Posts Tagged ‘and Media Attention NOW’
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Meet Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Book Marketing Coach!
1. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your background in the industry?
My name is Teresa LeYung-Ryan and my clients call me Writing-and-Platform-Building Coach Teresa. I wish to thank Christy Pinheiro-Silva of www.StepByStepSelfPublishing.net for this interview, and, I encourage everyone to look for the core messages in my responses—which are: Reach out, not stress out, to material your dreams; and, wear your two hats as a writer and be happy (whether you’re writing fiction, narrative nonfiction, or prescription nonfiction also known as “how to” books/articles).
This is what happened to me, over ten years ago, and the choices I’ve made.
I had a dream—a dream of connecting with readers the way Maxine Hong Kingston touched me with her memoir The Woman Warrior. My writer’s journey started with learning the components of a story in a ten-week course Writing Children’s Literature at the community center and forming a critique group with three classmates after the course ended.
Fast forward. After seven years of writing and rewriting, showing up at critique meetings twice a month, I received a gift from a friend—a brochure for the Jack London Writers’ Conference with an entry form for their writing contest. Two months later, at the conference, I met members from California Writers’ Club and I received “Second Prize” in the Novel Category in the writing contest. I thought that by being a winner in a contest, surely I would attract mentors and be “discovered” by an agent the following week. (Are you laughing?)
Fast forward. After sending query letters and the first two chapters of my novel to dozens of agents over a year, and, receiving “rejection letters” and getting very depressed, I took a friend’s advice and registered for a workshop “How to Get Published.” Also, I got together with two other contest-winners (Luisa Adams and Martha Alderson) and we pledged to help each other on our writers’ journeys.
I took a six-week leave of absence from my job to perform the last big rewrite of my manuscript. (Note: Surround yourself with people who really support your dreams. My husband and my friends were cheering for me.)
Fast forward. My first novel Love Made of Heart (a mother-daughter love story) is used in college composition classes; available at public libraries; recommended by the CA School Library Association and the CA Reading Association; and archived at the San Francisco History Center. October 2012 marks the tenth anniversary of Love Made of Heart. The book is still in print, and, I continue to meet new fans.
For the past nine years, through my coaching and my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, I have been helping writers reach out, not stress out, to attract agents, editors, publishers, readers, and media attention.
2. What is your opinion on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing and represented by an agent?
The advantage of identifying the right agent who will pitch your intellectual property to the right publishers— agents have their specialties and their relationships with acquisition editors at publishing houses; established publishers have relationships with book distributors.
Note: An agent gets 15% of what the author receives from the publisher (similar to a finder’s fee). Agents are not publicists, marketing managers or promoters. The publisher, not the agent, offers you the contract (to buy the rights to publish your book).
Note: Hire a literary attorney to interpret and negotiate the contract for you if your agent doesn’t have access to legal counsel. Know what rights you are selling to the publisher.
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The advantage of being your own publisher—you have full control regarding:
- rights to publish and re-print
- how to promote your book, when, and to whom
- publication date and publication format
- book layout, cover design, jacket copy
- cover price; discounts to booksellers
- budget and profits
Consider Your and Other People’s Timetables:
It might take years to find your agent; it might take years before your agent finds the publisher. By the way, my super-agent Stacey Glick tells me that only 2% of her clients would receive contracts from publishers. When Stacey negotiated the deal with acquisition editor John Scognamiglio at Kensington Publishing Corp. New York (a publisher who releases 500+ new titles each year) for my mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart, my book title got onto the “conveyor belt” (it would take 18 months from when I sign the contract to when the book would show up in bookstores).
Note: A publisher could “fast track” a new title, releasing the book within months or even weeks. An example of releasing a book within weeks would be when a super-famous person dies and big publishers would forego some of the stops in the conveyor belt process.
How much attention are you going to get and give?
The bigger the publisher, the more new titles they release each year, the less attention each author gets. Their best-selling authors, celebrity-authors, and new authors to whom they have given huge advances would get the most attention of course.
A decade ago when John Scognamiglio told me “You have six weeks to get on the radar” I thought I knew what that meant. You see, I was one of the lucky authors. Kensington had bought “front of the store” shelf space at chain-stores for Love Made of Heart. Chain-stores would rotate inventory every six weeks. If a book sells during those six weeks, then the store would order more copies through their distributor. Independent sales representatives (especially Nancy Suib and Anne Shulenberger) introduced Love Made of Heart to their accounts (independent booksellers). “Indies” also had to rotate their inventory every few weeks. What does this mean? Unsold books are returned to the distributors (warehouses). Publishers have to pay taxes on inventory—it is a costly business—selling printed books.
