Our training courses

Publishing Scotland runs about 20 publishing and business courses every year. We also organise bespoke in-house courses. We add to our programme throughout the year. If you have any suggestions for training courses, talks etc, please email joan.lyle@publishingscotland.org.

Our courses will take place online for the foreseeable future. We also have a programme of free webinars from Harper Macleod and courses from BookMachine and BIC who offer discount rates to our members.

Harper Macleod - Key Contracts (a user's guide)

25 January 2022

Course, Legal

One-hour webinar led by Jamie Watt, Partner, Harper Macleod. Free but register in advance.
Mastering SEO to make your books more discoverable

26 January 2022

Course, Digital, Marketing

For Publishing Scotland members delivered by BookMachine. This course will help you understand the basics of SEO and how you can use SEO techniques to make your books and your business stand out online. It will take place on Zoom over two sessions on Wednesdays 26 January and 2 February. Only £30+VAT!
Introduction to Proofreading - Jan/Feb

31 January 2022

Editorial, Course

No previous knowledge is required for this introduction to proofreading course. The emphasis is on practical exercises using a variety of accessible texts. This course will be delivered online (Zoom) in four 90-minute sessions (one per day) on Monday 31 January, Thursday 3, Monday 7 and Thursday February 2022.
Harper Macleod - Electronic Publishing

15 February 2022

Course, Legal

One-hour webinar led by Jamie Watt, Partner, Harper Macleod. Free but register in advance.
Publishing contracts

22 February 2022

Course, Legal

Book now for this course from Kevin Stewart of Contracts People. It will take place on Zoom from 10am to 11.30am on 22 and 24 February and 1 and 3 March 2022.
How to use email marketing to sell more books

23 February 2022

Course, Digital, Marketing

For Publishing Scotland members delivered by BookMachine. This course will help you reflect on your current email marketing techniques and take you through the key areas every email marketer needs to think about before they hit send on their email campaign. It will take place on Zoom over two sessions on Wednesdays 23 February and 9 March 2022. Only £30+VAT!
Introduction to Copy-editing - Feb / Mar

28 February 2022

Editorial, Course

This course is suitable for people in the publishing industry, those who want to work in editing on a freelance basis, and anyone else who has responsibility for the presentation of written material. Some proofreading experience is desirable. This course will be delivered online (Zoom) in four 90-minute sessions (one per day) on Monday 28 February, Thursday 3, Monday 7 and Thursday 10 March 2022.
Marketing your freelance editorial business - March

14 March 2022

Course, Workshop, Marketing

This course is aimed at freelance editors and proofreaders who want to develop their marketing skills to promote their business. It will be delivered online (Zoom) over four hours - two sessions of two hours on Monday 14 and Thursday 17 March 2022.
Harper Macleod - Employment matters for publishers

15 March 2022

Course, Legal

One-hour webinar led by Jamie Watt, Partner, Harper Macleod. Free but register in advance.
Advanced social media training to market your books

23 March 2022

Course, Digital, Marketing

For Publishing Scotland members delivered by BookMachine. Covering Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram, this course will cover advanced social media techniques and tips that will enhance your book campaigns and improve your effectiveness. It will take place on Zoom over two sessions on Wednesdays 23 and 30 March 2022. Only £30+VAT!
Harper Macleod - Books and Brexit

12 April 2022

Course, Legal

One-hour webinar led by Jamie Watt, Partner, Harper Macleod. Free but register in advance.
Becoming an Academic Editor

26 April 2022

Course, Editorial

This is a new course, aimed at people who work, or want to work, with academic texts. Two Zoom sessions of two hours (one per day) on Tuesday 26 and Thursday 28 April 2022.
Introduction to Copy-editing - May

3 May 2022

Course, Editorial

This course is suitable for people in the publishing industry, those who want to work in editing on a freelance basis, and anyone else who has responsibility for the presentation of written material. Some proofreading experience is desirable. This course will be delivered online (Zoom) in four 90-minute sessions (one per day) on Tuesday 3, Thursday 5, Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12 May 2022.
Introduction to Proofreading - May

16 May 2022

Course, Editorial

No previous knowledge is required for this introduction to proofreading course. The emphasis is on practical exercises using a variety of accessible texts. This course will be delivered online (Zoom) in four 90-minute sessions (one per day) on Monday 16, Thursday 19, Monday 23 and Thursday 26 May 2022.
Editing for Better Communications

7 June 2022

Course, Editorial

This course is aimed at people who don’t work in a publishing house but who work, or want to work, with documents that will be published in some form – for example newsletters, brochures, handbooks or websites. Two Zoom sessions of two hours (one per day) on Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 June 2022.