You’ve finished writing your book? Congratulations! You deserve a huge round of applause, whether it’s an expansive fantasy extravaganza, a neat little novella, or a masterful memoir. But what happens next?

For most unpublished writers, finishing a manuscript feels like the end, a goal reached. However, if you want to try for publication, typing THE END on the final page of your manuscript is only the beginning of the journey. The path ahead will be both arduous and exhilarating, and it’ll offer you a dozen spectacular views and a hundred trip-hazards, but with a good map and an experienced guide, it’s a path that might lead you somewhere very special.

In this eight-week course, author and coach Caroline Leech will help you prepare yourself and your manuscript so that you are both ready to submit for publication. She’ll help you transition into a professional mindset, and prepare your own professional toolkit, so you can approach publishing professionals – agents, editors, and booksellers – on professional terms.

In class, there will be time to learn, to work, and to share, as Caroline leads you and your classmates through the creation of elevator pitches, query letters, submission documents and synopses, and guides your research of agents, editors, comp titles and contests. By the end of the final class, Caroline expects that you’ll be well on your way to having your submission documents ready, and you’ll have drawn up your own submission list and timeline. Plus, you’ll feel part of a new community of writers all setting out on your publishing path together.

This class is for you if:

• You have finished a manuscript of a novel, novella, memoir or a collection of short stories or essays, for adults, young adults, or for children.
• You have already revised the manuscript beyond its first draft and feel fairly sure it’s ready (or almost ready) to submit for professional consideration.
• You are willing to share your own work with Caroline and the group, be willing to accept their kind and honest feedback, and be committed to offering supportive feedback to your classmates.