12-11 | Everything You Wanted to Know About Book Publishing (But Had No One to Ask)

Masterclass Details: Free for members • SGD88 for non-members Thursday, 12 Nov 2026 12:00pm SGT/MYT/HKT Online via Zoom ————— Whether you’re thinking about a memoir, a wellness book, a novel, a big idea you want to share or a book to grow your business, publishing can feel like a closed world. There’s a lot of conflicting advice, and a lot of uncertainty about what your options are and how to get your book into the hands of readers. In this masterclass, publishing consultant Beth Lockley draws on close to two decades inside book publishing, working with everyone from debut writers to the world’s biggest-selling authors. She’ll explain how publishing actually works and walk you through traditional, hybrid and self-publishing: what each one involves, what it costs, how long it takes and who it suits. You’ll hear what a book can realistically do for you, from building your brand and credibility to finally telling a story you’ve been carrying for years. And you’ll learn what it really takes to build an audience, whichever route you choose. Whether you have a finished manuscript, a half-written draft or just an idea and a wish to one day write a book, you’ll leave knowing your options and what to do next. Key Takeaways: – The truth behind common publishing myths: that self-publishing is second best, that a publisher will handle all your marketing, or that you need a huge social media following to get published. – How traditional publishing really works: how publishers decide which books to buy, what they look for, and whether it’s a realistic route for you. – Self-publishing and hybrid, done well: what goes into a professional-quality book, from editing to cover design, how these routes compare, and how to build an audience. – Where AI fits in: where it can genuinely help, where it can hurt, and what publishers are saying about it. – What a book can do for you: how to match your goals, whether that’s credibility, clients, legacy or a long-held dream, to the path that makes sense. Who This Is For: Anyone with a book in them, whether you’re working on a first draft, curious about what’s involved, or hoping to one day put pen to paper. About the Speaker: Beth Lockley Penguin Random House Canada, Former VP of Marketing and Communications Beth Lockley has spent close to 20 years in publishing and communications, including over 15 years at Penguin Random House Canada, where she was VP of Marketing and Communications. She oversaw hundreds of book launches a year, worked closely with publishers and editors to decide which books to acquire, and led campaigns for world-renowned authors including Margaret Atwood, Elizabeth Gilbert, Brené Brown, and Michelle Obama. Now based in Singapore, Beth works one-on-one with memoirists, wellness experts, coaches, thought leaders and novelists across Asia, North America and Europe. She helps them shape their ideas, develop their manuscripts, build their platforms and get their books out into the world, whether they’re publishing traditionally, with a hybrid publisher or on their own. Her clients trust her for honest advice from someone who has seen how the industry works from the inside.