Introduction to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction Books

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$389
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$599 AUD
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 2121 Students

Advance your career by learning the basics of writing, editing, and publishing nonfiction books of all types.

One of the great things about nonfiction book writing is that you're 10 times more likely to get published than you'd be if you wrote fiction. Whether you dream of becoming a full-time author, writing books to advance your career, or penning your memoir or family history, this fun and information-packed course will teach you the basics of planning, researching, writing, editing, and publishing your masterpiece.

We'll start with planning and strategy. You'll find out how to choose a topic and size up the competition—developing a perfect, one-of-a-kind book concept that will stand out to agents and editors. Then you'll learn how to immerse yourself in your subject and get the information you need from research, interviews, and observation techniques.

Next, we'll get into the heart of writing and editing. You'll see how to choose a writing style, structure, and slant that will appeal to your unique audience and keep readers hooked. You'll also get great ideas for editing your work and soliciting feedback from readers. Perhaps most important, you'll get invaluable strategies for setting a writing schedule, banishing writer's block, and actually finishing your book!

Finally, we'll delve into both traditional and nontraditional publishing, helping you determine the right path for you and your book. You'll discover exactly how today's traditional publishing industry works and what techniques you can use—such as crafting standout query letters and proposals—to get noticed by editors and agents. You'll also master nontraditional publishing options such as self-publishing, on-demand publishing, and e-publishing. By the end of this course, you'll have all the tools at your fingertips to get your book completed and published using any method you choose.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. 

This course has a 3 month duration. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection. You’ll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.


If you think nonfiction is nothing but facts and figures, think again! From travel books to memoirs, we'll look at some of the most intriguing and top-selling nonfiction genres. In addition, you'll learn why nonfiction is such a good choice for first-time authors hoping to land a book contract. Then you'll jump right in and get to work, transforming your interests and passions into a compelling book idea. Welcome to the exciting world of nonfiction books!

Now that you have a book idea, it's time to start sleuthing. Today you'll learn how to use the Internet to research similar books—either existing or upcoming—that might compete with your own idea. Then you'll get some handy tips for differentiating your book concept and making it stand out from the competition. You'll also get a crash course in traditional and nontraditional publishing—what they are and how they work—that will get you thinking about your publishing options as you craft a descriptive statement that encapsulates your book idea.

Are you still thinking of your book simply as "my book"? If so, it's time to bring your idea to life by giving it a name! In this lesson, you'll determine the best audience for your book and write a working title that reflects the unique angle that you bring to your topic. After that, you'll take the first steps toward choosing your writing style.

Ready for more detective work? Today we're going to talk about gathering the facts, opinions, and observations you'll need to write your book. First, you'll learn handy tips for doing traditional research in the library or on the Internet. Then you'll delve into some fun techniques that will help you get the best out of the people you interview. And finally, you'll find out how to get inside your topic using a fun technique called <em>immersion</em>.

You've finished your research—it's time to write! In this lesson, you'll discover how to begin the writing process without feeling overwhelmed. First you'll learn how to break your content into manageable chunks and choose an overall organization scheme for your book. Then you'll explore the pros and cons of outlining and free writing and decide what path you want to pursue. Finally, you'll get tips for writing each portion of your chapter—whether you choose a traditional nonfiction format with a beginning, middle, and end, or a storytelling format written in scenes. Either way you'll learn to write captivating leads that will snag the attention of readers and publishers!

Today we'll delve into some writing techniques critical to nonfiction writers. You'll learn to use precise vocabulary and make your points clearly and accurately so readers never get lost. You'll also decide what role you, as the author, will play in the text—will you be a constant presence in your book, or will you play a more inconspicuous role and let your content shine? You'll finish this lesson by learning how to use quotations and paraphrasing correctly and exploring how to integrate facts and descriptions into your book in a fluid way that keeps readers fully engaged.

No matter how brilliant your wordplay, you'll succeed as an author only if you make time to write. So in this lesson we'll cover the practical steps you can take to write regularly and finish that manuscript. We'll start by discussing the essential tools you need to create and back up your work. Then you'll learn how to develop a consistent and realistic writing schedule that takes your writing preferences and other obligations into account. Finally, you'll get some solid techniques for blasting away procrastination and writer's block. This lesson will give you the practical foundation you need to commit to your book project and see your manuscript to completion.

