TELL YOUR STORY 2024

Everyone has a story to tell. When will you finally tell yours?

In this intimate, three hour virtual course, bestselling authors Mary Katherine Backstrom and Tyler Merritt share the essential steps every writer must take to write--and ultimately, publish--their first book.

Course One: Every Story Has an Audience

If a book is written and nobody reads it, was that story ever told? In this session, Mary Katherine speaks on finding your audience, platform building, and the multiple avenues writers can take to get find their ideal readers. Blogging, social media, first writing, freelance writing, and more...no stone is left unturned in this (new, revamped) class on getting your message out there.

Course Two: Tell Your Story (with Tyler Merritt)

In this session, Tyler will speak about the sacred craft of writing and the power and importance of sharing YOUR story. Attendees will learn about:

• book planning strategies
• establish honest goals
• craft-developing resources
• how to build a supportive writing community
• the importance of honoring your true voice

Course Three: From Book Proposal to Barnes & Noble (or straight to Amazon!)

From a small book deal with a religious publisher to a multibook deal with a Big Five Publisher, MK shares the inside secrets of the traditional and self publishing worlds.

Attendees will learn about

• The pro/con breakdown of self and traditional publishing
• the nuts and bolts of self publishing
• querying agents for traditional publishing
• writing and shopping proposal
• the average advance for a first time author
• what it takes to hit the best seller lists

event will conclude with an "after party" Q & A