Ever wonder how your favorite bestselling authors got their foot in the door? Discover the secrets to transforming your ideas into a stellar first book in our online class, Writing and Selling Your First Book, starting May 2. You’ll get on the fast track to meet your goals with practice assignments, Q&A sessions, and peer feedback. Save $50 when you register with the promo code GALLEYCAT.

Instructor Christine Pride has worked for Random House and Hyperion Books, and recently launched her own consulting agency for publishers, agents, and aspiring writers. Over the course of her career, she’s published a number of critically acclaimed projects, including eight New York Times bestselling books. She’ll provide you with an overview of the publishing industry, tips for pitching your book to agents, and feedback on your proposal and query letter.

Use the code FIRSTBOOK at checkout to save $50 on enrollment. Seats are limited in this class, so register soon.

Struggling to finish your book? No matter where you live, Mediabistro has a new online course designed to guide independent authors through the final and most important steps of the publishing process.

If you want to see one of our course speakers in action, bestselling author Matthew Mather will unveil his new novel on Facebook tonight. In addition, Smashwords co-founder Mark Coker, bestselling self-published author Colleen Hoover and seasoned writer Guy Kawasaki will help you complete your book in Mediabistro’s new Self-Publishing Finishing School.

For a fraction of the cost of a self-publishing package, our online instructors will walk you through this daunting process in a six-week workshop. As part of the course, you will get writing advice, editing support and ultimately, an online spotlight for your work.

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Want to get your manuscript published, but not sure how to get started? Join our Self-Publishing Finishing School starting April 3, 2013.

Weekly live video webcasts feature a variety of great speakers, including Mark Coker (founder, Smashwords), Colleen Hoover (bestselling self-published author), and Guy Kawasaki (author, APE! What the Plus!).

Join Mediabistro publishing editor Jason Boog for this step-by-step course will teach you how to design, distribute, and market your book without a publisher or agent.

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Inspired by memoirs like Wild  and The Glass Castle?

Get published and share your story with the world with a Mediabistro class. Whether you’ve written 200 pages, twenty pages, or simply jotted down an idea, we’ll guide you towards a finished manuscript.

Save $75 on either class when you use the code GALLEYCAT at checkout before Tuesday, February 5 at 3 pm ET.

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Romance novels are hot right now. With bestsellers like Fifty Shades of Grey hitting the markets, editors are on the hunt for the next big thing.

Lucky for you, Mediabistro is offering an online Romance Novel Writing class starting November 27. Draft your romance novel manuscript with Sophie Jordan, international bestselling author of 16 romance and three young adult novels. She’ll show you how to keep your story hot, use your imagination to build exciting characters, and prepare to submit your story to an editor. By the end of 12 sessions, you’ll have an amazing manuscript and invaluable writing experience.

Save $50 when you use the code GALLEYCAT at checkout before 5 pm ET on Wednesday, November 21.

Scholastic Media president Deborah Forte has joined our Media App Summit on December 3 in New York City. Forte is the brains behind the development and creation of Storia, Scholastic eReading App, will share thoughts about Maximizing Discoverability and Profitability in Book App Marketplaces.

Join us and gain innovative insight on app development, marketing, and monetization–registration prices go up at midnight, so you should register now. You’ll hear from leading developers, publishers, entrepreneurs, and media professionals on strategies to build brand awareness, retain an audience, and create valuable content.

Jason Hirschhorn, former president of Myspace and CEO of the ReDEF Group, will deliver a keynote address. He will talk about the monumental changes that have swept the media industry since the rise of social networks and apps during his session, Where Do We Go Next? A Mobile Roadmap for Media Professionals.  In addition, Amanda D’Acierno, VP and Publisher at Random House Audio, will examine everything from digital textbooks to app-based study guides during the Exploring Apps & Educational Publishing session.

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Everyone may have a story to tell, but not everyone can write a compelling memoir. This class will show you how to turn your life experiences into literature that connects with readers and interests publishers.

In a provocative, supportive environment, you’ll workshop your memoir-in-progress and receive valuable feedback. With the aid of weekly assignments, lectures, reading, and critique, you’ll produce up to 30 pages of polished text and an outline that will serve as the basis for a potential contract. Learn how to develop a distinctive voice and make deeply personal material accessible — and even irresistible — to outsiders.

Seats are limited. Register now! Read more

On October 18, Mediabistro brings you Social Media Marketing Boot Camp, an interactive online event and workshop. The event includes keynote speakers, practical how-to sessions, and strategic assignments to provide a dynamic training on social media. By the end of eight weeks, you will create an integrated strategic plan, using various social media platforms, to build an engaged audience and convert traffic into sales.

Early bird rates are available today. Save $100 when you sign up before they end tomorrow, September 20.

Our speakers include:

Michael Bepko, Global Online Community Manager, Whole Foods

Brian Carter, Author, LinkedIn For Business

Keidra Chaney, Digital Content Strategist, The Web Farm

Lauren Cucinotta, Branding + Editorial Manager, TEDx

Jennifer Dubrow, Global Social Business Transformation Leader, Inside Sales, IBM

Frank Eliason, Senior Vice President of Social Media, Citibank

Jim Hopkinson, Digital Marketing Strategist + Blogger, The Hopkinson Report

Barbara Pantuso, Director of Product Strategy, Huge

Dr. Jay Parkinson, Pediatrician and Social Entreprenuer

Andrew Patterson, Director of New Media, MLB Advanced Media

Dave Pickett, Social Media Editor, University of Chicago

Amy Porterfield, Author, Facebook Marketing All-In-One for Dummies

Brian Ries, Senior Editor, Social Media, Newsweek & The Daily Beast

Jennifer Rubio, Social Media Marketing Manager, Warby Parker

Steven Tristan Young, Director, Acquisition Marketing and Brand Awareness, Seamless.com

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Want to expand your knowledge without breaking the bank? Join industry peers and top-tier experts at our upcoming Mediabistro events in New York City and Los Angeles to connect, learn, and share insight.

Check out Mediabistro’s Hot Summer Sale below. For any questions or inquires regarding events, sponsorship or partnership opportunities, please email our events team.

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If there’s one thing that Scribe Agency hates, it’s a typical, unoriginal plotline. Specializing in science fiction and fantasy, this agency is looking for unique stories that will take readers to new places, realms or galaxies.

Founder Kristopher O’Higgins insists that his writers go beyond “the same-as-everything-else pabulum that chokes the shelves of your local bookstore.” Only truly original stories will work, not just a different variation of a NYT bestseller.

If you’re in the market for a literary agent, read Pitching An Agent: Scribe Agency. [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]

– Andrea Hackett