Submission Process

Secrets of Getting Traditionally Published

Jeanne Lyet Gassman — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:26:45 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by Jeanne Lyet Gassman on 4/10/2025 1:26:45 PM

NONFICTION AUTHORS: You love to do research & have great ideas for nonfiction articles, but how do you get them traditionally published? You have written personal essays about your life. Is there a market for stories like these? What about a nonfiction book where you have expertise? Do you need an agent? Your life experience is fascinating & unusual, & you've written a memoir. How do you find a traditional publisher for your memoir? Award-winning author Jeanne Lyet Gassman will address the many paths to traditional publication for nonfiction, including short articles, essays, nonfiction books, & memoirs.

FICTION AUTHORS: You've written that short story or novel, but what do you do with it now? How do you find traditional markets for your short fiction? Do you need an agent for your novel? Jeanne will share the process of publishing your novel with a traditional publisher, including finding reputable agents, writing query letters, & preparing a synopsis. She will also address publishing short fiction, including formatting, writer's guidelines, markets, & submission procedures.

Here are the handouts referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../4527.Nonfiction-Market-Resources_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../1212.Short-Fiction-Market-Resources_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../4237.Formatting-Manuscript_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../0131.Agent-Databases_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../5140.Nonfiction-Query-and-Proposal_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../SecretsofGettingTraditionallyPublished2025.mp4
About the Presenter:
Jeanne Lyet Gassman lives in the mountains of New Mexico where she writes & teaches. Her debut novel, "Blood of a Stone" (Tuscany Press), received a Bronze 2015 Independent Publisher Book Award. Her short work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize. Other awards include fellowships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, & poetry have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, including "45 Poems of Protest: The Pandemic", "Bosque7", "Dear America: Reflections on Race", "Debris & Detritus: The Lesser Greek Gods Running Amok", "The Manifest-Station", "Queen Mob's Tea House", & "Hippocampus Magazine", among many others. Jeanne recently received a New Mexico Writers Grant for her novel-in-progress, a story about a family of downwinders who were affected by the radioactive fallout from the atomic bomb tests in Nevada.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Secrets of Getting Traditionally Published

Jeanne Lyet Gassman — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:26:24 GMT

Revision 6 posted to Submission Process by Jeanne Lyet Gassman on 4/10/2025 1:26:24 PM

Here are the handouts referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../4527.Nonfiction-Market-Resources_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../1212.Short-Fiction-Market-Resources_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../4237.Formatting-Manuscript_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../0131.Agent-Databases_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../5140.Nonfiction-Query-and-Proposal_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../SecretsofGettingTraditionallyPublished2025.mp4

About the Presenter:
Jeanne Lyet Gassman lives in the mountains of New Mexico where she writes & teaches. Her debut novel, "Blood of a Stone" (Tuscany Press), received a Bronze 2015 Independent Publisher Book Award. Her short work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize. Other awards include fellowships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, & poetry have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, including "45 Poems of Protest: The Pandemic", "Bosque7", "Dear America: Reflections on Race", "Debris & Detritus: The Lesser Greek Gods Running Amok", "The Manifest-Station", "Queen Mob's Tea House", & "Hippocampus Magazine", among many others. Jeanne recently received a New Mexico Writers Grant for her novel-in-progress, a story about a family of downwinders who were affected by the radioactive fallout from the atomic bomb tests in Nevada.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Secrets of Getting Traditionally Published

Jeanne Lyet Gassman — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:24:05 GMT

Revision 5 posted to Submission Process by Jeanne Lyet Gassman on 4/10/2025 1:24:05 PM

Here are the handouts referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../4527.Nonfiction-Market-Resources_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../SecretsofGettingTraditionallyPublished2025.mp4