To stay on that “radar” meant making one’s name and the subject matter/issues/themes in one’s book visible in media attention over those precious six weeks. Which also meant having lined up interviews—in print, radio, television. You’re probably saying . . . Wouldn’t the publisher handle all that? Yes, if you are one of their best-selling authors, a celebrity, or a new author who has been given a huge advance.
Note: Cyberspace magic provides opportunities galore for authors to broadcast ourselves (build our platforms and fanbases). What is a platform? The definition is on page 1 from my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: “Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers—who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”
3. What do you feel is the most important thing that authors can do to promote their books?
The simple yet powerful tool is: Making your name synonymous with the themes/subject matter/issues in your literary works.
In my interview on CBS Channel 5, I talked about: “What I care about … leads to my writing about those themes/subject matters/issues. What I write about … attracts my fans because they also care about what I care about. Help your fans find you.”
Introduce yourself with your full name. Then use these three words: “I care about . . . ”
Example: (as a writer of fiction, narrative nonfiction, including memoirs )
I am Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart (a mother-daughter love story). I care about helping adult-children (of mentally-ill parents) speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their loved ones.
Example: (as a writer of prescriptive nonfiction a.k.a. “how to” )
I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW. I care about helping writers thrive in today’s publishing arena.
I call these self-introductions my platform-statement.
Where to “show” your platform-statement?
- Your email signature-block!
- Your letterhead!
- Your website and blog slogan/tagline/description!
- Your bio!
- Your business cards!
- The caption for your photographs!
- Headline for press releases!
- Social media pages!
- And, let’s hear it on your voicemail!
Even when I’m emailing my loved ones (my biggest fans), I show them my platform-statement in my signature block. Help your fans brag about you with ease.
4. What are your feelings on Social Media? (Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc)
I thank creators and users of social media. How else could our fans from faraway places find us? Be consistent. Update your bio in all these forums to reflect your current platform-statement. A picture speaks a thousand words; be sure to rename photo-files (show your full name and book title, and even keywords from your platform-statement)
5. Do you feel that book marketing for fiction is different than book marketing for non-fiction?
No difference in today’s markets.
How do I choose books as a consumer?
As Teresa-the-consumer, I pay attention when:
- friends recommend a book
- I read about or hear or meet the author and I appreciate what the author has to say
- I need information on a particular subject, so I use a search engine (like Google.com) to find those books or I ask my favorite booksellers and librarians.
How would I help these consumers find me if I am an author?
Please see the answers to Question # 3—“What do you feel is the most important thing that authors can do to promote their books?”
6. What are some of the biggest mistakes that authors make when trying to promote their books?
- One big mistake is misdirecting your energy pitching to book reviewers or radio or television producers who are not interested in the subject matter /issues/ themes that you are promoting. Do your homework; seek advice from mentors, colleagues, and yours truly Coach Teresa; use The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages; listen and watch shows you’d like to be invited to, and, please study their format
- Another common mistake is what my colleague Elisa Sasa Southard calls “killing a marketing moment.” Her book Break Through the Noise shows you the 9 tools to propel your marketing message.
- The third common mistake is tiring yourself out when promoting at events where there is traveling, schlepping, and setting up involved. I have lots of fun with colleagues/co-presenters at writers’ conferences, book festivals, and community events. Recently I shared a booth with Margie Yee Webb and Rita Lakin at the Sonoma County Book Festival. Every year I join forces with co-presenters Sasa Southard and Mary E. Knippel at the San Francisco Writers Conference. On December 15, 2012 I’ll be sharing a table with Margie Yee Webb (she’s the author of the gift-book Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings) at a Local Authors event. Please check my events page.
7. Do you have any other useful advice for beginning authors?
- Get yourself a calendar (month at a glance) with big squares to write in, and, schedule time to work on your craft and your platform.
- Get to know members in writers’ organizations (my favorite ones are California Writers Club and Women’s National Book Association)
- Please read my blog post: Wear Two Hats as a Writer and Be Happy
8. How can authors contact you if they have any questions?
I encourage you to ask me question by posting a comment on any of my blog posts. That way, my fans will see your name and questions (so, promote yourself). To submit a comment: click on the headline/blue title bar of the post, scroll down to the end of the post, fill in the boxes, and press the [submit comment] button.
Here’s a blog post you might like to submit a comment/question: Who Really Is the Most Qualified Person to Build the Author’s Platform and Fanbase?
My email address: WritingCoachTeresag at gmail.com
You will find links to the organizations referenced in this interview on my “Writers’ Resources” page at http://writingcoachteresa.com
In closing, I wish to reiterate my thanks to Christy Pinheiro and to say “I cheer for all writers!”
