Jo Wildsmith Publishing EDUCATION
Live training to help you to successfully publish your own books, using our methods
Publish Your Own Book
Learn to publish successfully on Amazon KDP – and use those skills for every book you write.
You have written your manuscript. Now learn how to turn it into a professionally presented paperback, hardback and Kindle ebook, using the processes and expertise of Jo Wildsmith Publishing.
Nine weeks of live, practical training, working on your own book, with Jo Wildsmith guiding you through the process.
Starts January 2027 | 10 places | Founding price £795
An invitation to our founding group
January 2027 marks the introduction of our live publishing education programme.
For this first course, we're keeping the group deliberately small, with just ten students. That gives us the opportunity to work closely with everyone as they learn to publish their own books.
Your publishing journey, week by week
Welcome – Getting ready to publish
Meet the group, understand the publishing journey and get everything in place before we begin.
Week 1 – Setting up for success
Set up your Amazon KDP account correctly, understand your publishing options and make the important decisions about your book.
Week 2 – Turning your manuscript into a book
Discover how professional book formatting works and begin transforming your manuscript into something that looks and reads like a published book.
Week 3 – Creating your print and Kindle editions
Learn how to prepare your paperback, hardback and ebook formats, including the differences that matter.
Week 4 – Getting your cover right
Learn what makes a professional cover, how to prepare the correct specifications and what Amazon expects. Our favourite cover designer, Simon Clements, will also join us to share his tips and answer your questions.
Week 5 – Helping readers discover your book
Understand descriptions, keywords, categories, pricing and the decisions that can influence your book's visibility.
Week 6 – Preparing for publication
Learn how to upload, preview and check your books, order proofs and deal with the things that might need correcting.
Week 7 – Building your author presence
Discover how to make the most of your Amazon Author Central profile, book pages and A+ Content.
Week 8 – Publishing properly and planning ahead
Learn what needs to happen after publication, understand your ongoing responsibilities and prepare to make the most of your book long after launch.
And when you've published your first book?
The knowledge you gain doesn't stop being useful when your first book goes live.
Once you've learned how to format, prepare and publish your books through Amazon KDP, you'll have skills you can use again and again.
Whether you're planning a series of novels, building a collection of non-fiction books or simply know there's another book in you, you won't have to start from scratch next time.
You'll understand the process, know which decisions matter and have the confidence to take your next book from manuscript to publication.
You're not just learning to publish one book. You're learning how to become your own publisher.
Who will be teaching you?
I'm Jo Wildsmith, founder of Jo Wildsmith Publishing, and I'll be personally teaching you throughout this nine-week course.
I've been self-publishing books for more than 15 years, and today I run a publishing business helping authors turn their manuscripts into beautifully produced books, available through Amazon and other major book retailers.
Over the years, I've learned an enormous amount about what works, what doesn't and what can go wrong along the way. It's that practical, hands-on experience I'll be sharing with you.
I'll take you through the publishing process step by step, using the same methods and attention to detail that we use at Jo Wildsmith Publishing.
You'll also meet cover designer Simon Clements. He'll explain what goes into creating a cover that looks right, meets Amazon's requirements, and gives your book the presentation it deserves.
My aim is simple: by the end of the course, I want you to understand how to publish your own books, make informed decisions, and feel confident doing it again and again.
And because I'll be teaching live, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions as we go.
More than simply a nine-week course
Nine weeks of live, practical tuition
Join me on Zoom each week as we work through the publishing process together. You'll be learning by doing, using your own manuscript rather than simply watching demonstrations.
Recordings of every session
Can't attend a particular session, or want to revisit something afterwards? You'll have access to the recordings so you can go back over the training at your own pace.
Practical resources you can use again
You'll have checklists and supporting materials to help you follow the publishing process, not just during the course but when you're ready to publish your next book.
Full access to Chapter 9 – our nine-month book launch and marketing programme
Publishing your book is one thing. Helping it reach readers is another.
You'll also receive lifetime access to Chapter 9, our separate programme designed to help authors prepare for publication, launch their books and continue building visibility long after launch day.
It includes practical lessons, checklists and guidance covering the three months before publication and six months afterwards.
The methods we use in our elite Opus Publishing Services
now available to you
The payment options
Pay in full
£795
one payment
3 payments
£265
each
5 payments
£159
each
All payment options cost exactly the same overall. No additional charge for spreading the cost.
The five-payment option closes on 30 November 2026.
Enrol by that date to spread the cost across five monthly payments, beginning when you book. From 1 December, you can still choose to pay in full or in three monthly payments.
In Long Live Your Book, Jo Wildsmith draws on years of independent publishing experience to explore what gives a book momentum before, during, and after publication – and how authors can keep that momentum working over time.
The book looks at understanding your reader, building interest before publication, making sensible use of launch activity, creating opportunities beyond book sales, strengthening visibility and relationships, making use of older books and backlists, and deciding what is genuinely worth your time.
It also asks a bigger question:
What are you building with your book?
This is not a book about doing everything. It is about understanding the possibilities, choosing the ones that make sense for you and your book, and giving your work the chance to keep doing its job long after launch day has passed.
Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, are preparing to publish your first book or already have several sitting on the shelf, Long Live Your Book will help you think differently about what your book could still become.
What you'll need
You'll need a computer, an internet connection, and a manuscript that's ready, or nearly ready, for publication.
