The Book Institute

Are you ready for this? There is now a program at COCC that will fulfill just about all your needs when it comes to getting the book written and published. It is called the Book Institute and offers a complete array of classes.

Think Like a Writer is offered on Monday evenings, October 9-November 13 from 6:30-8:30 pm on the COCC Bend Campus. You be led by an experienced writer and published author, Michael Lankford. Michael has moved to Bend recently and brings a wealth of writing and writing education experience. Think Like a Writer is designed to re-fuel your creative writing tank by looking at sources of inspiration, exercising new ways of developing scenes, settings and themes and by experimenting with storytelling styles. Register online or by telephone: (541) 383-7270.

Write Your Life Story is offered Tuesday mornings, October 3-November 21 from 9:30-11:30 am at the Bend Senior Center, and is taught by Jane Thielsen. Jane has facilitated life story writing groups for many years through the Oregon Coast Community College in Newport. She will conduct a series of exercises and experiences to help you capture your life story not only for yourself, but for future generations. You will learn how to choose a genre, organize and edit material and share your observations with others. Register online or by telephone: (541) 383-7270.

If you have your manuscript ready to go or after you conclude one or both classes listed above, the next step is the publishing process:

Self Publish & Sell Your Book offered Wednesday evenings, October 11-25 from 6:00-9:00 pm on the COCC Bend Campus. Your congenial host (and blogger) will be me, Tom McDannold. I will walk you through the steps of self-publishing, marketing and selling via retail outlets and the Internet. We will also cover book formats, e-books, copyright, ISBN, bar codes, pricing and promotion. Also, I will be happy to review your manuscript. Register online or by telephone: (541) 383-7270.

The Key To Publishing A Book offered on Monday evenings, October 30-November 6 from 6:00-9;00 pm on the COCC Bend Campus, is also taught by me. This class focuses on how to obtain an agent or publisher, rather than self publish. I will share information about how to locate the appropriate agent or publisher, writing a query letter, constructing a book proposal, and how to learn from rejection notices. Register online or by telephone: (541) 383-7270.

More about the Book Institute in the next post.