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Non-Traditional Publishing Paths, December 4–5 (2 days) FA25
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Non-Traditional Publishing Paths, December 4–5 (2 days) FA25

Authors today face ever-growing options beyond traditional publishing: self‑publishing, hybrid publishing, paid publishing assistance, and countless service providers. This intensive unpacks these options in plain English, helping you understand the underlying mechanics, typical cost structures, and trade‑offs at stake. ($245 for guests, $196 for members. Early bird discount: Register before October 14 and get 10% off!)

 Export to Your Calendar 12/4/2025
When: 11 AM–2 PM Eastern Time on December 4 and 5
Where: Online
Presenter: Jane Friedman
Contact: Asher Fox
asher.fox@the-efa.org
(212) 920-4816 x806


Online registration is available until: 12/3/2025
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"Cut through the confusion and hype surrounding hybrid, paid, and self-publishing services." —Jane Friedman, instructor

Important Information About Our Intensives

All class times are in Eastern Time. More information about our courses and webinars is available here.

Approximately one week after the intensive takes place, everyone who registered will receive access to the recording on our education site. That site has different login information from the main EFA site. Please check your email one week after the intensive for information on how to access the recording. Recordings are only available to pre-registered students, and are never sold.

Registration is limited to 12 students.

Authors today face ever-growing options beyond traditional publishing: self‑publishing, hybrid publishing, paid publishing assistance, and countless service providers that make lots of promises for those who can pay. This intensive unpacks these options in plain English, helping you understand the underlying mechanics, typical cost structures, and trade‑offs at stake.

Self-publishing on your own or with the help of a freelance team offers the greatest control and often best potential earnings, but it comes with all the responsibilities. You’ll learn about common solutions to handle design, production, distribution, and marketing, and where to look for qualified professional help.

Hybrid publishing has grown over the last decade as a solution for authors who don’t want to self-publish and seek more of a traditional publishing experience, with potential for bricks-and-mortar sales. However, the costs can be significant and authors sometimes aren’t clear on all of the expenses involved, or how much they earn per copy sold.

Paid services have also ballooned as publishing professionals (and less qualified individuals) put out their shingle to assist authors in myriad ways: as book shepherd, consultant, and project manager. Paid services can help authors self-publish a quality book with lower costs than a hybrid publisher, but will that affect the book’s success?

This intensive doesn’t sell you on any specific path. Instead, you’ll leave with a grounded understanding of which options realistically align with your goals, budget, and creative priorities. You’ll take away the information you need to decide on a path (or help your clients to decide) with confidence.

What’s covered:

  • How to distinguish among self‑publishing, hybrid publishing, and paid scenarios—and what each entails.
  • How to evaluate hybrid publishers, what the costs are like, and what the red flags are
  • Decision frameworks that align publishing choices with specific types of author careers or priorities, as well as financial capacity
  • The best practices of professional self-publishing authors and the key principles for marketing and promoting as an indie author without traditional distribution

Whether you're an author or an editor or coach providing support to authors, you’ll benefit from this intensive's honest, no-nonsense approach that emphasizes informed and strategic decision-making.

Students in Jane's other courses say...

Jane’s content, presentation, and materials are always complete, practical, and well-researched through personal experience, professional knowledge, up-to-date everything. How do you do all this, Jane? Thank you. —J.R.

The time zipped by with so much immediately useful information. Many of my questions were answered before I even had time to ask. Empowering while being realistic. So glad I decided to attend. —M.L.

Prerequisites

This course is open to students at all levels.

For nearly three decades, Jane Friedman (she/her) has helped authors build sustainable careers. She is the author of The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (University of Chicago Press) and a frequent speaker at global industry events. Her expertise has been cited by The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Poets & Writers, and her long-running newsletter, The Bottom Line, helps writers and industry professionals stay on top of publishing trends. In collaboration with the Authors Guild, she authored The Authors Guild Guide to Self-Publishing, further cementing her role as a trusted voice in publishing.

Policies

Our website has detailed information on registration, accessibility, duration of access to course materials, and refunds. By participating in this course, you are agreeing to the EFA's Online Community Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy.

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