About the Presenter:
Jeanne Lyet Gassman lives in the mountains of New Mexico where she writes & teaches. Her debut novel, "Blood of a Stone" (Tuscany Press), received a Bronze 2015 Independent Publisher Book Award. Her short work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize. Other awards include fellowships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, & poetry have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, including "45 Poems of Protest: The Pandemic", "Bosque7", "Dear America: Reflections on Race", "Debris & Detritus: The Lesser Greek Gods Running Amok", "The Manifest-Station", "Queen Mob's Tea House", & "Hippocampus Magazine", among many others. Jeanne recently received a New Mexico Writers Grant for her novel-in-progress, a story about a family of downwinders who were affected by the radioactive fallout from the atomic bomb tests in Nevada.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Secrets of Getting Traditionally Published

Author Learning Center — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:22:02 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Submission Process by Author Learning Center on 4/10/2025 1:22:02 PM

Here are the handouts referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../6011.Nonfiction-Market-Resources_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../1425.Short-Fiction-Market-Resources_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../3414.Formatting-Manuscript_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../8787.Agent-Databases_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../7888.Nonfiction-Query-and-Proposal_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../SecretsofGettingTraditionallyPublished2025.mp4

About the Presenter:
Jeanne Lyet Gassman lives in the mountains of New Mexico where she writes & teaches. Her debut novel, "Blood of a Stone" (Tuscany Press), received a Bronze 2015 Independent Publisher Book Award. Her short work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize. Other awards include fellowships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, & poetry have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, including "45 Poems of Protest: The Pandemic", "Bosque7", "Dear America: Reflections on Race", "Debris & Detritus: The Lesser Greek Gods Running Amok", "The Manifest-Station", "Queen Mob's Tea House", & "Hippocampus Magazine", among many others. Jeanne recently received a New Mexico Writers Grant for her novel-in-progress, a story about a family of downwinders who were affected by the radioactive fallout from the atomic bomb tests in Nevada.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

What Morgan James Publishing Looks For When Deciding Which Authors to Work With

David Hancock — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:38:43 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by David Hancock on 12/6/2024 7:38:43 PM

Morgan James Publishing works with a variety of author clients and genres including nonfiction, fiction, and faith. Founder and bestselling author David Hancock says their process for vetting author submissions may be a little different from other publishing houses. What works well for them is the 80/20 rule: 80% of their decision is based on who the author is, their purpose or why behind the book, and what they are doing that connects the writing to something more. He believes it's much easier to sell a book when the author is living the message and serving an audience. The remaining 20% of their decision is based on the quality of the book, and Hancock is not deterred by a book that might need some editing support.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../WhatMorganJamesPublishingLooksForWhenDecidingWhichAuthorstoWorkWith.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Query Like a Pro - Proven Strategies to Land an Agent or Publisher

Derek Taylor Kent — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:02:08 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by Derek Taylor Kent on 12/6/2024 5:02:08 PM

Querying is the crucial first step when seeking an agent or publisher, but amazingly is also something that very few authors do well. How do you make yours stand out from the hundreds they receive every day?

Through years of trial and error and helping dozens of authors through the query process, bestselling author Derek Taylor Kent has developed unique and proven strategies that nobody else teaches, which typically leads to interest from multiple agents/publishers when there was none before. This crash course in querying will give viewers the edge they need to get noticed and taken seriously.

Here are the handouts referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Query-Like-a-Pro_5F00_Kent_5F00_ALC-Handout-2024.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../1830.Sample-Query-Letters_5F00_Kent_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../QueryLikeaProProvenStrategiestoLandanAgentorPublisher24.mp4

About the Presenter:

Derek Taylor Kent is the author of 19 books encompassing a wide variety of audiences and genres. He has also produced 15 audiobooks to date and has written 6 screenplays. Along with being an instructor for the ALC, he teaches at the Writing Pad in Los Angeles and is a freelance story editor. Derek received a 3-book deal from HarperCollins for his middle-grade book series Scary School, and his Mystery/Thriller book Kubrick’s Game was #1 on Amazon three times and was optioned by Bobby Cohen Films. His Middle-Grade Novel My Homework Ate My Dog! was awarded Best Middle-Grade Fiction Book of 2020 by Kops-Featherling Book Awards, and there was a Bidding war for his picture book El Perro con Sombrero, which was published by Holt/Macmillan. In addition, Derek Founded Whimsical World children’s publishing brand with wife, children’s author and ALC speaker Sheri Fink, with a mission to inspire, delight, and educate children of all ages while planting seeds of self-esteem and high achievement. Discover more at www.DerekTaylorKent.com and www.WhimsicalWorldBooks.com.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Query Like a Pro - Proven Strategies to Land an Agent or Publisher

