Archive for the ‘’ Category
What is the “I Sent Bastard to School” Fund created by Vicki Hudson?
Hi Teresa,
Thanks for the update.
I’m working on a project I wanted to let you know about and ask that you send it out to your network. This came from hearing Dorothy Allison and the Fremont High School (California) teacher and student talk at the last San Francisco Writers Conference about Fremont school board censoring Dorothy’s book. I’m raising funds to purchase books. Please check out the site: http://www.indiegogo.com/Send-Bastard2School
Thanks!
I salute Dorothy Allison for writing books that inspire hope for children and adults. I salute Vicki Hudson for creating the “I Sent Bastard to School” Fund.
Sincerely,
author of Love Made of Heart
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Coach Teresa, How Do Writers & Authors Rebuild Their Lives?
June 28, 2011 was a delightful display of authors rebuilding their lives.
Birgit Soyka and I (Teresa LeYung Ryan) were the featured authors at our Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter event at BookShop West Portal in San Francisco.

Birgit Soyka and Teresa LeYung Ryan celebrate Rebuild Your Life Month at BookShop West Portal - photo by Teresa's sister Maria
Birgit Soyka rebuilt her life, leaving Germany and coming to California. Motorcycle racing there and motorcycle racing here – two different worlds. Read her book To Drink the Wild Air.
I, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, rebuilt my career after Love Made of Heart was published by Kensington Publishing Corp. New York. I discovered that I had an eye as an editor–helping other writers identify the themes and archetypes in their stories, so, I became a manuscript consultant. Then when my clients reported that agents and publishers passed them by because they (the writers) didn’t have platforms and fanbases, I became a writing career coach for them. And, I published Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
Neal Sofman, the owner of BookShop West Portal, had to rebuild his business. Remember A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books? Those bookstores were owned by Neal. To survive hard times, he had to close those stores. Closure of one dream, invitation to another dream. BookShop West Portal in San Francisco is thriving.

Neal Sofman & BookShop West Portal get support from WNBA's Teresa LeYung Ryan & Birgit Soyka--photo by Leigh Anne Lindsey
I thank everyone who stepped out on rainy June 28, 2011 to support BookShop West Portal, WNBA, Birgit Soyka and yours truly Teresa LeYung-Ryan. May everyone who wants to rebuild her/his life do it joyfully.
Thank you to Neal, Kevin, Loretta, Jose, Jess at BookShop West Portal, Leigh Anne Lindsey, Birgit, Birgit’s friends, my sister and my friends Jonathan, Paula, Michelle Tapia, Miss Lauren Jung, bookstore loyalists and everyone there that evening.
And, remember, “Reach out, not stress out, when building or rebuilding your platform and fanbase!”

Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan (who helps writers build their platforms and fanbases) celebrates "Rebuild Your Life Month" at BookShop West Portal photo by Maria
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Lauren Jung and Michelle Tapia read scene from Love Made of Heart photo by Teresa LeYung-Ryan's sister Maria
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authors & publishers Leigh Anne Lindsey & Teresa LeYung Ryan cheer for Women's National Book Assn & BookShop West Portal
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Neal Sofman & BookShop West Portal praised by Author & Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan photo by Maria
Sincerely,
author of Love Made of Heart
Dear Birgit,
I had so much fun celebrating “Rebuild Your Life Month” with you, my friends and yours at BookShop West Portal! I too blogged http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresa-how-do-writers-authors-rebuild-their-lives/ See you and Jacqueline on Thursday July 7, 2011 at San Francisco Public Library-main branch, Stong Conference Room 6:00-7:30pm for WNBA meet-up!
Cheers from Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan Loves Stories About Words
Tuesday night, my sister and I dined at Squat & Gobble Cafe & Crepery before going to my gig with fellow Women’s National Book Association member Birgit Soyka at BookShop West Portal.
At first I thought the eatery was called Squab & Gobble, but, the name is Squat & Gobble. Why “Squat” ? Chickens squat. People squat. Squatting is done with the lower half of our body. Why “Gobble” ? Gobbling is done with our mouths.
What’s the lore behind the phrase squat and gobble?
Here’s a story about the Chinese word for “heart”: The word “heart” is inside the words “grace,” “forgiveness,” “perseverance,” “compassion.” The word “heart” is inside the word “love” thus love made of heart.
