Get Grants for Literary Events

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Is your writing group or author organization member of Poets & Writers, or sponsoring workshops or readings? And will this take place in either one of these areas:

• California
  
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  Chicago

  New York State

• Washington D.C.
• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Detroit
• Houston
• New Orleans
• Seattle
• Tucson

You may apply for grants to be used for writers’ fees payments at Poets & Writers.

Applications must be submitted at least eight weeks before the proposed event.

To support as many literary events as possible, Poets & Writers generally grants no more than $1,500 to organizations in New York State and California, and $500 to organizations in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, Seattle, Tucson, and Washington, D.C., during the course of their fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Decisions on maximum grant amounts are based on the availability of funds and are made at the discretion of Poets & Writers.
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Grants for readings or spoken word performances range from $50 to $350. Grants for workshops range from $100 to $200 per session. Organizations should match payments to writers if possible.
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Grant checks are payable to the writer and sent to the sponsor, which is responsible for delivering them to the author. We do not fund administrative costs, publicity, transportation, or other expenses related to producing events.
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Eligible Organizations include colleges, cultural centers, museums, libraries, hospitals, small presses, community centers, senior centers, places of worship, bookstores, cafés, galleries, and theaters.
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Nonprofit status is not required. If your organization has not previously received support from the R/W program, include a brief letter that describes your organization, the program for which you’re seeking funding, and publicity plans for the event. Please enclose publicity samples from past events.
Prefered organizations are those that:

• serve a culturally diverse audience
• feature culturally diverse writers
• feature writers who have not previously presented at that venue
• present programs in rural or other underserved areas
• have not previously received P&W support
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Events must be open to the public, with the exception of events taking place in institutions. All requests are considered on an event-by-event basis. Applications from organizations only. However, writers are encouraged to initiate events and let organizations know they can apply on their behalf.
More info & guidelines can be found here: http://www.pw.org/sites/all/themes/pw/national_rw_app.pdf

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If you enjoyed this blog post, please feel free to check out all previous posts of this blog (there are almost 700 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Chime.in, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.

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13 Reasons for Writers to Cruise the Caribbean

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Many cruise travelers want more stimulating activities on days at sea than simply reclining by the pool, sitting on the bar, drinking or playing cards. A growing number of cruise lines are adding programs - interactive workshops, lectures from experts, culinary demonstrations and seminar presentations on a variety of topics.
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Carnival Cruise Lines added a Seminar for Writers at the brand new “Breeze”, which departs on November 3, 2013 from Miami into the Caribbean. Stops will be in:

- Nassau, Bahamas
- Grand Turk
- Ocho Rios, Jamaica

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Why is it a fantastic possibility for writers to spend their vacation (or part of it) on a Caribbean cruise and learn at the same time about publishing and book marketing?

1. Before you start your NaNoWri Month, learn which publishing possibilities are out there and how you could create your author platform – before your book is ready to publish.

2. November is a great vacation month in the Caribbean, and at this time of the year cruises are more for adults as the school year is in full swing.

3. Spoil the author in your life and have this event booked before Valentines Day – as it is a fantastic gift for your loved one, better than any chocolates or over-priced dinners. What you pay for a Valentine evening out is almost the down payment for this cruise!

4. This unique “Workshop-At-Sea” will help authors to:

• Strategically establish a writing career
• Create their own brand and platform

5. The seminar gives writers suggestions:

• How to market and publicize their books on a budget or for FREE
• Find book publishing funding sources, grants and writers residencies

6. The seminar will help you to:

• Identify their target readers and 
• how to reach these potential book buyers, without incurring costs

7. As a Special Guest at this “Seminar Cruise” you qualify for Discount Rates on spectacular shore excursions, such as to the cascading waterfalls of Dunn’s River, near Ocho Rios, Jamaica, or diving excursions on Grand Turk’s protected coral reef.

8. This Book Marketing & Publishing Seminar will be held during the days at sea – two half-day lectures – and offers as an added value, one-on-one consultations for authors.

9. Staterooms in this time-limited offer are unobstructed and in preferred categories and include the amazing exclusive events / amenities, outlined in #11
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10. For this 6 Night Cruise, spouses who are not participating in the seminar, get a reduction of $200 for their fares. Prices are “Per Person” and include all port charges, government fees, taxes and mandatory pre-paid gratuities. The Carnival website and most other online cruise sites do NOT include these “extra” charges…but this special offer rates DO!

