Sharon Woodhouse
Lake Claremont Press
www.lakeclaremont.com
Sharon is the publisher of Lake Claremont Press, an independent book publisher that specializes in histories and guidebooks for the greater Chicago area. She founded the company ten years ago in her mid-20s - half by accident, half by desperation - when she didn't know what she was going to do with her philosophy degree and her bad attitude about getting up every day and going to work. She has written about Chicago and publishing topics for Publsihers Weekly, American Bookseller, Metromix.com, and several other national, local, and online publications.
Session 1: When, Why and the First "Hows" of Self-Publishing Books
Under what circumstances should one self-publish and what are the benefits and drawbacks of doing so? And, if you do have enough time, resources, guts, and gumption to self-publish, what are the first things you should be thinking about and doing? Participants are encouraged to bring in real or potential projects they're considering self-publishing to be used as examples. Come prepared to submit your idea(s) and yourself to our grueling checklist!
Session 2: Pitch Yourself As (and Really Become!) a Publishing-Savvy Author
You may already be a talented writer, but that may not be enough to capture the interest of a publisher. In this session, Sharon will offer insight into the many other things that she as a publisher likes to find in an author - once writing ability, manuscript quality, and subject expertise have been established. Be prepared with a sample phone or written pitch, and as a group you will turn as many as you have time for into publishing-savvy pitches.