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Publish Your Novel: Self-Publishing & Marketing Masterclass

Name: Publish Your Novel: Self-Publishing & Marketing Masterclass
Rating: 4.8 (597 reviews)

The Complete, Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing Your Book and Launching Your Author Career

Bestseller

Highest Rated

Created byJessica Brody, Writing Mastery, Bethany Atazadeh

Last updated 12/2024

English

What you'll learn

A detailed, step-by-step road map of the entire publishing and marketing process
How to successfully self-publish your novel in eBook, paperback, and hardcover
How to make your book available for sale on popular vendors like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, Indigo, and more
The foundations and strategies you need to successfully market your book and increase your sales, revenue, and fanbase of loyal readers
How to give your book the best chance for potential distribution in physical bookstores and libraries
All the tools, strategies, and resources you need to not only publish one book, but launch a thriving author career
How to make the right decisions for you, your book, and your budget (and avoid costly mistakes)
How to build your own customized self-publishing plan to ensure you never miss a step or forget a task

Course content

12 sections • 76 lectures • 8h 51m total length

Welcome & What to Expect6:32
It’s easy to self-publish, but much harder to do it successfully. In this lecture, Bethany will break down what to expect in this course and how it will give you the tools to self-publish your novel successfully.
Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing13:34
Learn exactly what self-publishing is and how it differs from traditional publishing, and learn what the pros and cons are of each path.
The Self-Publishing Timeline7:57
Walk through the entire timeline of self-publishing a novel, from first draft to publication and beyond.
How This Course Works3:05
Get a quick overview of how this course is laid out, and how we'll move through all the steps of the self-publishing process, from writing and editing your novel to creating your own self-publishing plan.
Download the Self-Publisher's Workbook1:04
Download your Self-Publisher’s Workbook for additional tools, templates, and resources.
Where to Get Help0:43

Writing & Editing Timeline2:13
Review the whole timeline for writing and editing your book, so you can get an idea of what steps you need to take and when to take them.
Writing Your Book1:27
Writing your book is the most important first step, and in this lecture, Bethany shares a few things to consider when drafting a novel you plan to self-publish.
Editing Your Book5:52
No matter how well a book is marketed, it won’t be successful if it’s not well-edited. In this lecture, Bethany walks through some of the reasons why carefully editing your novel is so important to self-publishing success.
Working with Beta Readers and Critique Partners11:49
Learn what Beta Readers and Critique partners are and how they can play an important role in the success of your self-published novel.
Hiring a Freelance Editor14:31
Learn how to find an editor, the best practices for hiring an editor, what to expect when working with an editor, and what to do while your editor is working on your book.
Working with a Freelance Editor5:33
Go deeper into working with a freelance editor.
Writing & Editing Timeline Example2:14
Bethany shares a real-life writing and editing timeline from her own experience in publishing her novel, The Stolen Kingdom.

Introduction to Foundational Decisions2:17
An introduction to the most important decisions you’ll need to make when self-publishing your novel.
Identifying Your Genre16:40
Learn about choosing a genre to categorize your novel, how genre can affect sales, and how to make your novel stand out in its genre.
Identifying Your Target Readers3:51
Not every book appeals to every reader and trying to market your novel to everyone can backfire. Learn how to identify your target audience to make your marketing as effective as possible.
Should You Use a Pen Name?5:54
Learn all the reasons you might want to use a pen name and also a few reasons why you might not.
Creating a Pen Name (Optional)3:17
Learn the steps to create a use a pen name to self-publish your novel.
Should You Create an Author Business?6:22
Learn what an author business is and the reasons to consider creating one.
Building Your Budget8:14
One of the biggest things you can do to run a successful self-publishing business is to plan your expenses in advance. Learn how to prioritize your "needs" over your "wants" and create a self-publishing budget.

Introduction to Building Your Book4:40
In this section we’ll start actually building your book, starting with choosing book formats, your title, cover design, back blurb, front & back matter, and more.
Choosing Your Book Formats12:27
Learn the pros and cons of common book formats from ebooks the hardbacks, and how to choose your formats.
Choosing Your Book Title9:37
Learn the key factors for a “sellable” title, and the steps to take in choosing a title for your novel.
Choosing Your Other Metadata4:25
Learn how to choose the metadata that goes beyond a title, including subtitles, series titles, and taglines.
Writing Your Book Description (aka the "Back Blurb")9:45
Learn how to write a back cover synopsis that will hook readers and make them want to know more about your story.
Creating Your Standard Front & Back Matter5:05
Learn what the standard front and back matter for a novel is comprised of and how to create it.
Creating Your Additional Front & Back Matter5:56
Learn about some of the additional popular front and back matter you could consider including, such as a map, glossary, and marketing materials.

