Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Sara Wigal, Executive Director of WriterFest and Ami McConnell Literary Agency, Co-Founder of A Dolly Good Time, and Associate Professor and Director of Publishing at Belmont University, who discusses her work in the publishing industry and highlights upcoming events and the launch of her eLearning site, YourPublishingProfessor.com. Sara shares her background as a literary agent and Associate Professor and Director of Publishing at Belmont University, explaining the role of literary agents in helping authors navigate the publishing process and secure deals. She emphasizes that agents earn their 15% commission only after the author makes money and notes the long-term nature of the relationship between agents and authors. Jeremy agrees with Sara’s points about the importance of agents in navigating the complex publishing landscape and supporting authors through various options, including traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing routes.
Sara discusses her passion for children’s literacy and explains how “A Dolly Good Time,” their fourth annual event, aims to raise awareness and funds for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee. She clarifies that while Dolly Parton covers the corporate expenses, local chapters must fundraise, with the Middle Tennessee chapter needing to raise $1.3 million annually. Sara emphasizes that supporting literacy is crucial as research shows book ownership in children’s homes before age five is a key indicator of future educational success. She invites everyone to “A Dolly Good Time,” a fundraising event scheduled for September 11th at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, featuring a pop-up trunk show, silent auction, live music, and emcee Daniel Musto of Daniel Diamond. The event is designed for adults with a “Dolly Chic” dress code, and tickets are available for purchase through amimcconnell.com or Eventbrite. Sara also highlights the volunteer committee of 14 people working on the event and notes that tickets are reasonably priced, with a four-pack option available for $250.
Sara next discusses WriterFest Nashville, an annual conference for writers of books, song, and screen held November 20-21 at Belmont University. She explains the event’s focus on community building, networking, and practical workshops including pitch practice sessions led by industry experts. Sara also announces the launch of her new online platform yourpublishingprofessor.com, which will offer online courses about the business of book publishing starting in September and October. The interview concludes with Sarah providing book recommendations for fall reading and offering advice to aspiring authors about considering different point of view perspectives in their writing.
Visit https://www.yourpublishingprofessor.com to learn more about Sara Wigal, the events highlighted, and the online classes.
