How to Publish Your Regency Novel
WITH Melissa AddeyRegistration ends April 14, 2026!
Class Description
If you want to get published but are not sure how to go about it and whether to go via a publisher or self-publish, then this course is for you. You’ll leave this course with a clear understanding of your routes to publishing so you can make an informed choice about your preferred publishing path. We’ll go step-by-step on pros and cons of each route, explain how to find an agent and walk you through self-publishing. Very successful authors now frequently mix and match publishing routes, so whichever way you’ve been published so far, come along and examine your other options. And if you’re brand-new and still working on your manuscript, you can start planning for your preferred approach right away.
Course Dates: Saturday April 4th, 11th, April 18th and 25th, 2026 (Format is 1hr session + 1hr Q&A time on each date). ALL Zoom sessions will begin at 2pm ET/7pm GMT and the Zoom links will be posted in the classroom forum.
In session one, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of traditional publishing, so you understand their business model. Then it’s on to how to get yourself an agent (Melissa has secured 3 over the years!), including your covering letter, synopsis and tips for getting agents interested.
In session two, we’ll talk about why you might want to choose self-publishing (for starters, did you know self-published authors earn more than those traditionally published?) and explain the basics of the process so you’ll be confident to take this route if it appeals.
The third session is about the importance of thinking like an authorpreneur, whichever route you take to publishing: maintaining an indie mindset and business-like approach has been proven to increase your sales, so we’ll begoing through ways in which you can best set yourself up for a successful writing career with your publishing choices, from being careful with your contracts to selling direct to your readers.
Our fourth and final session will be Q&A only so that you can consider the material shared and come along with any and all questions you need resolving.
Melissa will share a wealth of resources, contacts and practical personal experience. She will cover DIY options for self-publishing as well as how to commission professionals to work with. We’ll talk about important commercial decisions authors need to take and where to find additional advice for every stage.
You will leave inspired and with a clear set of steps to take to self-publish. Specific contacts will be provided (e.g. where to find agents, book cover designers, formatters and editors).
Following each session, you will be able to download the slides, you’ll have a template synopsis and covering letter provided and there will also be a handy self-publishing checklist for you to ensure you don’t miss out any important steps along the way.
About the Instructor
Melissa Addey was home educated on an Italian hill farm and initially worked in business, with a Masters in creativity in a business setting. She has been a fulltime self-published author for the past ten years, writing historical fiction set in Ancient Rome, medieval Morocco, 18th century China, and has now moved into Regency romance. She has a PhD in Creative Writing, focused on the balancing act of fact and fiction in historical fiction and was the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library, where she still runs writing workshops for writers wanting to develop entrepreneurial skills. She lives in London, UK with her husband and two children.
Visit Melissa’s website at www.MelissaAddey.com. You can also find her on Facebook @MelissaAddeyAuthor and TikTok @MelissaAddeyAuthor
Class Delivery
This course will consist of four Zoom sessions with the instructor with recordings, slides and a checklist posted in the forums afterwards.
Class Format
4-WEEK COURSE w/Bonus Q&A
Zoom Sessions: All sessions will begin at 2pm ET/7pm GMT on Sat April 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th (Format is 1hr session + 1hr Q&A time on each date).
While the course will be run via live Zoom calls, students will have the option to revisit the sessions in recorded format or if they can’t make it live. Questions for the Q&A sessions may also be posted in advance in the classroom forums.
Written Lectures: no, but Slides and Checklist will be provided
Video Lectures: yes, via live Zoom
Pictures: as part of video lectures
Audio Files: no additional beyond the video lectures, captioning available via Zoom.
Writing Exercises: none
Class Fees
$40 for RFW members
$55 for non-members
Registration ends April 14, 2026!
Scholarships are available for members