Reach out, not stress out!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
http://writingcoachTeresa.com
Christy Pinheiro-Silva of www.StepByStepSelfPublishing.net says:
“Thanks, Teresa, for a great interview!!!”
Margie Yee Webb and other
Local Authors at Delta Wine & Art Faire
Sunday, October 7, 2012
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Old Sugar Mill
35265 Willow Avenue
Clarksburg, CA 95612
$20 entry: includes meeting artists and authors, live music, book signings, & wine tasting
Get your tickets early!
Presenting Sponsor: Carvalho Family Winery
Over 20 Artists, 9 Wineries, 30 Authors, 4 bands and more!!!
(916)744-1625 http://www.carvalhofamilywinery.com
Featured Authors – Book signing!
• *Shelley Buck: Floating Point
• *L.F. Crawford: Bad Moon Rising
• *Bob Golling: Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace (edited by Maxine Hong Kingston)
• *M.L Hamilton: Emerald
• *Laurie Hoirup: I Can Dance: My Life with a Disability
• *Jeanne Johng-Nishikawa, Dreaming in English, www.dreaminginenglishmemoir.com
• *Pamela Johnson: Heart of a Pirate
• *Frances Kakugawa: Kapoho: Memoir of a Modern Pompeii, www.francesk.org
• *Hazuki Kataoka: The Moon Princess, www.storycardtheater.com
• *Steve Liddick: All That Time, Campsite Gourmet http://topcatpublications.com
• *Frank Luna: Red Storm
• *Elaine Macko: Armed
• *Nan Mahon: Blind Buddy and Mojo’s Blues Band
• *Jennifer Martin: The Huna Warrior: The Magic Begins
• *Dahlynn McKowen: Wine-Oh! Guide to the Sierra Foothills & Wine Wherever: In California’s Mid-Coast & Inland Regions
• *Ken McKowen: Best of California’s Missions, Mansions and Museums & Best of Washington and Oregon’s Mansions, Museums and More
• *Tom Myers: Sacramento Impressions
• *Shirley Parenteau, Bears In Bed, Bears On Chairs
• *Alton Pryor: books about history of the west
• *Carol Ryan: Right Now Is Perfect
• *Cindy Sample: Dying for a Dance and Dying for a Date, www.cindysamplebooks.com
• *Kiyo Sato: Kiyo’s Story, A Japanese American Family’s Quest for the American Dream www.dandelionthroughthecrack.com
• *Cheryl Stapp: Disaster and Triumph: Sacramento Women, Gold Rush through the Civil War
• *Murry Stapp: Those Radio Days
• *James Van Eaton: Chasing Moonshine, www.jamesvaneaton.com
• *Jennifer Walker, Bubba Goes National and Bubba to the Rescue, www.authorjenwalker.com
• *T.E. Watson, The Man Who Spoke With Cats
• *Margie Yee Webb: Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life, www.catmulan.com
• *Naida West: History novels, California Gold trilogy, http://www.bridgehousebooks.com
• Friends Of the Public Library: Various books
For directions:
http://www.carvalhofamilywinery.com/contactUs.shtml
Cheers to all the authors, artists and musicians!
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
http://writingcoachteresa.com

author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to say:
“I had such a good time on CBS Channel 5 Bay Sunday. My big thanks to: Arts-in-the-Valley radio show host Kim McMillon, Bay Sunday producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa, Bay Sunday host Frank Mallicoat (3 time Emmy Award journalist), Bay Sunday team (including audio expert Francisco Gomez, interns Jennifer and Chelsea, the gurus behind stage), colleagues Joan Gelfand, Ishmael Reed, and Pireeni Sundaralingam, and all my friends and clients who cheered for me and my colleagues.”
Please click here to see the segment on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel - the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am.
What is a platform anyway? A platform is what your name stands for – what you care about.
After you watch the interview, please come back to this post. What do you care about?
Tell us by submitting a comment to this post.
1. Click on the blue header of this post
2. Scroll down to get the boxes
3. Fill in the boxes and press [submit comment] button. Consider keeping a copy of your comment and post it in your email signature-block and on other blogs. This is how you broadcast your platform.
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Please click here to see the segment on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel - the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am.
As coach and author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, I say: “Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”
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Please click here to see the segment on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel - the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am.
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I care about helping writers thrive in the publishing arena. Coaching writers before and after publication is what I enjoy doing. Some clients prefer my coaching them 5 to 15 minutes a day for 22 consecutive days ( in-person, via Skype or phone calls); some prefer an hour or two hours at a time. Start with my workbook — You can sneak preview the 2 exercises for Day 1 in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days by going to Amazon and take advantage of their “Look Inside” feature.
