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$200.00
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This course belongs to our Small Press Series. To register for the entire program, click here: Small Press Series
So you want to start your own press? This class will cover the wide variety of responsibilities and logistics necessary to run a small press. Each of the four classes will focus on a different aspect of the process:
1) The first class begins with the initial steps of starting a press: coming up with a name, brainstorming the kinds of work you want to publish, deciding how to solicit and choose authors to publish, and organizing staff. Guest speakers who recently started presses will join in.
2) The second class will focus on establishing a web presence. We will provide an overview of the basics of a small press website and the pros and cons and creating one with Squarespace, Wix, and Squarespace. (Walter centric class)
3) The third class will share how to utilize social media to both promote and sell your press’ work and become a part of the literary community. Case studies will be presented on the type and frequency of posting press-related content and how to make it a manageable and consistent part of the workload.
4) The final session will touch upon the miscellaneous duties that are part and parcel of a small press. This will include everything from the logistics of scheduling readings, managing events at literary conferences, creating submission guidelines, and if and when to work with a distributor. There will also be a discussion about the soft skills needed on the journey of turning an accepted manuscript into a published book, working with authors, book designers, cover artists, etc.
Ben Fama is a writer based in New York City. He is the author of Deathwish (Newest York, 2019), Fantasy (Ugly Duckling Presse, 2015), and the chapbooksOdalisque (Bloof, 2014), Cool Memories (Spork, 2013), New Waves (Minutes Books, 2011), and Aquarius Rising (Ugly Duckling Presse 2010). He is also the author of the artist book Mall Witch (Wonder, 2012). He is the cofounder of Wonder.
Ben Pease began laying out books in 2009 when he put together an issue for the writing workshop he taught at Common Ground’s (now Breaking Ground) Prince George, an early 20th-century hotel converted to affordable housing for low-income and formerly homeless adults and persons living with HIV/AIDS. He soon after began doing covers and interiors for Monk Books, doing both for a reprint of Bernadette Mayer’s The Formal Field of Kissing. When Monk began publishing full-length collections, Pease continued to layout the books, forging a close relationship with the authors to ensure that their original vision was represented in the printed matter. Pease is currently the book designer for factory hollow press and the Ruth Stone House.
Virtual classes are usually based on video conferencing. At the moment we use Zoom. Instructors may utilize email as well as the specific ‘class page’ to share materials.
Class pages are accessible to students through their account page. CLICK HERE to visit your account.
Each class is different, and Ruth Stone House allows a wide degree of freedom to instructors as to how they run their classes. If you miss a class or have technical problems you can request a video link to the class you missed.Â
Technical requirements:
In order to attend a Zoom based class, make sure you meet these technical requirements: Click here
We also require that you have access to email service to use Ruth Stone House Classroom.
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FInancial aid is applied for on a class by class basis. Not all classes offer financial aid. There is a limited amount of funding available, and aid is awarded in the order received.
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