Online Publishing Options Webinar

Topic: Online Publishing Options
Date: Saturday 7 February 2026 10:00am – 12:00pm AEDT UTC+11
Organisation: Sue Ellson
Venue: Zoom
Tickets: Free include slides and recording
Bookings:
Eventbrite https://onlinepublishingoptions.eventbrite.com.au,
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/1208593707798612
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/events/7404472077958905857

Description:

Would you like to publish your story, writing, poetry, musings, research, family history or something else online forever? Learn more now!

Join this interactive and informative session to find out how you can publish your story, writing, poetry, musings, research, family history or something else online forever on Saturday 7 February 2026 from 10am – 12pm.

Sue Ellson started publishing content online with her first website in 2001 and has tried and tested various forms of social media and other online publication sites ever since.

Sue publishes non-fiction content as well as poetry but has helped thousands of clients and students share their content online either free of charge or for a small yearly fee (if you publish on your own website and host it here in Melbourne).

However you choose to publish your content, Sue can also show you how to make sure your content is added to the Internet Archive so that it stays online forever!

Remember, it is never too late and no time is wasted!

It doesn’t require a huge amount of digital competency either, just basic digital literacy and you can start immediately with the best option for the content you have and who you would like to read it!

Special Guest Presenter – Jennifer Lancaster

Jennifer Lancaster started her business as a copywriter and book author. Refining her editing skills, Jennifer has also supported other authors’ publishing goals as an editor.

Jennifer has put all her publishing knowhow into Business Author Academy course resources, so others can inform themselves and publish more easily. ‘Empowering growth’ is the focus of most of her books. Her personal blog informs new self-publishers how to get started in book publishing and marketing.

This will be an interactive session where you will also learn from the other participants (via breakout room discussions) but also receive comprehensive notes that you can review after the workshop.

Everyone of any age is most welcome!

Some of the many benefits Sue has received from publishing online include:

⭐ sorting her thoughts

⭐ connecting with people worldwide

⭐ re-connecting with people she has known in the past

⭐ finding out that her words have made a difference

⭐ seeing her words shared by others

⭐ securing incredible opportunities to collaborate

⭐ learning and growing with each new piece

⭐ exploring concepts in more depth

⭐ sharing her lived experience with research

⭐ being invited to do really interesting things

⭐ receiving heartfelt and inspiring feedback

⭐ discovering her content in foreign countries

⭐ inspiring people with art, music and passion projects

⭐ making her content accessible 24/7/365 in an hour of need

⭐ not hearing from people but knowing she is sending out solutions

⭐ humble gratefulness and a commitment to continue

⭐ a desire to share this opportunity with others

Sue admits, it hasn’t always been a ‘bed of roses’ and it has taken a bit of courage to:

🌱 overcome negative comments from people she knows

🌱 deal with negative comments from people she doesn’t know

🌱 continue after dealing with negative feedback (not often but challenging)

🌱 overcome her own level of perfectionism (80% is good enough)

🌱 constantly look for better ways to do things and to reach aligned people

🌱 keep up to date with the systems and options available

🌱 enter competitions and never win

🌱 and other random things…on a zero budget

But it has all been so worth it – and we hope you can join us!

Slides

Recording

Feedback from Chat

Thank you for having us Sue 😊

Thank you in advance for your tremendous efforts towards public education in your fields.

Everyone should register with the Aus Copyright Agency as well (it’s free) Copyright Agency

Facebook works well until it doesn’t – when something goes wrong you can lose everything

Amazon authors central is a free way of extending your profile (and adding video, text and photo content) https://author.amazon.com

So exciting to be able to say I’m a writer because I’ve kept up regular long form contributions on SubStack. Hardly any subscribers, all friends, and fewer still read my content. Doesn’t matter! I love to write and I’m honing my skills. It gives me joy ☺️

I reckon Good Reads is a good one too :>) https://www.goodreads.com

Resources for the Goodreads Author Program: https://www.goodreads.com/author/how_to

Use a swear word in your search to prevent a generative AI / no-click answer

Re use of AI: I get a newsletter from Dave Briss. He suggests “ChatGPT custom instructions include the text: “Do not compliment me. I want you to be challenging rather than agreeable… give me a contrary point of view, tell me how you could improve your answer.” It makes the experience less pleasant but keeps me on the straight and narrow.” (17) Dave Birss | LinkedIn

I wrote for Startsat60.com – they also allow guest contributors

Short (30 secs-2 mins) video recordings of you reading something impactful/funny/shocking from your book make great social media content :>)

I was at your January seminar. I have created my usernames and passwords list! password protected Excel file and I know the password

I would recommended pass-phrases, which are easier to remember for a human, and harder for a machine to break. I use the below to generate passphrases. Free Password Generator | Create Strong Passwords and Passphrases | Bitwarden
I also use “KeePass 2” as a password vault to store my logins. Saves me when I forget passwords. I’m not affiliated with either of the above, merely recommend from experience.