Derek Taylor Kent — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:01:50 GMT

Revision 9 posted to Submission Process by Derek Taylor Kent on 12/6/2024 5:01:50 PM

About the Presenter:

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

What Morgan James Publishing Looks For When Deciding Which Authors to Work With

David Hancock — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:29:35 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Submission Process by David Hancock on 12/6/2024 3:29:35 PM

TBD

Query Like a Pro - Proven Strategies to Land an Agent or Publisher

Author Learning Center — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 21:13:06 GMT

Revision 8 posted to Submission Process by Author Learning Center on 12/4/2024 9:13:06 PM

About the Presenter:

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Secrets of Getting Traditionally Published

Jeanne Lyet Gassman — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:53:13 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Submission Process by Jeanne Lyet Gassman on 2/15/2024 1:53:13 PM

Here are the handouts referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Nonfiction-Market-Resources_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Short-Fiction-Market-Resources_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Formatting-Manuscript_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Nonfiction-Query-and-Proposal_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Agent-Databases_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../SecretsofGettingTraditionallyPublished24.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Secrets of Getting Traditionally Published

Author Learning Center — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:46:36 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Submission Process by Author Learning Center on 2/15/2024 1:46:36 PM

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Secrets of Getting Traditionally Published

Author Learning Center — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:31:34 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Submission Process by Author Learning Center on 2/15/2024 1:31:34 PM

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

How to Make Your Book Proposal Stand Out When Pitching to a Publisher or Agent

Pete Nikolai — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:14:41 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by Pete Nikolai on 12/21/2023 2:14:41 PM

A key document that may be required when trying to find an agent and get your nonfiction book traditionally published, is a book proposal. Per Pete Nikolai, Director of Publishing Services at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, you should work on developing this proposal before you start any writing. This business plan for your book will provide helpful information as you work on your book and marketing plans. Publishing is a business, he says, and agents and publishers are looking for authors and books that can sell a lot of books. A high quality book is important, but even more important is developing an author platform and knowing how to nurture and reach an audience. Agents and publishers are looking for nonfiction authors with an email distribution list, social media following, and a speaking platform. If you can demonstrate some of these things in your book proposal, you will stand out and appear more marketable.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowtoMakeYourBookProposalStandOutWhenPitching.mp4

Tags: Nonfiction, video

How to Make Your Book Proposal Stand Out When Pitching to a Publisher or Agent

Pete Nikolai — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 17:53:28 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Submission Process by Pete Nikolai on 12/20/2023 5:53:28 PM

Pete Nikolai, Director of Publishing Services at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, discusses the importance of book proposals and having a solid author platform.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowtoMakeYourBookProposalStandOutWhenPitching.mp4

Tags: Nonfiction, video

Online Publishing Opportunities, and the Highs and Lows of the Submission Process

AJ Baker — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:56:02 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by AJ Baker on 7/21/2023 7:56:02 PM

The process of getting your work published can be confusing and overwhelming. There are many paths available to authors today, and a large amount of publishing companies and service providers, some more reputable than others.

Per author AJ Baker, he has found many legitimate publishing opportunities online, you just have to know how to search for them, he says. Some offer monetary prizes, while others offer publication in a magazine or anthology. These types of opportunities can lead to bigger publishing deals, as in Baker's experience.

