Paths to Publishing

Find the best route to get your work in print

So you want to publish your writing. How do you know which path is right for you?

In Paths to Publishing, authors and small-press publishers Midge Raymond and John Yunker will help you find your way.

You’ll learn about options from traditional publishing to self-publishing and everything in between, and how to choose the path that best fits your goals. With so many options available, you need to understand how each path works to know how to move forward on your publishing journey.

Publishing continues to evolve and remains a mystery to many writers. It can be overwhelming to delve into the business of publishing after being immersed in the art of writing. And, unless you’re familiar with the publishing industry, it can be hard to know how a Big Five imprint differs from a hybrid press or a small press. 

Having worked in publishing for more than two decades–in both traditional publishing and as founders of a small press–as well as being on “the other side” as authors, Midge and John understand the ins and outs of the publishing world. They aim to demystify the publishing industry for writers and reduce the stress of dealing with it. 

Google is full of advice (some good, some . . . not so much), but it’s easy to fall into the traps of bad contracts, shady agents, or vanity presses that promise the world but don’t deliver. That’s where Paths to Publication comes in—giving you real, reliable guidance from people who’ve been on all sides of the publishing process.

Being educated about how the publishing industry works can solve many issues you might encounter as a writer, whether that’s a bad contract, self-publishing without understanding the costs and/or skills needed, or having unrealistic expectations about publishing. By learning about the different paths to publication and what each path might mean and look like for you, you’ll be able to approach publication with realistic expectations and the knowledge you need to negotiate and advocate for yourself.

By the end of Paths to Publishing, you’ll have a clear understanding of:

• The different types of publishing (Big Five, small press, hybrid, self-publishing)
• The pros and cons of each publishing model
• How to define your goals and match them to the right publishing path
• How to spot and avoid publishing scams
• Legitimate resources for navigating the industry
• What you need to protect yourself as a writer

Is this workshop for you?

Paths to Publishing is for writers at any stage who want to understand how publishing really works. Whether you’re still deep into writing your novel or polishing your final draft, this class will help you make informed decisions about your publishing journey. Learning how the industry operates will save you time, frustration, and possibly a lot of money.

Heather Marie Spitzberg

Writing for Animals class

“John and Midge are knowledgeable, positive, and generous. Their experience as writers, publishers, and animal lovers translates into a comprehensive class. It is hands-down the best I’ve attended about the publishing industry. I came away with two concrete story ideas and more confidence querying my work.”

Class participant

Writing for Animals class

"John and Midge offered a warm and thoroughly informative gift that left me feeling far more connected to the community of those writing for animals. The work they do with publishing and teaching is such a blessing to animal advocates and artists alike."

Gregory F. Tague, Ph.D.

Writing for Animals class

"Writing for Animals is an excellent online course for anyone, no matter at what level of writing, to benefit from the wisdom and experience of two professional publishers and writers. I learned a lot, had fun, and now have great notes I can refer to when I begin and work through my creative project. While each and every lesson was valuable, the deep-dive sessions were particularly useful, even for more experienced writers."

Class participant

Writing for Animals class

“The writing prompts were rich and generative. I finished the workshop with three new essays that I can add to my manuscript.”

S. Portico Bowman

Writing for Animals class

“John and Midge provide comprehensive insights from their personal work as writers and professional viewpoints as publishers. The information is thoughtfully organized and presented with heart, warmth, and sincerity.”

Class participant

Writing for Animals class

“Midge and John are kind, knowledgeable writers and are making the world better.”

Class participant

Writing for Animals class

“An informed, interesting, and inspiring workshop that invites writers of all levels”

Class participant

Writing for Animals class

"It is clear that John and Midge know whereof they speak! Learn from their experience!"

Rebecca Rodriguez

Writing for Animals class

“It was so uplifting, informative and encouraging! As an aspiring novelist, with decades of experience in animal advocacy, I was searching for guidance to help move my projects forward. From creative prompts to real-world advice, Midge Raymond and John Yunker shared their love for storytelling, offered up valuable insights and genuine feedback.”

Class participant

Writing for Animals class

“John and Midge are extremely knowledgeable and are doing vitally important work … I thank them for sharing this valuable knowledge with us in this excellent course.”

Isy V.

Writing for Animals class

"I thoroughly enjoyed this class from the reading material and the writing prompts to the presentations and exercises. As a first-time writer it really helped me to understand the craft of writing for animals and gave me the opportunity and confidence to start writing on a regular basis. Thank you to John and Midge.”

What to expect

This class is interactive and engaging, with discussions, real-world examples, and time for your questions. Here’s how it’s structured:

📝 Writing prompts to help you define your publishing goals
📚 An in-depth breakdown of publishing options, including the pros and cons of each
💡 Q&A sessions to get your publishing questions answered
📄 Handouts and resource lists so you can continue learning after class
☕ A break to process everything (and maybe grab a snack)

Wordcrafters members save 10% on this and other events and classes.

Click here to learn about becoming a Wordcrafter.

Ready to take the next step toward publication? Join Paths to Publication and find the best route to bringing your book into the world.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Masks are optional. Please stay home if you’re unwell with any upper respiratory illness.

Your instructors

Midge Raymond (she/her) and John Yunker (he/him) are the co-founders of Ashland Creek Press, a small press specializing in books about the environment, animals, and how we all connect to each other. 

Midge is the author of the novels Florena and My Last Continent, and the award-winning short story collection, Forgetting English. She’s taught writing at Boston University and Grub Street Writers, Hugo House, San Diego Writers, Ink, and writing conferences around the world. 

John is the author of the novel The Tourist Trail, and editor of Among Animals and Writing for Animals. His plays have been produced and staged at Oregon Contemporary Theatre, the Source Festival, the Centre Stage New Play Festival, and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education conference. Together, they are coauthors of the suspense novel Devils Island. As authors who have published their work in myriad ways, they’re passionate about educating writers about the often mysterious publishing industry.

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