What was our gig? http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/how-do-authors-teresa-leyung-ryan-and-birgit-soyka-celebrate-rebuild-your-life-month-in-june/
Sincerely,
author of Love Made of Heart
What If My Favorite Bookstore / Bookseller Doesn’t Have the Book I Need or Want?
For example:
Laurel Bookstore is in the Laurel District in Oakland, California:
“Laurel Bookstore is a community spot for readers. If the book you want is not on the shelves, literacy hero Luan Stauss and her friendly staff will do their best to order it for you.” Cheers from author and writing career coach Teresa LeYung Ryan
June 18- 25, 2011 is Independent Booksellers Week; author and writing career coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Everyday is Support Independent Booksellers Day and everyday is Support Your Local Public Schools and Public Libraries Day!”
We all have the power to promote literacy!
Author & Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan
P.S. On Saturday June 25, 2011 I introduced my friend and colleague Margie Yee Webb (author of Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life ) to Luan Stauss, owner of Laurel Bookstore in Oakland, CA

authors Margie Yee Webb (in photo) & Teresa LeYung-Ryan (photographer) cheer for Laurel Bookstore & Luan Stauss (in photo)
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Congratulations to the Writers Who Entered The Immigrant Experience Writing Contest
DIVISION 342 – THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE: NOVEL, MEMOIR, OR SHORT STORY
Sponsored by Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart http://lovemadeofheart.com
First place winner: “My Chinese American Experience” by Patricia Tsang
Second place winner: “Dancing Among the Tombstones” by Ellen Six
Third place winner: “Culture Shock” by Lucy Murray
Honorable Mention: “Message Deleted” by Evie Groch
Honorable Mention: “Caught in the Current” by Uldis Zebergs
Honorable Mention: “The Luck of the Irish” by Martha Traynor

author Teresa LeYung Ryan writes fiction to help mothers and daughters and prescriptive nonfiction to help writers
Dear Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Sue Barizon, Elliotte Mao,
Bardi had invited me to attend the award ceremony on June 11, 2011 (San Mateo County Fair Literary Arts writing contests). I had wanted so much to be there, to thank everyone in the SMCF offices and the writers who entered the contest I sponsored – “The Immigrant Experience”
A previous commitment prevents me from being there with you on June 11th.
Could you 3 wonderful hearts Bardi, Elliotte, Sue (Sue, I read what you said about Bardi in The Patch) please print the attachment and bring it to the June 11 ceremony and one of you read it for me?
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Greetings from author and writing career coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan , the sponsor of The Immigrant Experience Writing Contest. . . I wish I were with you today. I’m visiting my friend Patty in the hospital who is another hero like Bardi. I thank Bardi, and everyone who helped her, for orchestrating the many wonderful writing contests. I thank all the writers who submitted entries to The Immigrant Experience category. The manuscripts I read touched me deeply. A second judge, Mary Knippel, and I discussed the merits of each piece. Thank you, Mary.
I extend this offer to all the contestants: If you email me at WritingCoachTeresa…I’m at gmail.comI will give you some pointers to polish your piece. And, I’d love to meet you. Please go to my website: WritingCoachTeresa.com and look at my Events Page. On Friday June 17 I’ll be at San Mateo County Fair with my California Writers Club buddies. I hope to meet you all in person, on facebook, or through my blog at WritingCoachTeresa.com where you’ll find lots of resources, including links to my Youtube channel and to Amazon for my 22-day workbook, to help you build your writer’s platform to attract agents and publishers. Remember me as Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan who says: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writing career. Stay connected with members of California Writers Club!”
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San Mateo County Fair. Go to Expo Hall, the Literary Arts Stage, San Mateo Event Center, 2495 So. Delaware St., San Mateo, CA
Events at the Literary Arts Stage are free, but there is admission and parking costs to enter the fairgrounds.
Was Peony In Love a Chinese Opera? No. The name of the opera was/is The Peony Pavilion. Peony In Love is the haunting novel by Lisa See. What are the themes in the novel? arranged marriage; teen depression; teen suicide; Chinese opera; romantic love; mother-daughter relationship; father-daughter relationship; The Three Wives’ Commentary on The Peony Pavilion; the opera The Peony Pavilion; dreams; ghosts; honor; forgiveness; in search of self; self love; self respect; rebellion; starvation.
