Have you completed your book draft but you are unsure how to navigate the complicated and seemingly closed doors of the publishing landscape? Or are you perhaps working on your final draft and need advice for perfecting your submission package?

In this hands-on and inspiring weekend bootcamp with book industry expert Scott Pack, you will get an exclusive look behind the scenes of the publishing world to better prepare you for what lies ahead.

Aimed at aspiring and emerging authors of both fiction and non-fiction, you will learn everything from how to identify the right publisher or agent, how the key publishing models work, how much money an author may make, how to how to write a killer synopsis and cover letter – and you will also have the opportunity to put your questions to Melissa Cox, Publishing Director at Bonnier Books.

This is an unmissable weekend of seminars, exercises, Q&As and feedback workshops for anyone with a desire to get their magnum opus out into the world.

Day 1: A writer’s guide to the book world

Introduction and the lifecycle of the book: You will learn about the process of transforming a piece of work from the manuscript saved on your computer (and, we hope, backed up somewhere!) to a printed book in a shop.
A writer’s guide to publishing models: What are the key business models in publishing and how do they work? Scott will cover the pros and cons of the different types of publishing, as well as where agents and retailers come in.
Q&A with Melissa Cox, Publishing Director at Bonnier Books: Put your questions to Melissa and discover how she works, what sort of books she is looking for, what authors can do to catch her attention - and see if you can get her to spill a few trade secrets!
The mathematics of publishing: In an industry built on words, how is it that the numbers inform many of the decisions? This section will crunch the numbers on sales, costs and how much authors can typically earn from book sales.

Day 2: Perfecting your submission

How to perfect your submission: Everything you need to know about submitting to agents and publishers, including how to identify the right one for you and your work, and what goes into a submission package.
Pitching workshop: You will work on your book pitch, based on what you have learned from the submission workshop, with 1-2-1 input from Scott.
Pitching session: Pitch your book! This is it - what you’ve been working towards all weekend. Put your brilliant ideas to Scott and the rest of the group, and receive honest and invaluable feedback on how you can improve it before you take the plunge and put it out into the world.
Q&A: A round-up of the weekend’s learnings, and your chance to ask any outstanding questions.

Tutor profiles

Scott Pack has worked in the book industry for twenty years. He was head of buying for Waterstones before becoming a publisher and spending several years at HarperCollins. He now divides his time between his role as editor-at-large for indie publisher Eye & Lightning Books, associate lecturer in Publishing at Oxford Brookes University, offering freelance editorial support to authors, and as a specialist subject question writer for the BBC quiz show, Mastermind. His latest book, Tips from a Publisher, is out now.

Melissa Cox is Publishing Director for the Zaffre fiction imprint of Bonnier Books. She was previously Editorial Director for Coronet at Hodder & Stoughton and prior to joining the publishing industry, worked at Waterstones where she was both a Saturday temp and Head of Books (but not at the same time and with some other things in the interim).

Her publishing includes the National Book Award winning Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo and the Costa shortlisted debut The Stranding by Kate Sawyer.

Course Details

Date: Saturday 3 June and Sunday 4 June 2023
Time: 2.30pm-5.30pm (BST)

A catch up recording will be shared after the class and will be available for two weeks.

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

2.30pm BST | 3.30pm CEST | 6.30am PDT | 9.30pm EDT

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

We aim to make all Guardian Masterclasses accessible to all. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.

This event will be hosted on a third-party live streaming platform Zoom, please refer to their privacy policy and terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket to the class.

Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.

How to get your book published: A weekend bootcamp