Begins Thursday, March 5th, 2026

Class will meet weekly via Zoom on Thursdays, 7:00PM EST - 8:45PM EST. 

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. 

Instructor Tal Lazar is a nonfiction author and filmmaker with over two decades of experience producing and selling feature films to international distributors. For the past 15 years, he has taught at leading institutions, including the American Film Institute, Columbia University, the Sundance Institute, and Berklee College of Music, mentoring the next generation of creators. Today, he draws on his expertise in film, education, and publishing to empower authors to take control of their work and forge lasting connections with their readers.

Who is this class for?

This course is intended for students with a basic understanding of traditional and self-publishing who are ready to bring a book to market and want structured guidance in the process.

It is best suited for those who have completed the two-session introductory course, Becoming Your Own Publisher, or have published at least one book traditionally and already understand what a publisher does—and what they don’t.

Basic digital fluency is expected, including comfort with web platforms, email communication, and file creation.

What you can expect:

This course is your crash course in independent publishing. Over four weeks, you’ll move step by step through the entire process of bringing your book to market, making it available to readers, bookstores, and libraries. You’ll set up accounts with the leading indie publishing platforms (e.g. IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Amazon), learn the differences between them, and how to navigate hiccups.

Designed as an accelerator, this class helps authors cut through the opacity of indie publishing. It provides a structured framework, a clear deadline, and expert guidance (while working alongside a community of peers taking the same journey in real time).

By the end, you won’t just understand how indie publishing works. You’ll be a published independent author.

Handouts summarizing course materials will be provided. Students will also be expected to create accounts on publishing platforms, review instructions, upload their materials, and take part in an online forum.

In the course, you will learn:

• The essential assets required for publishing your book, and how to prepare them
  
• The key collaborators involved in the process, and how to find the right ones
  
• How to publish your book and distribute it to readers, bookstores, and libraries
  
• How to create both an eBook and an audiobook
  

Course Prerequisite:

Authors with a completed, publication-ready manuscript will benefit most from this course, though it is not a requirement. Having a draft of your cover design and any planned cover text is also encouraged. Those without a manuscript will still gain the knowledge and skills needed to independently publish their own work (or someone else’s) whenever they choose.

This course will guide you through publishing your book using Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and other third-party tools. For KDP and most third parties, a Word document is sufficient. However, publishing through Ingram requires a print-ready PDF that meets their specifications. Professional formatting typically costs around $2 per page on platforms such as Reedsy.

We recommend creating free accounts with KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital before the course begins, as approvals can take longer than expected. Be prepared to provide banking details and tax information when registering.

Please Note:

It is possible to publish a book at no cost beyond writing the manuscript. However, certain steps (such as ordering a proof copy, creating an eBook with third-party tools, or hiring designers) may involve additional expenses. These options will be explained so you can decide what’s right for you. A full breakdown of indie publishing costs is covered in the introductory course Becoming Your Own Publisher.

This course will focus on producing a paperback edition, while also teaching the steps for creating both paperback and hardcover formats.

In the course, you will learn:

This course is built to transform you into a true independent publisher. Unlike self-publishing services that handle one book at a time, this program functions as an accelerator—equipping you with the knowledge and systems to publish your current work and future titles on your own. You will:

• Get your manuscript ready for publishing.
• Create accounts on the leading indie publishing platforms.
• Build a system to manage communication and customer support.
• Set up a method for tracking sales and royalties.
• Learn how to meet and comply with delivery requirements.
• Order and review your first proof copy

COURSE OUTLINE:

This course is delivered in four sessions: 

Week 1 (2 hours):

• Defining our goal and mapping your publishing journey.
• Materials needed and platform access requirements.
• Building your publishing and marketing plan.
• ISBNs: what they are and how to get one.
• Introduction to independent publishing platforms.
• Understanding delivery requirements.
  

Homework: Complete account setup and register for the course forum.

Week 2 (1.5 hours):

• Publishing formats: hardcover, paperback, and paper types.
• Interior design and typesetting: fonts, pages, and chapter layout.
• The cover: from title and artwork to barcode.
• Options for cover creation: designers, templates, and platform tools.
• Delivery requirements for covers.
• Why barcodes matter.

Homework: Upload materials for page count and create a cover file 

Week 3 (1.5 hours):

• Reviewing progress and troubleshooting challenges.
• Revisiting delivery requirements and creating assets.
• Uploading final files and completing book setup.
• Proof copies and revisions.
• Payments and royalty structures.

Homework: Upload materials and order a proof copy 

Week 4 (1.5 hours):

• Distributing your book to readers, stores, and libraries.
• Pricing, discounts, and royalty strategies.
• Handling orders, taxes, and administration.
• Insurance and risk considerations.
• Guilds and associations (IBPA, Author’s guild).
• eBooks: setup, pricing, and distribution.
• Audiobooks: production, sales channels, and viability
• Q&A