Publishing Workshop Well-Received
Thirty-one writers gathered on Saturday, August 22, for a day-long workshop on the publishing process, presented by Lauren Kessler and Tom Hager. Participants came from all along the North Oregon coast, as well as from Portland and as far away as Medford, Oregon and Rosburg, Washington.
Held at the Contemplative Arts Center (because there was a Cassie the Crab performance going on at the Hoffman Center at the same time), the workshop was the first full-day writing workshop sponsored by the Manzanita Writers’ Series and the Hoffman Center.
The veteran authors and husband/wife team spelled out some of the harsh realties of today’s publishing business. They also covered specifics on the steps to getting your book published, from book proposal to approaching an agent.
The presenters have 17 books and many book awards between them. Hager has worked as a publisher with the Oregon University Press. Kessler teaches a class at the University of Oregon on writing narrative nonfiction. These seasoned and lively presenters provided a fast-paced day full of useful information and handouts.
Hager shared that between 150,000 to 300,000 titles come out each year, and publishers only make a profit on 80% of the books they publish. Publishing houses are counting on — and looking for – the books with blockbuster potential.
Although numbers like that could be overwhelming, participants left the workshop with new knowledge, practical next steps — and resolve.
“I’ve just rewritten the first four pages of my book proposal based on what Tom and Lauren said at the workshop,” reported Phyllis Mannen, local author and volunteer for the Manzanita Writers’ Series. And that was just two days after the workshop ended.
The next workshops in the Manzanita Writers/Hoffman Center writing workshop series will take place on the weekend of November 7th and 8th. The first annual Dark and Stormy Book Weekend in Manzanita will include a workshop on self-publishing book options and one on the writing craft, along with author readings and open mic opportunities for writers. In January, Jennie Shortridge will offer a workshop on book marketing techniques. (To be included on a direct email list for writing workshop announcements, email Vera Wildauer at vwildauer@gmail.com.)
