A real strategy for real writers—no algorithms, no follower count, no reels required.

Tired of being told you have to be on Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter to sell your book? You’re not alone—and you’re not wrong. In this refreshingly honest, high-impact session, bestselling author and book coach Rea Frey reveals a sustainable, soul-aligned approach to book marketing—without relying on social media at all.

Whether you’re a debut author or a burned-out veteran, this workshop gives you a new way to grow your audience and launch your book on your terms.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build your Quiet Visibility Strategy
• Launch using the Social-Free Book Launch Flow
• Pitch podcasts, essays, and aligned outlets without a publicist
• Create meaningful momentum through word-of-mouth and reader referrals
• Grow your first 100 true fans—no platform required

You’ll walk away with:

• Fill-in-the-blank pitch templates
• A weekly visibility map
• A 3-part launch email series
• A radically different (and freeing) way to think about marketing

This is for the writers who want to be seen without selling out.
Let’s get booked—without the ’gram.

What attendees have said ...

Rea is an amazing presenter and her content is ultra valuable to me, a debut memoirist preparing to query and who is horrified by the idea of social media engagement!

The seminar gave hope and encouragement to Indie publishers', especially to those getting on in years.

This was a really fantastic session. The presenter was incredibly well prepared and delivered the material in a really engaging, propulsive way.

All this was new to me. I was riveted! There was so much good information that I am grateful there will be a recording for us. I can picture myself doing—and liking 'most of these platform-building activities!

Publishing a book is no small feat—but choosing how to publish it? That might be the biggest plot twist of your career. In this no-fluff, myth-busting symposium, bestselling author and publishing strategist Rea Frey breaks down the fantasy, the fine print, and the facts behind both traditional and self-publishing—so you can stop spinning in indecision and start building your own path forward.

We’ll cover:

• What traditional publishing really looks like (beyond the fantasy of six-figure deals and NYT lists)
• The truth about self-publishing—and how indie authors are building six-figure empires
• Royalties, rights, and the realities of money
• The red flags of vanity presses and misleading hybrid models
• How to determine which path aligns with your goals, timeline, and creative vision

You’ll walk away with:

• A royalty breakdown (traditional vs. self-publishing)
• A "Which Path Is Right For You?" quiz
• A contract red flag checklist
• Real author confessions, timelines, and what no one else tells you about life after “The End”

Whether you're querying agents, formatting your ARC, or just trying to figure out what the heck BISAC codes are, this symposium will give you the clarity (and courage) to move forward—on your terms.

Perfect for:
Aspiring authors, writers ready to publish, and creatives weighing their options in a rapidly shifting industry.

What attendees have said ...

That seminar was among the best thirty-five bucks I've ever spent. Rea's presentation was filled with useful, practical, and actionable information. I'm just finishing my book and am starting to think about next steps—not really knowing much about publishing nor having any clear idea of what my options were. But Rea laid out the pros and cons of traditional and independent publishing so clearly, it made it easy for me to decide which was best for me. I feel I made days worth of progress in a couple of hours. Time and money well spent!

Another great presentation! Rea Frey was well organized, knowledgeable and very candid. She gave a balanced overview of these two alternative publishing strategies, and seems very clear-headed about the pros and cons of each. I especially appreciated her revelation about how much of her own money she had spent on promoting some of her books. When an expert is willing to discuss their mistakes as well as their successes, their esteem immediately rises—at least for me. This is where I feel that I'm learning from a seasoned pro. 

I received a lot of great information that I needed to help me decide how to publish my second novel. The class also stoked a fire under my butt. I know what I want to do next. Thanks.

After attending an in-person Writing Workshop in Chicago for over $300 and feeling frustrated,  I learned as much or more in attending your Zoom call. As a matter of fact, the speakers answered most of my  questions directly in the chat. I now feel liberated to focus 100 percent of my attention on getting my book out faster (self published) and with a clear direction for my marketing plan.

Wherever you are in the writing process, submitting your work can be a helpful light at the end of the tunnel. But the world of literary magazines and small publishers is so expansive and diverse, it’s hard to know where and how to send your work out for publication.

In this workshop with Dennis James Sweeney, author of How to Submit: Getting Your Writing Published with Literary Magazines and Small Presses, we’ll talk about the landscape of literary magazines and small presses, strategies for achieving your publication goals, and how to navigate the meaningful but difficult act of sending out the writing you’ve worked so hard on.

You’ll leave the class with next steps for submitting your latest piece of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or hybrid work. Join us if you’d like company in the exciting but daunting process of sending out your writing.

This presentation will cover:

• Where to submit your writing
• Formulating your submission strategy
• How to write a cover letter
• Setting up your documents
• Specific examples of published writing
• How to stay in touch with your goals as a writer and author 
• Q&A

What attendees have said ...

I loved not only the presentation but the interaction with us, the participants.

This Symposium provided some much-needed information about the writing industry. I was at the stage of "I've written all this stuff, what do I do now? This provided multiple options that I had not considered. I especially appreciated the constant encouragement throughout the session.

Dennis was a fantastic, on-the-level presenter! He had enthusiasm, empathy and an authentic will to share his experience and knowledge. His insights were incredibly helpful and realistic. Although a number of the small presses he mentioned are not taking submissions I did find a couple who are which is helpful. Also the moderator shared a great LinkedIn tip for self promotion. Thank you!