How to contact me? Click here please.
http://www.facebook.com/
http://www.youtube.com/
I cheer for all writers!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa
Update: Colleagues Leon Veal, Judith Marshall, Chandra Garsson, Sheryl Fairchild, Susan Pace-Koch, Dave LaRoche, and of course Cindy Sample and Jennifer Walker have sent their good wishes to Margie Yee Webb via my facebook posting of this blog post.
Margie Yee Webb, author of Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life, enjoys promoting her book in person.
Margie says: “I am so excited since I have seen some authors at Apple Hill before and wanted to do an event there. So when Cindy Sample asked me, I said yes!”
10th Annual Art in the Orchard
September 8 & 9, 2012
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Author Appearance and Book Signing
Rainbow Orchards – #10
2569 Larsen Drive
Camino, CA 95709
Local Authors Margie Yee Webb (Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life), Cindy Sample (Dying for a Dance and Dying for a Date) and Jennifer Walker (Bubba Goes National and Bubba to the Rescue) will be signing their books and talking to fans.
Click here Margie’s calendar of events for details of this fun event.
Click here for Margie Yee Webb’s website to see how this author builds her writer’s platform and fanbase

Click here for El Dorado Arts Council
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Then, on Saturday Sept. 22, 2012, 10:00am – 4:00pm Margie Yee Webb, Rita Lakin (Gladdy Gold mystery series) and I (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) will co-exhibit our books and have fun with our colleagues and fans at the Sonoma County Book Festival in Santa Rosa, CA. Click here for my webpage of events.
Sincerely,

writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!"
As coach and author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”
http://www.facebook.com/
http://www.youtube.com/
Tonight August 28, 2012 at 7:30pm
Martha Alderson the Plot Whisperer at
1520 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tel: 831-423-0900
The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-By-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories (Paperback) $16.95
Turn lackluster plots into irresistible stories!
When it comes to writing bestsellers, it’s all about the plot. But creating a captivating storyline that mesmerizes your audience until the very end is easier said than done. With thousands of engaging books on the shelf, you’ll need to set yours apart by developing unique scenarios that leave readers wondering what happens next.
In this writing workbook, celebrated local writing teacher and author Martha Alderson covers everything from constructing spirited action and compelling characters to establishing an unforgettable ending. She also walks you through the development of a successful narrative with exercises that: help build suspense, incorporate effective subplots, tie up all the loose ends, and keep the reader turning pages. Filled with essential advice and writing exercises, The Plot Whisperer Workbook will quickly become your go-to guide for crafting a tale worthy of the bestseller list!
Don’t miss Wallace Baine’s article about Martha Alderson, her book, and our event in The Sentinel.
ISBN-13: 9781440542749
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Adams Media Corporation, 8/2012
Sign up for Martha’s e-zine; read Martha’s blog! Go to http://blockbusterplots.comog!
Colleagues Lori Noack, Linda Lee, Mary E. Knippel and Luisa Adams and yours truly Teresa LeYung-Ryan will be cheering for Martha Alderson tonight. See you there!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa

writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!"
- As coach and author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”
- Teresa has built her own platform happily. Her first novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes; available at public libraries; recommended by the CA School Library Association and the CA Reading Association; and archived at the San Francisco History Center. Love Made of Heart and her short play Answer Me Now carry the themes closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship; Chinese-American immigrant experience; helping adult-children (of mentally-ill parents) speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their loved ones.
- Please visit Coach Teresa’s Events Page
- http://WritingCoachTeresa.com Click on “Coach Teresa’s Blog”
- http://www.facebook.com/
Teresa.LeYung.Ryan - http://www.youtube.com/
teresaleyung
Writing Coach Teresa says: “Platform-Building Is Fun For Writers, Friends, Fans.”

"The way Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat cheers for his friend who is writing a book is a beautiful example of friends turning into fans for each other. Showing your fans 'what your name stands for' (your platform-statement) helps them brag about you with ease," says Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan -- photo by poet & novelist Joan Gelfand
When I heard dear friend Kim McMillon’s voice on July 16, 2012 asking if I would like to be a guest on CBS 5′s Bay Sunday show, I thought . . . I’d love to, but, I’m exhausted. . . Just that day, artist Chandra Garsson (another dear friend) had filmed me reading my ten-minute monologue Answer Me Now. Two days before that, I was on the “Writers on Writing” panel at Oakland Library, Rockridge Branch, that Kim had orchestrated for Stephanie Dale, Judith Cody, Yolande Barial, Joan Gelfand, and yours truly Teresa LeYung-Ryan.

writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!"
Saying “yes” would mean spending at least two full days preparing for the appearance and doing pre-event publicity and then calendaring another two days to do post-event follow-ups and publicity.

Carol Sheldon (author of Mother Lode) interviewed by Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan at Book Passage Ferry Building SF -- photo by Jim Weiland
You see . . . a week before that, I had interviewed award-winning author Carol Sheldon (Mother Lode) at Book Passage at the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Two days before that event, I had attended a planning meeting at Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter. Before that, I was away for the 3-day Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival at 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa. Before that, I was having fun with California Writers Club friends showcasing our works at the San Mateo County Fair (June 12 and June 16 for me).
All the while . . . I was helping clients create their platform-statements and identify themes in their manuscripts.
Yes, I was exhausted . . . But, I knew I would say “Yes!” to my dear friend Kim McMillon. Kim was helping Bay Sunday Producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa by providing a list of authors with public-speaking experience. I was one of the fortunate chosen ones. I needed to say “Yes! Thank you!”
I am so glad I did . . . Angela Pang, Community Relations Manager at AsianWeek Foundation (who is also my pal Margie Yee Webb’s beloved niece), saw the group photo posted by Bay Sunday’s super team on their facebook album “Bay Sunday 7/23 Taping” and tagged me. Now, I’m getting all kinds of fun messages from my other friends.
Writers’ Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “The way Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat cheers for his friend who is writing a book is a beautiful example of friends turning into fans for each other. Outfitting your fans (old ones and new ones) with your platform-statement helps them brags about you with ease. I cheer for writers, friends, fans! Thank you, 3 time Emmy Award winner Frank! Thank you, producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa! Thank you to the four wonderful interns, especially Jennifer and Chelsea! Thank you Bay Sunday Team (including audio expert Francisco Gomez and the gurus behind stage!)
“I had so much fun this morning being a guest on Bay Sunday at CBS 5 with fellow authors Joan Gelfand, Ishmael Reed, and Pireeni Sundaralingam . Everyone extended kind energy. I was happy to see Tennessee Reed! Thank you, Kim McMillon, for pitching us to Akilah!
Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

authors Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Joan Gelfand, Pireeni Sundaralingam are fans of Bay Sunday host Frank Mallicoat--photo by Jennifer
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Indivisible an Anthology of Contemporary South Asian American Poetry - Edited by Neelanjana Banerjee, Summi Kaipa, and Pireeni Sundaralingam
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Jennifer helps Bay Sunday guests Joan Gelfand, Tennessee Reed and Ishmael Reed get comfortable before taping of show--photo by Coach Teresa
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"The way Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat cheers for his friend who is writing a book is a beautiful example of friends turning into fans for each other. Showing your fans 'what your name stands for' (your platform-statement) helps them brag about you with ease," says Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan -- photo by poet & novelist Joan Gelfand
Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

authors Joan Gelfand, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Pireeni Sundaralingam cheer for Bay Sunday producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa and host Frank Mallicoat--photo by Jennifer
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Wonderful Interns Jennifer and Chelsea flank Bay Sunday Super Producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa (yes, that is Host Frank Mallicoat walking by)-- photo by Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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CBS-5 Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat asks poet & novelist Joan Gelfand about her writing process--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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CBS-5 Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat asks Poet Pireeni Sundaralingam about her co-editing Indivisible: an Anthology of Contemporary South Asian American Poetry --photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan answers Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat's question "What is branding?" --photo by Jennifer
Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.
Of the 10 talking-points that I was prepared to cover, we had time to answer most of these in the five-minute interview:
• What is Coach Teresa’s definition of a writer’s platform?
“Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers—who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”
“What I care about leads to my writing about those themes/subject matters/issues; what I write about attracts my fans because they also care about what I care about. Help your fans find you.”
Start with: “I care about . . . ”
Example: (as a writer of fiction, narrative nonfiction, including memoirs )
I am Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart. I care about helping adult-children (of mentally-ill parents) speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their loved ones.
Example: (as a writer of prescriptive nonfiction a.k.a. “how to” )
I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days. I care about helping writers thrive in today’s publishing arena.
Where to “show” your platform-statement?
Your email signature block! Your letterhead! Your website and blog slogan/tagline/description! Your bio! Your business cards!
“Even when I’m emailing my loved ones (my biggest fans), I show them my platform-statement in my signature block. Help your fans brag about you with ease.”
• Why does a writer need to promote?