Beautiful words don't always come easily. But put in a little blood, sweat, and tears—in other words, editing—and you'll get your manuscript in great shape! Today we'll cover how to edit and evaluate your work before seeking publication. You'll get tips for editing your writing and determining whether you should do your own proofreading or seek out a professional. Then you'll learn how to solicit feedback from a few lucky reviewers who can help you evaluate and improve your book. When you've completed these final steps, you'll be ready to begin the publishing process.

It's publishing time! You'll start this lesson by analyzing your reasons for wanting to publish a book and use that information to help you decide between traditional and nontraditional publishing. Then you'll learn more about the advantages of agents and kick-start your search for either an agent or a traditional publisher by finding those best suited to you and your book.

Submitting your work the right way is the key to getting published. So in this lesson, you'll learn how to craft winning query letters and proposals that will make your book irresistible to agents and publishers. You'll also discover how to track your submissions, what to expect from literary contracts, and how to work best with agents and editors once you seal the deal. Finally, we'll cover some valuable shortcuts that can get you straight to an agent or editor and save you tons of time (and even money!).

Want more control over the publishing process? If so, nontraditional publishing may be perfect for you. Today we'll delve into all the steps required to publish your own book. First we'll explore the differences between Print on Demand (POD) publishing and full self-publishing, helping you decide which path is right for you. Then we'll go through each of the tasks required to get your book in print: editing, cover design, layout, setting your book's price, choosing the right printer or POD publisher, and more. We'll end with a discussion about easy-to-publish e-books.

Once your book is in print, how will anyone know it exists? Even authors of traditionally-published books need to help with publicity, so today we'll cover some creative ways to sell and promote your masterpiece. You'll start by looking beyond the traditional bookstore to uncover other profitable places you can sell your book. Then you'll delve into the world of promotions, learning how to create press materials that grab the attention of newspapers, magazines, blogs, and radio and television stations. You'll also learn how to create a Web site for your book and how to make the most of listings on Internet book-selling sites like Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Introduction to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction Books you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Ready to get started?

Enrol Now

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

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Check out the following courses related to Introduction to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction Books:

QuickBooks 2014 Fundamentals Online Course | Vibe Learning
 

QuickBooks 2014 Fundamentals

Picture of QuickBooks 2014 Fundamentals
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 1329 Students

Gain control of your business as you learn to use this powerful accounting software to create and print invoices, track your payables and receivables, and more.

Learn to manage the financial aspects of your small business quickly and efficiently with this powerful accounting software program. QuickBooks is designed especially for the small to midsized business owner who enjoys Quicken's ease of use but prefers a more traditional approach to accounting.

You'll gain hands-on experience as you learn how this well-designed accounting program can make it a snap to set up a chart of accounts; reconcile your checking account; create and print invoices, receipts, and statements; track your payables, inventory, and receivables; create estimates; and generate reports.

Whether you're new to QuickBooks or have already used earlier versions of this accounting software program, this course will empower you to take control of the financial accounting for your business.


Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In our first lesson, you'll become familiar with the QuickBooks interface. You'll find out how the pros use QuickBooks to simultaneously manage common accounting tasks for multiple companies, you'll&nbsp;get to set up&nbsp;a QuickBooks Company of your very own, and you'll learn some QuickBooks terminology.

The Chart of Accounts is the heart and soul of QuickBooks. In today's lesson, you'll learn how to take fullest advantage of this powerful tool to add, edit, and access accounts that you can use to&nbsp;track the value of your business&nbsp;or monitor your income and expenses.

Today, we'll learn how to use company lists in QuickBooks to gather and organize all of the information you'll need to properly conduct your business. By the time you finish this lesson, you'll know how to store and retrieve all manner of useful facts, including data on customers, vendors, products, services, important events, and more.

Today, you'll become comfortable working with bank accounts in QuickBooks. You'll learn how to tell QuickBooks about checks, withdrawals, and transfers between accounts. You'll get firsthand experience with adding, finding, and editing or voiding all manner of checking and savings account transactions. You'll even be prepared to reconcile your QuickBooks checking account with your monthly bank statement to ensure that no errors were made.