A couple of things that have surprised Baker about the submissions process for these opportunities are the time line and the feedback. Once you submit your manuscript and other required information for a publishing opportunity or contest, it can be a long time before you hear anything back from the outlet. The waiting can be a bit of a mind game when you are submitting to so many opportunities. Baker tries to remain confident in his writing while also understanding that rejection is just a part of the process. He's then able to enjoy the surprise of hearing positive feedback or acceptance from an outlet.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../OnlinePublishingOpportunitiesandtheHighsandLowsoftheSubmissionPro.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Online Publishing Opportunities, and the Highs and Lows of the Submission Process

AJ Baker — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:21:47 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Submission Process by AJ Baker on 7/21/2023 4:21:47 PM

Author AJ Baker discusses his publishing experiences and the challenging timelines of the submission and feedback process.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../OnlinePublishingOpportunitiesandtheHighsandLowsoftheSubmissionPro.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Online Publishing Opportunities, and the Highs and Lows of the Submission Process

Author Learning Center — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 21:23:43 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Submission Process by Author Learning Center on 7/20/2023 9:23:43 PM

Author AJ Baker discusses his publishing experiences and the challenging timelines of the submission and feedback process.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

The Importance of Persistence and Having a Support Network as an Author

Annie Sullivan — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:55:20 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by Annie Sullivan on 6/16/2023 3:55:20 PM

Just like actors going to audition after audition, trying to land just one role, authors send query letter after query letter, trying to find agent representation and get a traditional publishing deal. Author Annie Sullivan says she wishes her early writer self would have known how hard it can be to get a book traditionally published. She feels lucky that she sat in the query trenches for only nine months before getting her agent, while some of her author friends have been there for years. It can be a discouraging business, which is why Sullivan believes it's essential to have a good support system.

She also wants authors to remember there are so many factors that can affect your ability to get an agent and their ability to sell it to a publishing house. For example, it's not right for the current market, something similar was just picked up, or an editor was having a bad day. Sullivan advises authors to be persistent, give yourself grace, take a breath, and keep writing. If your first book doesn't sell, write the next one!

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofPersistenceandHavingaSupportNetworkasanAuthor.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

The Importance of Persistence and Having a Support Network as an Author

Annie Sullivan — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:54:19 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Submission Process by Annie Sullivan on 6/16/2023 3:54:19 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofPersistenceandHavingaSupportNetworkasanAuthor.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Tips for Successfully Submitting Your Manuscript: What Agents and Editors are Looking for and Why

Helga Schier — Wed, 10 May 2023 13:52:46 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by Helga Schier on 5/10/2023 1:52:46 PM

Many novice writers think they don’t need to worry about submitting their manuscripts to agents and publishers until they are done. This is not true. In fact, the earlier you know what distinguishes a publishable manuscript, the better.

In this session, editor Helga Schier briefly explains what goes on behind the scenes of a publishing house and discusses how an awareness of submissions procedures can help you write a better manuscript. Fundamentals of the submissions process such as genre or page count or theme or even punctuation are not arbitrary; they are among the elements steering an acquisition editor’s decision – for good reasons.

This session will touch upon developing a query letter and sample chapters, using them not only to pitch, but to make sure that your manuscript develops naturally, your plot is paced well, your characters are likable, and – most importantly – your work is creative and unique.

NOTE: While some of the content in this presentation focuses on fiction and memoir, all writers will find many of the tips helpful!

Here is the handout that is referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Manuscript-Submissions_5F00_Schier_5F00_Handout_5F00_2023.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TipsforSuccessfullySubmittingYourManuscript23.mp4

About the Presenter:
Helga Schier, Ph.D., is the founder and owner of withpenandpaper.com, an independent editorial services firm. She is also the editorial director of CamCat Books, www.CamCatBooks.com, a publisher of quality genre fiction. With over 25 years of experience, Helga guides authors through the development and revision process. Helga's editorial work focuses on the refinement of story, character, and style, helping writers sharpen their vision, refine their voice, and unlock the potential of their manuscripts. Her clients are published, self-published, and not-yet-published writers. Helga has published essays on contemporary English and American fiction, and translated numerous novels and memoirs. Contact her at helga@withpenandpaper.com or visit www.withpenandpaper.com.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar