Book Publishing Master Course with Optional Professional Certification

Self-study with on-demand video and monitored private Facebook group.

Here’s how it works: When you register for the Book Publishing Master Course, you will receive the six-week self-study version of the course. This includes six video modules, recorded live earlier this year, plus slides and bonus handouts.

Scroll down and sign up below. I look forward to seeing you in our private Facebook community. I check it almost daily so I can answer your questions. – Carla King

Live Course Returns on Tuesdays in 2024!

Feb 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12, 19

Register for the self-study version below and get immediate access to self-study materials.
PLUS, you will be automatically enrolled in the updated live version beginning in February 2024.

All sessions delivered live on Zoom at 10am PT / 1pm ET and last around 90 minutes. Live attendance is optional. Course recordings are shared the same day. 

Calling all nonfiction authors, editors, designers, publicists, author assistants, social media managers, and publishing industry professionals!

AUTHORS: Learn how to publish your own books, hire smart, and direct your project.

BOOK PROFESSIONALS: Grow your author services or consulting business by learning how to help your clients publish with optional certification program.

Join us for game-changing ONLINE TRAINING

Whether you want to publish your own books or help clients through the publishing process for their books, this course will help you:

  • Understand the paths to publishing: Self-publish on your own, hire a hybrid publisher, work with a small press, use a distribution partner, or get a literary agent and land a traditional book deal.
  • Understand and create realistic book production and launch timelines that make time for editing, cover and interior design, getting book reviews, and pre-launch activities.
  • Publish professionally with industry standard book cover and interior design, front and back matter, headers and footers, table of contents, and indices for both print and ebooks.
  • Set up an official publishing business with an LLC and publisher name, a business plan, and a sales and distribution strategy. 
  • Avoid legal headaches by learning general guidelines about fair use vs. copyrighted materials, quotes and song lyrics, taxes and permits, trademarks, scams, pen names, libel, slander, and contracts.
  • Register your book: ISBN (Industry Standard Book Number), LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number), PCN (Pre-assigned Control Number), CIP (Cataloging in Publication) Block, and copyright registration with your government office.
  • Create PDF and EPUB formats (ebooks) with book creation tools or hire professional book designers. Offer Advance Review Copies (ARCs) to early readers and then upload to stores and distributors. 
  • Find and work with critique partners, peer reviewers, and beta readers to prove your book’s value, get a head start on editing, and make them a part of your book marketing street team.
  • Learn best practices for metadata to title, describe, and price your book in-line with compatible and competitive books in the same genre.
  • Learn how to market your book with a keyword rich author bio, the right BISAC codes and Amazon categories and keywords.
  • Choose how to get your book into online and bricks-and-mortar stores with Ingram, Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, or by uploading your book directly to Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and other stores.
  • Effectively hire contractors and virtual assistants for jobs like cover design, interior book design, your website, social media marketing, book marketing, and administrative tasks.
  • Produce professional books that meet publishing industry standards.

 In this on-demand version of the live course you’ll also learn about the latest and most exciting things that are happening in publishing now, such as advances in artificial intelligence that will make publishing your book faster and easier and more profitable. About what the publishing services companies like IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, StreetLib, and PublishDrive are doing to help you streamline and sell in all the stores. You’ll get the latest on Amazon, too, of course. Check out the free webinar that introduces topics covered in the webinar 8 Essential Steps Before You Publish

Book Publishing Master Course and Certification

THE BOOK PUBLISHING MASTER COURSE WILL TRANSFORM YOU INTO A BOOK PUBLISHING PRO

BOOK PUBLISHING MASTER COURSE AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

 

COURSES AND Presentations

Course instructor Carla King, founder of Destination Published and Self-Publishing Boot Camp, delivers each training. Also participate in our private community to get questions answered and connect with other students. Community matters!

COMPANION WORKBOOK, COURSE HANDOUTS, AND PRIVATE GROUP

All students receive the Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Independent Authors, available for immediate download. Additional handouts and bonus content are made available throughout the course. You are also invited to participate in our private Facebook group.

OPTIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The certification add-on option is ideal for publishing coaches, ghostwriters, editors, designers, virtual assistants, author assistants, staff members at publishing houses, and other publishing industry professionals.

Add “Certified Publishing Consultant” to your credentials and expand your service offerings and coaching business. 

 

MEET YOUR COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Carla King Book Publishing Master Course and Certification

Carla King has been known as “the Self-Publishing Queen” since 2008. That year, she committed to documenting the evolution of independent publishing services, tools, and processes for authors eager to bypass the cumbersome traditional agented book deal. She is the founder of Misadventures Media, which is the home of her Self-Pub Boot Camp online courses, Destination Published author coaching, and the Author Friendly Podcast. She is a multi-book author of memoir and how-to books and, just like you, struggled to find reliable, affordable, and professional publishing solutions. 

Carla has spoken at hundreds of events to help writers become authors through the ever changing world of writing and publishing. She has helped authors with blogging, journalism, storytelling on social media platforms, and creating their own professionally published books. Since she self-published her first book in 1994, Carla has turned down multiple offers by agents and traditional publishing companies, including for her Self-Publishing Guide for Independent Authors, which is now in its fifth edition.

A technical writer by trade, Carla started her dream career as a travel writer after living and working in France. Just like you, she sought assistance to learn the craft and business of writing, authorship, and publishing by trial and error. She balances her work as a travel and memoir writer with her publishing work, which keeps her needs as an author at top of mind. She will show you how to avoid the many mistakes author-publishers make and help you publish professionally.

READY TO BECOME A CERTIFIED BOOK PUBLISHING PROFESSIONAL?

Certification is an OPTIONAL ADD-ON to the Book Publishing Master Course

If you’re a book coach, ghostwriter, editor, designer, virtual or author assistant, or want to build a career in one of these fields, this certification program is for you.

Here’s how it works:

You’ll take an online quiz following each course module. Once you pass all quizzes with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive the following:

  • A one-year listing in our online directory of Book Publishing Consultants OR our directory of Virtual Assistants for Authors, which will be promoted to our community year-round. We expect your listing will generate more than enough business opportunities to justify the cost of this program. ($297 value for listing)
  • Written interview with you featured in our blog and shared across our social media networks, highlighting the services you offer.
  • Frame-worthy gold foil-accented certificate mailed to US participants. International participants receive a printable version.
  • Exclusive Certified Book Publishing Professional logo, a digital asset you can post on your website and in related marketing collateral. This endorsement from the Nonfiction Authors Association is meant to set a standard in our industry, making you a founding member of this program.
  • Access to an exclusive database of content available only to graduates of this program, including digital templates you can customize with your own logo and use with your clients. 
  • Invitation to join our private Facebook group available only to Certified Book Publishing Professionals, providing ongoing support for your business journey.

Yes, we’ve PACKED this certification program with value! We want to be sure you leave the program ready to grow your business and help authors expand their businesses, too.

If you want to increase the value you can offer your clients, this course is for you!

______

Certification Program Q&A

How long is certification valid? Certification is valid for three years. You can re-take the course and re-certify at a special discounted rate to keep your certification fresh with updated publishing developments.

Free website listing in the directory for one-year! Renew your directory listing can for just $497 per year or $49 per month.

What kinds of opportunities can I expect from my directory listing? Our existing Recommended Resources page is one of the most popular pages on this website. We expect all certified professionals will receive client inquiries from our site throughout the year, and though we cannot guarantee results, we are confident we will generate tremendous website traffic to this directory.

Is this an in-demand career? YES! Book publishing is in great demand and many authors want to hire help with getting their books produced professionally. This certification program was inspired by the countless inquiries we receive each week asking for referrals to book publishing consultants, service providers, and authors’ assistants. We want to ensure the professionals we recommend deliver consistent value and that we help set standards for book publishing services offered within the publishing industry.

What happens if I am unable to pass the quizzes? The quizzes are self-paced and open-book so we expect all students will be able to pass. You can re-take all of the quizzes as many times as needed.

Successfully complete the certification program and grow your authors services business! Use this badge on your website and in your marketing collateral to prove your professionalism! 

Certified Book Marketing Professional

About the Nonfiction Authors Association

Optional: Join NFAA when you enroll in the course!

The Nonfiction Authors Association is a vibrant community for experienced and aspiring writers to connect, exchange ideas, and learn how to write, publish, promote, and profit with nonfiction books.

With members around the globe, NFAA helps writers reduce the overwhelm that comes with the publishing industry while learning to navigate the many options successfully. We aim to help you sell more books, reach more readers, and become more profitable.

Authority Membership Benefits

  • Exclusive Author Advisor email sent every Friday featuring cultivated media leads, podcast recordings with industry experts, plus templates, checklists, and reports from our member archives.
  • Popular members-only Facebook group.
  • Meet-the-Members program where you can share your book announcement with our email list, blog, and social media community.
  • Discounts off the year-round Nonfiction Book Awards program, author toolkits, and online courses.
  • Discounts off the Nonfiction Writers Conference, multi-day events held online since 2010.
  • Discounts with NFAA partners including Lulu, IngramSpark, Office Depot, Findaway Voices, PR Newswire, and more.

ANNUAL AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP RATE: $390

VIP Membership Benefits

VIP membership includes all benefits of Authority membership Plus:

  • FREE Platinum admission to the Nonfiction Writers Conference (online event), including all recordings and transcripts
  • Monthly group consulting call on Zoom for VIP and Thought Leader members only
  • ALL Author Toolkits available for download
  • The Nonfiction Writers Conference greatest hits. 

Total added value: $1,600+

ANNUAL VIP MEMBERSHIP RATE: $790

THOUGHT LEADER Membership Benefits

Thought Leader membership includes all benefits of VIP membership plus:

Immediate access to the Book Publishing and Book Marketing Master Courses (self-study version).

All-access pass to attend ALL live courses.

Free entry in the Nonfiction Book Awards.

Welcome kit mailed to U.S. members (international members receive a digital bonus gift).

Total added value: $6,400+

ANNUAL THOUGHT LEADER MEMBERSHIP RATE: $2,490

Thought Leader Member

If you’re serious about creating an author business then this course is a must. Carla has broken the courses down into bite-size, manageable pieces that even the busiest person can find the time to work through and never lose focus. Her friendly nature and responsiveness to questions is a bonus you’ll not find everywhere. She truly cares about our success.

Jan Tucker

Author-Publisher, Mad Goat Press

WHO SHOULD TAKE THE BOOK PUBLISHING MASTER COURSE?

This course is ideal for:

  • Nonfiction authors, new or experienced
  • Anyone interested in starting a publishing business
  • Book coaches and shepherds
  • Book editors, designers and production professionals
  • Virtual assistants and author assistants
  • Anyone who advises authors on publishing and business practices
  • Product developers selling products, tools, and services aimed at authors
  • Serious fiction authors will find value here too!

 

WHO SHOULD PURSUE BOOK PUBLISHING PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION?

The Book Publishing Professional Certification is ideal for:

  • Virtual assistants and authors’ assistants
  • Book coaches and shepherds
  • Book editors and designers
  • Professionals who aim for careers in book publishing, marketing, promotion, tools development, or any branch of the publishing industry
  • Authors who aim to become recognized publishing pros or who aim to start your own press

 

Whether you want to learn how to publish your own books or you want to up-level your skills in your business working with authors, this course is jam packed with educational value that will transform you from a novice to an expert. Add the certification program to get featured in our services provider directory. There simply are not enough author assistants to fill demand, so professional certification could generate many new business opportunities for you! 

FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS STUDENTS

Carla’s courses are well-planned and organized to bring you everything you need to know—in one place—to make the best progress with your books from the moment you hit your computer to write the first word, to the formatting and production of your book.

Jan Tucker

Author, Speaker, Teacher: Perfect Inner Peach, Healing with Qigong, White Lotus Living

Carla’s course is a must for the novice and seasoned self-publisher alike. She lays out the essential steps in a logical and understandable way. She’ll answer questions you didn’t know you had about the publishing industry!

Jeanette F. Chaplin, Ed.D.

Author-Publisher: Fireweed Glow and other books, Mad Goat Press

Carla King’s courses and experiences have been the most critical step along my road to self-publishing. After a mediocre experience with an established publisher for my first book, I considered another book project to be unlikely. Without her help and guidance on self-publishing, I doubt my most recent two books would have been written.

Norm DeWitt

Motorsports Journalist and Author, Faster Publishing

Carla’s course modules include theories, concepts, application of the processes, and content from industry experts in various focused publishing disciplines. The workflow helps demystify the author and publishing relationships in the process, illustrates the potential pitfalls when rushing the process, and helps build a solid learning framework.

Carl A. Bolton

Senior Analyst/Consultant and Author: Software Asset Management: Compliance Audits, Business Practices and License Optimization, Signature Consultants

Too often people rush to self-publishing only to find out they have made costly blunders. As a teacher, Carla King will show you how to avoid these mistakes, publish a better manuscript, and position yourself toward larger profits.

Stephen T. Holland

English & Education Professor, Eastern Iowa Community College, Author and Publisher, "Talkin' Dan Gable

Carla’s courses easy enough for newbies and enlightening for those like myself with certain publishing experience. If you are interested in going the indie publishing route, I suggest you travel with Carla!

Karen Kappe

Designer and Publisher, Tragus Media Project

YOUR COURSE MODULES

Upon registration, you will gain immediate access to the on-demand version of this course. It includes video replays of the 2023 live course, including student Q&A and discussion. You’ll get access to the private Facebook group and instructions for joining the Tuesday Zoom meeting in the time zone of your choice.

Course trainings typically last from 90 to 120 minutes.

Module 1 – Prepare for success: The critical stages of book publishing and the essential competitive analysis step.

Module 2 – Your book business: LLCs, ISBNs, PCNs, LCCNs, CIP Blocks, imprints, taxes, and legal matters.

Module 3 – Book cover and interior design and formatting (for print and both reflowable and fixed-layout ebooks).

Module 4 – Book distribution with IngramSpark, Amazon, Draft2Digital, and the other distribution companies and online stores.

Module 5 – Book launch and beyond – Pre-launch production tasks, launch day, and post-launch activities. 

Module 6 – Products, tools, services, and your team: how to streamline your processes and hire talented professionals.

TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Satisfaction is always 100% guaranteed.
If for any reason this course isn’t for you, notify us within the first two weeks of instruction and receive a full refund.

BOOK PUBLISHING MASTER COURSE RECAP

COURSE REGISTRATION INCLUDES

  • Immediate access to six previously recorded training sessions, 90-120 minutes each
  • Invitation to join private Facebook group
  • Bonus workbook available for download
  • Bonus materials
  • Option to join the Nonfiction Authors Association and attend the upcoming Nonfiction Writers Conference and other events

 

CERTIFICATION REGISTRATION INCLUDES

  • All course benefits
  • Quizzes for each module
  • One-year listing in our directory of Certified Book Publishing Professionals or Virtual Assistants for Authors (must pass all six quizzes with score of 80% or higher)
  • Gold foil certificate mailed to US participants upon completion
  • Logo featuring professional designation for use on your website and in marketing collateral
  • Customizable templates you can use for your own clients
  • Invitation to private Facebook group available only to certified professionals

Don’t delay! This course is a career game-changer!

Live Course Returns on Tuesdays in 2024!

Feb 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12, 19

Register for the self-study version below and get immediate access to self-study materials.
PLUS, you will be automatically enrolled in the updated live version beginning in February 2024.

All sessions delivered live on Zoom at 10am PT / 1pm ET and last around 90 minutes. Live attendance is optional. Course recordings are shared the same day. 

3-Pay options available in the shopping cart.
Authority and VIP members: Visit your member dashboard for course discount code.
Thought Leader members attend for free! Visit your dashboard for registration instructions or contact Help.

Not a member yet? You can add membership in the Nonfiction Authors Association with course registration below and receive discounted member pricing!

