Covers an overview of how the publishing industry works and what it takes to be a writer in terms of knowledge, skills, tools of the trade, and personality. Explains how to evaluate the writing markets; insights into what editors, publishers, and clients want; developing specialties; marketing, query letters, and avoiding "sales slumps"; submitting manuscripts; advances, royalties, and getting paid; contracts and rights; research, interviewing, fact-checking, and more. Also included is information about self-publishing, the publishing process, which books are best candidates for self-publishing, budgets, bar codes, ISBN numbers, book design and illustrations, reviews, and promotion; marketing to libraries, niche markets, and bookstores; and Internet marketing and wholesale distribution. Instructor has almost 40 years writing and publishing experience, so bring along anything about which you have questions or want input. PowerPoint presentation and detailed outline.