Introduction to Book Cover Design3:06
Cover design is your #1 marketing tool and it can literally make or break book sales, but it’s also one of the most fun parts of the process. In this lecture, Bethany introduces the process and the cover design steps she’ll break down in this section.
Step 1: Research Covers in Your Genre2:49
Learn how to get a feel for the type of cover you want and what’s selling well in your genre.
Step 2: Determine Comparison or "Comp" Covers2:39
Learn about the specific genre elements that can be incorporated into your cover design.
Step 3: Build Your Cover Design Plan3:10
Start your preparations for hiring a cover designer by putting together information into your Cover Design Plan.
Step 4: Hire a Professional Cover Designer8:57
Hiring a professional book cover designer is by far the most important ingredient to a successful book cover. Find out when, how, and where to find a cover designer for your novel.
Step 5: Work with your Cover Designer to Design an Amazing Cover10:38
Once you’ve selected a cover designer, it’s time to help them design the best cover for you and your book. Learn the steps for ensuring this process goes smoothly and you end up with the very best cover for your novel.
Step 6: Design Covers for Additional Formats5:57
Learn how to work with your designer to create the final covers for each of the different formats you’ve decided to publish in.

Introduction to Book Formatting13:39
In the formatting section of the course, learn how to build the final interior of your book for whichever formats you choose.
Hiring a Professional Book Formatter4:12
Learn about how and where to find a professional book formatter for the most “hands-off” approach.
Using a Formatting Software4:08
Learn more about Vellium, the most popular formatting software on the market today and how it can help you format your book.
DIY Formatting8:14
Learn about the steps you’ll need to take to format your book from scratch, including an introduction to some common formatting templates.

Introduction to Preparing for Publication1:21
There are just a few more things to consider before uploading your book to a publishing platform and in this section, Bethany walks you through each one.
Selecting Your Publishing Platforms17:28
There are many publishing platforms that allow authors to publish and sell their books. In this lecture, Bethany breaks down the pros and cons of some of the most prominent ones.
UPDATE: Amazon KDP Hardcovers0:20
An update on some changes to Amazon KDP format capabilities.
Choosing Your Release Strategy (Release Dates and Preorders)15:36
Learn about release strategies, choosing the best release date for your book, and get an introduction to pre-orders.
Book Pricing and Royalties11:07
Learn about royalties in more detail so you can make an informed decision on your book’s sale price, which you’ll need to know before you start uploading your book to publishing platforms.
ISBNs & Barcodes7:34
Learn about ISBNs and Barcodes, including where to buy them and where to get them for free.
Keywords & Categories12:40
The final step before self-publishing your novel is deciding which keywords and categories to use. In this lecture, learn why keywords and categories are important and how to choose the right ones for your book.

Introduction to Publishing Your Book1:31
Welcome to the publishing stage of the self-publishing timeline! Bethany introduces the steps you’ll take to actually publish your novel.
KDP: Uploading Your eBook18:26
Learn how to upload your eBook to Amazon KDP with a screen-by-screen walkthrough.
KDP: Uploading Your Paperback12:15
Learn how to upload your paperback to Amazon KDP with a screen-by-screen walkthrough.
IngramSpark: Uploading Your Paperback or Hardcover20:46
Learn how to upload your paperback and hardcover to IngramSpark with a screen-by-screen walkthrough.
Draft2Digital: Uploading Your eBook12:15
Learn how to upload your eBook to Draft2Digital with a screen-by-screen walkthrough.
Publishing with Other Platforms1:01
Learn about the other platform options for publishing your novel.
Reviewing Your Proof Copies (eBook and Print)4:20
When you finish uploading your book to any publishing platform, they will ask you to review a “proof” of the book. In this lecture, learn about proof copies and how to use them.

Introduction to Marketing Foundations1:35
Welcome to the marketing stage! In this lecture, Bethany introduces the Marketing Foundations for making your novel a success.
Getting into the Marketing Mindset7:40
Learn how to get into the marketing mindset you’ll need to be a successful self-published author.
The 4 Core Platforms for Author Marketing1:39
Learn how to get into the marketing mindset you’ll need to be a successful self-published author.
Platform #1: Your Author Website7:15
Learn about when and how to create your author website, and what to include for successful book marketing.
Platform #2: Your Author Newsletter15:01
Learn why an author newsletter is a valuable tool, ways to build your newsletter subscribers, which readers to target, what to include in your newsletter and what to leave out.
Platform #3: Social Media11:52
Social media is one of the best and easiest ways to introduce new readers to your book. In this lecture, learn about the goals and focus of social media, when to start using it, and how to market your books.
Platform #4: Goodreads9:01
Goodreads is a self-publisher's marketing best friend. Learn why Goodreads is so valuable, how to use it as an author to get your book into readers’ hands.