 

Bonus Content with Registration

(Available to download immediately)

Metadata Cheat Sheet 

Book Production Spreadsheet

Report: The Five Stages of Book Formatting

The Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Independent Authors by Carla King

COURSE REGISTRATION OPTIONS

(SCROLL DOWN FOR CERTIFICATION OPTIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS)


BOOK PUBLISHING MASTER COURSE
-----
Includes all course benefits: Six lectures with Q&A, recordings, bonus workbook, and private Facebook group.
    BOOK PUBLISHING MASTER COURSE ONLY$697OR $255 X 3 PAY
    JOIN NFAA

    COURSE +
    AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP
    -----
    Includes all course benefits plus AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP in the Nonfiction Authors Association for one year ($390 value). Price includes 33% member discount off course.
      COURSE +
      AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP
      $870OR $315 X 3 PAY
      jOIN VIP

      COURSE +
      VIP MEMBERSHIP
      -----
      Includes all course benefits plus VIP MEMBERSHIP in the Nonfiction for one year ($790 value) with free conference access, monthly group consulting calls, and more. Price includes 33% member discount off course.
        COURSE +
        VIP MEMBERSHIP
        $1,250OR $445 X 3 PAY
        All Access

        COURSE
        THOUGHT LEADER MEMBERSHIP
        -----
        Includes all course benefits PLUS THOUGHT LEADER MEMBERSHIP in the Nonfiction Authors Association for one year, admission to the Nonfiction Writers Conference (held online), and all-access pass to live courses during membership term. ($6,400 value)
          COURSE +
          THOUGHT LEADER MEMBERSHIP
          $2,490OR $655 X 4 PAY

          COURSE + CERTIFICATION OPTIONS FOR PUBLISHING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

          FOR PROS

          COURSE +
          PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
          -----
          Includes all course benefits plus certification quizzes. Pass with 80% or better and receive a certificate of completion, badge for marketing materials, and listing in our directory for one year.
            COURSE +
            PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
            $1,497 OR $520 x 3 PAY
            JOIN DEAL!

            COURSE + CERTIFICATION +
            AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP
            -----
            Includes all course and certification benefits plus AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP in the Nonfiction Authors Association for one year ($390 value). Includes 33% member discount off course.
              COURSE + CERT +
              AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP
              $1,390 OR $495 x 3 PAY
              JOIN VIP

              COURSE + CERTIFICATION +
              VIP MEMBERSHIP
              -----
              Includes all course and certification benefits plus VIP MEMBERSHIP in the Nonfiction Authors Association for one year ($790 value), free admission to Nonfiction Writers Conference, monthly group consulting calls, and more. Includes 33% member discount off course.
                COURSE + CERT +
                VIP MEMBERSHIP
                $1,790 OR $635 x 3 PAY
                All Access

                COURSE
                THOUGHT LEADER MEMBERSHIP
                -----
                Includes all course benefits plus THOUGHT LEADER MEMBERSHIP in the Nonfiction Authors Association for one year, admission to all live courses, and admission to the Nonfiction Writers Conference event during membership term. (Added value: $6,400+)
                  COURSE + CERT+
                  THOUGHT LEADER MEMBERSHIP
                  $2,490 OR $665 x 4 PAY

                  READY TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL BOOK PUBLISHER? iT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK!

                  This is the course you’ve been waiting for!
                  You will learn step-by-step strategies to develop your publishing business, plus create a production timeline, a book launch plan, and get your print books and ebooks—or your clients’ books—into the online and bricks-and-mortar bookstores.
                  Satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.

                  Don’t like to register online?

                  Need to spread out payments over time?

                  Have questions?

                  We are happy to assist!

                  Contact us here.

                  Please note that we do not guarantee any outcome or financial benefit for participants. Results will vary and depend in part on the effort you put into participating in the course and then implementing your publishing plans. Course benefits, dates, and times are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. As a reminder, you can cancel and request a full refund for any reason within the first two weeks of the course. We look forward to having you join us. Questions? Contact us here.

                  Questions?

                  If you have questions about the event or prefer not to register online, please send us an email.

                  Become a Member



                  Learn more about membership in the Nonfiction Authors Association.