The physical objects you rely on to help you run your business (like furniture, machinery, vehicles, computers, telephones, or even the building that houses your business) all have significant value. The total value of these assets has a direct impact on the overall worth of your business, and there are tax implications if you sell an asset or if its value changes. That's why it's important for you to keep an accurate tally of everything your business owns. Today's lesson will provide you with plenty of opportunities to do just that.

Without an organized system for managing all the bills your business receives, they can really start to stack up. And when bills pile up, it isn't hard to overlook one or two from time to time. That, of course, can result in late fees and credit difficulties. Today, you'll learn how to use QuickBooks to make sure you're paying all of your bills right on time&mdash;not too early, and not too late.

Today, we're going to finish our discussion of QuickBooks' accounts payable tools. You'll learn how to get QuickBooks to memorize bills that you find yourself paying over and over again, month after month. Then, you'll learn how to create some useful accounts payable reports.

You'll find today's lesson useful if your business ever finds itself required to collect payment from a customer long after the products or services have been delivered. Today is the day you'll get some hands-on experience with invoicing. You'll find out how to create an invoice, fill it with invoice items, edit it, print it, and even email it to your customers.

Okay, so you've&nbsp;created an invoice and delivered it to your customer. With a little bit of luck, your customer will place the invoice on his or her "to-do" list and, eventually, you'll receive some form of payment for your troubles. Now what? You'll find out in today's lesson.

Today, we'll explore some useful customer-related reports that can help you keep track of exactly who owes you what. Then, you'll learn what to do if you ever incur a charge on behalf of a customer and wish to be reimbursed for that expense.

Today, you're going to learn how to customize your QuickBooks invoices to give them a more professional look. You'll also learn how to work with two of QuickBooks' more advanced features: inventory tracking and estimating.

In our final lesson, you'll find out how to create, use, and memorize&nbsp;a wide variety of useful reports that can help you locate, organize, sort, total, summarize, and otherwise make sense of all those transactions you've painstakingly entered into QuickBooks.

Scott Paxton

Scott Paxton

Scott Paxton is a Certified Public Accountant, and his background includes experience as a public accountant, a manager in the banking industry, an entrepreneur, and a college business instructor. He is a Certified QuickBooks Professional Advisor ... Read more

Read Scott Paxton's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the QuickBooks 2014 Fundamentals you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Photoshop CS5 Intermediate Online Course | Vibe Learning
 

Photoshop CS5 Intermediate

Picture of Photoshop CS5 Intermediate
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 583 Students

Take your Adobe Photoshop CS5 skills to the next level by mastering layers, layer masks, Smart Objects, and other advanced features that let you re-edit images easily long after you create them.

If you're already using the basic tools in Adobe Photoshop CS5, take your photo-editing skills to a new level!

In this course, you'll become an expert at using layers, layer masks, and other advanced features that let you change images easily long after you create them (and long after the Photoshop ""undo"" command expires).

Non-destructive editing lets you work faster and reuse parts of images over and over. In these lessons, you'll learn how to save every single pixel in your original image so you never have to say, ""I'm sorry—I tossed that information."" In addition, you'll discover how to use Smart Objects so you can crop or resize an image and return it to its original size months afterward. (You'll even learn some clever tricks for warping Smart Objects!)

After that, you'll find out how to add shadows or embossing non-destructively. And if you want to design page layouts you can fill with different images, you'll learn how to create templates you can reuse.

Whether you use Photoshop to edit photos, make scrapbook pages, or design original artwork, this course will give you all the skills you need to let your creativity shine. Once you see what non-destructive editing can do for your projects, you'll never look back!

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

Layers add a new world of possibilities to using Photoshop. In this lesson, you&rsquo;ll create, view, and hide layers. Why do layers matter? Well, they open so many opportunities for fine-tuning your images. You can edit a layered image nondestructively, so you don&rsquo;t have to start over if you make a mistake or need to change something.

Today we&rsquo;ll focus on the clues Photoshop gives to explain exactly what you&rsquo;re doing to a layer as you&rsquo;re working. You&rsquo;ll create, move, duplicate, lock, unlock, cut, and paste layers. Knowing this information will let you alter images quickly and nondestructively . . . and the lock commands will help you prevent others (and yourself!) from accidentally altering your work.

