Publishing Industry: Authorship, Process, and Promotion

Welcome to the eighth class of the Versopolis Traineeship, a series dedicated to expanding the horizons of poetic and literary practice. This session – Publishing Industry: Authorship, Process, and Promotion – features a candid and empowering lecture by Canadian author, educator and writing mentor Kern Carter, offering a behind-the-scenes exploration of what it truly means to be a writer navigating the publishing world today.

Drawing on his own journey – from self-doubt to self-publishing, from being rejected to being read – Carter speaks directly to emerging authors about how to build a sustainable literary career while remaining true to your voice. More than just a how-to guide, this class is an honest and deeply personal reflection on the realities, pitfalls and possibilities of the publishing industry from someone who’s walked the path.

What does it take to publish a book in today’s literary ecosystem? How do you develop a readership when you're just starting out? How can you promote your work authentically without falling into the traps of self-branding fatigue or chasing virality? In this session, Kern Carter offers hard-won insights from both the traditional and self-publishing worlds – revealing how he carved his place in the industry by blending craft, resilience and creative entrepreneurship. Through vivid storytelling and practical strategies, Carter covers the full arc of the publishing journey: from nurturing an idea and structuring a manuscript, to understanding editing cycles, finding the right publisher or going independent, and crafting promotional campaigns that align with your identity. He delves into the nuances of literary rejection, the importance of mentorship and community and the emotional stamina required to remain committed when the road gets hard – which, he reminds us, it often does.

This class is especially valuable for poets and writers who feel overwhelmed by the demands of the marketplace or confused by its shifting gatekeepers. Carter encourages a new way of thinking: that the author is not only a creator but also a strategist – not in a cynical sense, but as someone who must learn how to position their story without compromising its soul. Whether it’s through social media presence, partnerships, readings or interviews, the act of sharing one’s work is part of the creative process, not separate from it. The class also includes guiding questions and prompts designed to help viewers reflect on their own goals, publishing values and audience-building approaches. You’ll be invited to consider not only how you want your work to reach readers, but why – and to chart a publishing path that feels ethically and creatively aligned with your vision.

Whether you are a poet preparing your first manuscript, a novelist seeking guidance on how to approach agents and editors, or a writer wondering how to promote your work without losing your center, this class offers both practical advice and motivational insight from a writer who has turned his own story into a platform of empowerment for others.

Further Reading:

For anyone – emerging or established – looking to deepen their understanding of the publishing world, Jane Friedman’s website (janefriedman.com) is an essential resource. Her insights into the business of writing, publishing and author career development are both practical and deeply informed.

Additionally, we highly recommend exploring Substack, a platform that hosts a vibrant range of newsletters by contemporary writers. From essays and fiction to poetry and industry commentary, Substack offers an intimate, ongoing connection with voices that matter. You’re likely to discover not just one, but several newsletters that resonate with your literary journey.