From Manuscript to Publication: A Practical Guide to Getting Published with Gerard Beirne

Course Summary

Demystify the publishing process in this practical, hands-on course designed for aspiring and experienced writers alike. Learn how to prepare your manuscript, identify the right markets, agents, and publishers, and understand when you might benefit from literary representation. You’ll explore magazine, journal, traditional, and self-publishing opportunities while developing the skills to write compelling pitches, query and cover letters, synopses, blurbs, and author bios. Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, or short stories, you’ll leave with the knowledge, confidence, and a clear action plan to take your work from manuscript to publication.

Course Outline

By the end of this course, participants will understand how to prepare and present their work for publication across a range of markets. Topics include:

· Preparing your manuscript for submission

· Publishing in magazines and literary journals

· Traditional publishing and self-publishing: understanding your options

· Finding the right literary agents and publishers for your work

· Researching and targeting appropriate markets

· Writing an effective pitch that captures attention

· Crafting professional query letters and cover letters

· Writing compelling synopses, blurbs, and author biographies

· Common submission mistakes and how to avoid them

· Developing a personalised publication strategy and action plan

The course features ongoing Q&A and discussion throughout all topics, enabling participants to ask questions, clarify concepts, and receive practical guidance in real time.

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

· Prepare and format manuscripts appropriately for submission to publishers, agents, magazines, and journals.

· Identify suitable publishing pathways, including traditional, self-publishing, and literary journal routes.

· Research and target appropriate markets, agents, and publishers for their specific work.

· Write effective pitches, query letters, and cover letters that meet industry standards.

· Create compelling synopses, blurbs, and author biographies tailored to submission requirements.

· Recognise and avoid common submission and pitching mistakes.

· Develop a clear, personalised publication strategy and actionable plan to move their work toward publication

Gerard Beirne is a writer, fiction editor, and lecturer. He has published eight books of fiction and poetry. A past winner of the Hennessy New Irish Writer of the Year Award, he has also been shortlisted for The Kerry Group Novel of the Year, The Danuta Gleed Award, and the Irish Book Awards. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing (EWU, USA) and with thirty-four years as a writing instructor, he lectures on the BA Writing and Literature Program at ATU Sligo.

Booked out? To be added to the waiting list for this course, please email bookings@irishwriterscentre.ie.