From Pen to Published
From Pen to Published: A Comprehensive Guide to Traditional Publishing (4 weeks)
A 4-week online course for writers who want to understand the traditional publishing process and take their next step with confidence
You have a book idea, a manuscript in progress, or maybe even a finished draft — but the publishing process still feels confusing.
Do you need an agent? Should you pursue a traditional publisher? Is self-publishing a better option? What exactly goes in a book proposal? And how much platform do you really need before anyone will take you seriously?
Pen to Published gives you a clear, practical overview of how publishing works so you can stop guessing and start making informed decisions.
Over four weeks, we’ll walk through the major pieces of the publishing process, including:
How to think like an author, not just a writer
The differences between traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid options
How to know which publishing path makes sense for your book
What literary agents do, who needs one, and how to find the right fit
How publishers evaluate books and authors
What a book proposal is and why it matters
Why author platform matters — and what to do if yours is still small
How to identify your next best step toward publication
This course is designed to replace confusion with clarity. You’ll come away with a stronger understanding of the publishing business, a realistic sense of what your book may need, and a practical plan for moving forward.
You don’t have to spend years piecing together scattered advice from blogs, podcasts, webinars, and social media. In Pen to Published, you’ll get a guided introduction to the publishing process from someone who has spent decades helping authors understand how the industry really works.
By the end of the course, you’ll know what publishing path you’re pursuing, what materials you need, what questions to ask, and what to do next.