I heard from colleague Deborah Grossman that:
on Tuesday June 7, 2011, 11:00am Lisa See will be at
Towne Center Books
555 Main Street, Pleasanton, California
925-846-8826
Coffee and Conversation with Lisa See
Judy Wheeler of Towne Center Books says: “Lisa’s newest book Dreams of Joy is set in China during the Great Leap Forward. It is full of adventure, meticulously researched details, and the intriguing characters we met in Shanghai Girls. I loved it and you will too……even if you haven’t read Shanghai Girls. Lisa’s previous novel, Snowflower and the Secret Fan , has been made into a movie and will be in the theaters July 15, 2011.”
I wish I could be there! I told Deborah Grossman I would blog about Lisa Lee. Peony In Love touched me deeply because the themes connect with the subject matters I write about.
And how appropriate that Deborah Grossman, author of Goldie and Me (book of poetry by Deborah the daughter and Goldie the mother), reminds me that Lisa Lee lives in California too!
Sincerely,

author Teresa LeYung Ryan writes fiction to help mothers and daughters and prescriptive nonfiction to help writers
Author of Love Made of Heart and Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days
“Coach Teresa, why is it important to show up to network? I don’t like mixers or meet-ups.”

screenwriter Terri Bertini, author Birgit Soyka, creativity mentor Mary E. Knippel and writing career coach Teresa LeYung Ryan at WNBA-SF Chapter Meet Up at San Francisco Public Library
June 2, 2011
Here’s my response: Take care of yourself; take care of your career. I don’t even like the word “network” so I get creative. Speaking of getting creative, tonight was an example of how to network and have fun.
Leon Veal, a WNBA member and outreach coordinator for Project Read San Francisco, calendared meeting space at the San Francisco Public Library main branch for us once a month. I asked fellow member and Creativity Mentor Mary E. Knippel to co-lead a WNBA Meet Up with me.
Members Birgit Soyka and Janine Kovac RSVPed.
Mary and I showed up early. I helped Mary re-configure her business card to read: You’ve been thinking about writing your book? Let me (Mary E. Knippel) help you. Mary showed me her Google Voice phone number. I want to create a YouTube channel for WNBA-SF Chapter–I provided the format and Mary came up with great idea–”Let’s create a how-to video tutorial for our members!” Mary is indeed the Creativity Mentor.
Birgit Soyka arrived, looking vibrant. She and I will be showcasing our books later this month:
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Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 7:00-9:00pm
BookShop West Portal, 80 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 415-564-8080
Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) members celebrate June’s “Rebuild Your Life Month” featuring books by members Birgit Soyka and Teresa LeYung-Ryan. Join us for a fun evening— reception; authors’ presentations; meet the new board and members of the San Francisco Chapter. Please RSVP by emailing BookShopRSVP@wnba-sfchapter.org
Birgit Soyka (author of To Drink the Wild Air: One Woman’s Quest to Touch the Horizon)
and
Teresa LeYung-Ryan (author of Love Made of Heart and Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days)
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Mary and I were telling Birgit about using YouTube to promote our work and Birgit was telling us about her wanting to identify her biggest target audience. Would that be readers of spiritual growth, world travels, women’s issues or motorcycle racing?
Then Terri Bertini (screenwriter, producer and director) showed up! I had met Terri at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration last month. When Birgit showed her book to Terri and started talking about her motorcycle racing and world travel . . . Terri said she remembers meeting Birgit in Los Angeles fifteen years ago at a race and that it seems like just yesterday. Voila! Birgit (in her motorcycle gear) is memorable and attracts attention.
I asked Terri if she has a blog and she told us the blog name she is considering. When her blog name is official I will broadcast on my blog.
Birgit is interested in showcasing her book at more venues. Mary and I will be at the Literary Arts/Fine Arts Department at the San Mateo County Fair on Friday 17, 2011 (please see http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Teresa-LeYung-Ryan%27s-Events.html for details) but we cannot be at the fair the following day for Bardi Rosman Koodrin’s Author Book Day June 18, 2011, 2:00-4:00pm because Mary is giving a workshop in Half Moon Bay and I had promised to take photos and film her.
Here’s an idea: I would email Bardi and pitch Birgit. Mary suggested to Birgit that if she gets table space on the 18th to showcase her books that she might also showcase my books.
Aah, helping each other, helping ourselves and having fun at the same time! This is why it is important to show up to network.
Janine Kovac, we missed you. Check out Janine’s blog. See you real soon.