11. Signing up with the cruise representative requires only a down payment of $250 per person, the remaining is due latest to the end of July 2013. Packages start at $1.032 per person for a double, and $832 for those who are not attending the seminar.

12. Authors who established a writing business can partially deduct costs for the cruise, such as the two days at sea, the seminar fee (which is included in the faire) and transportation / accommodation to Miami. For details ask your tax advisor.

13. Cruise voyages are very inclusive and offer great value:

• Brand new attractive staterooms 
• Transfer to Miami pier
• A bottle of Sparkling Wine in every stateroom
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries in every stateroom
• FREE Photograph Credit for every stateroom
• An Onboard Bon Voyage “Meet & Greet” Party
• Two Book Marketing Success Workshops plus individual consultations
• A Private Farewell Party with champagne toast
• Your cruise certainly includes all your meals in the regular dining venues, a smorgasbord of on-board entertainment including Vegas style shows/musical performances/comedy & variety shows, and some beverages (coffee/tea/juices).
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If the idea of taking a publishing and book marketing class and experiencing the pleasures of cruising at the same time appeals to you, you can conveniently and safely book your reservation online at http://Writers.TheCruiseEvent.com  or call Dancing Moon Travel (404) 913-4FUN

Cruise ships to the Caribbean fill up months in advance. Our experience shows that many of the best and preferred cabins will be reserved within just a few weeks!!  Plus, there are several other niche groups scheduled to be on board. If you are considering cruising with us, register now.

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If you enjoyed this blog post, please feel free to check out all previous posts of this blog (there are almost 600 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Chime.in, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.

Follow on Twitter: @111publishing

And don’t forget to spread the word on other social networking sites of your choice for other writers who might also enjoy this blog and find it useful. Thanks, Doris

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5 Top New Years Resolutions for Authors

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With 2013 just around the corner, are you thinking of the changes you would like to make in your (writers) live?  What are your goals for 2013, besides writing your next book? Where do you want to be in twelve months?

If one of your goals is to have a platform as a writer and successfully market your book(s) then have a look at my suggestions to built a foundation and boost your and your books success. Don’t work harder next year – work smarter!
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1. Start writing a blog TODAY!
You are a writer and creating a 300 to 500 word blog post once or twice a week should be easy for you. This is a very important step for your author platform whether you have a book yet or not. It is your inventory to feed your social media sites. Start before your book comes out so you have already readers waiting for it. Show off your writing skills and write guest blogs for other successful bloggers to even multiply your visibility by linking back to your book sales page or website. Authors need bloggers almost as much as media to help promote their books. Popular bloggers have direct access to your book’s audience. Use your blog to “feed” you social media posts. Create a file to collect snippets from your blog, short sentences under 140 characters. And just copy and paste e.g. into tweets.

2. Use plug-ins to manage your time
Would you like to have SEVEN times! more people read your blog or visit your website? So, how do you get readers to share your posts or website content online? Make it easy for them to share
what you have written with their social networks, so that others can discover your content – and forward it to their followers and friends, and these also forward it to their friends and followers …. You get the idea! Take advantage of the “Share” function on WordPress to ping your blog to all your Social Media sites at one and install Social Media buttons on your website for your readers to spread the word. 

Increase your Social Media presence – automatically!
Being on five Social Media sites is the same “work” as being just on one single site! My suggestion is to be on Goodreads, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Facebook (in this order).  Plug-ins and ping buttons are not the only helpers in spreading your content. Almost all Social Media and even forums, such as Goodreads are connect-able.

Your blog post can be automatically transferred to Goodreads. But that’s not all: copy the URL of your blog post and paste into your Facebook page, in your Google+ page and on Chime.in just to name a few. It will be transformed automatically into a mini blog including an image of your blog post and a link. All this saves you time, quality time to interact with your followers and friends on Social Media. Don’t use these sites as sales bill boards – it’s about people!

4. Create a fabulous biography / avatar
Written once, it can be used on your books blurb, your Amazon / Goodreads author pages, on all social Media Sites, for pitches to publishers, on guest blogs …. you name it. Keep it related to you as an author or your books. And get a professional, high quality portrait!  It is a small investment for many uses and for many years to come.

5. Get help from peers
I mean not only your friends, including social media friends or family members to “LIKE”, “FOLLOW” or “FRIEND you and your books, but also professional help. Attend writers conferences, writing workshops and seminars in the coming year. You will learn, meet new friends and get new inspirations. You learn tips and tricks and you will get follow up and maybe friends for life.

