Publishing Deals: A Conversation

presentation with Stevie M. Fitzgerald, SXSW, LLC, Austin, TX

wednesday, November 20; 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM; AT&T Conference Center;
part of the 34th Annual Entertainment Law Institute

An author and a publisher discuss legal and practical concerns of publishing agreements and ancillary deals.

TAKEAWAYS

This presentation covers the legal and editorial process an author and book must go through pre- and post-publication. Attendees will learn the common pitfalls that first-time authors make when setting themselves up for long-term success and profitability. They will also learn the key provisions in publishing contracts to pay attention to as an intellectual property agent.

Crafting A Solid Nonfiction Book Proposal

SIX-week online course

Coming January-February 2025

Unlike novelists, nonfiction writers must be prepared to persuade editors and agents that their book is a good investment in addition to being a captivating read.

Book proposals are how publishers decide whether or not to buy your manuscript. The proposal is how you can convince these publishers that your book interesting and that there is a market for it. To do this, you’ll need to provide a thorough run-down of your target audience, competitive titles, and have a high-level plan for how you will work with the publisher to promote your book once it hits the shelves.

This may sound scary, but  book proposals can also be a great source of inspiration and insight to writers—they can clarify your purpose and provide you with a clear writing plan. They can make you a better writer.

Taught by writer and editor AprilJo Murphy, this six-week course will give students the skills to distill their creative nonfiction projects into a convincing book proposal. Participants will learn how to craft compelling synopses, research comparable titles, discuss market trends, and over the course of the class, draft a nonfiction book proposal to use after class.

In addition to attending the online sessions, attendees will be required to submit drafts of relevant proposal sections and perform independent research between class sessions. These materials can be volunteered for in-class group critique. All students wanting critique must submit materials in advance of class sessions. Depending on interest, students should be able to commit to reading and providing feedback for 20-40 pages a week, depending on class size. April will thoroughly read and critique all student work.

Who Should Attend:

  • Writers working on nonfiction manuscripts (essay collections and memoir do not typically require proposals, but knowing how to craft one can still be helpful!)

  • Editors looking to learn how to read through submissions and spot a good manuscript

  • Writers looking to increase their knowledge of the book industry

  • Anyone interested in learning about how to quickly pitch, sell, and design basic marketing plans for their book.