“To compete in the publishing arena where celebrity authors and best-selling authors have huge fanbases. “
• How much does it cost to build my writer’s platform?
“Might not require money. The writer does need to invest time and energy. 22 minutes a day for 22 days to start.”
• What is branding?
“Your name is your brand. Making your name synonymous with the issues you write about in order to attract fans (a.k.a. targeted consumers)”
• Which is the “better” route – find an agent who will find the publisher OR find the publisher myself OR be my own publisher?
“A writer’s journey is magical. Your fans could be the ones to lead you to your route. Take a look at my website, page entitled “Writers’ Resources,” and my blog.”
• Coach Teresa, your workbook is Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days . Why 22 days?
“When we stick to something for 21 consecutive days, we develop a new habit. Why not gain the wonderful habit of building our platform/name? On the 22nd day, we celebrate. Everyday is a good day to build your name / fanbase / platform!”
The workbook: Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.
I care about helping writers thrive in the publishing arena. Coaching writers before and after publication is what I enjoy doing. Some clients prefer my coaching them 5 to 15 minutes a day for 22 consecutive days ( in-person, via Skype or phone calls); some prefer an hour or two hours at a time. Start with my workbook — You can sneak preview the 2 exercises for Day 1 in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days by going to Amazon and take advantage of their “Look Inside” feature.
How to contact me? Click here please.
http://www.facebook.com/
http://www.youtube.com/
I cheer for all writers!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa
Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
“My platform is not something I stand on, it is what my name stands for.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s dear colleague Mary E. Knippel says about April 27, 2012 the last day of the FREE, online event called “A Juicy Journey to Happiness” telesummit designed for women of a certain age:
Dear One,
Are you as happy as you want to be? Or, like most people, do you tell yourself, “I’ll be happy when … (I’m healthier or wealthier, or my home is more peaceful, or I have more time to do what I love?)”
I don’t want you to keep waiting. I want you to claim your happiness right away, and I have a lovely invitation to help you do just that. Join me on this juicy journey.
My friend and colleague Dr. Nancy Burnett is leading a very special, FREE, online event called A Juicy Journey to Happiness designed for women of a certain age. I’ll be speaking on one of the ten online conversations, and I’d love to have you join us for the entire series as my guest. You’re welcome to invite your friends as well!
Yes, tell me more!
Each call will explore one aspect of happiness. The series as a whole focuses on how each of us can find beauty, purpose, and success on our own terms.
At a Juicy Journey to Happiness, you’ll learn…
* How to become a happy traveler and leave the ‘baggage’ at home.
* How to develop your confidence regardless of shape, weight, or age.
* How to dial in to your own style.
* The break-out solution to unleashed creativity. (can you guess who that is? – Friday, April 27, 2012 at noon Pacific – join me)
* Ways to break through loss of purpose and discover a whole new path.
* Secrets of breaking out of old ideas about good health.
* How to reach beyond your comfort zone to create the life you want.
* The true relationship between money and success.
… and much, much more!
Register today to attend all ten online sessions free:
I look forward to seeing you there.
Unleash!
Mary E. Knippel
The Unleashed Homemakertm
P.S. Every one of the speakers will be giving away valuable gifts on our calls. And if you can’t attend these calls live, you’ll have an opportunity to listen to the call recordings. So you have nothing to lose! Let’s grow the number of happy women! Click here to register.
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
As editor/story consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan identifies themes and universal archetypes for clients.
As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”
Teresa has built her own platform happily; her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. She says her novel and her play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship.
http://writingcoachteresa.com for Coach Teresa’s Blog and other resources.
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
What to do after pitching to agents and acquisition editors?
Coach Teresa here… to say “I’m sorry that I’ll have to miss being with you at WNBA-SF Chapter’s signature event on March 24, 2012. Special thanks to WNBA-SF Chapter fellow pitch-coaches Mary E. Knippel and Tanya Egan Gibson, program chair Lynn Henriksen and co-president Linda Lee for providing bios of the agents and acquisition editors so that I was able to create handout material for tomorrow, and Mary E. Knippel and co-president Linda Joy Myers for taking care of duplicating material and bringing to event tomorrow.”
“I wish my colleagues, all the authors who will be pitching, agents and acquisition editors, and luncheon keynote speaker Meg Waite Clayton a most wonderful day at our signature event ‘Meet and Speed Date with Agents and Acquisition Editors.’”
After you pitch . . .
What to do if an agent or acquisition editor has asked you to send a portion of your full manuscript or the entire manuscript?
If he/she has asked you to email the submission:
- Make your email subject line” to the point” (Example: follow-up on our meeting at WNBA event on March 24 Another example: Thank you for asking me to send my manuscript)
- Use salutation; pitch in 1 to 3 sentences (do not assume that agent/ acquisition editor remembers everything you told her/him); state what you are attaching (first 3 chapters? first 50 pages? book proposal? (for a how-to book also known as prescriptive nonfiction); ask when you can expect a reply; your “thank you”; signature block with your full name and contact information and website/blog/facebook/twitter/YouTube address. Be sure to use paragraphs in the body of your email so that your message doesn’t look like a block of text. Email yourself to preview.
- The attachment—use industry standard format (Cover page showing your book title; genre; word count; your full name; your contact information. Manuscript pages — 1” margins; double spaced; 12-pt. font; header on each page contains book title and your full name; each page numbered)
Multiple agents and/or acquisition editors have asked to read a portion of your manuscript or the entire project?
- Show your professional self. If more than one person asked to read a substantial portion of your manuscript (investing their time), you be honorable–give one agent an exclusive reading period (typically 2 to 3 weeks); let that agent know that other agents are waiting to read.
What to do if no agent or acquisition editor has asked to see your work?
Despair not. Polish your pitch and query other agents. How do you find other agents? Read acknowledgment pages of books similar to yours; authors usually thank their agents and editors. Go to Association of Authors’ Representatives’ website and search in their database.
Books that can help you refine your pitch and/or build your writer’s platform:
How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen
Break Through the Noise: 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message by Elisa Southard
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW by Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Cheering for you!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”
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https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/pdf/2012/52-70%20FINE%20ARTS%20GALLERIA%202012%20FINAL.pdf
Sponsored by Teresa LeYung-Ryan — author of Love Made of Heart: an immigrant daughter’s journey to self-forgiveness (the book is used in college composition classes); author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW; as editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying themes and archetypes; read Coach Teresa’s blog at http://writingcoachteresa.com
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B. Lynn Goodwin’s WRITER ADVICE – 7th Annual Flash Prose Contest. Short Fiction/Memoir, 750 words max. First Prize: $200, Deadline: April 18, 2012. Guidelines www.writeradvice.com
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Cheering for all writers!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”
As editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying their themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story.
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. Thank you, Teachers & Students!
Coach Teresa and Colleagues at San Francisco Writers Conference
To register for SFWC San Francisco Writers Conference
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Thursday, February 16, 2012 6:00pm
Mary E. Knippel & Teresa LeYung-Ryan
BEING YOUR OWN EDITOR: Ensuring Your Work is 100% Before Taking the Next Step:
Attend this session if you want to Polish Your Manuscripts before:
• hiring book doctor/developmental editor OR
• pitching to agents or acquisition editors OR
• self-publishing
Mary E. Knippel is author of The Secret Artist – Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine!
Teresa LeYung-Ryan is author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW and Love Made of Heart
Also, Mary E. Knippel and Teresa LeYung-Ryan are scheduled to give one-on-one 10-minute consultations at San Francisco Writers Conference!
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Friday, February 17, 2012 9:00am
Elisa “Sasa” Southard & Teresa LeYung-Ryan
BLOWING UP YOUR BALLOON: Writing a Tag-Line That Will Sell You and Your Book
Attend this session if you want to:
• hook agents, acquisition editors, readers, media attention
• make your name synonymous with the themes you write about
• have fun building your writer’s platform & fanbase
To register for SFWC San Francisco Writers Conference
Elisa “Sasa” Southard is author of Break Through the Noise: 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message
Teresa LeYung-Ryan is author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW and Love Made of Heart
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Listed below are 2 events — free and open to the public.
Thursday, February 16th, 2012 at 5 p.m.
San Francisco Writers Conference Presents a Free Public Reading
Lisa See reads from Dreams of Joy in the California Room at the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco
Saturday, February 18th, 2012 at 6:15 p.m.
San Francisco Writers Conference Mass Booksigning!
Thirty presenters will sign in the Room of the Dons at the Mark Hopkins. Books for sale at the onsite bookstore manned by BookShop West Portal.
Look for Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Elisa Southard, Mary E. Knippel, Barbara Santos, Martha Alderson, Linda Lee, Linda Joy Myers, Margie Yee Webb, Verna Dreisbach, Nina Amir, Cara Black, Zoe FitzGerald Carter, Joan Gelfand, Tanya Egan Gibson, Ann Seymour, Ellen Sussman, Wendy Tokunaga, Shulamit Sofia, and other Women’s National Book Association members.