Did you realize that these 5 suggestions for New Years resolutions are basics? No matter if you want to go with one of the big publishing houses or self-publish: Start your platform in a professional manner – for maximum success.

Let me know what your goals are for 2013.

And don’t forget there is help … Yes, it is a long and sometimes lonely path for self-publishers, who start with a single book, till becoming a bestseller author.. Get all the support you need and take advantage of our great offer until December 31, even if you landed a publishing deal. Read more http://www.111Publishing.com/seminar.

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If you enjoyed this blog post, please feel free to check out all previous posts of this blog (there are almost 600 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.

Follow on Twitter: @111publishing

And don’t forget to spread the word on other social networking sites of your choice for other writers who might also enjoy this blog and find it useful. Thanks, Doris

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Be Spoiled for Choice …

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… how you want to learn book promotion.  And there is a lot to learn: Publishing evolves constantly and the success of your book(s) is very much depending on you, no matter if you self-publish or if you go with one of the big publishers. 

Choices in publishing, essentials of book / e-book layout and design, your platform and brand,  optimizing social media, use of non-traditional ways of book marketing, book distribution, online retailers, learning about  marketing on a shoestring… it’s over-whelming.  But not if you get help from someone who has studied e-publishing and marketing for many years – and practices it all.

Choose between weekend seminars or sign-up for customized online marketing training (special offer in December)  

… or plan ahead for a publishing and book marketing seminar on a 5-day Caribbean Cruise on board of the Carnival Breeze, a brand new cruise liner, taking off in Miami, FL, on November 3, 2013.  Make your travel plans soon, bookings for this offer start at the end of this month!  

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Hello, I’m Doris-Maria Heilmann with 111 Publishing.  We are not only publishers of traditional and eBooks, we extensively market our authors books.  We also host informative seminars for authors on the “art” of promotion. 

During the last years, publishing books has totally changed. Nowadays we writers need to build our own platforms, identify our own demographics, and find our own market share – even if we are with a traditional publishing house!  The profession has changed and we need to adapt in order to succeed.   

Our unique “Seminar-At-Sea” will help authors to:

• Strategically establish a writing career
• Create our own brand
• Identify our target readers
• Find out how to reach these readers
• Market and publicize our books on a budget
• Find free book publishing funding sources

Soon I will be announcing all the details of this spectacular opportunity.  But for now…mark November 3, 2013 on your calendars!!  Connect with your peers and learn invaluable information to enhance your writing career…all while having the time of your life on an exotic Caribbean Cruise!!

Doris-Maria Heilmann

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If you enjoyed this blog post, please feel free to check out all previous posts of this blog (there are almost 600 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.

Follow on Twitter: @111publishing

And don’t forget to spread the word on other social networking sites of your choice for other writers who might also enjoy this blog and find it useful. Thanks, Doris

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7,400 Intl. Exhibitors, 3,200 Events at Frankfurt Book Fair

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If you have never been to Germany in early October, you have missed something!  No, I don’t mean the Oktoberfest in Munich, the world’s biggest party (even it’s worth a visit!) – I am talking here about the world’s biggest book fair, the Frankfurt Buchmesse.

Welcome to the Frankfurt Book Fair 2012!

From 10 to 14 October there’s nowhere else you should be but with millions of books. As the world’s largest, even legendary book fair, Frankfurt is always exciting, innovative and very, very colorful. This year there will be  more than 7,400 international exhibitors, diverse new customer groups and more than 3,200 events. Among its many activities, the Frankfurt Academy is hosting four conferences to help international publishers find their way in the digital world, as well as the two-day event, StoryDrive, to highlight the potential for cross-medial cooperation.

Find information on book markets worldwide on their website. But there is more: whether it’s assistance for first timers, new technologies in the classroom, marketing for publishers. Frankfurt promises a lot – and they keep their promise – always.
The First Timer Seminar provides, among others:

• info on how to pave the way for new business contacts.
• info on how to make your Fair agenda working efficiently.
• info on how to benefit from the Frankfurt Academy conferences and programmes.
• introduction into the rights and licence business by an experienced expert.
• personal testimonials by former First Timers.
• guided tour of the Fair (subsequently, optional).
• Meet with…
• other first time exhibitors and trade visitors to the Frankfurt Book Fair.
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Did you read the blog about splitting your book apart and selling the rights separately? Or the one about foreign rights?  Here in Frankfurt you will find hundreds or thousands of international publishers to whom you can sell foreign rights.

Make your arrangements for the 2013 Frankfurt Book Fair early, especially for accommodations, and order your tickets online.  Pre-purchased tickets will entitle you to free use of public transport (RMV) as soon as you arrive.  Enjoy this wonderful world of books in Germany!

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If you enjoyed this blog post, please feel free to check out all previous posts (there are more than 520 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.

Follow on Twitter: @111publishing

And don’t forget to spread the word on other social networking sites of your choice for other writers who might also enjoy this blog and find it useful. Thanks, Doris

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Have You Heard About LitChat’s Fiction Writing Course?

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LitChat is a fun, fast, and friendly way for booklovers to talk about books on Twitter. Authors and Readers can chat on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4-5 pm (EST).

LitChat offers an intensive Fiction Writing Course on September 16 – 19 in South Beach, FL.
“Take your writing to the next level at LitChat’s first annual Writer’s Advance. The LitChat Writer’s Advance offers two days of intensive fiction writing education to a small group of writers seeking to sharpen skills, fine-tune their writer’s voice, and plot their own literary success.”

September 16-19, 2012
The Betsy Hotel South Beach, 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL

Taught by a faculty of award-winning authors, including master instructors Jon Clinch and Les Standiford, the LitChat Writer’s Advance includes two sessions with a master instructor, ample writing time, two read and critique sessions with master instructors, a panel discussion with published authors, and a public reading series featuring published authors. Panelists confirmed so far include: Debra Dean, Keith Cronin, Patricia Engle.

The host of LitChat’s Writer’s Advance is South Beach’s most literary boutique hotel, The Betsy  Included in the full Writer’s Advance tuition is a welcome reception on Sunday, September 16, 2012, coffee and tea breaks each morning, and a group dinner on Monday night.

Writer’s Advance tuition Early Bird until August 1, 2012: $250
Writer’s Advance tuition August 2-September 15, 2012: $300
Writer’s Advance tuition at the door: $350 (if space is available)
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If you enjoyed this blog post, please feel free to check out all previous posts (there are almost 500 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “Like” next to it.

Follow on Twitter: @111publishing

And don’t forget to spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Tumblr or StumbleUpon – or other social networking sites of your choice) – other writers might also enjoy this blog and find it useful.

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Quitter Conference: From Day Job to Dream Job

Who doesn’t dream to write full-time and become a successful author?  Why not just doing it?  What holds us back?  Get some inducement at

The Quitter Conference, Nashville, TN September 21-22
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We all have unique gifts and talents … and unique dreams. What are yours? What gets your heart pounding? Maybe you do vision your dream and you just don’t know how to get there. Either way, Jon Acuff invites you to be a Quitter!

At the Quitter Conference, you’ll learn how to:

• Follow a step-by-step process to find out what your dream is. You kind of need to know that first.
• Face the three biggest fears that keep you from going for your dream.
• Create, organize and execute 10 times as many ideas at a time. (Yes. 10 times.)
• Use social media to build what your dream needs to succeed
• Recognize the six signs it’s time for you to jump ship.
• This is how to get from your day job to your dream job.

It’s a two-day crash course in finding, chasing and succeeding at your passion. This is also a great chance to network with people just like you who are working hard on turning their dreams into reality.

The Quitter Conference in Nashville, TN, September 21–22
Early Bird Tickets $119 – After July 23 price goes up to $139

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If you enjoyed this blog post, please feel free to check out previous posts (there are almost 500 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “Like” next to it.

Follow us on Twitter: @111publishing

And don’t forget to spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Tumblr or StumbleUpon – or other social networking sites of your choice) – other writers might also enjoy this blog and find it useful.

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For Writers Who Are Serious About Achieving Success!

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Writers Conference in Denton (DFW area) July 21 – 22, 2012

From their invitation:
In a world filled with people who think they are writers, only a handful will truly succeed. What separates them from the rest of the crowd? They take advantage of all the available opportunities and resources to promote their work and themselves. So, you have to ask yourself – Are you as well known as you could be? Are your books selling as well as they should?

Nowadays, writers are expected to take on more of the marketing and promotional duties.
They have to not only write, they have to blog and post and tweet as well. They have to build their own platforms, identify their own demographics, and find their own market share. The profession has changed and anyone who does not adopt and adapt will not succeed.
The LEXICON WRITERS CONFERENCE seeks to assist, promote, and educate writers in all genres and fields, including fiction, non-fiction, screenplay, and graphic novel. Published and unpublished writers are invited to attend. Meet with established writers, literary agents, publishers and marketing experts to discuss your finished or unfinished manuscripts. We will also have experts in various fields to provide technical information.

