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Can’t we just be writers? Why do we have to sell ourselves and our books—isn’t that the publisher’s job? Nope. (Sorry.)

But the good news? Organically and personally connecting with your audience can focus your writing, help you finish your book, and even be fun!

Selling your book means marketing, even with a Big Five deal, and more so with a small press or self-publishing. Social media is fragmenting even as publishers are realizing only certain genres are suited for #BookTok. It’s harder than ever to reach our readers, and the long slow trickle of building an audience can be daunting. But by refocusing from “please buy my book!” to “how can my book reach the people who need it?” marketing and selling become an extension of your mission and an expression of your integrity—and your audience becomes your partner in sharing your words with the world.

In this 90-minute live webinar with Allison K Williams, novelists, memoirists and nonfiction writers will shift their mindset from “ugh, sales” to “wow, this reader needs me.” We’ll cover literary citizenship, building community, and how your audience can show you which publishing path is right for you. Learn how to make evangelists for your work, get reviews that count, and bring your words to the readers who need them most.

Allison will also share example platforms to show how to apply the ideas from the webinar to your own audience-building.

This workshop will cover:

• How marketing starts while writing the book—and can make you a better writer
• Platform beyond social media (it doesn’t matter if you never get another like!)
• How finding your comparable authors can show you your audience, your literary community, and exactly what kind of marketing to do
• Where to focus your time—essays, articles, newsletters or something else?
• Finding and connecting with groups directly interested in reading and buying your work—and making opportunities to speak, share and write before and after you publish
• 3 ways to get the most impact for your social media time (it’s not actually about selling books!)
• Building a launch team, and the best use of ARCs
• How to write a press release that makes coverage in local and national media much more likely (the news is not that you wrote a book!)
• Whether you need a publicist—and how to find a good one
• The number-one way to get your book into brick-and-mortar stores and libraries—guaranteed

Who should take this class

• Novelists and memoirists feeling lonely or overwhelmed while writing, querying, or preparing for launch
• Nonfiction writers and memoirists getting rejections for “not enough platform”
• Writers worried about getting sufficient support from their traditional publisher’s marketing team, or publishing with small presses without marketing teams
• Writers planning to self-publish or publish with a hybrid press
• Creative writing students and MFA graduates from programs with strong craft workshops and no marketing education
• Everyone who can’t figure out what they’re “supposed” to be doing on social media
• Writers who don’t know where to begin their marketing, why it matters, or how the heck it’s going to fit into their time

This class isn’t suited for

• Writers secretly hoping they can be excused from all marketing activity

Note: Allison presented a version of this class in 2023. The overall point is the same—marketing is vital and can feel good—but there’s less focus on social media and more on literary community this time around. Repeat attendees may appreciate the refresher.

How do I attend the live class?

This class uses Zoom webinar technology (see system requirements). You will join through your Internet-connected computer or mobile device. When you register, you will receive information via email on how to join the class. If you don’t receive it within 1 hour of registering, please contact us.

• When: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
• Time: 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern / 10:00 a.m. Pacific
• Fee: $25

The webinar is broadcasted via the internet with live audio delivered through your computer or mobile device speakers. The visual presentation is displayed directly from the presenter’s computer to your computer screen. The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions read and answered by the presenter for the entire class to hear.

Closed captions are provided during the live class. We use Zoom’s automated closed caption service (powered by Otter), which is about 80%+ accurate. We also use Otter AI to generate an unedited transcript, provided with the recording.

All students receive the following

• Access to the live class. After roughly 75 minutes, the instructor will take questions during class using in-class chat/text. The class will end after roughly 90 minutes.
• A recording of the class—audio and video. This is especially helpful if you have a conflict with the class time or something comes up and you can’t make the session. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for 30 days. You do not have to attend the live event to access the recordings.
• Presentation slides. All participants receive a copy of the slide presentation in PDF form.
• Rough transcript. We use Otter to create an automated transcript of the entire webinar, which we’ll share with you in addition to the audio and video recording.
• Supplementary materials: sample press releases, one sheets and comp author worksheets

Event Attendance & Anti-Harassment Policy

We strive to provide an environment where all present—whether attendee, presenter, or staff—can feel supported. In order to ensure a welcoming event, here is what we expect from all who participate.

• That the presenter and the presenter’s work be treated with respect by attendees and that all attendees treat each other with respect and a generosity of spirit.
• That attendees will refrain from harassment of any sort including (but not limited to) comments or questions of a racist, homophobic, sexist/sexual, or threatening nature. This includes actions that disrupt or interfere with anyone’s ability to participate. Offenders will be disconnected from the live event.