Independent Publishing: How To Make It On Your Own

Over the last five years, independent publishing has boomed within an otherwise struggling industry. The international success of magazines such as Cereal, Delayed Gratification or Gourmand and books such as Hate Mail or Letters of Note, have shown how titles that begin life as a bedroom project now have an opportunity to compete with major publishers, both creatively and on the shelf.

Independent Publishing: How To Make It On Your Own is an intensive two day workshop for people who are interested in producing their own title or simply learning how it’s done. The hands-on workshop will cover the A-Z of what it takes to conceive, create, market and publish a new book or magazine by providing a step-by-step tool kit that is both practical and industry-focused.

One-on-one learning will be at the heart of the workshop and as such there is a maximum of five places available. We want to give our attendees the chance to talk specifically about their project and tailor the learning to specific needs. Post-workshop support will also be made available, meaning that you’ll have help on the road to publishing your title.

The workshop will be broken down into three distinct sessions that mirror the stages of publishing your own book or magazine:

Course Content

Day 1:

Conceiving a title — This first section of the course focuses on developing your idea and understanding how it can become a viable, real-world title

• Concept testing: understanding competitors and researching audiences
• Branding and identity: defining your title and the image you are creating for it

Business model and marketplace

• Revenue: how to budget, reach audiences and generate revenue

The creative and production stages of publishing, learning how titles are put together

• Structuring your title: how to flat plan and balance content
• Building a team: how to find and work with talent such as writers, photographers, designers, artists, sales and support staff
• Print Management: choosing the right printer, stock and inks for your title

Day 2:

Time to Publish – the crucial steps to making it happen

Finally the course would prepare attendees for what often makes or breaks independent titles – getting to market and selling your product:

• Finding a shelf: distribution and how to stock in shops or bypass them altogether
• Church and State: making advertising and third party content work for you
• Making a splash: PR and media — generating buzz and getting the press and industry on your side
• Extras, Extras: making additional revenue from events or spinoff services
• Reviewing: looking at the original concept, further discussions and feedback

About the Course Leader — Daniel Humphry

Daniel Humphry is an award-winning editor and publisher, with over a decade's experience in the industry. He is the founding editor of street press magazine OFF LIFE and has launched titles for organisations such as Creative England, Blohm & Voss, Visit England and Park Road Pictures. His independently published books include ONE THING I KNOW and YELLOW, a hardback arts title, that raised over £25k through crowd funding. It is stocked in book shops and galleries across the UK.

DISCOUNTS:

• GROUP BOOKING - 20% off group booking for 3 or more people* from the same organisation.

Code: Group20%

• 2 FOR 1 - bring a colleague, friend or family member for free* on the same course

Code: 2for1

• FREELANCERS AND CHARITIES - 15% off any course fee*.

Code: FCH15%

* Offers are subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Digital publishing courses are excluded.Terms and conditions apply.