The LEXICON WRITERS CONFERENCE will be held on July 21 – 22, 2012 in Denton, Texas but we have special events set up for the 19th and 20th as well.
LOCATION:
The BEST WESTERN PREMIER AND HILTON GARDEN INN located at HOSPITALITY HILL in Denton, Texas – 30 minutes north of D/FW International Airport and Dallas, Texas. The two host hotels have special rates for attendees and have waved their cancellation policy, allowing people to cancel their rooms up to 4:00 the day of July 20, 2012.

Sign up now for the conference and take advantage of the reduced prices (See Information Page for prices and deadlines). Be sure to indicate whether you are interested in attending the Friday Night Meet and Greet Dinner or any of the other special programs.
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Discover How You Can Profitably Self-Publish a Book

Get all your publishing questions answered – self-publishing that is – at the 4th annual Self-Publisher’s Online Conference (SPOC) May 8-10, 2012 

Expert speakers include: Dan Poynter, Chris Garrett, Peter Bowerman, Joel Friedlander, Dan Janal, Sandra Beckwith, Susan Daffron, James Byrd, Dana Lynn Smith, Penny Sansevieri, Joshua Tallent, Carolyn McCray, Roger C. Parker, Andrea Vahl, Gary Barnes and Kathy Goughenhour.
Read about these speakers (they are the ”who is who” in publishing advice) at http://www.selfpublishersonlineconference.com/Agenda.aspx

Each day has a “theme” that is designed to help you reach your publishing goals.  Note: ALL Times are PACIFIC time.  SPOC is a virtual conference, so you can attend in your pyjamas if you like.

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Day 1 – WRITING / PUBLISHING May 8

9-10 am (PDT)
James Byrd & Susan Daffron
The Big Picture: How to Bring Your Book into the World

11am -12 noon (PDT)
Chris Garrett
Be More Productive and Build Your Authority

1-2 pm (PDT)
Writing & Publishing
Q&A Roundtable

3-4 pm (PDT)
Peter Bowerman
The “Write Way” to Publish and Promote

5-6 pm (PDT)
Joel Friedlander
Publishing Strategies for Self-Publishers

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Day 2 – PROMOTING YOUR BOOK May 9

9-10 am (PDT)
Dan Janal
Build Your Brand and Get More Prospects with Publicity

11am -12 noon (PDT)
Sandra Beckwith
What’s Your Hook?

1-2 pm (PDT)
Book Promotion
Q&A Roundtable

3-4 pm (PDT)
Dana Lynn Smith
Top 10 Book Promotion Strategies for Authors

5-6 pm (PDT)
Penny Sansevieri
Fans, Followers and Friends: Maximize Social Media to Sell More Books

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Day 3 – E-BOOKS, INFOPRODUCTS & BEYOND May 10

9-10 am (PDT)
Joshua Tallent
Ebook Design, Formats and Workflow

11am -12 noon (PDT)
Carolyn McCray
Maximize Your Book Sales on Amazon.com

1-2 pm (PDT)
Ebooks & Beyond
Q&A Roundtable

3-4 pm (PDT)
Roger C. Parker
Leveraging Your Book into Prospects, Products, & Profits

5-6 pm (PDT)
Andrea Vahl
Build Your Expert Status with a Powerful Social Media and Publishing Combination.

All passes give you access to the virtual SPOC Exhibit Hall and seminar recordings. They will give you access to the SPOC Exhibit Hall and seminar recordings.

$147.00 – SPOC 2012 Standard Pass.
Enter the coupon code FFW12 at checkout and you will save 10%!

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2012 Writers Conferences and Why You Benefit From Attending

One of the main benefits of attending a writers retreat or conference is the opportunity to meet editors, agents, publishers and other writers.  Widening your circle of connections in the literary world can help you mark your own presence in that world, learn about the publishing industry, and how to get your book published.  Just a few of the many retreat offers:

Jackson Hole, WY, June 28 – 30, 2012

http://jacksonholewritersconference.com

Program Description
Three manuscript critiques with authors & editors. Tracks for fiction, creative nonfiction, magazine, young adult, and poetry; workshops, talks & craft sessions.
Program Length 3 days
Group Size or S:T Ratio 4:1
Program Focus:  Children’s, Fiction, Journalism, Marketing, Mystery, Nature, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Travel, Young Adult
Costs:   Early bird $365

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Mendocino Coast Writers Conference, July 26 – 28, 2012

http://www.mcwc.org

Program Description
5 morning workshops with same presenter each day; large forum readings and discussions with editors, agents, & newly published authors; afternoon lecture sessions on craft.
Program Length 3 days
Group Size or S:T Ratio workshops 15:1
Program Focus:  Autobiography/Memoir, Children’s, Fiction, Journalism, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting, Young Adult
Faculty 13+ presenters. Includes authors, editors & literary agents.
Costs:   Earlybird $525. $60/consultation. Lodging $55-$250 & camping; hostel-like farmhouse $18-$25/night.

