The Business Hat: Submitting Your Work and Managing Your Creative Inventory

Finishing a short story or essay is a win, but getting it published requires a completely different mindset. To build a sustainable writing career, we have to learn how to balance our creative hearts with a practical business hat.In this single-session craft talk, we will demystify the submission landscape by introducing a powerful paradigm shift: treating your writing as active inventory. Moving beyond theory, Verdell Walker will pull back the curtain on her own live workspace—a comprehensive tracking system adapted from the classic Nate Tower submission spreadsheet.You will get a behind-the-scenes look at how to organize your IP, manage simultaneous journal submissions, and track grant and fellowship deadlines without losing your mind. We will also deconstruct a bulletproof short story cover letter line-by-line so you can project professional poise to editors. Turn submissions from an anxiety-inducing chore into a structured, confident business practice.

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Details: The Business Hat: Submitting Your Work and Managing Your Creative Inventory with Verdell Walker takes place Thursday, September 24th from 7:00-9:00pm ET remotely online via Zoom.

‍Genre: Business of Writing

‍Level: All levels

‍Format: One session craft talk

‍Location: This class takes place remotely online via Zoom.

‍Size: Limited to 25 participants (including two scholarship recipients).

‍Scholarships: Two scholarship spots are available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by Sunday, August 23rd. Click here to apply.

‍Cancellations & Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class meeting to receive a full refund. Email programs@litcleveland.org.