WOW Bubble of Communication

   

 

WOW! Women On Writing

Classes & Workshops

 

Spotlight Course: How to Write a Craft Book       

In this issue:
Article: 5 Tips for Finding the Right Publisher
Spotlight Course: How to Write a Craft Book
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
Greetings!

What's your favorite hobby?
Whether it's knitting, making jewelry, coin collecting, do-it-yourself home decorating, or any other activity that you love, you can create a how-to book sharing your passion and expertise. After all, you're a writer too, right?

If sharing your favorite pastime sounds exciting, you'll want the best instruction on how to make it happen. WOW instructor Lynne Garner has published numerous craft books and will show you how to access your hidden knowledge base and use it to write a hobby-based how-to book. She'll help you with the book creation process, from choosing your topic all the way to sending off your work to an appropriate publisher.

How to Write a Craft Book starts Saturday, May 5, 2012, and is limited to 15 students. The course covers all of the details from planning to project completion, including how to find your ISP (Unique Selling Point), deciding what photographs or illustrations will be required, and choosing the appropriate route to publication. Enrollment includes one-on-one e-mail support, so don't miss out!

In the article below, Lynne shares five tips to find the best publisher for your book. The ideas are fun and easy, and you'll be ready to submit your book idea to the right places.

We also have several other classes starting soon, including How to Write Children's Picture Books and Get Published (May 5), Write from Your Soul: Memoir Workshop (May 14), Vampires Optional: Writing YA Fiction (May 23), and Writing for Children: Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers (May 24).

We've also added two brand new classes that we're really excited about: Published in 90 Days (May 18), and Writing Contests: The Focused Way to Win (May 23). Be sure to check out the full list of upcoming classes in the section below.

Happy writing! 

 

Marcia & Angela 

 

Classroom Managers: Marcia & Angela
Marcia & Angela
Classroom Managers
WOW! Classes & Workshops

[email protected] 

Researching Craft Books

 

 

5 Tips for Finding the Right Publisher    

By Lynne Garner 

 

  

The aim of any author is to find a publisher who will publish your book. Finding such a publisher can be a daunting task for a first time writer. So, here are five tips that will hopefully help you to complete this task.

1. Pop along to your local bookstore and look in the section relevant to your book. Pull out books that are similar to the one you plan to write, or have written, and note the publisher's details (found in the front couple of pages). I've found the best method for this is to take a photograph using my camera. 

  

2. Purchase or borrow from the library a copy of Writers' and Artists' Yearbook. This is filled with both useful articles and page upon page of publisher's details (listed by genre). 

 

3. Search the Internet using terms you'd associate with your planned or written book. This will hopefully bring up publishers that the first two tips haven't.  

 

4. Check your own bookshelves and those of family and friends. Again, look for books similar to the one you wish to get published and note the publisher's contact details.    

 

5. If you read or know of a magazine that also covers the same subject as your proposed book, then scour the pages for new books. Often, the publisher's details are also supplied; and again, simply take note of them.

 

Once you have a list of possible publishers, your next step is to research if they:

  • still publish "your" type of book
  • accept un-solicited manuscripts
  • deal with un-agented authors
  • are looking for new books at present or only accept book ideas at certain times of the year

 

Once you've researched fully, you'll have a list of publishers that could be just right for your book. Your next step is to follow their submission guidelines to the letter and submit your book idea. 

 


Lynne Garner How to Write a Craft Book        

Instructor: Lynne Garner

Workshop Length
: 5 Weeks
Price: $175
Start Date: May 5, 2012 
Limit
15 Students

Course Description: During this 5-week course, students will be taught how to access their knowledge base and use this to write a hobby-based "how-to" book. It is hoped by the end of the course that each student will have a completed synopsis, first chapter, and query letter, which they will be encouraged to send to an appropriate publisher.

Course Objectives:

  1. Discover how to unlock the "hidden" knowledge within you 
  2. Hone writing skills and build confidence 
  3. Build a project plan, to enable you to complete the book 
  4. Find the right publication route for your manuscript
  5. Complete a synopsis, first chapter, and query letter 

 

Visit the Classroom Page for a complete listing and what you'll be learning week by week.   

