How publishing works
A gentle walk-through of how traditional publishing, small presses and self-publishing sit alongside one another, with realistic pros and cons of each route – and where your work might fit.
Publishing Courses
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Big Thinking School of Writing
Introduction to Publishing Courses UK
Clear, honest Introduction to Publishing Courses UK from the Big Thinking School of Writing – covering how the industry works, how to write query letters and synopses, how to work with editors, and realistic routes into print.
Overview
About these publishing courses
The Introduction to Publishing Courses UK strand of the Big Thinking School of Writing is designed to make the publishing world feel less mysterious and more navigable. Instead of insider jargon or unrealistic promises, you’ll get clear, grounded information from the perspective of a small indie press that reads submissions and publishes books every day.
We focus on four key areas: how the industry works, query letters & synopses, working with editors, and routes into print. You can attend a single workshop or follow a short series, depending on what you need.
Structure
What the publishing courses cover
Different events focus on different topics, but most Introduction to Publishing Courses UK include some combination of the following:
Query letters & synopses
Learn what agents and presses look for in query letters and synopses, how to present your project clearly, and how to avoid common pitfalls that make strong work harder to see.
Working with editors
Understand the different types of editing (structural, line, copy-editing, proofreading), what to expect from editorial feedback, and how to keep your voice while improving the work.
Routes into print
Explore chapbooks, anthologies, competitions, zines, small presses and self-publishing – including how the School of Writing’s own imprints support smaller or first-time projects.
Many sessions include anonymised examples, live line-edits, or real query letters (used with permission), so you can see how small changes make a real difference.
Examples
Examples of publishing courses & events
The exact mix of Introduction to Publishing Courses UK changes across the year, but recent and upcoming sessions include:
Understanding the Publishing Landscape
A clear, jargon-free overview of traditional publishing, small presses, hybrid models and self-publishing – including how rights, contracts and royalties work, and how to choose a path that fits your goals.
Query Letters that Get Noticed
A practical, example-led session on writing strong query letters: what to include, how to summarise your book, common pitfalls, and how agents and publishers read submissions in practice.
Writing a Strong Synopsis
Demystifies the synopsis and offers a straightforward structure for summarising plot, character arc and theme in a way that’s clear, concise and genuinely useful to the person reading it.
Ask the Publisher – live Q&A
An open, supportive session where you can ask a working publisher questions about submissions, editorial processes, timelines, contracts and what makes a manuscript stand out.
Not every event runs every term – you’ll always find the current list of publishing workshops and courses on the main publishing courses page.
Practicalities
How the publishing courses run
Format
Most publishing sessions are delivered online via video call. Expect a mix of short talks, practical examples and time for questions – with no pressure to have all the “right” industry language.
Who teaches them
Courses are led by the team behind Big Thinking Publishing and, where relevant, by guest tutors with lived experience of the area they’re teaching.
Materials
You may receive slides, checklists or templates (for example, query letter frameworks) to keep and adapt for your own submissions after the session.
Cost & booking
Pricing varies depending on session length and format. Current dates, prices and booking links are listed on the main publishing courses page.
Who it’s for
Are these publishing courses right for you?
The Introduction to Publishing Courses UK are aimed at writers who:
- Are thinking about submitting to agents or presses but don’t know where to start.
- Have had some rejections and want to understand how to strengthen their submissions.
- Are curious about the differences between traditional publishing, small presses and self-publishing.
- Want to feel more confident speaking the “language” of publishing without feeling like an imposter.
You don’t need industry connections or a finished manuscript. The aim is to give you enough understanding to make informed choices and take your next steps with a little more clarity.
If you’d like in-depth feedback on your own query package, you might also be interested in our Query Letter & Synopsis Review Service .
Next steps
Join an Introduction to Publishing course
If this Introduction to Publishing Courses UK page feels relevant to where you are, your next step is to explore the upcoming sessions and choose a date – or get in touch if you’d like to discuss which event might be the best fit for you or your group.