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Free classes on self-publishing at Rochester library

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There’s a lot to self-publishing besides writing the book!

Self-publishing a book for the first time can be a daunting task. You’ve focused for months, maybe years, on the writing, and as if that wasn’t difficult enough, now you face a myriad of choices and tasks to birth your baby into a book.

I know, because I’ve self-published two books of my own, plus I’ve worked with other authors as their book editor.

So I’m excited to share what I’ve learned in a three-part class that begins in March at the Rundel Library on South Avenue in downtown Rochester.

At the request of librarian Carol Moldt, who is the Rochester Writes programming coordinator at the Central Library, I’m developing this class called “A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing.”

Here’s the description: Have you written a book or have one in process but are confused about how to publish it? Jane Sutter, author of two self-published books and owner of Sutter Communications, will help you learn about all the different options of self-publishing (print and e-book) and the many details involved. Topics to be covered include the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing, types of self-publishing available, building a support team, getting an ISBN number, the business side of selling books yourself, the costs of self-publishing, and marketing your book successfully 

Related content: Got writer’s block? 5 quotes from Ernest Hemingway may help.

The class will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays March 14, 21 and 28 in the Rundel Arts Room on the third floor at the Rundel Library.

Everyone’s journey in self-publishing is different. I’ll share my journey and why I made the decisions that I did, but I’ll also outline the variety of choices. In addition, I’ll share the essentials of self-publishing that are vital for everyone. I’ll include a hefty amount of ideas on marketing, because after all, you probably want to sell copies of your book!

The class is free, but you must register in advance as space is limited. We also ask that you commit to attending all three sessions. Click on this link for more information and to register.

Interested in other classes in the Rochester Writes series? Click here for the calendar. (Please note that some classes are full.) Another great source for classes on writing is Writers and Books.

Is 2019 the year you want to write a book or a blog?

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Write a book
Writing a book takes discipline and patience but it can be done!

Judging by the emails and calls my business, Sutter Communications, has been getting, it seems many people have made a New Year’s resolution to write a book or finish the book they started many moons ago. Or they’ve resolved to learn how to blog, or blog more consistently or grow their blogging audience.

If you’re one of them, here are a few tips that work for me.

Resolve to spend 15 minutes a day on your writing.

Of course, you can do a lot more, but 15 minutes seems do-able, right? You’d be amazed at how going slow and steady brings actual results. I learned this when I was researching and writing a thesis, while working many hours as an editor at the Democrat and Chronicle. Once you start writing, I’ll bet you find it so fun you’ll spend more than 15 minutes on it!

Related: 5 Takeaways from State of Blogging Industry report 

Set up deadlines.

You want to write a book? “Deadline is the greatest motivator” became my mantra years ago, when as both a reporter and then an editor, I realized that deadlines are critical to getting work done. It’s too easy to put off the writing. Want your book to be printed in time for holiday sales? Then do a back-out schedule that makes that happen.

Related: Got writer’s block? 5 quotes from Ernest Hemingway may help

Take a class.

You go to the gym to get stronger and in better shape, right? Then taking a class can do the same for your creativity and desire to write a book. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, blogging, whatever your genre, I recommend you check out the classes at Writers and Books.

I’ve been on the faculty there for almost four years, and I’ve also attended classes and author talks. You’ll come away inspired and more than likely, you’ll meet some fellow writers who may become life-long friends and a great support system.

Over the next two months, I’m teaching Blogging 101, Blogging 201 and a new-ish workshop called Social Media for Writers. You can see the entire list of Writers and Books offerings here.

Hope you find these tips helpful. What works for you?

Celebrating the wonderful School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND)

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Sister Sue Czaplicki SSND and Jane Sutter
Sister Sue Czaplicki SSND and me

I’m giving a big shout-out this week to the School Sisters of Notre Dame (abbreviated as SSND), who are celebrating their 185th anniversary.

On Oct. 28, I attended a glorious Mass celebrated by Bishop Salvatore Matano followed by a reception at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, N.Y. held to honor the sisters. Those sisters all have worked in the Diocese of Rochester (which covers 12 counties), and although I didn’t know any of them personally, I attended the Mass to honor the sisters who taught me at Notre Dame High School in Burlington, Iowa.

Sister Ann Scholz
Sister Ann Scholz was a fabulous mentor to me in high school. This photo is from our yearbook.

Their influence has had a lasting impact on me.  One in particular, Sister Ann Scholz, was the yearbook adviser when I was the editor. She knew of my interest in majoring in journalism in college, and fortunately for me, she recommended I apply to the University of Missouri School of Journalism, which her sister had attended. I didn’t come from a family of journalists, and I knew little about the available programs. (There was no Internet in the mid-1970s, and you had to rely on your teachers and guidance counselors for advice.) I can’t say enough about how Sister Ann’s recommendation to attend Mizzou helped launch my career in journalism.  Sister Ann was also a wonderful mentor to me during high-stress times. I still remember a conversation she had with me in the high school chapel, calming me down from whatever crisis I was experiencing and have long since forgotten.

Today, Sister Ann works at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and we email occasionally. When I told her that I planned to attend the celebratory Mass, she suggested I look up Sister Sue Czaplicki SSND, whom she knows. Having no idea what Sister Sue looked like, I wandered around the reception after Mass looking at name tags. Fortunately I found a sister who took me to her. Sister Sue was a bit surprised to find out I knew Sister Ann; we had a fun conversation about that. Sister Sue now is the faith formation director for Most Holy Name of Jesus parish  in Elmira.

SSND, Jane Sutter, Bishop Emeritus Matthew Clark
These sisters traveled from Baltimore to join in the celebration; pictured here with me and Bishop Emeritus Matthew Clark.

I also met some sisters from Baltimore, Md. Two of them are now retired and do volunteer work; the other works in the inner city with young women, training them to be pharmacy technicians and certified nursing assistants. “I’m learning a lot,” she said with a big smile. My husband, Gary, and I introduced them to Bishop Emeritus Matthew Clark.

The School Sisters of Notre Dame are members of an international congregation of women religious that was founded in Bavaria in 1833 by Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, according to the program handed out at the celebration. It’s the 165th anniversary of the SSND ministry in the Diocese of Rochester, where more than 1,000 sisters have ministered in 13 schools, parishes and sponsored ministries. Today the sisters are involved in Bishop Kearney High School and Notre Dame Learning Center in Rochester and Most Holy Name of Jesus parish in Elmira.

I want to mention  the other SSND sisters who taught at Notre Dame, when I was there from the fall of 1973 to May 1977: Sister Mary Charles, Sister Laurinda, Sister Celine and Sister Mary Claire. Looking through my yearbooks as I wrote this blog post brought back some great memories.

Listening to Bishop Matano’s homily, hearing the history of the SSND order, singing some of my favorite hymns — “Be Not Afraid” and “We Are Called” — my heart was full of gratitude and my eyes were moist. I am so thankful for their influence on me. God bless them, every one!

Related post: How is God Calling You to Be a Disciple?