What do all these books have in common?
all self-published.
Yep. They all started life as self-published books, going on to sell in the millions, re-published by the big publishers, and many made into blockbuster films. That’s not to say that self-publishing needs to be a route to the big traditional publishers, although it can be, self-pub is a destination in itself for an army of successful self publishers. Some are selling millions of books as self-published authors; some are simply making a good living selling series genre fiction. Check out Sally Rigby (Crime), Lindsay Buroker (fantasy), Rachel McClean (Crime), Mark Dawson (Thriller).
Self-published authors, as well as being creative, are typically focused, hard-working business owners and entrepreneurs. They are not afraid to work to understand their market, and write to satisfy that market. And, indie readers are voracious, consuming a book in just a few days, then clamouring for the next in series. Who is writing to meet this demand, in traditional genres, as well as broad, eclectic and specialist sub genres? Indie authors.
So what’s the secret? It’s not so complicated, and it’s not really a secret, but it takes a bit of knowledge, and then a lot of desire, dedication and hard work. We can help with the first bit - then the rest is up to you!
The Goldfinch 6 Week Indie Author Course content
In six 90 minute face to face sessions at Goldfinch, surrounded by books, we will cover:
Create, edit, and polish - then build your platform as a foundation for success
Formatting for eBook and paperback
Covers, the most important bit of your book?
Publishing with KDP - the biggest self-pub platform
Exclusive or wide? Kindle unlimited or wide with Kobo, Apple, B&N, Google? The role of aggregators.
Your book launch, getting reviews, and selling books.
Who is it for?
There’s only so much we can cover in six sessions. This course is truly an introduction. It sets out the key elements of successful self-publishing, with some hands-on demonstrations with some important building blocks - like using eBook generation tools such as Vellum, or Reedsy - delivered by someone who has been through the process and come out the other end much wiser.
The course brings key self-pub elements into focus so you can start to map out your own self-publishing journey, which will be different for everyone. The course therefore is not intended for those who have already self-published a series or two, or who are already embedded in the self-publishing world. It is for those who may be just starting out.
Perhaps you have published one or two books and are wondering what to do now. Or perhaps you are nearing the end of writing your first, and are looking ahead. It is for those who may be thinking about forking out money for marketing, for self-publishing organisations, or for other options to help you on your way - which can often mean thousands of pounds of investment - sometimes unwise. The course does not promise to be comprehensive self-publishing training, it could never be that, but it does promise to provide impartial advice based on experience, and tailor it to your own point along your self-publishing journey. The course will also signpost other reputable services for self-publishers (from those who can help with craft through to training, production and promotion) and help you distinguish between the quality organisations in the self-pub world from those who offer little of value for a lot of your money.
Your tutor’s experience is in genre fiction, which is the area most commonly covered by self-publishers. If you are writing non-fiction, or picture books, this is not the best course for you.
What’s Included?
Six 90 minute face to face sessions in a group of 8 to 10
Review comments on a section of your work in progress - writing, production and/or cover design
Tailored recommendations for each delegate for a self-publishing pathway.
Course content available (forever) through the Goldfinch website member zone.
Build your network through Goldfinch to continue the conversation beyond the end of the course.
Opportunity to shelve your self-pub books at Goldfinch (subject to review)
What else do I need to know
Course dates are not yet finalised but will be in the first quarter of 2023, arranged so as not to clash with the other two main courses we are running (creative writing, and getting published).
Course face to face sessions will be one evening a week (90mins) for 6 weeks, held in the Goldfinch bookshop on nights when the bar is closed to the public so we will have space and quiet.
Course fee is £150 per delegate payable in advance of the first session*.
Access to the online zone will be through password login for members only. Membership is automatic on purchasing the course.
Free tea and coffee for delegates on course nights!
*Note that we have a small number of Goldfinch sponsored places on all our courses and Member Options for those from traditionally under-represented backgrounds, those with mental health challenges, and for those of limited means to cover the costs. Further details on request at application.
Who is the tutor?
Gary Clark is a self-published author of 5 books and the owner of Goldfinch Bookshop. He is a graduate of the Faber Academy and Curtis Brown writing schools, and has spent a number of years working through the process of self-publishing from the initial stages of developing craft (with Faber and Curtis Brown) through to self-publishing production (Amazon, KOBO and Google) and then to marketing and advertising with Facebook, Amazon and Bookbub.
He has learned much of his self-pub knowledge through connection to the tight-knit, supportive and generous self-publishing industry (see Mark Dawson, Joanna Penn and other UK broadcasters) and intends this short course as an introduction and springboard for its delegates to the knowledge he has gained over years.
HOw do I sign up?
If you are interested, please get in touch through the form below. Please attach or send a link to your work (or provide a bit of a bio) so we can see what stage you are at (we want to make sure that the 8 to 10 delegates on the course are at the right stage to get the most from the modules, from the tutor, and from each other). Once we have 8 delegates, we will finalise dates and schedule the course. Do not click through to buy the course until we have confirmed it is sufficiently subscribed and dates are fixed.
Alternatively, feel free to drop in to Goldfinch and have a chat with Gary, to see if it could be the right course for you.