Writing for Publishing course in Roscommon successfully concludes

Press Statement issued by The Manuscript Publisher - provider of publishing solutions for the digital age: 

The inaugural Writing for Publishing course, which took place over eight weeks during April and May at Roscommon County Library, has recently come to the end of its successful run. 

Writing for Publishing is an Irish-based educational initiative organised by The Manuscript Publisher. It is aimed at authors and writers interested in writing to and for a public readership, and gaining an audience for their work.  

A healthy attendance was in evidence for each night of the course, with plenty of lively discussion too. It was the largest uptake for a course held in Roscommon Library for some time: over 60 people in total turned out and an average attendance of about 30 for each evening of the course. 

All of the most important and pertinent aspects of writing and publishing today were covered including:

• creative writing,
• presentation and design, 
• writing as a career, 
• overview of the publishing process, 
• self-publishing, 
• e-publishing and the rise of the e-book, 
• building and managing your web presence as an author, writer, independent publisher. 

Participants described the course as "most instructive and enjoyable" with, "anecdotes and diversions greatly helping in the assimilation of all that material." Participants also expressed appreciation for the fact that, despite the seemingly 'high tech' nature of some of the topics covered, lack of computer literacy did not present a barrier to understanding.  

According to the Course Director, Oscar Duggan, "With the completion of the Roscommon course, we will be taking a short break, but only to work out a programme of events for the autumn period (September to December)." 

Bookings and expressions of interest, from libraries, writers groups, literary organisations, other interested parties are most welcome. Anyone interested in organising a course in their area should get in touch with Writing for Publishing - contact details are available from their website, along with the full course outline, materials and how to book.