Course Description
Genealogists know they should write up their family history, but when they make that decision, they are often puzzled by the options for publication— both digital and physical. The focus of this course will be on producing a physical output using a self-publishing website.

There are many benefits to self-publishing. Assuming that your book is not suitable for the commercial market, self-publishing is cheaper than traditional print shops; you don’t end up with 100 books in your basement; you have more control (but not total control); and it is cheaper—did I mention cheaper? (Your first draft won’t cost any more than subsequent copies.)

While we will compare and contrast the many options available for self-publishing, I will use lulu.com for teaching purposes. We will cover the major options. You may, however, use any online publishing service that gives you the result you wish.

This course will not cover digital only publications like blogs or websites. This course will not cover the intricacies of writing a numbered genealogy book, but will cover how to get it into book form.

This is not a writing course. No, you do not have to have a book ready to publish to take the course, but you need more than nothing. You can have as little as 15 pages of content on anything and still successfully take the course.

My goals for each attendee:

• Understand the options for publication, and the editing process.
• Learn how to achieve a professional looking output
• Understand the options offered within your chosen self-publishing site
• Share your publication with the class and the world

Skills based requirements
You need to have:

• a good working knowledge of one of the word-processing programs or In-Design
• a working draft or completed project for which you wish to publish a physical work product. The minimum requirement is about 10-15 pages of content (think: a chapter).
• a willingness to compromise on your “wish list” to accommodate the requirements of the self-publishing website.

Required and Recommended Resources

• Board for Certification of Genealogists. Genealogy Standards, Second Edition Revised (Edition makes a difference, make sure you are current!)
  https://bcgcertification.org/product/genealogy-standards-2d-edition/
• Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources From Artifacts to Cyberspace. https://www.amazon.com/Evidence-Explained-History-Artifacts-Cyberspace/dp/0806320400/ref=sr_1_1
• Ross-Larson, Bruce. Edit Yourself: A Manual for Everyone who Works with Words. https://www.amazon.com/Edit-Yourself-Manual-Everyone-Works/dp/0393313263/ref=sr_1_1
• Stratton, Penelope & Henry Hoff, Guide to Genealogical Writing: How to Write and Publish Your Family History. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.
• Strunk, William & E.B. White. The Elements of Style (any edition). https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-Fourth-William-Strunk/dp/B0B3N2GPYH/ref=asc_df_B0B3N2GPYH/
• University of Chicago Press. Chicago Manual of Style (any edition) https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Manual-Style-17th/dp/022628705X/ref=sr_1_1

Course Outline
The four sessions will look something like this and be a combination of discussion, presentations, breakout groups and even a guest speaker!

Your pre-assignment will include submitting a section of your writing to our guest speaker who will edit your submission.

Session 1

• Presentation, Discussion and Breakout: “Editing Your Work,” guest instructor, Pam Anderson, CG
• Presentation: “Working with What You Have”
• Presentation: “Building a Style Guide”
• Assignment: develop a Style Guide for your own project
• Session Goals: become a more accomplished self-editor and build a style guide

Session 2

• Presentation: “An Investigation: Options for Self-Publishing Sites”
• Skill building: “Front & Back Mater: It Matters!”
• Assignment: Develop the front and back matter for their project
• Session Goals: attendee will explore and compare the options for self-publishing platforms and learn about front and back matter for their project

Session 3

• Using Broad Context to add depth to your project
• Presentation: “Three Ways to Build a Cover”
• A Worksheet: Publishing Your Work
• Assignment: Publish your first draft
• Session Goasl: attendee will understand the options, learn how to design the cover and request their first draft of the hard copy

Session 4 (two weeks later)

• Share published work products (draft) with the class
• Learn where to distribute your final work product
• Session Goal: attendee present their process and lessons learned to other class members

I have published numerous books of all kinds, mostly through Lulu.com. I am working on a travel book and one on my orphan train riders. I will work on and publish a draft during the class with you!