Book publicity for writers
Publicity starts long before you think it does and goes deeper than you realise. In this Masterclass you will learn how to be your own publicist and make sure your work reaches an audience. It is essential for any writer to know how to position their work to ensure interesting conversations, especially if you want your work featured across multiple media platforms (online, print, radio or TV), or various writer festival panels.
Jaki Arthur, ex-Hachette Australia publicist who went on to run successful arts PR agency JAM PR and is now head of marketing communications at HarperCollins General Books, will guide you through this one-day workshop. Jaki will provide real life tools and fascinating case studies collected over twenty years in the publishing business. She will give you an insight into the publishing industry and how publicists work, as well as the way in which the world of books is rapidly changing. This intimate course will provide lots of one on one interaction and group work in a friendly and welcoming environment.
This course is for you if...
You are a writer who intends to find a publisher and a publicist
You are a writer who intends to self publish and wishes to publicise your own work
You already have a publicist and a publisher but would like to be more pro-active and need to further understand how the in-house scene works
Course description
Using practical tools and lots of interaction and feedback this workshop is structured to give participants an overview of all the skills they need to bring their work to its audience. With lots of opportunities to discuss new practises and to workshop ideas and new theories.
Topics on the day will include:
Publicity vs marketing, the difference between them and how to be effective & influential
About the Australian media
About the Australian publishing industry and book trade
Identifying your unique offer – themes, bio’s, strap lines etc
Corralling your contacts
Identifying your audience and strategising how to reach them
Timings – pre-publication, on-publication and post-publication
Secrets of pitching
Doing interviews - why, what, when and how
Your home base
Traditional publicity outreach avenues
As we go through the day, participants will be made to feel welcome to share their ideas about how they pitch and promote their work. You will leave this Masterclass with a clear understanding of your unique voice, what you have to offer and the next steps to ensure your work finds its audience. You will also leave with a network of new friends, great ideas, a very practical to-do list and a determination to just do it.
PLEASE NOTE: attendees should have serious aspirations to be a published and publicised writer.
Tutor profile
Jaki Arthur is the Head of Marketing Communications at HarperCollins General Books. She has over 20 years of experience in book publishing in New Zealand, the UK and Australia across retail and publishing sales, marketing and publicity. She has worked and toured with authors from all over the world publicising books across all genres.
Book now
Sydney, Saturday 10 September
Details
Sydney
Date: Saturday 10 September
Times: 10am-5pm
Location: Surry Hills, Sydney
Price: $299
Event capacity: 20
Dress code: There is no dress code for Masterclasses. Please wear whatever you feel comfortable in.

Melbourne – cancelled

This event has ended. For information on upcoming Guardian Australia Masterclasses and live events please see here
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 7 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.