Book formatting software
At Jo Wildsmith Publishing, we use several different formatting software packages, but the one we all agree is the most user-friendly is Atticus, so it made sense to use it for this training.
We'll be using Atticus to format your paperback, hardback and Kindle editions. Atticus currently costs US$147 as a one-off purchase, with no ongoing subscription. You'll be able to use it to format future books, too.
The software is not included in the course fee.
Jo will show you how to buy and install the software at the beginning of the course.
ISBNs
Amazon KDP offers free ISBNs for paperbacks and hardbacks, so buying your own is optional.
However, there are advantages to owning your ISBNs, particularly if you want to publish under your own imprint or make your books available through other publishing platforms in future.
In the UK, ISBNs currently cost £93 for one or £174 for a block of ten.
We'll explain the options at the beginning of the course, so you can decide what's right for you.
Other publishing expenses
You may also wish to budget for printed proof copies of your book and any additional services you choose to purchase, such as professional editing or cover design.
We'll explain what is essential, what is optional and where it's worth spending your money.
And ideally...
Ideally, you'll have a completed manuscript ready to work on during the course, so you can put what you're learning into practice each week.
You will, however, retain access to replays of the weekly training sessions for future use.
Founding price options:
1 x £795 | 3 x £265 | 5 x £159
(Remember, the option to pay in 5 ends 30th November)
let's talk about your book
Let's discuss your manuscript, what you want to achieve, and whether JoWP is the right publishing partner for your book.
ARE YOU MAXIMISING YOUR MANUSCRIPT?
Find out with my
'Is Your Book Doing Everything It Could Be?' Checklist
NOW!
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How the course works
Starting Thursday 14 January 2027
The course takes place live on Zoom over nine consecutive Thursday evenings, from 6.30pm to 8pm (UK time).
We'll begin with a shorter Welcome session on 14th January, lasting approximately 40–60 minutes, followed by eight weekly training sessions of 90 minutes each.
Each lesson will include time for training and implementation, followed by a Q&A.
You'll work on your own manuscript throughout the course, putting what you learn into practice as we go.
Recordings will be available if you miss a class or want to revisit something.
Our final session takes place on Thursday 11 March 2027.
You don't need any previous publishing experience. Just a willingness to learn and a manuscript that's ready, or nearly ready, to become a book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my manuscript need to be finished before I join?
Ideally, yes. You’ll get the most out of the live sessions if you have a completed manuscript to work on and can put what you’re learning into practice each week. If you’re still finishing your book, you’re welcome to join. You’ll have permanent access to the recordings and downloadable resources, so you can come back to the practical work when your manuscript is ready and use the training again for future books.
If you don't have a manuscript ready, Jo will have a 'dummy' one prepared for you to work on during the training.
Do I need a cover before the course starts?
You can join with or without a cover. We’ll look at what goes into a cover and I’ll show you how to create the KDP templates for your print editions once you know your final page counts. If you already have a cover, you’ll learn how to check it against the template for your book.
Is this suitable for my type of book?
The course is designed for books such as business books, memoirs, and novels, where most of the content is text. We’ll cover paperback, hardback, and Kindle editions through Amazon KDP, including how to handle straightforward tables. If you’re publishing a children’s picture book or a heavily illustrated book with a complex layout, you’ll need a different approach for the formatting.
Do I need to have used Atticus or Amazon KDP before?
You can start from scratch. I’ll walk you through setting up your own KDP account and show you how to use Atticus from the beginning. You’ll need a laptop or desktop computer, a reliable internet connection, and time between sessions to work on your book. A manuscript in Word or Google Docs is fine.
Will there be any costs on top of the course fee?
You’ll buy your own copy of Atticus separately. If you decide to buy your own ISBNs or order a printed proof, budget for those too. We’ll cover the ISBN options on the course so you can decide what makes sense for your book.
I did consider buying Atticus for each student and then adding it to the total cost for the course, but you need to own the Atticus licence and the most straightforward way is for you to buy it directly. Don't worry, I will walk and talk you through it all.
Approximate maximum costs are:
Atticus $147 - roughly £109 at the exchange rate as I write this.
ISBNs - buy 10 for £174 or 1 for £93 - these are optional, and I will explain the pros and cons early on in the course.
Proof copy - allow £10.
What if I miss a live session?
You can catch up with the recording in your own time. We start with a shorter welcome session on Thursday 14 January 2027 at 6.30 pm UK time, followed by eight weekly live lessons on Thursdays from 6.30 to 8 pm. You’ll keep permanent access to the teaching recordings and downloadable resources, and full access to Chapter 9 is included too.
What if I get stuck?
Bring your questions to the live group Q&A. If you’d like me to sit down with you and look at something specific to your book, you can book a separate one-to-one Power Hour for £149, subject to availability.
Who actually publishes my book?
You do. I’ll teach you the process from formatting your manuscript through to preparing your files, checking your proof, and publishing through your own Amazon KDP account - and then some important finishing touches.
Can I spread the cost?
There are ten founding places at £795 each. You can pay £795 in one payment or spread the cost over three payments of £265. If you book by 30 November 2026, you can also choose five payments of £159.
Can I talk to you before I decide to go ahead?
Yes, absolutely. Book a call with me here.
But please do bear in mind that there are only 10 places on this founding KDP course, and booking a call with me won't reserve your spot.
I am limiting this cohort to just 10 spaces on purpose to test demand, but if this founding course is popular I will be repeating it at a higher price.
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