Writer's Digest 2023 WDC Writing Conference

AUGUST 17-20, 2023
NEW YORK CITY

Taking Control of Your Author Career with Indie Publishing

Have you finished your first book but are feeling overwhelmed by what it will take to get it into the hands of readers?

If you don’t know where to start, you can spin your wheels and make critical mistakes that make your author journey harder than it needs to be. But if you follow the right steps, you can take control of your publishing journey—and make more money—by taking the indie route.

In this comprehensive hands-on workshop, indie authors Michael La Ronn and Matty Dalrymple share the knowledge they’ve gained from more than a decade of independently publishing their fiction and nonfiction books.

You’ll learn the ins and outs of the indie publishing process in a structured format, and understand why “independent publishing” is a more accurate term than “self-publishing.” You’ll also have plenty of time to get answers to your most burning questions.

This workshop will cover:

Editorial—Self-editing tips and how to work with an editor.
Formatting—How to create industry-standard e-books and paperbacks (without pulling your hair out).
Design—How to create a book cover that sells to the readers you want to reach.
Production and Distribution—The power of print-on-demand, and considerations about whether to sell only on Amazon or through a variety of platforms (including your own).
Marketing—How to market your book like a pro without breaking the bank, and the resources every indie author needs, such as an email list and an online home base.
Promotion—Effective strategies used by today’s bestselling indie authors, including how best to deploy tactics such as price discounts.
Copyright and licensing—How to optimize the value of your work to make more money and leave a legacy.
Resources—The tools and services that will improve your productivity and smooth your publishing journey.

Independent publishing doesn’t have to be hard. Join us for a hands-on experience and leave with the confidence and knowledge to publish your own work.

Who Should Attend:

Writers who want to know if indie publishing is right for them.
Authors who want to indie publish, but don’t know where to start.
Indie authors who want to improve their business strategies.

Difficulty level:

Speaker(s)