Submission Process

The Process and Timeline of Publishing with One Signal

Alessandra Bastagli — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:03:53 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by Alessandra Bastagli on 7/3/2026 2:03:53 PM

One Signal Publishers is a smaller imprint of Simon & Schuster, working with a select number of authors. This allows the team to dedicate more time and effort to each author and each book. Per Vice President and Publisher Alessandra Bastagli, they often negotiate book deals based on book proposals, so the next step is working with the author to write the book. One Signal tailors these relationships and schedules based on each authors' needs, but it typically takes one to two years for the manuscript to be completed.

From there, the manuscript goes through line editing, fact checking, and legal review. It then goes to the production team where copyediting and typesetting take place. Once editorial is done, it can take about nine months before the book reaches retailers. Throughout this process, authors have the opportunity to review their book several times.

The One Signal team also works closely with their authors on both publicity and marketing initiatives, treating book launches like political campaigns. The goal is to reach the right readers and address their specific issues or concerns.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheProcessandTimelineofPublishingwithOneSignal.mp4

Tags: History, Biographies & Memoir, Self-Help, Politics & Social Sciences, Nonfiction, video

VP and Publisher Alessandra Bastagli on One Signal’s Mission and the Types of Books They Publish

Alessandra Bastagli — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:03:37 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by Alessandra Bastagli on 7/3/2026 2:03:37 PM

One Signal Publishers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, was originally founded as a feminist imprint. When Vice President and Publisher Alessandra Bastagli joined the team, her vision was more intersectional. It was important to her to have a dedicated, progressive imprint since there weren't many out there. Her goals with One Signal are to develop a brand for progressive thought and create a space for authors who want to bring counternarratives or question power, and to do so safely.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../VPandPublisherAlessandraBastaglionOneSignalsMissionandtheTypesofBooksTheyPub.mp4

Tags: History, Biographies & Memoir, Self-Help, Politics & Social Sciences, Nonfiction, video

The Process and Timeline of Publishing with One Signal

Alessandra Bastagli — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:42:49 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Submission Process by Alessandra Bastagli on 7/3/2026 1:42:49 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheProcessandTimelineofPublishingwithOneSignal.mp4

Tags: Biographies & Memoir, Self-Help, Politics & Social Sciences, Nonfiction, video

The Process and Timeline of Publishing with One Signal

Alessandra Bastagli — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:41:50 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Submission Process by Alessandra Bastagli on 7/3/2026 1:41:50 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheProcessandTimelineofPublishingwithOneSignal.mp4

Tags: Biographies & Memoir, Self-Help, Politics & Social Sciences, Nonfiction, video

VP and Publisher Alessandra Bastagli on One Signal’s Mission and the Types of Books They Publish

Alessandra Bastagli — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:40:02 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Submission Process by Alessandra Bastagli on 7/3/2026 1:40:02 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../VPandPublisherAlessandraBastaglionOneSignalsMissionandtheTypesofBooksTheyPub.mp4

Tags: Biographies & Memoir, Self-Help, Politics & Social Sciences, Nonfiction, video

Q is for Query-Synopsis, A is for “Aaack!”

Laurie Schnebly Campbell — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:04:21 GMT

Current Revision posted to Submission Process by Laurie Schnebly Campbell on 5/7/2026 8:04:21 PM

No writer can get far without the most fundamental tool of selling their work. But, producing an effective synopsis or query is frequently a source of dread for writers who create lyrical fiction, yet panic at the idea of creating a sales pitch. Here’s a hint: pretend you’re writing an ad.

Laurie Schnebly Campbell brings 25 years of advertising experience to the task of identifying what makes people want to buy a product -- any product -- and how to convince them YOURS is the one they want.

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Queries_5F00_Synopses_5F00_Schnebly-ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../QisforQuerySynopsisAisforAaack.mp4

About the Presenter:
After winning Romantic Times’ “Best Special Edition of the Year” over Nora Roberts, Laurie Schnebly Campbell discovered she loved teaching every bit as much as writing...if not more. Since then she’s taught in-person and online workshops for writers from six continents (still waiting for Antarctica!) and keeps a special section of her bookshelves for novels developed in her classes. With 50+ titles there so far, she’s always hoping for more.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Q is for Query-Synopsis, A is for “Aaack!”

Author Learning Center — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:01:03 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Submission Process by Author Learning Center on 5/7/2026 8:01:03 PM

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Queries_5F00_Synopses_5F00_Schnebly-ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../QisforQuerySynopsisAisforAaack.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

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