 

Register  

 

 

   

About the InstructorLynne Garner has been a freelance writer and author since 1998. Since that time she has written for a large number of magazines both in the UK and the US, having over 300 features printed. She has 21 books published; these include 10 craft-related how-to books, working with both publishers and packagers. Lynne designed, produced copy, and photographed many of the craft projects featured on The Craft Ark.    

 


Upcoming Classes & Workshops
WOW! Classes
Below are some classes and workshops that are starting soon. Click on the links to be taken to a full listing that includes a week-by-week curriculum, testimonials, instructor bio, and more. Keep in mind that most class sizes are limited, so the earlier you register the better.

All the classes operate online--whether through email, website, chat room, or group listserv, depending on the instructor's preferences--so you do not need to be present at any particular time (unless a phone chat is scheduled and arranged with your instructor). You can work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home. If you have any questions, please reply to this email or email us at: [email protected] Enjoy!


Starts Every Friday (Self-Study Course) by Deana Riddle:
Independent Publishing: How to Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business | $99 or $150 with 1 Hour Phone Consultation

Starts the First Tuesday of Every Month: (Next class: May 1)
Introduction to the Craft of Screenwriting
| 6 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Christina Hamlett 

Introduction to Playwriting | 6 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Christina Hamlett

How to Write a TV Pilot | 4 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Christina Hamlett

Starts the Third Friday of Every Month: (Next class: May 18)
Get Paid to Write! Become a Freelance Writer | 8 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 15 Students | Instructor: Nicky LaMarco 


Published in 90 Days New!
| 12 Weeks | $299 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Deana Riddle

May 5

How to Write Children's Picture Books and Get Published | 6 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Lynne Garner

5 Picture Books in 5 Weeks (Advanced Course) New! | 5 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Lynne Garner

How to Write a Craft Book | 5 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Lynne Garner

May 7
How to Get the Right Agent for Your Manuscript | 4 Weeks | $249 (Spring Sale! Regular price: $299) | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Annette Fix

May 14
Write from Your Soul: Memoir Workshop | 6 Weeks | $249 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Annette Fix

Digital Revolution: How to Publish Your Book as an E-Book | 4 Weeks | $249 (Spring Sale! Regular price: $299) | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Annette Fix

May 23
Writing Contests: The Focused Way to Win New! | 5 Weeks | $180 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Bonnie Hearn Hill

Vampires Optional: Writing Young Adult Fiction | 6 Weeks | $180 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Bonnie Hearn Hill

May 24
Writing for Children: Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers | 7 Weeks | $175 (Spring Sale! Regularly $200) | Limit: 15 Students | Instructor: Margo Dill

June 1
Spark & Sizzle: Crafting Flash Fiction | 5 Weeks | $170 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Melanie Faith

June 4
Empower Your Muse, Empower Your Writing Self | 4 Weeks | $75 (Summer Sale! Regular price: $125) | Limit: 25 Students | Instructor: Kelly L. Stone

Freelance Writing: Querying and Writing Non-fiction Articles | 5 Weeks | $125 | Limit: 20 Students | Instructor: Margo L. Dill

June 15
Blogging 101 | 5 Weeks | $125 | Limit: 20 Students | Instructor: Margo L. Dill

June 25
Literary Devices Writing Workshop | 8 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Gila Green

Literary Devices Writing Workshop II New! | 8 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Gila Green


July 11
Bring Out the Story-Teller in You | 6 Weeks | $140 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Karlyn Thayer

Writing a Middle-Grade Novel | 6 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 20 Students | Instructor: Margo L. Dill 


July 16
Social Networking for Writers: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIN | 4 Weeks | $100 | Limit: 20 Students | Instructor: Margo L. Dill

July 25
The Unwilling Grammarian | 4 Weeks | $140 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Karlyn Thayer

August 13
Advanced Social Networking for Writers | 6 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 15 Students | Instructor: Margo L. Dill

August 23
Advanced Class: Writing a Middle-Grade Novel Part 2 | 8 Weeks | $250 | Limit: 10 Students | Instructor: Margo L. Dill


Click here to see all of our upcoming workshops 

 

Follow us on Twitter    Like us on Facebook    Visit our blog

Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011