Self-publishing, step by step 7-28 May

SELF-PUBLISHING, STEP BY STEP

A practical guide to the possibilities and pitfalls of bringing your book to life

Tanya Meeson and Lucinda Hooley

This course is designed to help writers understand the book publishing landscape and navigate the expansive and potentially empowering world of self-publishing. In the process of bringing a book to life – and yes, it is a process – there are many choices to consider and make. As successful self-published authors ourselves, we’ll share everything we’ve learnt about how to produce the best book possible, from first draft to finished product and beyond.

Want to know about how to get a great cover or what the editing process is? We got you.

Want to know how much you should budget, and what to invest where? We can help.

Want to know how to the ins and outs of marketing, PR, and distribution? You’re not alone.

Let’s get your book out into the world.

Week 1: Visioning your book We discuss self-publishing in the context of the broader publishing landscape and explore how to position your book in the market – by understanding your genre and target audience – so that you know how to package and promote it.

Week 2: Making your book We unpack the editorial process – from friendly readers to development and copy editors to proofreaders – for optimal quality, and discuss how to produce a cover and inside pages that look and feel like any other on the bestseller shelf.

Week 3: Getting your book out there

From loading your ebook to Amazon and sending your hard copy to the printers and bookstores, we talk about taking your book into the real world and getting it into your readers’ hands.

Week 4: Making a splash

We introduce you to the basic aspects of marketing your book, from launches, websites and social media to using your networks, generating reviews, and making the most of your community engagement opportunities.

Wednesdays from 18:00–20:00

Dates: 7–28 May 2025

Online platform: MS Teams

Course fee: R1 800; Staff and students R1 000

Booking is through Webtickets: SELF-PUBLISHING, STEP BY STEP

Tanya Meeson is an author and screenwriter. She’s worked as a journalist and columnist

Tanya Meeson is an author and screenwriter. She’s worked as a journalist and columnist for 19 years. Her books The Dot Spot – Adventures in Love and Sex and Character Insights for a Regen-erative Future (co-authored with Paul Steenkamp) were both traditionally published, but when she wrote her first novel The Fulcrum she decided to go the self-publishing route. Through the magic of Amazon e-book and print-on-demand, The Fulcrum has sold internation-ally and enjoyed three print runs locally. Her next novel The Akashic Records of the Last People as Written by Neko was self-published to great acclaim in 2024.

Lucinda Hooley is a creative director and content editor, working mostly in the field of corporate marketing, internal communications, and employee engagement. Her first book, Love You Madly, was co-authored with Daisy Jones and published in 2021. The novel has been reprinted five times and has appeared on the programmes of numerous book festivals, including the Franschhoek Literary Festival (twice). Lucinda holds a BA English and Drama majors and a Performer’s Diploma in Speech and Drama. In her previous life, Lucinda was an award-winning actress for stage and screen. She is currently growing the seeds of ideas for new creative writing work.

For further information please contact Dr Medeé Rall at medee.rall@uct.ac.za or Bronwyn Geldenhuys at Bronwyn.geldenhuys@uct.ac.za

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