Terri Bertini, thank you for joining us at the library.
Cheering for all hardworking writers!
Hope to see you on June 17, 2011! at the Literary Arts Dept. Stage at the San Mateo County Fair in California
4:00-6:00pm Mary E. Knippel presents “Coaxing Creativity” workshop
6:30-8:00pm readings by California Writers Club–San Francisco Peninsula Branch members including contributing authors in the anthology Fault Zone: Words from the Edge.
8:00-9:00pm Author Teresa LeYung-Ryan uses Love Made of Heart to inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and gain resources for their families. As Writing Career Coach Teresa, she helps fiction and nonfiction authors gain a competitive edge before and after publication with her workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days.
Writing Coach Teresa, what did you say was screenwriting teacher Terrel Seltzer’s mantra?
Terrel Seltzer’s simple and powerful mantra at the beginning of class was this: “What makes a story? Someone we care about wants something badly and is having a terrible time getting it.”
Let’s take a closer look at that golden mantra.
“Someone we care about (the protagonist or another character) wants something badly and is having a terrible time getting it.”
No one in our class (at The Writing Salon) cared about the protagonist Miles in the movie Sideways. However, we find out that Miles’s friend Jack cares about him; Miles’s mother cares about him; later, Maya (a kind person) cares about him. Voila! Someone we care about . . .
What if we don’t care about the protagonist or the other characters? Then, we hook with the object of desire. We want what the protagonist wants.
Terrel Seltzer has been a working screenwriter for twenty-five years, in both the Independent and Hollywood worlds. She has four produced screenplays: Chan Is Missing, Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart, How I Got Into College, and One Fine Day staring George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer. Terrel teaches at California College of the Arts and The Writing Salon. View her resume at: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0783559/
If you get a chance to take a class from Terrel Seltzer, I hope you’ll treat yourselves.
Sincerely,
Cheers to fiction and nonfiction writers!
Happy platform & fanbase building!
Coach Teresa, did you write an article about plotting a writer’s platform for Plot Teacher Martha Alderson?
Martha Alderson, plot teacher, published my article especially written for her: http://www.blockbusterplots.com/resc/teresa.html
Here’s Martha’s introduction:
Teresa LeYung Ryan
I met Teresa more than twelve years ago, before either of us were published. When Teresa’s book, Love Made of Heart, a story about a daughter’s journey to self-forgiveness, was published by Kensington Publishing NY, she gave me credit for teaching her about the difference between front-story and back-story. As she promoted her book, she generously continued to give me credit and, in so doing, helped launch my plot teaching career. I’ve been grateful for her help ever since.
Now, Teresa has crafted a book for writers interested in building a platform for themselves. Early in our careers, the need for a fiction writer to have a “platform” was not great. Today, it’s imperative for all writers to establish a platform for themselves. In her new book, Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase in 22 Days Teresa gives easy to follow steps. I asked her to share some of her thoughts and ideas on building a writer’s platform.
Know Where Your Protagonist Is Going, Plot Your Story; Know Where Your Career is Heading, Plot Your Platform
From Plot Master Martha Alderson you have learned how to plot your story. Now, you might be asking “What is a platform?” and “Why do I need to plot one?”
On page 1 of my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, the definition of platform: “Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”
Celebrity authors and best-selling authors have platforms. Authors who want to attract agents and publishers need platforms; authors who want to be their own publishers need them too.
Martha says: “Plot is what happens to the protagonist because of the dramatic action . . . . when the dramatic action changes him/her at depth over time, the story becomes thematically significant.”
The operative words are “at depth” and “over time.”
Just as your protagonist is transformed, so can your platform.
Years ago, when my publisher (who had found me through my agent) offered me a contract, I had 18 months to “think about my platform” (it would take 18 months for my book to go through the channels– from the day I sign the contract to the day when my book would be in bookstores—18 luxurious months to make my name stand for something).
Today, most authors will never experience that luxury. Why? Because even when an author lands an agent, the author’s manuscript or book proposal is often rejected by publishers if the author cannot show that he/she has a fanbase/platform.
You might be saying “I don’t need publishers. I’m going to self-publish.”
I say “Wonderful! Whether you want to sell rights to a publisher or be your own publisher, “invest” in yourself. Grow your fanbase now. Plot your platform. Know where your career is heading the way you know where your protagonist is going. And please… reach out, not stress out.
