Inside a Traditional ‘Big 5’ Publisher

Taught by:

Sign in to enroll

Overview


Many authors dream of getting signed by one of the world's biggest publishers — but a lot of what that entails is still shrouded in mystery. In this course, editor Dominic Wakeford (formerly of HarperCollins, Hachette, and Penguin Random House) pulls back the curtain to give you an insider's look at what it's like to get your book acquired and published by the biggest names in publishing. This fun and fascinating course is essential reading for first-time authors and experienced writers alike.

What you'll learn in this course:

  • Who the ‘Big 5’ are and how they work
  • What goes on in an acquisition meeting
  • How the design and editorial teams work with authors
  • Rights, royalties, sales, and marketing

Brought to you by

Dominic Wakeford is an experienced book editor, previously at HarperCollins, Little, Brown (a division of Hachette) in London and Penguin Random House. Working on a range of books across all genres, Dom specializes in literary fiction, commercial fiction, crime, and YA and is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and own-voices books — particularly those from the LGBTQ+ community.

Start this course
scroll icon

10-day writing and publishing courses

bulb icon

Learn in quick five-minute lessons

message icon

Lessons are sent to your inbox each morning

Continue learning

People who enjoyed this course also looked at the following:

Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

In this 10-part course, discover the key differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing, as well as the benefits you can expect from both.

Taught by

View course

Traditional Publishing 101

Almost every author’s dream is to get a book deal and a big advance from a famous publisher. But how can you get your foot in the door, how much money can authors expect, and what happens once you sign on the line?

Taught by

View course

How to Self-Publish a Book

Be the next Andy Weir or E.L. James by launching your writing career with a self-published book. In this 10-part course, learn what it takes to be a successful indie author.

Taught by

View course

How to Submit a Non-Fiction Book Proposal

Do you have a killer book idea that publishers will love? Learn how to write and submit an effective non-fiction book proposal that will make editors pay attention.

Taught by

View course

Behind the Microphone: How to Create a Great Audiobook

In this free online course, veteran audio publisher David Markowitz shows you how to produce, distribute, and sell a professional audiobook.

Taught by

View course

Crowdfunding Your Next Book

Learn how to run a crowdfunding campaign to cover your publishing costs and secure your first batch of devoted readers.

Taught by

View course