Introduction to Marketing Your Book1:57
Now that you have your four core author platforms in place, let’s get into how to use them. In this section of the course, Bethany will break down more than ten different marketing strategies that you can use to market your book to readers
Marketing Strategy: Advance Reader Copies8:38
Learn what Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) are, how to find interested readers, and how they can be a key part of your marketing strategy.
Marketing Strategy: Pre-Order Campaigns6:37
Learn about pre-order campaigns, why they are so effective, and the steps needed to set one up.
Marketing Strategy: Giveaways6:40
Learn why and how to do a giveaway as part of your marketing strategy.
Marketing Strategy: Cover Reveals4:45
Learn what a cover reveal entails and several cover reveal promotion ideas.
Marketing Strategy: Amazon Author Central Account3:13
Learn about the awesome marketing tool, Amazon Author Central, how it can help market your books to readers, and how to set up your author page.
Marketing Strategy: Launch Parties & Events4:18
Learn about the advanced marketing strategy of launch parties and events, and how to incorporate them into your marketing plan.
Marketing Strategy: Price Promotions & Loss Leaders16:24
One of the biggest advantages to being self-published is the ability to control your own pricing. Learn about strategic discounts called “price promotions” and how to use them to significantly boost your sales and grow your readership.
Marketing Strategy: BookBub and Other eBook Deal Sites10:31
Learn about eBook deal sites, which are the hidden gems in marketing that many new authors don’t hear about.
Marketing Strategy: Paid Advertising2:51
Learn another advanced marketing tactic for indie authors.
Marketing Strategy: Author Newsletter Swaps3:43
Learn how to collaborate with other authors on a newsletter swap as part of a successful marketing plan.
Bonus Marketing Strategies3:50
In this lecture, Bethany shares several bonus marketing strategies including Street Teams, Book Tours, and Read-Alongs.
Creating Your Marketing Plan11:24
In this lecture, we’ll walk through gathering all your selected marketing strategies together into a customized marketing plan for your book.
Final Tips on Book Marketing2:51
In this lecture, Bethany shares a few final tips to keep in mind as you create and implement the marketing plan for your book.

Requirements

No prior knowledge required. In this course, you'll learn everything you need to know to self-publish your novel successfully!

Description

Student Reviews For "Publish Your Novel: Self-Publishing and Marketing Masterclass":

"Exceptional....organized, thoughtful, comprehensive, and well-presented. The perfect resource!" - Dawn P.

"Amazing, made the whole process so easy to understand, and kept it all real, honest, and grounded. Recommend this course to all budding and established Indie authors." - Aditya N.

Do you want to publish a novel? Launch a successful author career? Build a loyal fanbase of readers? Or turn your passion for storytelling into a lucrative business?

This course will help you achieve all of those goals...and more.

The truth is, it’s easy to become a published author. But it’s a lot harder to become a successful published author.

The rise of self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP has made it fast and painless for authors to publish their work almost instantly. But it also means the market has become flooded with self-published books, making it difficult for any one book or author to stand out.

It’s estimated that the average self-published book sells less than 250 copies in its lifetime.

And yet, there are thousands of self-published authors out there who do make money and have built prosperous careers doing what they love, some making as much as six or seven figures a year writing and publishing novels.

How do they do it?

Simple. They know the secrets to self-publishing successfully. The same secrets you will learn in this course.

"This course is brilliant! Superb presentation and detailed information that makes self-publishing achievable." - Dee D.

Throughout this course, you will learn...

How to successfully publish your novel in eBook, paperback, and hardcover formats
How to give your book the widest distribution possible including selling your book on popular vendors like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, Indigo, and more, with potential distribution in physical bookstores and libraries
The foundations and strategies you need to successfully market your book and increase your sales, revenue, and fanbase of loyal readers
Strategies that will not only set you up for success with one book, but will help you build the foundation for a fulfilling, multi-book career

This is not a "get published quick" course. This is a "get published right" course.

Building a successful self-publishing career (or even publishing one novel) can be complicated, with tons of decisions to make, and plenty of opportunities to get overwhelmed and make mistakes.

