Publishing local history. Empowering independent historians.
APPLICATION-ONLY PROGRAM
You have the research.
Now Let's Publish It.
The Greysteel Writers Accelerator is a 6-month guided program for local historians who have done the work and are ready to turn it into a professional publication.
The Problem
Most Local Historians Never Publish Their Work
You've done the research. You've walked through the archives. You've sat through basements with a notebook and a pen. You've interviewed the elderly. You've taken photographs of dozens of buildings.
But the manuscript is still in your head. Or in a filing cabinet. Or in a Word document that's been "almost done" for ten years.
The gap between research and publication is where most local historians get stuck.
Not because they lack skill. Because they lack a system of accountability.
No one showed you how—University history programs teach research, not publishing. Historical societies preserve, they don't produce.
The tools are overwhelming—Self-publishing platforms, print-on-demand, ISBNs, formatting, distribution—each one a rabbit hole that eats a month.
You're doing it alone—No one to review your draft, no one to ask "is this ready?", no one to say "send it" when you're 90% done and terrified.
The Solution
A 6-Month Guided Path From Research To Published Work
The Greysteel Writers Accelerator
The Greysteel Writers Accelerator is not a course you watch alone. It's a working relationship with the founder of Greysteel Press, Anthony Clemons. Over six months, you and Anthony will meet biweekly (12 sessions total) to move your specific project from where it is now to published, deposited, and shared.
Each participant in the Accelerator cohort enters with one concrete project to complete: a book manuscript, a historical marker nomination, a monthly newsletter, a historical article.
You leave with it finished and ready for publication.
The Benefits of of Joining
12 bi-weekly 1:1 sessions
Structured 60-min working meetings, not lectures. We review your draft, solve your blockers, and set your next two-week sprint.
Publishing Path Method
From loose notes, to outline, to manuscript, to a submission-ready file. You will use the same system Anthony uses to publish books, newsletters, and other content.
Direct Access Between Sessions
Email Anthony drafts, questions, or crises. Response within 48 hours.
Designing Your Publishing Path
A structured onboarding process with Greysteel Press, where Anthony will walk you through the exact steps to publish and market your book for maximum distribution.
Full Bonus Bundle Included
Five of Greysteel Press's flagship books for historical researchers: Ten Primary Sources, Marker Guide, Transcription Guide, Publish Your Local History Guide, and the History to Narrative Workshop. All are yours to keep.
12 Months of the Historian Syndicate Newsletter
Monthly analog newsletter mailed to your house that includes historical research methods and field reports.
Simple 5-Phased Process
PHASE 0: Application & Onboarding
You submit the application (below). Anthony personally reviews it. If accepted, you receive the Accelerator Welcome Packert, which includes the project planning template, publishing path decision guide, and your first assignment: the Project Scope Document. We schedule your 12 sessions at times that work for your calendar.
PHASE 1: Structure (Months 1-2 — Sessions 1-4)
Session 1: Project scope lock—What you're publishing, the audience, defining what "done" looks like.
Session 2: Source Audit—What sources you have, what you still need, where to find them.
Session 3: Outline and architecture—For books, chapter structure, narrative spine, throughline (if other deliverable, the outline and architecture will be decomposed here).
Session 4: First Draft Sprint—You write one chapter or section for review.
PHASE 2: Draft (Months 3-4 — Sessons 5-8)
Sessions 5-6: Draft review and revision—Anthony provides developmental feedback on your packet, and you take that feedback and revise.
Session 7: Images, maps, permissions—Sourcing and crediting visuals.
Session 8: Complete Draft—the full manuscript/deliverable, complete and ready for editing.
PHASE 3: Revise & Share (Months 5-6 — Sessions 9-12)
Session 9: Edit and Proof—final polish, fact-check, citation check.
Session 10: Publishing Decision—If, following the completion of the Accelerator, you decide you want to publish your work, Anthony will guide you through the process of getting it added to Greysteel Press.
Session 11: Production—formatting, cover, print-ready files.
Session 12: Publish & Distribute—publish, register copyright, load into the Greysteel inventory system for distribution.
PHASE 4: After (Month 6+)
Your work is published and available for purchase on the Greysteel Press website and distributed to bookstores for resell. You are now part of the alumni network and part of an ongoing community of historians. If you have another project, we can talk about it!
