Understanding Traditional Publishing with Alexandra Payne & Kristina Schulz

Publishing is a business with not just one straightforward path to publication – there are many ways you can realise that dream of seeing your name on a book. And the key to achieving that dream is understanding how the publishing industry works. Armed with this knowledge, you will have the best chance of finding the right path for you and your work.

So, you’ve typed the final word in your manuscript, written your pitch or finished your book proposal. What next? How do you know when your manuscript is ready to be read by others? And are you ready to be published? How do you pick a publisher or agent to approach? How do you write an attention-grabbing proposal or pitch? How do you know what to do when you have never done it before? Which path is the right one for you?

This workshop is for writers who are ready to be published but need some insider knowledge on how to figure out what’s next. With ideas on how to research and discover the right publisher for you, information on manuscript appraisals and when to get them, and how to know if your book proposal or manuscript is ready or not, this course will help you take a strategic approach to your publishing future. It will also focus on ways to pitch your book, write that proposal and sell your manuscript or idea to others.

Learning outcomes

As part of this session you will:

• Learn about what types of publishers are in Australia, who does what and where to find the information you need
• Understand how to research the best channel to publication for you and your manuscript
• What to do with your manuscript and how to prepare for submission, including pitching, self-editing and writing a great proposal.

Format

This is an in-person workshop with a focus on the writing and publishing industry; it will be held in-person at State Library of Queensland. This session is designed for beginner-intermediate writers, but is suitable to attend for writers of all levels and writing backgrounds.

About Kristina

Kristina Schulz has worked as a children’s and young adult editor, publisher, consultant and mentor for over twenty-five years in Brisbane, Sydney, New York and London.

Kristina has spoken at writers’ festivals and conferences, contributed to industry boards and panels, judged writers’ prizes, and has helped authors and illustrators at pitching sessions and with manuscript feedback, structural work, editing, proofreading and mentoring. She loves working with Australian voices and is always drawn to books with strong themes and stories with heart. She is passionate about getting books into the hands of readers and would love to see a teacher librarian in every school around the country.

About Alexandra

Alexandra Payne is a publisher at Murdoch Books, Australia’s leading lifestyle publisher. She has worked in book publishing for more than 25 years, with books she commissioned winning awards such as the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction, the Queensland Literary Awards Non-Fiction Book of the Year and the NSW Premier’s Literary Award for History. She’s enthralled by books, authors and readers and firmly believes books can – and do – change the world.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info