That's why we've included in this course:

A 40+ page workbook full of resources, tools, templates, checklists, examples, and a full self-publishing glossary
Customizable publishing timelines to help you stay on track and hold yourself accountable
Flexible templates to help you create a rock-solid publishing plan customized just for you and your book
A master Self-Publishing Checklist to make sure you never forget a task or deadline
Sample marketing plans with step-by-step directions that you can customize for every book you release
Over 20 tried-and-true marketing strategies to help you launch your book into the world with a bang!
And more!

"This was amazing. I watched this entire course and took away important information in every section. Every new (and seasoned) self-published author should watch this." - Erica H.

This course is designed to be your on-demand coach and self-publishing guide, to help you through the process step-by-step and take out all the guesswork of self-publishing on your own, so that you can make informed and confident decisions while avoiding costly mistakes and missteps.

We will cover everything you need to know including:

How to choose the right title and genre for your book
Whether or not you should use a pen name
How to edit your book to ensure it’s the very best quality it can be, including how to find, hire, and work with professional editors
How to design an amazing, professional cover that will leap off the shelf and capture the attention of readers, plus where to find cover designers that fit any budget
How to write a book description that will have readers clamoring to push that “buy” button
How to format the interior of your book (including free and paid options) so every page looks amazing and conforms to all the industry standards
How to choose the right publishing platforms, vendors, and formats for your book
Whether you should use the free ISBNs provided by the publishing platforms, or purchase your own
How to select the best release date for your book
How to make your book available for preorder so you can start capturing sales before the book is even released
How to get into the right marketing mindset to set yourself and your book up for success
How to design and implement a customized marketing plan to increase sales, build your readership, and maximize your book revenue
And much, much more!

By following the steps in this course, by the end you’ll have all the secrets to self-publishing success, a complete publishing and marketing plan, and (most important) a published novel!

Plus you’ll have all the tools, strategies, and resources you need to not only self-publish one book, but launch a thriving author career.

"A wonderful starting point which you can go back to anytime you need. Bethany touched on everything involved in the process and covered it step by step.” - Deanne W.

Why Learn from Us?

Bethany Atazadeh is a young adult fantasy and science fiction author, best known for her award winning Stolen Kingdom series, available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook. She's self-published over 10 books in just four years and built up a following of thousands of readers as well as a thriving career as an author. In this course, she breaks down every step of the process to help you make the best decisions for you and build your own customized roadmap to self-publishing success.

Jessica Brody is a bestselling author, top-rated Udemy instructor with over 50,000 students, and founder of Writing Mastery. She is the author of more than 20 novels plus Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, the #1 bestselling plotting guide for novelists.

Writing Mastery only partners with the most qualified writing instructors to bring you high-quality courses you can trust.

In fact, we guarantee it with a 30-day 100% money-back guarantee!

We are confident you’ll love this course. But if, for any reason, you don’t, we’ll give you a full refund.

We can’t wait to see you inside the course!

Our students are already on their way to self-publishing success!

"Superb presentation and detailed information that makes self-publishing achievable." - Dee D.

"The marketing section was particularly helpful in bounding the problems of selling self published books." - Eric P.

“This was amazing. I am four books in and have been using trial and error for every area of self-publishing. I watched this entire course and took away important information in every section. Every new (and seasoned) self-published author should watch this.” -Erica H.

"Very accurate, relevant... she knows exactly what she is talking about. - Erik N.

"The workbook, templates and personalized timelines have got me excited and confident for my publishing path." - Amanda S.

"I wish I had this before I published the first time." - IshKiaa P.

"The marketing section has so many great tips and ideas. I will definitely recommend the course to anyone who is considering self-publishing." - Deanne W.

"Bethany A. is a great communicator and I like that she gets to the point every time and with every subject...in taking this course I won't have to spend those long hours watching videos and reading articles on How to....? from many different sources and [can] concentrate on my writing and publishing." - Dinorah H

Who this course is for:

Novelists
Novella writers
Short Story writers
Memoir Writers
Anyone interested in learning more about publishing novels
Anyone who has self-published a novel before and was disappointed with the results
Writers looking to turn storytelling into a career or side business

Publish Your Novel: Self-Publishing & Marketing Masterclass

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction6 lectures • 33min

Writing & Editing Your Book7 lectures • 44min

Foundational Decisions7 lectures • 47min

Building Your Book7 lectures • 52min

Designing Your Book Cover7 lectures • 37min

Formatting Your Book4 lectures • 30min

Preparing Your Book for Publication7 lectures • 1hr 6min

Publishing Your Book7 lectures • 1hr 11min

Marketing Foundations7 lectures • 54min

Marketing Your Book14 lectures • 1hr 28min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: