Ink & Income: Mastering the Lifecycle of a Book, Module 2 - Production and Platform (Andi Cumbo)

This class will meet in person at WriterHouse for six sessions (May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10, June 27) on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM. 

This course is designed as a series of four distinct modules following the chronological lifecycle of a book. Students may register for the full 20-week intensive or select/combine individual modules on Foundations, Production, Launch Strategy, or Sustainability.

Description:

You have typed "The End," but for the professional writer, the work is just beginning. Ink & Income is a comprehensive roadmap designed to bridge the gap between literary craft and sustainable business. Guided by hybrid author and editor Andi Cumbo, this course walks students through the complete lifecycle of a book—from the initial decision between traditional and independent publishing to the complex machinery of book launches, marketing, and financial management. Whether you are a debut writer holding your first manuscript or an established author looking to professionalize your career, this course offers the practical tools to turn your art into a business. 

Module 2: Production & Platform (6 Weeks)
Focus: Turning a draft into a product and building the stage for its arrival.

• • The mechanics of producing a book. How to hire and vet editors, working with cover designers, understanding ISBNs and metadata, and managing production timelines.

• • Establishing your digital footprint before the release. We will cover author websites, setting up newsletter landing pages, and the "tech stack" required to capture readers.

About the Instructor:

Andi Cumbo is a former creative writing professor, a professional editor, and a publisher who is the author of over 30 books that each incorporate real-life places, people, and events in their pages.  She writes cozy mysteries, romantic comedies, YA fantasy, and creative nonfiction and holds and MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Antioch University. She has taught at Santa Clara University, Stevenson University, and George Mason University. When she’s not writing, she and her young son name his toys odd things like “Blech-agh-bah” and try to figure out Lego Fortnite together. She lives in Charlottesville.