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Publishing 101

RACHEL MCMILLAN

Publishing 101

RACHEL MCMILLAN

$349.99

05/14/2026 - 07/02/2026

Enroll Now

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about publishing but weren’t sure who to ask!

This course will walk prospective authors through every step of the process: from procuring an agent to peeling the curtain back on the in-house decision-making processes to how books are priced, printed, and sold to bookstores.  The goal is to arm prospective students with knowledge that will empower them to successfully position their books, as well as provide opportunities to strengthen their own manuscripts, queries, and proposals.

Geared toward those who wish to pursue traditional publishing with special attention to independent and hybrid publishing, all authors and industry enthusiasts will be given a valuable peek at the inner workers of the industry. 

Handouts and reference guides as well as opportunities to submit your own work will be available throughout the course. 

$349.99

05/14/2026 - 07/02/2026

Enroll Now

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about publishing but weren’t sure who to ask!

This course will walk prospective authors through every step of the process: from procuring an agent to peeling the curtain back on the in-house decision-making processes to how books are priced, printed and sold to bookstores.  The goal is to arm prospective students with knowledge that will empower them to successfully position their books, as well as provide opportunities to strengthen their own manuscripts, queries and proposals.

Geared toward those who wish to pursue traditional publishing with special attention to independent and hybrid publishing, all authors and industry enthusiasts will be given a special peek at the inner workers of the industry. 

Handouts and reference guides as well as opportunities to submit your own work will be available throughout the course. 

Course Details

Course outline

  • Asynchronous Lessons: Access weekly lessons and assignments at your own pace
  • Personalized Feedback: Receive direct feedback

Meet the instructor

Rachel McMillan

Rachel McMillan is the bestselling author of over 20 books of fiction and non-fiction. Her most recent works include The London Restoration and The Mozart Code as well as the upcoming An Aim At Eternity: The Life and Times of Sir Christopher Wren (Pen and Sword) and Operation Scarlet (Harper Collins).

With over 20 years in the industry, Rachel has worked in near every tenet of the publishing world from sales and marketing,  editorial to contracts   After 5 years as a senior associate agent, Rachel went independent and now represents 30 clients across 3 continents.   Rachel's blend of industry knowledge and her passion for encouraging authors and demystifying the publishing world have made her a popular conference speaker, panelist and consultant.   From comp titles to query letters, from a strong opening hook to the mid-manuscript slump, Rachel is skilled at handling all manner of author questions.

Rachel not only works with agents and authors to prepare proposals and manuscripts before submission, acquiring editors often seek her out for comp title examples before they take books to publishing boards. She loves recognizing projects she’s worked on when she reads the Publisher’s Marketplace Daily Deals and on store shelves.

Rachel lives in Toronto, Canada and is always reading.