Self-Publishing Bootcamp: What Every Author Should Know Before Hitting "Publish"

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Thinking of self-publishing? Don’t wing it. In this hands-on, 3-hour workshop, Brian Schwartz will share a clear, step-by-step guide to publishing like a pro—without wasting time or money. Built around a proven 12-step framework taught at Cal Poly and the Self-Publish Pledge (what every author should know before hitting "publish"), this session walks you through the full process—from editing and formatting to cover design, pricing, reviews, and launch strategy.

You'll learn: The 12 phases of a successful book launch (editing, design, setup, marketing, and more). The most common mistakes indie authors make—and how to avoid them. What tools, vendors, and platforms to use (and which to skip). How to budget your time and money for max impact. When to hire help and when to DIY. Whether you're aiming for Amazon bestseller status or just want to finish with your sanity intact, this bootcamp will set you up for success.

DATES: Friday, September 26, 2025

TIME: 9:00am-12:00pm

FEE: $150

LOCATION: San Luis Obispo Campus Room TBD

Meet the Presenter
Brian Schwartz	As founder and CEO of SelfPublish.org, Brian Schwartz has empowered over 750 authors to successfully publish and promote their work since 2009. His author concierge service and consulting firm bridges the gap between self-publishing and traditional publishing through proven strategies that deliver professional results. Brian's distinguished leadership as former director of the Central Coast Writers’ Conference and past president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association reflects his commitment to the writing community. His mission: "to bridge the gap between self-publishers and traditional publishing by applying the proven strategies and techniques of successful independent publishers." Innovating beyond consultation, Brian has developed online platforms that cater to the needs of author publishers and NEW for 2025, he's launching a cutting-edge AI tool specifically designed to give authors an advantage and accelerate their time to market. Using these tools and his expert guidance, Brian continues to transform how independent authors navigate the publishing landscape, staying at the forefront of innovation in publishing.

Meet the Presenter

Brian Schwartz

As founder and CEO of SelfPublish.org, Brian Schwartz has empowered over 750 authors to successfully publish and promote their work since 2009. His author concierge service and consulting firm bridges the gap between self-publishing and traditional publishing through proven strategies that deliver professional results. Brian's distinguished leadership as former director of the Central Coast Writers’ Conference and past president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association reflects his commitment to the writing community.

His mission: "to bridge the gap between self-publishers and traditional publishing by applying the proven strategies and techniques of successful independent publishers." Innovating beyond consultation, Brian has developed online platforms that cater to the needs of author publishers and NEW for 2025, he's launching a cutting-edge AI tool specifically designed to give authors an advantage and accelerate their time to market. Using these tools and his expert guidance, Brian continues to transform how independent authors navigate the publishing landscape, staying at the forefront of innovation in publishing.

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