If you’re new to writing and publishing, or even if you’ve been in this world for a while, you probably feel like there’s so much to learn.
And you may wonder, what is the best way to learn about writing and publishing?
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/
Learn on the page
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to learn more about writing, and what makes it good (or not so good) is to read. Hit up your local library and look for classic books on writing. While trends come and go, the basics of good writing remain the same. Scroll to the end of this post for a list of few classic books on writing.
In fact, reading well-written books on any topic will help you to become a better writer. Assuming you pay attention and notice the craft and structure of said books.
Me, on a normal day at the library. What? Sorry not sorry.
However, the basics of publishing are changing so rapidly that by the time someone writes a book about publishing, especially self-publishing, the landscape has shifted as if you’ve tesseracted. (Bonus points if you can tell me what a tesseract is and what book that literary allusion comes from ---NO GOOGLING, cheaters!)
Anyway, if you want to learn about publishing, particularly self-publishing, books will only get you so far. Because books about a rapidly changing industry will be out of date by the time they’re published.
I went to the library lately and found some titles on self-publishing. I grabbed them without looking too closely.
Turns out, one was 10 years old, and the other was five years old. Which means both had at least some obsolete information. The trouble is, if you are new to self-publishing, how do you know which information has “expired” and which still has plenty of shelf life?
Typically, books on the craft of writing offer timeless principles. Books on the business of publishing offer advice that might easily grow stale because it’s an industry, not a craft. For example, older books talk about a self-publishing platform called CreateSpace, run by amazon. That no longer exists—because it has morphed into Kindle Direct Publishing, aka KDP.com. And the rules of engagement on KDP.com seem to change fairly often.
A little fact checking and more up to date information will help you discern and learn. A great way to do that is to subscribe to newsletters on writing (like this one). (Also if you are looking for some basics on self-publishing and the main differences between royalty publishing and self-publishing, this post might be helpful. Or just browse the archives of this newsletter.)
Look for blogs and other online content that’s been written in the last year or two at the most, because things change that quickly. (If you follow other Substacks on writing and publishing, please share them in the comments so we can all check them out!)
Learn in person
Another way to learn more about writing and publishing is to attend a writers’ conference. At a conference, you’re going to get up to the minute information about publishing. If you’re hoping to pursue traditional (royalty) publishing, you can talk to editors and agents at a conference who can tell you the best path for you, right now.
A conference allows you to meet other writers, along with editors and agents. It provides classes on a wide variety of writing and publishing topics, and all of it is up to the minute current, relevant, and helpful.
I serve on the board and faculty of West Coast Christian Writers conference, which will be held October 23-25 in Fullerton, CA. I’ll be teaching on crafting compelling non-fiction. (I’m also doing a full day seminar on self-publishing but it’s sold out) But check out all the other seminars and workshops available at this terrific conference. Attendees can also meet one-on-one with agents, editors, or mentors for a manuscript critique. It’s one of the most encouraging and uplifting conferences out there.
Attending a writers conference requires an investment of time and money, but the best deal right now is to attend the online version of WCCW conference. The online conference price is $199 and gets you all the content from all the classes and seminars. And, if you use my discount code, KENT at checkout, you’ll save $50! But you need to register now, because the price goes up on Monday, September 1. (That’s this Monday!)
If you’re able to attend, the current registration fee for the in-person conference is $399, again minus $50 if you use my discount code: KENT. And again, register before this Monday, Sept. 1, when the price goes up!
If a conference is beyond your time and money budget, that’s okay. One way to get up to date information about writing and publishing is to subscribe to this Substack, so hit that button and I’ll show up every (okay, almost every) Friday in your inbox.
Questions about writing and publishing? Throw them in the comments and I’ll try to answer with a comment or a future post.
P.S. Some of my favorites on the craft of writing: (some are older titles but the truths about writing they share are timeless)
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Making a Literary Life by Carolyn See
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner
On Writing by Stephen King