Squaw Valley, California  July, August 2012

http://www.squawvalleywriters.org

Program Description
Morning workshops, afternoon panel discussions, individual conferences, craft lectures, staff readings
Program Length 7 days
Group Size or S:T Ratio 20-124
Program Focus:  Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Mystery, Nature, Non-fiction, Poetry and Screenwriting
Faculty 28 instructors for the Fiction Workshop, 5 for the Poetry Workshop, 8 for the Screenwriting Workshop.
Costs:   $840 includes 6 dinners. Shared (single) lodging in local houses & condos arranged for $350 ($550)/week; inexpensive bunk bed available.
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Purchase, NY   June 25 – 29, 2012

http://www.mville.edu/writersweek

Program Description
Five 3-hour morning workshops in a particular genre (Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry,Writing for Young Readers, Graphic Novel). Afternoons include special workshops, readings, session with editors & agents, and individual manuscript consultation.
Program Length 4-1/2 days
Group Size or S:T Ratio 80-100
Program Focus:  Autobiography/Memoir, Children’s, Fiction, Marketing, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting, Young Adult
Costs:   $725 for the week. 2 graduate credits are also available for graduate tuition (extra fee).
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Edmonds, WA, September 30 – October 2, 2012

http://www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/ArtsCommission/wots.stm

Program Description
Focus is on the craft of writing. 4 sessions/day & a choice of 4 workshops/session; Saturday keynote, pre-conference workshops on Friday.
Program Length 2-1/2 days
Group Size or S:T Ratio Max 200
Program Focus:  Autobiography/Memoir, Business/Technical, Children’s, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Journalism, Marketing, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Travel, Young Adult
Faculty:  30 additional presenters speaking on a variety of topics.
Costs:   $139/2 days ($116 early bird), $72/1 day. Pre-conference workshops $68, writing contest entry $10, manuscript critique $25, Keynote (open to the public) $16 adult/$10 student.

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Santa Barbara, CA, June 9 – 14, 2012

http://www.sbwritersconference.com

Program Description
Daily AM & PM concurrent workshops & plenary sessions, evening speakers, panels, Advance
Submission with agents & editors, late-night pirate workshops.
Program Length 6 days
Group Size or S:T Ratio 200
Program Focus:  Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Humor, Journalism, Marketing, Mystery, Nature, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Screen-writing, Travel,
Faculty: 30 daily faculty plus evening speakers
Costs   $625 includes barbecue, cocktail reception, awards banquet.

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Corte Madera, CA, August 9 – 12, 2012

http://bookpassage.com/travel-food-photography-conference

(Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco)
Conference Coordinator: Kathryn Petrocelli
Phone: (800) 999-7909 ext 239
bpconferences@bookpassage.com

Geared to Food & Travel writers and photographers this Conference has an extraordinary, international reputation among publishers, editors, and writers. This four-day Conference offers an array of writing and photography workshops in the morning, a full afternoon of panels and discussions, and evening faculty presentations.
The faculty includes publishers, magazine editors, photographers, travel essayists, food writers, guidebook writers and more.

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Key West, FL, every January

http://www.kwls.org

Program Description
4-day seminar includes readings, conversations, lectures, panel discussions. 4-day writers’ workshops feature AM writing sessions (limit 8-12/instructor) and PM individual consultations, talks, open readings.
Program Length Seminar: 4 days / Workshops: 4 days each
Group Size or S:T Ratio Seminar: 350-400 / Workshops: 12:1
Program Focus
Autobiography/Memoir, Children’s, Fiction, Humor, Journalism, Mystery, Nature, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Screenwriting, Travel, Young Adult
Costs   Seminar $495; Workshops $450.
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For a full list of writers retreats in the USA go to:  http://writing.shawguides.com

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Giving Speeches Helps Selling Books

Writers tend to be shy types, happy to hole up in basement offices, remote cabins or messy dens, turning down social invitations in favor of a computer and lots of coffee (or whiskey: ) Why on earth should they speak publicly?