Who Should Apply (and Who Should Not)
A research project that's 60-90% done and you don't know how to finish it
You can commit to bi-weekly meetings and homework between them
You've published Nothing (or almost nothing) and want your first published work
You understand this is work, not a course to watch, but a process to do
You're willing to revise on a two-week deadline
You're looking for a general "learn about history" program
You want a certificate or academic credit
You haven't started your research yet
you're not willing to share or publish your work with the world
you need a scholarship or payment plan (not available at this time)
value comparison
Where's the Value of an Accelerator?
The "piecemeal" approach
There are a lot of costs associated with the development and distribution of a book. When you try to put it all together on your own, without much guidance, it can be overwhelming and extremely expensive.
Editing & Manuscript Prep = $9,300
Manuscript assessment, developmental / line / copyediting, proofreading, beta reader coordination, fact-checking, indexing, permissions
Design & Production = $1,800
Cover design, interior typesetting, ebook formatting, author photo, print proof + shipping
Registration & Identifiers = $250
ISBN, barcode, LCCN, US copyright registration
Website & Marketing Tech = $3,200
Author website build, domain purchase and registration, email marketing campaign development with automations, social media management and marketing, newsletter management, contact engagement CRM
Copywriting & Branding = $1,200
Blurb/bio copy, retailer listing optimization, social graphics
PR & Reviews = $2,200
Press release drafting + distribution, Kirkus review + award submission, City Book Review, BlueInk, US Review of Books, author interview
Using this approach, you would pay
$17,950
Instead, the Greysteel Writers Accelerator gets you where you want to be through signing on to be your partner and publisher, at a fraction of the cost.
Instead, your investment is a fraction of that
But the Accelerator is a serious commitment... for you and for Greysteel.
That's why we are offering:
Everything in the piecemeal approach
Six months of direct guidance
A complete publishing and marketing system
All five guidebooks
Twelve months of The Historian Syndicate
Lifetime access to The Greysteel Writers Accelerator alumni community page
Was: $9,600
Now Just $5,500
What are some common questions?
Do I need to have a manuscript already written?
No. But you need to have done the research. The Accelerator is for people who have sources, notes, interviews, or a partial draft and need help turning it into a finished, publishable work. If you have started your research yet, watch the free workshop and subscribe to The Historian Syndicate Letter first, so you can get the lay of the land as to what's necessary and how to go about the research process.
What kind of projects can go through the Accelerator?
The Accelerator looks for projects that center around books related to an aspect of history. This can be county/city history books, oral history transcriptions, military history, local/regional/national business histories, and so many others. If it's rooted in primary sources and serves a community, it fits.
How is this different from hiring an editor or a book coach?
An editor fixes your manuscript. A coach gives you advice. The Accelerator does both, plus: it teaches you a repeatable publishing method, introduces you to a production path for your project, and connects you to a community of fellow historians doing the same work. You're not just buying services; you're learning and becoming a key member of a publishing success system.
What if my project is not a book?
The Accelerator's focus in on book development and production. Eventually, the Accelerator may flex towards providing support to local and public historians in developing historical projects unrelated to books as Greysteel Press offers new products. For now, though, books are the main focus of the Accelerator. Note, that many ideas can be converted to a book-related project with the right guidance and support. If you think there might be a chance your historical project could become a book, reach out and discuss it!
Is there a payment plan?
Yes. You can pay in full or in six monthly payments of $917. Select your preference on the application.
What if I start and realize it's not for me?
You have a 30-day decision period. If after our first two sessions you don't believe the Accelerator is the right fit, we'll refund your investment in full. No questions asked.
When does the next cohort start?
Cohorts begin in January, April, and July. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed six weeks before each start date.
How do I know if I'm ready?
If you have research sitting in notebooks, files, or your head that you believe should be published; if you're willing to write on a deadline; if you can commit to biweekly meetings... you're ready. The application askes about your project and your timeline, and we'll be honest about whether the Accelerator is the right next step for you.
What if I don't get me project done within the six months?
Life happens to all of us. We get sick. We get behind. Things get reprioritized. If this happens to you, we will identify where you are in one of our bi-weekly sessions and make an honest determination as to whether you should proceed or try again in a future cohort.
Ready to get started?
Click the button to apply to join the next cohort
Publishing local history. Empowering independent historians.
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