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Understanding Point of View
Point of view (or POV) is one of those tricky, technical elements in writing that can be a challenge for many writers. Together with voice, point of view helps establish the narration for your writing, and …
Taught by Gabriela Pereira
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How to Write a Query Letter That Agents Can't Resist
For most new authors, signing with a literary agent is their first step into the world of publishing. But to stand out from the thousands of other authors seeking representation, you first need to capture …
Taught by Rachel Stout
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How to Self-Publish a Photography Book
So, what’s the big deal about photography books anyway? And why should we care about them? Well, if you haven’t noticed, a significant portion of the planet is walking around with cameras in hand, and …
Taught by Blurb
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How to Market Your Children's Book
Getting a self-published children's books into the hands of your readers comes with a unique set of challenges. Common approaches to book marketing will often fall short as you attempt to appeal to your target …
Taught by Eevi Jones
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Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites
Finishing even a single draft of a book is a huge accomplishment. But now you must see your manuscript through multiple revisions and drafts. No one writes the perfect book in one shot. You must open …
Taught by Revise & Resub
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How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro
The ability to self-edit is a skill that needs to be in every author's tool belt. But why should you self-edit? Just send your manuscript to a freelance editor instead! Well, it’s a foolish use of …
Taught by Lisa Lepki
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How to Publish Your Picture Book
So, you have a picture book in your hands? Fantastic. But now you're probably coming up against the most important question of all: how are you going to publish it? Going from a picture book writer to a …
Taught by Kim Fleming
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How to Plot a Novel Using the 3-Act Story Structure
Behind every good story is a solid structure. That's a fact. So why, then, do so many writers shy away from using story structure when they're plotting their stories? Having a good structure in place is one …
Taught by Kristen Kieffer
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How to Create the Ultimate Book Marketing Plan
What if you could KNOW your book will be a success before you launch it? Most authors spend 80% of their time writing a book, but only 20% preparing to market their book. Yet, it’s the …
Taught by Rob Eagar
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Novel Revision: Understanding the Craft
The first draft of a novel is just that — the first stage of a process. It's where you get all your ideas out onto the page. After you're done, the real craft of writing …
Taught by Gotham Writers Workshop
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Pricing Books for an International Audience
Using just a few platforms like Google Play, Amazon, and Kobo, you can reach more countries than you can name. But being present in a market does not guarantee sales. You will need to make …
Taught by Zsofia Macho
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Developing Characters That Your Readers Will Love
What separates flat, forgettable characters from the marvelous fictional creations who you remember years after you've closed the book? And more importantly, how can you make sure the characters you write fall on the right side …
Taught by Hannah Sandoval
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Writing Dialogue That Develops Plot and Character
Dialogue can make or break your book. At its best, it can transform your story into a gripping tale populated with interesting, layered characters; when dialogue is bad, it can be downright unreadable. This course will …
Taught by Bridget McNulty
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Children’s Books 101: Writing for the Right Age Group
So you want to write for children? That’s great. But before you take another step, answer this question: who exactly are these children you’re writing for? Four-year-olds and fourteen-year-olds like different kinds of story — that …
Taught by Anna Bowles
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How to Set up and Grow Your Author Mailing List
The mailing list is a central element of every author’s marketing strategy. It's the one main tool you’ll use to build a long-lasting relationship with your readers, turning them into repeat buyers and unconditional fans. …
Taught by Ricardo Fayet
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Available to read online
How to Craft a Killer Short Story
So, you've decided to write a short story! Many a published author got their starts from publishing short stories. It's the perfect medium for so many authors: succinct, clear, character-driven, and brief. Compared to the …
Taught by Laura Mae Isaacman
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The Ten Commandments of Writing YA Novels
It's strange to think how so many popular books have protagonists in their late teens—but there's something undeniably compelling about teenagers, caught in a web of fraught emotions and growing responsibilities. Perhaps this rich, emotional …
Taught by Kate Angelella
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Amazon Ads for Authors
So, you want to advertise your book? Great, you're already one step ahead of everyone else! Now where should you start getting the word out about your novel? Amazon ads are the newest big thing …
Taught by Ricardo Fayet
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Book Reviews and How to Get Them
Chances are that in your past, you've decided to read a book based on the number of reviews it had. It's no secret on the flip side, either: as an author, you know that your book …
Taught by Amy Holman Edelman
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How To Validate Your Book Idea
Only 14 books show up on the first page of Amazon's search results. So wouldn't it be great to start writing your novel knowing you'll be one of those 14 with an audience? Too often authors …
Taught by Dave Chesson
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How to Research a Historical Novel or Nonfiction Book
Historical research is a critical part of writing about the past. Finding the right details will augment the authenticity of your book. It may also act as a point of plot inspiration for historical novels. Historical research can involve anything …
Taught by Laurie Garrison
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Crowdfunding for Authors
What if you could publish a book, and get your readers to pay for all the editing, design and production? Well, that's what crowdfunding is all about. You get readers to purchase your book before you publish …
Taught by Bethany Joy Carlson
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How To Get Your Books into Libraries
US libraries spend hundreds of millions on new materials like books every single year. If you're not with a publisher and you aren't listed with a wholesaler, how can you convince librarians that your book is …
Taught by Amy Collins
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Behind the Microphone: How to Create a Great Audiobook
Audiobooks are the fastest-growing book format out there. They might represent just a small percentage of total book sales, but audio offers exceptional discoverability opportunities to authors, who benefit from the fact that the audiobook …
Taught by David Markowitz
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