 8:30 to 11:30. This 3-hour workshop is designed to help writers of all levels and genres understand the various paths to self-publishing, and how self-publishing fits into the rapidly changing publishing climate. At the end of the workshop, writers will be equipped to determine whether and what kind of self-publishing is a viable choice for them, and have a publishing action plan in place. We’ll discuss your individual goals for your writing, as well as the many options open to new and experienced writers alike.

By the end of this workshop you will be able to:

• Understand (briefly) how the publishing industry has been transformed in the past several years and what it means for authors
• Articulate goals for your current project, and your career as a writer
• Make an informed decision about whether self-publishing is a good choice for you as an author, as well as for each writing project individually
• Set measures for success in self-publishing and create a plan for reaching those goals
• Follow step-by-step instructions to successful self-publication
• Begin the process of publishing your own book the right way, or marketing yourself and your work to agents and publishers
• Create a basic author platform to support your efforts in EITHER independent or traditional publishing

You will also learn:

• The difference between self-publishing, indie, hybrid, small-press and traditional publishing
• The benefits and drawbacks of the various publishing options, including self-publishing
• The importance of genre in writing, publishing and marketing your book
• What a “target audience” is and how to find and reach yours
• The ins and outs of the Amazon KDP platform and how to optimize it in your favor
• How much you should expect to invest in the launch of a newly self-published book
• Major mistakes to avoid when publishing your own book
• How to set up a basic social media strategy for your book

BONUS (November session only): Registration also includes an optional individual 15-minute video or phone coaching session with me to address your specific questions and situation within 3 months of the workshop.

Registration fee covers all workshop materials and refreshments. To keep costs down and the setting intimate, we’ll be meeting in my living room in Roswell, Georgia. Space will be limited to a maximum of 25 attendees.

MJ Pullen

M.J. Pullen is a distracted writer and the mom of two boys in Roswell, Georgia, where she is absolutely late for something important right now. Her books include quirky romantic comedies and playful women's fiction. She blogs erratically with writing advice, random observations, and reflections on raising very loud kids and dogs. Join her Distracted Readers newsletter list for updates, free content, giveaways and more.