DDNS are great

I use WebCentral for domain names, although a bit more expensive they are huge in Australia. For the little hobbies (non-pro websites) I use Hostinger.

Can I share a published article to my socials if the copyright is kept by them? (Most people will not comment or respond – so just allocate 10 minutes a week to check and do it then!)

Children’s Book Author/Publisher Karen Tyrell is a successful indie author.

I think my reluctance to do much in the public social media domain is that I dont have time to constantly create fresh content, monitor and respond to people. I still have a busy full-time job. Suggestions? (Allocate 10 minutes a week and do it then)

I’m so sorry Sue and Jennifer, but I have a lunch engagement at midday :>( Wonderful content. I’ll look forward to catching the rest of the session on the recording. Thanks to everyone. dave@author2audio if I can help ;>)

The National Library of Australia will also have a copy of your books with ISBNs (Legal Deposit – also need to lodge with your State Library)

What are the options with the number of books to got to first print, is there a guide? (Any number you like if with Print on Demand. Or 1,000 min if Offset Printed, like in China or Australian printers (5 colour press not digital) Or Digital Printers would quote you the number you wanted as well. My Writers Group uses a local printer who do a great job and we can choose whatever number we want – e.g. anthology we printed 250)

How do you handle where someone has taken your content/images or website and linked it to their own website without your permission. (Contact them and follow up)

How do you protect your personal data with such a large digital footprint? e.g. identity theft (2FA on accounts, vigilance, different passwords)

How do you prevent someone from utilising your artwork or writings when you email them your portfolio for review before potential publication? (Sadly, not always possible – just keep creating)

I have a block on my credit rating with Equifax as I was caught up in breaches. Will have to take the block off if I want to take out a loan but it protects me from someone trying to borrow money in my name

A great big thank you so much!!!

Thanks very much – it’s been wonderful!

Thanks so much Sue for another fabulous workshop. Also thank you, Jennifer!

Thanks Sue and Jennifer

Thank you!

Thank you both, great information.

Thanks Sue & Jennifer. All good stuff.

Thank you so much for this morning Sue💐

Great, very informative. Thank you

Thanks, so much to do from your content. Really appreciate the tips!

Thank you both of you. Really useful information. Am a complete newbie and feel you have channelled me onto a path to the finish line!

Thank you Sue and Jennifer. Loved it! I look forward to reviewing slides and links again to work through them all as follow up for my PD. 🥰

Thank you, very interesting webinar with so much excellent content.

Thank you both for this online session. I got a bit from it.

Quite incidentally I have to be in Canberra on 20th. Can you repeat the details re LinkedIn meeting. (https://linkedincanberra.eventbrite.com.au)

Do you regular podcasts? (No, but I appear on them https://sueellson.com/podcasts – same for Jennifer)

To post a podcast on YouTube do you need to be a paid subscriber (No)

Are there any publishers in Adelaide you would recommend since I would like to contribute art and writing related to natural history and paleontology? (See Australian Publishers Association or Green Hill Publishing)

Thanks Sue and Jennifer, got to go

Thanks

Thank you

I will stay in touch sue and Jennifer. I wish you both a really great weekend. I will keep an eye out for online events.

Thank you, I unfortunately need to jump off.

Thanks, need to go

I have to go too now. Thank you again 👍

Could I email you my artwork for review? I’d like to get your thoughts (Yes)

Thanks that was great!!!

Cheers – lovely session

Google Reviews

Excellent!! well worth it , I now have so much to do!! – Tracee Spiby

Sue Ellson’s content is up-to-date, informative and interesting, and invites audience participation and questions. As always, well-paced and delivers a great depth and breadth of information. – Robyn Black

Sue’s workshops and webinars are always highly engaging and worth attending. Sue shares a wealth of knowledge and there is always so much to learn. – Sonia Riverland

I found the webinar engaging and gained nuggets of valuable advice. Good excel resources provided too. Thanks Sue! – Rach Adams

Facebook Review

Very good and relevant advice. Great Webinar. Thank you Sue. – Syd Irish

Exit Feedback Survey

15 people anonymously shared their feedback of the 33 people who attended live…

1. What did you find most helpful in this webinar?

Websites, DDNS providers. Discussions re copyright, IP theft etc
Yes, I found there was much for me to learn. I will keep in touch to learn more from you both.
Being reminded of all the potential pitfalls and to do my “homework” before paying for any services or products to get online presence or website.
This question always tests my dodgy memory. Overall, the content is well‑spaced, comprehensive, flexible with interaction and anecdotes from presenters and participants, and well‑referenced with links and points/headings that are especially helpful for people like me who tend to remember visually.
The new and various options for sites to get involved with
The detailed information about what to do and what not to do, and the fact that you both presented from a ‘lived experience’ framework. Also that it wasn’t geared to high level business performance. That it was well paced, full of information, with resource sources shared. Very professionally presented. (so tired of hammy seminars where presenters get caught up in faulty technology!) I’m not sure yet. I may look back on some of the content and consider it. Mostly, at this time, I am just completely overwhelmed. Generous sharing of experiences by a number of people in the session. Tips, links, guidelines, recommendations for preparation and being able to see the various online profiles/platforms you use to publish content and reach your audience.
So much. There was a lot of content that I will need to revisit as I attempt to complete and market a book. Sue’s list of Archive and About Me archive pages. Sooooo many tips. Real life examples and community with others. Sue personalises the webinar by reading and responding to chat queries and comments. Also valuable content with real life experiences of what can go right or wrong. Love the start low budget sensible approach. Interesting to hear Jennifer’s resources to follow up too. The whole thing! As a tyro, the engaging, professional approach, couched in simple, readily understood language, gave me exactly what I was looking for — ie. a beginner’s guide to going about online publishing and the pitfalls to avoid.