How speaking can help your writing career:

• You will sell more books after your talk. Attending a writer’s conference as a speaker / expert is much better than attending as a participant. You get instant credibility, even before your work is examined.
• The more you speak, the better you get, and the better your speaking resume gets – the more writers’ conferences you will be invited to speak at.  Speakers are looked upon as subject matter experts, even if they aren’t.  Plus, you get to sit at the editors and agents’ table!
• Speaking enhances your author’s brand and extends the efforts you make through social media because your audience is very likely tweeting or blogging about the conference. Public speeches help even to promote your online platform.
• People who have heard you speak are more inclined to like you and your writing. There is a kind of celebrity involved with speaking. When you speak, no one else is talking; YOU are talking, and the audience listening. That dynamic illustrates a premise that you are someone important who can be learned from.  If you give out business cards or bookmarks with your information on it – blog site, Amazon book page, website – people will see it valuable, because you have been set apart as a VIP.

How do you achieve this desirable state of feeling comfortable when speaking publicly? 

Toastmaster’s for sample is a great way to learn this skill in a friendly, supportive way.  Everyone at the meetings is working to be a better speaker so you are in good company. After a few months of having a helpful, friendly group of people listening to and critiquing your speeches, heading out to a public forum will give you lots of confidence. The more you speak, the easier it gets. Isn’t it worth a try?

Get some encouragement with these videos: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtL8gTEuwvU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7i_H3epgd4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDnNZfGbNeE&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm1hCGWWwzc&feature=relmfu

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Writers Conferences in Spring / Summer 2012

 

Conferences are always a good place to meet Literary Agents in a casual atmosphaere. Polish your query letter and your “elevator” pitch, wear your sundays best, get a new haircut – in one word, make a good impression : )
Attending literary agents at these conferences – learn about them in advance and what their preferences are:

Northern Colorado Writers Conference, March 30-31, Fort Collins, CO
Attending agents: Adriana Dominguez (Full Circle Literary); Kate Schafer Testerman (kt literary); and Elizabeth Evans (Jean V. Naggar Literary).

Reno Writers Conference at TMCC, April 14, Reno, NV
Attending agents: Andrea Brown (Andrea Brown Literary); April Eberhardt (Eberhardt Literary); and Elizabeth Kracht (Kimberly Cameron & Associates).

Las Vegas Writers Conference, April 19-21, Las Vegas, NV
Attending agents: Rita Rosenkranz (Rita Rosenkranz Literary); Lauren Ruth (BookEnds); Jeff Kleinman (Folio Literary); Malaga Baldi (Balaga Agency); and likely more.

Spring Fling Writers Conference, April 27-28, Hoffman Estates (near Chicago), IL
Attending Agents: Ginger Clark (Curtis Brown); Cori Deyoe (3 Seas Literary); Scott Eagan (Greyhaus Literary); Sara Megibow (Nelson Literary); Paige Wheeler (Folio Literary); and more.

NETWO Conference, (Northeast Texas Writers), April 27-28
Attending agents: Mary Sue Seymour (Seymour Agency); and Weronika Janczuk (Lynn Franklin Associates).

Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference, May 3-5, Oklahoma City, OK
Attending agents: Meredith Barnes (Lowenstein Associates); Terry Burns (Hartline Literary); Stephen Fraser (Jennifer DeChiara Literary); Louise Fury (L. Perkins Associates); Emmanuelle Morgen (Stonesong); and Jessica Sinsheimer (Sarah Jane Freymann Literary).

DFW Writers Conference, May 19-20, Dallas, TX
Attending agents: Elizabeth Evans (Jean V. Naggar Literary); Eddie Schneider (JABberwocky Literary); Sara Crowe (Harvey Klinger, Inc.); Paul Levine (Paul S. Levine Literary); Lucienne Diver (Knight Agency); Sarah Lapolla (Curtis Brown); Sally Harding (Cooke Agency); Meredith Barnes (Lowenstein Associates); Laurie McLean (Larsen Pomada Literary); and many more.

Clarksville Writers Conference, June 7-8, Clarksville, TN
Attending agents: Debbie Carter (Muse Literary Management); and at least one more agent to be named.

Books-in-Progress Conference, June 8-9, Lexington, KY (Carnegie Literacy Center)
Attending agents: Sorche Fairbank (Fairbank Literary); and one more, to be named.

