NE students interested in publishing novels gathered information during A Learning How to Write Lecture: Publish Your Book in 48 Hours … or Less.

NE English instructor and author Shewanda Riley conducted the session Oct. 4.

Riley has written and published Love Hangover: Moving from Pain to Purpose after a Relationship Ends and Writing to the Beat of God’s Heart: A Book of Prayers for Writers.

A few students raised their hands when Riley asked how many wanted to write a book.

“I believe that everybody has a story,” she said.

Riley said she enjoys helping people take the story out of their heads and into book form.

Students could ask their English professors to edit their writing because they “love to read,” Riley said.

But she said the first step is for students to give themselves a realistic budget and create a marketing plan for the book they plan to publish.

Students can publish for free and online with the e-book, Riley said.

“The digital world saves us time,” she said.

One student asked for advice on getting a book into the public eye.

Riley said it’s a good idea to take a manuscript to multiple bookstores to get it noticed.

“Keep it in your trunk because you never know who you’re going to meet,” she said.

Another way to circulate interest is to offer people a preview by putting a chapter online, Riley said.

Students can do their own research. Riley also said to read The New York Times best-seller list for ideas and to see what kind of stories work well.

Students should remember one thing above all else about publishing, Riley said.

“Never pay anybody to publish your book for you,” she said.

NE student John Hoang said what he learned the most about publishing is “how inexpensive it is.”

NE student Ruby Acosta said she got one important lesson from the presentation.

“You have to be dedicated,” she said.