Self-Publishing for Beginners
October 29, November 5, 12, and 19, 2025
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific)
Today’s authors stand at a crossroads, with different options for getting their work out into the world: traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, or self-publishing. Each path offers opportunity, but also risk. How do you decide which is right for you?
This four-week course will shine a light on the self-publishing path. You’ll learn what it takes to successfully bring your book into the world as an independent author, while gaining a realistic sense of the pros and cons compared to other models.
More than theory, this course delivers practical tools, expert insights, and candid stories from people who have been there. You’ll leave with confidence about whether self-publishing fits your goals and, if so, an action plan to move forward with clarity and strength.
We’ll explore:
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The pros and cons of each publishing model—traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing
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What successful indie authors know (and what they wish they had known sooner)
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How to assemble your dream team—editors, designers, marketers, and more
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Managing the nuts and bolts: printing, distribution, timelines, and costs
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Marketing and launch strategies that get your book into readers’ hands
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Communities and resources to help you every step of the way
Facilitated by Debra Engle and Julie Cantrell, these interactive sessions will tie everything together with Q&A, insights, and clear next steps.
Weekly Breakdown
Week 1 (Oct 29): Understanding the Publishing Landscape
Because self-publishing asks authors to take on so many roles, it can be difficult to know where to begin. That’s why Michael La Ronn, Outreach Manager at the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and Christopher Locke, Director of Membership and Member Services for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), will walk you through best practices for indie authors. From pre-publication planning to post-publication promotion, they’ll share practical guidelines and highlight the many ways ALLi and IBPA provide resources, education, and tools to support independent authors at every stage of their publishing journey. With this clear overview of the publishing world, you’ll gain insight into the benefits and tradeoffs of traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing—and see exactly where self-publishing fits into the bigger picture.
Week 2 (Nov 5): Success Stories & Hard Truths
Meet Shanna Hatfield, a USA Today bestselling author who turned her passion for writing into a long-standing brand with a legion of rabid fans. Through inspiring examples and honest lessons learned, you’ll see what works, what doesn’t, and how to set realistic expectations for your own publishing journey.
Week 3 (Nov 12): Building Your Team and Managing the Process
We’ll learn from Polly Letofsky, founder of MyWord Publishing, and Michelle Cowan-Schroeder, author of a memoir published with MyWord’s support. Together, they’ll walk you through what the process really looks like: how to spot legitimate resources, build your publishing team, know your responsibilities, and use à la carte services to lighten the load. This session gives you a true behind-the-scenes look at the journey from manuscript to finished book.
Week 4 (Nov 19): Voices from the Field
Hear directly from your Story Summit writing peers who have self-published. They’ll share candidly what went well, what they wish they had done differently, and the unexpected lessons they discovered along the way.
Why Join?
Self-publishing can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to. With expert guidance, real-world stories, and hands-on discussion, you’ll walk away with:
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A realistic understanding of what self-publishing requires
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Clarity on whether this is the right path for you
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A roadmap of the steps involved, from editing to launch
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The confidence to publish with purpose, professionalism, and pride
Faculty
Story Summit Membership subscribers receive this class at no additional cost. Just register and the discount will be applied automatically. Please make sure you're logged in to receive the discount. Not a subscriber yet? Join here.
Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.
A Peek at Our Past Virtual Classes