2. What do you plan to do next?

Create a website to support my research & art publications/outputs
I want to spend some time understanding this stuff. I will look in to LinkedIn. Work on my poetry and ask you and Jennifer questions along the way.
I plan to stay focused on face-to-face contacts at the moment – I have removed myself from social media so the thought of re-engaging is a bit overwhelming really – this was me just exploring ideas
Unlike those who’ve completed a piece of writing but don’t know what to do next, I intend smashing out some neglected writing, confident of where it goes after that, thanks to your wealth of info.
The spreadsheet of password/phrases
Go through the slides and start making an action plan list of things to do.
Set aside some time to go through the resources and plan the next step. Remind myself to start smal, spend small and DO it.
My laundry.
collate an excel list of sites and logins
Review the slides and links and make a plan.
Set up a Muckrack and About me Google profile, Find out where published and regenerate a Media Page
Update the about sections and photo on all my socials
Book a session with Sue! Because the January seminar, with some similar content at Melbourne Library, set me on a new path to link up social media options for my SubStack posts
Set up a simple personal website. Look further into LinkedIn.

3. What else would have been helpful?

I can take a minute to take things in so I know re-engaging with you both will be important.
I think everything was provided and I’m grateful that there will be slides for me to go over sometime
Perhaps a bit about maintaining a professional or reputable identity when challenging established political niceties across different media, i.e. expressing political opinions alongside a ‘day job’.
Luckily, the slides and recording will be available as i was not able to write a lot down and did not quite catch some of the information
While Jennifer began talking about eBook versions, a bit about how to start getting ‘bits’ of writing out there, rather than whole books.
It was 5* helpful and do not know what else I need to know!
Very simple options for the beginner.
all good
Some frameworks or links to frameworks/infographics on steps to writing biography and suggested inclusions for a media kit.
Nothing more at this stage as I’m a novice
I forgot to say, I refer others to an Author Website Designer/Template which is in Australia, from $49 per month or other reasonable author website costs. Yin & Co.
Can’t think of anything that comes to mind
Sue covers all bases already! Good clear slides shared, many useful links shared and option of accessing free books and many other resources. nothing to add
Maybe a bit more elementary detail about AI which is unexplored territory for me.

4.Any other comments or specific requests?

As mentioned, some of us are restricted from using LinkedIn
Not really I enjoyed seeing you again Sue. Thanking you so much for sharing your knowledge. I defiantly want to learn more to support my future.
Would have preferred the slides were split up into smaller chunks of information – easier to read and take in – thank you so much for being so welcoming and you were very engaging. Sorry I needed to leave at breaktime but you have given me much to think about. It was lovely to see such a broad range of people online.
Great presentation. Never dry, never lacking in substance, experience and wisdom gained shines through (quote me on that, if you like). Breakout room operation wasn’t smooth but they never are 🙂
It was better than I had expected. Having said that, I’m not sure what I expected!
Thank you so much for sharing so much quantity of information in the public domain. I think that the world would benefit from NOT monetising absolutely everything and moving towards a ‘community focussed’ rather than ‘money making’ focussed lens which you are doing through all your publishing efforts.
Thank you. It has been the kick start I needed to get over the wall of I am ready to doing.
It’s difficult to find advice that is suitable to my circumstances. Most writers workshops have only retirees/seniors. Yours was about non-fiction, others I have been to were about prose; I am looking to publish poetry now, with a view to prose later. But I am wanting to be pseudonymous.
Mostly, though, it is all too hard.
2 hours on a Saturday a bit challenging
Appreciate your kindness sharing your expertise!
All good
Thank you for the engaging, high energy workshop with so many actionable tips.
Sue and Jennifer were most generous with their time in preparing and sharing these resources and all the wisdom and encouragement too that came across warmly in the webinar. Thanks again
No

Shared online Archive.org, City of Literature Website, Writers Victoria Newsletter, Eventbrite, Facebook Event, LinkedIn Event, LinkedIn Page 1, LinkedIn Page 2, LinkedIn Profile, Facebook Page, Facebook Profile, Google Business, Google Event, Substack, Twitter / X

After webinar shares Archive.org, Facebook Page, Facebook Profile, Google, LinkedIn Page, LinkedIn Profile, Substack, Twitter / X