typingOne of the changes the COVID pandemic has created is providing writers with time to start and complete book projects. “We started to get a lot more questions about local writers’ groups and publishing opportunities a year ago, and it hasn’t stopped,” says Maryann Thomas, owner of The Ginger Press, a retail bookshop and publishing company located in downtown Owen Sound. “It seems that everyone has a book in them burbling up during this crisis. The Ginger Press already has over two years of projects in production, so we developed the Publishing Accelerator as a publishing alternative for the many excellent book proposals we were receiving from local writers.”

The Publishing Accelerator is an innovative online and in-person course designed to teach participants everything they need to know about conventional, hybrid and self publishing, from editing and layout, to prepress and printing, as well as marketing, distribution and sales for print books and e-books. The information is suitable for all books including fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and more. The Publishing Accelerator is led by Miranda Miller of Grey Bruce Digital (a writer, editor and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience creating content for brands, government and individuals), and Maryann Thomas of The Ginger Press (the region’s largest publisher of over 100 local books and magazines).

Participants will receive a comprehensive publishing workbook, online and in-person instruction, manuscript development assistance and mentorship, access to a members-only Facebook group, and a thorough introduction to every step in the publishing process. The Publishing Accelerator ($1249+hst) begins online on April 14 and culminates with the in-person retreat at the new Holiday Inn Express in Port Elgin (May 14-16). Registration is limited to a small group. Accommodation and meals for the retreat are included in the registration.

“We look forward to working with authors who are ready to publish their books,” says Thomas. “This course presents a remarkable opportunity to learn proven methods for success.” For more information and to register for the Publishing Accelerator, go to www.gingerpress.com.

source: media release, The Ginger Press