Take advantage of Smart Objects&mdash;the most awesome and significant innovation in Photoshop since the layers feature was introduced. You can place a RAW-format photo (or JPG or TIF) file inside the Smart Object and re-edit it in Camera RAW anytime you want. You&rsquo;ll discover how to crop and resize photos nondestructively using Smart Objects, and you&rsquo;ll love the way they let you make a protected package out of an image.

Today you&rsquo;ll see how you can make an individual layer in an image larger or smaller, rotate it, and use the amazing Warp command. And you can reverse all these changes anytime you want&mdash;if you make them on a Smart Object layer. You can even use filters nondestructively, so long as you apply them to a Smart Object (gee, those come in handy!). You&rsquo;ll also create a pear that, when cut open, has an orange inside it.

<p>Each time you edit the exposure in an image, you lose image quality. But what if there were a way to edit the exposure as much as you wanted and not hurt the quality? There is! An <i>adjustment layer</i> makes no permanent change to the image, and you can stack up these layers as you wish. You won&rsquo;t ever want to apply a regular Levels command or Adjustment command directly to an image again.</p>

In this lesson, you&rsquo;ll find out about layer masks&mdash;another way that Photoshop lets you have your cake and eat it too. If you bring a picture of little Johnny onto a new background image, and you erase all the stuff that was in the background, what happens if you change your mind? You&rsquo;d better hope you have the original image somewhere, and then you&rsquo;re in for a lot more work. However, if you use a layer mask, you&rsquo;ll keep every pixel that&rsquo;s in the original image and hide the parts of the original that you no longer wish to see.

Did the dog eat Grandmother&rsquo;s portrait? Or did time and water do that damage? No matter. Using layers makes it easier than ever before to restore some of your treasured family heritage. You&rsquo;ll get ample practice with that today, plus links to websites that specialize in image restoration. Again, the theme of this lesson is nondestructive editing&mdash;working in layers so that you can always change your mind about a correction without having to begin again.

What happens if you want to place a person into a swimming pool or the ocean using Photoshop? To make the composite realistic, you need to transition from total opacity above the water line to total transparency below it. You'll learn that skill today as you work with grayscale and gradient masks. You'll also experiment with vignette edges and other edge effects, plus you'll create a Web page header.

One of the most common ways to lose sleep while using Photoshop is to try to add a new background behind a model with wispy, flowing hair. Hair and fur have always been the bane of Photoshop users. CS5 introduces an ingenious new command to make this process easier. That's one of the tricks you'll learn today when we explore some new commands on the Masks panel.

<p>Have you ever wondered how to put images inside type, like those old postcards for various cities? You&rsquo;ll find out today. It&rsquo;s called a <em>clipping mask</em>, and it&rsquo;s a digital version of spreading glitter onto a paper that has a design drawn in glue&mdash;the glitter only sticks to the glue. In this case, the new layers only stick to the base layer in the clipping mask. Making a clipping mask is easy, but it provides one of Photoshop&rsquo;s &ldquo;wow&rdquo; moments.</p>

Photoshop can use the values in an image to correct the image. That sounds scary and mysterious, but it&rsquo;s actually easy to do. Today, you&rsquo;ll create luminosity masks and use them to correct images and to develop false duotone images and wonderfully creative image composites. This lesson should nurture your creativity and yet give you some solid ways to add punch to an image or to create stunning sepia tones.

Do you like the look of double-exposed images? Would you enjoy creating a seamless composite of your vacation images? Then this is your lesson! It&rsquo;s one of my favorites in the course. Up to now, you&rsquo;ve masked images so that you can either see the image in the layer or not, or you&rsquo;ve used a gradient or paint in the mask to get a grayscale transition. Now you&rsquo;ll use photos in the mask to get a hide-and-seek look to layer visibility. You&rsquo;ll also create an image that has a different photo in each color channel. And you&rsquo;ll finish the course with a fun assignment that lets you put together everything you&rsquo;ve learned.

Sherry London

Sherry London

Sherry London is a noted Photoshop and Illustrator expert, an artist, a writer, and a teacher. Her fiber art has been featured in magazines and exhibitions. Her published works include Photoshop CS2 Gone Wild, Photoshop Magic, Photoshop Effects Ma... Read more

Read Sherry London's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Photoshop CS5 Intermediate you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.