Having a great idea for a book and actually getting it written and published are two different things.   In this episode of The Yoga Pro Podcast, I chat with Claire Wilson and Katelynn Bartleson from Singing Dragon and Handspring Publishing about what it takes to get your book published.   They spill the tea on first steps to take (it might not be what you think!), how to submit your query, whether or not you need an agent, and so much more.  This episode is packed full of everything you need to know if you are wanting to write that first yoga book.   Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or find it at www.theyogapropodcast.com   Katelynn Bartleson is the Senior Marketing Manager and she is in charge of author management, direct marketing, social media marketing, market research, and publicity in North America. She has worked at Jessica Kingsley Publishers since 2009. She is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA with a degree in English, concentration in American Literature, and a certificate in Creative Writing.   Claire Wilson is the Editorial Director for Singing Dragon and Handspring, with responsibility for editorial strategy and the commissioning team. She also actively commissions books in the areas of yoga therapy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, graphic medicine and manual therapy. She has a degree in English and a postgraduate degree in Publishing.     Topics: -First steps you should take if you have a book idea -Tuning in to your core community as research -A surprising fact about how much you need to have written when you pitch your book -Why collaboration and having a team is important for writing development -How to decide whether you should self-publish or work with a publishing house -What you need to know about submitting your query with Singing Dragon and Handspring Publishing -Why finding the right niche is important -Establishing your authority to write the book -How to know if you need a literary agent -The nurturing experience of writing a book with Singing Dragon/Handspring -Why marketing and promoting your book looks different than a fiction bestseller -Putting your idea out there to get attention -An unexpected benefit of publishing your book through a publishing house -Why building up your social media community is important -Mistakes that first-time authors make -The journey from proposal to marketing -Managing expectations about your publishing release day -Claire and Katelynn pull back the curtain on the behind the scenes workings of marketing your book -Researching publishing houses to make sure you are the right fit -Red flags to look out for when you are looking for a publisher -Being realistic with how much time you have to commit to writing a book -Why your marketing efforts are important too -Topics that Singing Dragon and Handspring Publishing are looking for writers to submit -Surprising facts about titles, illustration, and other aspects of your book -Why your idea might be of interest even if you aren’t ready to write a book -Where you can find books published by Singing Dragon, Handspring, Jessica Kingsley publishing -How you can sell their books in your studio     Please fill out our survey and receive a FREE I’m a Yoga Pro sticker! https://lynxshort.com/podcastsurvey   Would you or someone you know make a great guest?   Apply with this podcast guest form and waiver https://forms.gle/wGDiv3i1ZSDAzu8o6     Connect with Claire and Katelynn: [email protected] us.singingdragon.com uk.singingdragon.com     Connect with Pamela: www.theyogapropodcast.com www.instagram.com/gratefullypamela   Email: [email protected]   Music:  The State of Things (The Bouncy Song) by Rena Wren is used with permission.   www.renawrenmusic.com