Crested Butte Writers Conference, June 22-24, Crested Butte, CO
Attending agents: Mary Kole (Andrea Brown Literary); Hannah Bowman (Liza Dawson Associates); Ken Sherman (Ken Sherman Associates); and one more agent to be named.

Jackson Hole Writers Conference, June 28-30, Jackson Hole, WY
Attending agents: Lisa Bankoff (ICM); Katharine Sands (Sarah Jane Freymann Literary); and Alex Glass (Trident Media).

Midwest Writers Workshop, July 26-28, Muncie, IN
Attending agents: Kathleen Ortiz (Nancy Coffey Literary); Brooks Sherman (FinePrint Literary); J.L. Stermer (NS Bienstock); and Sarah LaPolla (Curtis Brown).

Mendocino Coast Writers Conference, July 26-28, Fort Bragg, CA.
Attending agents: Laurie McLean (Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents); and Gordon Warnock (Andrea Hurst Literary Management).

from http://www.writersdigest.com

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From a Moderate $ 33.000 Advance to $1 Million a year

 

A good part of the seminars last month at the San Francisco Writers Conference centered the topic of self-publishing. Three authors talked about their experiences:

Bella Andre, a romance author, has written for many of the big six in New York. A year and a half ago, she wanted to write a spin-off story to one of her print novels that readers had requested for five years, which led her into the self publishing arena. Today, Bella has 12 self-published books that she has translated into five languages and 29 contractors working for her worldwide. Her highest advance from a New York house during her traditionally published career was $33,000. Last year she made over $1 million dollars in self publishing, selling 400,000 e-books.

There are many aspects of self publishing that mesh with Bella’s entrepreneurial spirit, but in addition to enjoying running her own business, she loves the freedom to write whatever sounds like it will be the most fun.

Another author, Barbara Freethy, has written romance novels for 20 years. In 2011, she decided to self-publish her backlist. (When a book goes out of print, the rights return to the author and they are free to reprint or resell the work.) She has also just released three foreign editions in French, German and Spanish of some of her most popular titles.

Elizabeth Jennings, who lives currently in Italy, explained how self-published authors benefit from fewer obstacles in foreign distribution, allowing their work to reach a wider audience faster. She best described the vast potential in global self publishing as, “…the crest of a tsunami – catch the wave.

Read the whole SF Writers Conference report. 

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July 26 – 29, 2012 “Writing the Rockies”

Gunnison, Colorado

The Gunnison Creative Writers Workshop offers valuable learning tools in an inspiring setting at the Campus of the Western State College, located in the beautiful Gunnison Valley of the central Colorado Rockies.  The conference welcomes beginners, as well as published writers, and anyone else who believes in the magic and power of the written word.

Two-hour morning and afternoon concurrent tracks are scheduled in: mainstream (narrative nonfiction) / genre fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. Attendees can concentrate on a single track of interest during the course of the conference, or “mix and match” sessions as desired.

Workshop faculty members have a broad range of published works, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and even magazine article writing. Working with participants of all levels, our featured faculty will help writers hone their craft through lectures and will mix with participants during events outside of workshop sessions. Attendees can talk at leisure to agents and book publishers or sign up for pitches. Earn college credit for attending the conference. 

Gunnison Country recreational activities include hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking, and climbing. Thirty minutes away, the ski resort town of Crested Butte offers outdoor and cultural events as well as shopping and fine dining.

http://www.western.edu/writingtherockies

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Writing Boot Camp in New York

Photo Bobby Mikul

Trying to break into the magazine market? Need help making a query sing? Want to know how to get your nonfiction book published?  The 41st Annual ASJA Writers Conference, with more than 80 workshops and panels, will break down industry barriers and bring a successful freelance career within your reach.

This “Writing Boot Camp” can help you uncover new income streams and ways to boost your bottom line. Learn how to market yourself to editors and agents. Gain access to professional, seasoned writers through numerous networking opportunities. See the latest information on publishing technology.  Meet experts on topics ranging from social networking business strategies to writing craft, technology, breaking into new markets and more.

Learn the “how-to” with information focused on your needs that you can use immediately to help you rise to the top of the freelance writing field. Bestselling author, columnist and blogger Gretchen Rubin shares her personal recipe for success and happiness. Can you be a successful author and also love every word you write? Is there a way to balance promoting your brand while still finding time for your craft? How can aspiring authors navigate the new realities of publishing without losing their minds in the process?

http://www.asja.org/wc/
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