Creating your author platform online

What is the course about?

This course is designed for published or soon-to-be published authors. Through examples and discussion we will explore the essential components to a modern author’s platform including the author’s persona, websites and social media.

Please note - this course includes a 2-hour break.

Students say: "excellent presentation and very useful"; "very thorough and engaging"; "it was a really great, informative workshop"; "there was a variety of information that was communicated in a relaxed and friendly way.".

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- Creating a professional author persona.
- The essence of a good author website.
- Social media platforms eg Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, YouTube
- Getting out there: moving from the online to the real world.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Determine what sort of persona you wish to project to the public
- Write the copy for a number of pages of your own website
- Decide which social media platforms (if any) are for you
- Make contacts in the industry to secure public appearances.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for traditionally published and self-published authors in any genre who wish to develop their own author platform. NB this course does not cover how to self-publish your own book.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be based around interactive discussion.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day, regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Paper and pen.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit offer a range of writing courses for aspiring authors, poets and journalists. Browse the writing section of our website to find the perfect course for you.

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.