3 Tips to Get Started–Make Your Name Audible, Visible, Memorable:
1) When you introduce yourself at parties, meetings, conferences . . . enunciate your full name; the person you’re chatting with could be a future fan
Show your full name on name badges and sign-in sheets. If you have a pen name, and you want people to remember you by that name, use your pseudonym. Your phone’s outgoing message—announce your full name.
2) What does your name look like in your email address? Is it something obscure like “cba94111” cba94111@gmail.com ? You’re professional, make your email address professional. Here is mine: “Teresa LeYung Ryan” Teresa@LoveMadeOfHeart.com
3) What does your signature block look like? Show your full name. Also, if you like adding quotes in your signature block . . . instead of quoting other people, quote yourself. Show email recipients (even family members and friend) something memorable.
Examples:
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author/writing career coach
http://WritingCoachTeresa.com
“I use my workbook to help writers gain a competitive edge. A platform is not something you stand on. It’s something you stand for!”
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan,
http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com
“I use my novel Love Made of Heart to inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and to gain resources for their families.”
Thank you, Writing Coach Teresa!
This is a sample of the ideas Teresa has to share with you in her new book, on her blog, and on her website. She, along with Elisa Southard — author of Break Through the Noise, has presented every year at the San Francisco Writers Conference to prepare writers for their pitch sessions with agents and publishers. She has helpful information for writers serious about their writing careers.
Thank you so much, Plot Teacher Martha!
If you’d like to read Martha’s interview of me as a novelist, go here: http://blockbusterplots.com/resc/ryan.html
Did you know that you can pre-order Martha’s new book via Amazon? (will be shipped October 2011 or sooner) The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
Cheers to fiction and nonfiction writers!
Happy platform & fanbase building!
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
paperback edition of workbook http://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Writers-Platform-Fanbase/dp/0983010005/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306181835&sr=1-1
Kindle ebook edition https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J9ZEIA/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0
To submit your comment to any post in my blog, click on the blue header (title bar) of the post and fill in the boxes; then be sure to click “submit comment” otherwise your comment will be lost and you’d have to fill in boxes again. I’d like to hear from you.
Coach Teresa, how do I continue promoting myself after an event or a book signing or a reading?
Here’s my answer:
You’ve spent weeks, maybe even months, publicizing your event. You deliver the event (and I hope you had fun), then you, the audience, everyone involved in coordination . . . you all go home or on to another event. Have you forgotten something? That something is “follow up” work. Who did you talk to at the event? What did you promise? Below is an example – how to follow up. Angela Pang and her coworkers at AsianWeek work extremely hard each year orchestrating the Asian Heritage Street Celebration. This is my Email to her; I cc’ed my booth partners Margie Yee Webb and Patricia Tsang, M.D.
May 22, 2011
Dear Angela,
If you need quotes from us for post-event newsletter . . . here goes; also, 3 photos attached.
Who were the authors at this year’s AHSC? Margie Yee Webb (Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life), Teresa LeYung Ryan (Love Made of Heart; Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days), and Patricia Tsang, M.D. (Optimal Healing: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine). Margie Yee Webb says: “California Writers Club is proud to once again be part of the Asian Heritage Street Celebration to encourage everyone to write their stories. We are also pleased to support schools through donations to the School Raffle Program.” Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “I thank Margie and Asian-Week Foundation for re-connecting me to the Asian-American community. My third year at AHSC, I had so much fun with my friends.” Patricia Tsang, M.D. says: “A street fair with food, culture, art, literature, martial arts, health science, and more. What can be more enticing to an Asian? The celebration gave me a chance to reconnect with my roots as well as share information about my book.”
Angela, thanks again for making our experience enjoyable! Margie & Pat, I’ll email you more photos later ![]()
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan on facebook!
Check out Teresa’s YouTube videos http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung
You notice how I embedded our URLs in our names? (so that if Angela or AsianWeek e-newsletter readers want to read more about us and California Writers Club. . . they’d be taken to our websites). By the way, my two booth partners and I are also members of Women’s National Book Association -San Francisco Chapter.
Coach Teresa here has a lot of follow-up emails to send and photos to resize and rename. To see a partial list of people I met at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration, please go to my May 22, 2011 post . Thanks.
Have fun building your writer’s platform!
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan (click on my name to get to my YouTube videos)
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