Let’s Talk Publishing

Which Path is Right for You?

A free, 4-part series

There’s no one right way to connect with your readers.

At the Madison Writers’ Studio, our primary goal is to support a writer’s creative practice and sharpen their skills.

In our 13 years working with writers, the publishing industry has transformed. Let’s Talk Publishing is our attempt to cut through the noise and get your questions answered. This series is free to all writers, whether you’ve worked with us or not.

We’ll talk to experts in hybrid, self, and traditional publishing to lay out the pros and cons of each method and answer your questions, with the goal of helping you figure out the best fit for your creative work.

These 4 free seminars will focus on publishing book-length work, and 3 of the 4 will take place on Zoom from 12:30-1:30p CT / 130-230p ET. Please note that the third session, Small v Big Presses: Benefits, Risks, and Realities, will be on Monday March 2, from 11:30-12:30p CT/ 12:30-1:30p ET.

If you’re unable to attend any of the four free seminars live, a replay will be emailed to you.

A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing glasses with tortoiseshell frames, a brown satin blouse, and a smartwatch, sitting on white stairs and smiling at the camera.
A bookshelf filled with numerous colorful books arranged on multiple shelves.
Stack of colorful books with worn edges and textured covers
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, smiling, wearing a black and white striped shirt, standing in front of a wooden background.

1 of 4

Hybrid Publishing: Control, Cost, and Credibility

Thursday 2/19

12:30-1:30p CT / 130-230p ET

w/ special guest Kristin Mitchell, Little Creek Press, Andrew Patrie, author of Clumsy Love, and Lindsay Christians, food and culture reporter at the Capital Times and author of The Osteria Papavero Cookbook.

2 of 4

Self-Publishing: Ownership, Effort, and Earning Potential

Thursday 2/26

12:30-1:30p CT / 130-230p ET

w/ authors Robert Fromberg, Joshua Feyen, Adam Knight, and Grace Ogren.

3 of 4

Small v Big Presses: Benefits, Risks, and Realities

***Monday 3/2***

11:30-1:30p CT / 12:30-1:30p ET

***Please note that this installment of Let’s Talk Publishing is at a different day and time!***

w/ special guests Amy Pease, author of NORTHWOODS and WILDWOOD, her Simon & Schuster editor Lara Jones, and owner/editor Alle Mudrick from Third Rail Press.

4 of 4

Working with a Literary Agent

Thursday 3/12

12:30-1:30p CT / 130-230p ET

w/ Julie Stevenson of the Massie, McQuilkin, & Altman agency. Stevenson is drawn to fiction with unforgettable characters, an authorial command of voice, and a strong sense of narrative tension. She loves outsiders, weirdos, and innovators.

Join us for all four seminars.

Bring your questions and our experts will answer as thoroughly and honestly as they can.

If you register but are unable to attend a seminar, we’ll send you a replay afterward.

Featured
Let’s Talk Publishing Seminar 3 of 4 — Small v Big Presses: Benefits, Risks, and Realities
Mar 5
Let’s Talk Publishing Seminar 4 of 4 — Working with a Literary Agent
Mar 12
Begin Your Book
Mar 15
Get Unstuck
Mar 19
Visions & Revisions 2026
Apr 2
Two-Minute Pitch Workshop
May 1

  • “I’ve worked with other editors and taken other workshops, but this one was far superior to all. You get your money’s worth, and more.” — Julie

    Julie

  • “Without being too simple – I loved it! And yes I will do it again, and if I knew anyone who was serious about being a better writer, I would recommend the classes.”

    —Mary

  • “The class was a big step for me to sign up for it, in the sense of stepping outside my comfort zone and letting someone else look at my writing. I never felt ill at ease.” — John

    —John

  • “Thank you for what you have done. You have such a gift for communication and writing. I loved all the pearls and lessons you left along the way. I’m also grateful for the encouraging remarks you left, they often kept me going. ” — Jeff H.

    —Jeff

  • “I can’t thank you enough for such a wonderful class! It was a crazy year for me, but I’ve learned so much and your feedback was so important to me. You’re a wonderful writing “coach” and gave me that nudge when I needed it. We had a terrific group and I think the feedback helped all of us become better writers. You and Michalle have created something so special with the MWS!”

    —Andrea

  • “It was the best writing class I’ve ever taken. I would absolutely take another class. The feedback was probably the most valuable part of the class. It was thorough and really showed that the instructor cared about the students and content.”

    —Cristalyne