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The following lists are from San Francisco Writers Conference
KEYNOTERS:
Lisa See, author of Peony in Love and Shanghai Girls
Lolly Winston, author of Good Grief and Happiness Sold Elsewhere
Alan Rinzler, independent editor with 50 years experience in the publishing world whose client list is a “Who’s Who” in the publishing industryPRESENTERS:
Martha Alderson, author The Plot Whisperer: Secerts of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
Nina Amir, editor, journalist, writing and author coach
Bella Andre, author of From This Moment On
Marilyn R. Atlas, Producer and personal manager in Hollywood
Sam Barry, Marketing Manager at HarperOne
Cara Black, author of Murder in Passy
Helena R. Brantley, Red Pencil PR
Philippa Burgess co-founder of Creative Convergence
Zoe FitzGerald Carter, author of Imperfect Endings: A Daughter’s Story of Love, Loss and Letting Go
Stephanie Chandler, author, online marketing and social networking guru
Laura Cogan from Zyzzyva
Mark Coker, founder and CEO of Smashwords
Deborah Davis, author of Not like You
Drew Dellinger, internationally known speaker, poet, writer and visionary
Robert Dugoni, author of Wrongful Death and Murder One
Brian Felsen, president of BookBaby / CD Baby / HostBaby
Joel Friedlander, Marin Bookworks & author of A Self-Publisher’s Companion
Barbara Freethy, NYT best-selling author
Catherine Friend, author of Barn Boot Blues and Sheepish
Diane Gedymin, The Publisher’s Desk
Joan Gelfand, poet and author of A Dreamer’s Guide to Cities and Streams
Tanya Egan Gibson , author of How to Buy a Love of Reading
Constance Hale is the author of Sin and Syntax and Wired Style
Brad Henderson, UC Davis professor and poet (co-author of Split Stock)
Evan Karp, Quiet Lightning
Kathi Kamen-Goldmark, author of And My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You
Katharine Kerr, author of License to Ensorcell due out in February
Carla King, author of The Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Authors
Bharti Kirchner, author of four novels and four cookbooks
Michael Krasny, author and KQED radio host
Linda Lee, Founder of Askmepc-webdesign & Smart Women Stupid Computers
Wendy Lesser, author of Music For Silenced Voices, editor of The Threepenny Review
Donna Levin, author/writing teacher
Beth Lisick, author, poet and playwright among many of her talents
Tom Meschery, poet – athlete
Michelle Moran, author of Madame Tussaud, A Novel of the French Revolution
Mari Naomi, author/illustrator of Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume, Ages 0 – 22
Kathryn Otoshi, author/illustrator of What Emily Saw
Holly Lynn Payne, screenwriter, writing coach and author of Kingdom of Simplicity
Dan Poynter, Para Publishing – Self-Publishing Guru
Lisa Marie Rice, author of Nightfire
Trina Robbins, author of Lily Renee, Escape Artist
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
Robert D. San Souci, author of Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow
Barbara Santos, author of Maui Onion Cookbook and Practice Aloha
Monte Schulz, author of This Side of Jordan
Kemble Scott, author of SOWER 2.0
Ann Seymour, author of I’ve Always Loved You, Nob Hill Gazette journalist
Naheed Senzai, author of Shooting Kabul
Rusty Shelton, President and CEO of Shelton Interactive
Sheldon Siegel, author of Judgment Day
Kevin Smokler, author of Bookmark Now
Elisa Southard, author of Break Through the Noise
Melissa Stonehill, VP Marketing & Publicity at Silver Screen Sizzles
Ransom Stephens, author of The God Patent
Ellen Sussman, author of French Lessons
Patrick Schwerdrfeger, author and international speaker
Wendy Tokunaga, author of Midori by Moonlight
Penny Warner, author of How to Host a Killer Party
Fan Wu, author of Beautiful As Yesterday
Martin Yan, chef. author and TV personalityEDITORS:
Elfrieda Abbe, Publisher, The Writer magazine at Kalmbach Publishing
Charles Adams, Algonquin Publishers
Jennifer Enderlin, VP, Editor-in-Chief at St. Martin’s Press
Valerie Gray, Executive Editor at MIRA Books, a Harlequin imprint
Gabrielle Harbowy, Dragon Moon Press and Pyr
Georgia Hughes, New World Library
Jan Johnson, RedWheel/Weiser
Brenda Knight, Associate Publisher at Cleis Press, Berkeley CA
Heather Lazare, Simon & Schuster
Deborah Lichtman, private writing consultant and editior.
Ross E. Lockhart, Managing Editor at Night Shade Books
Allison Lorentzen, Editor at Penguin Books
Ethan Nosowsky, Editorial Director at McSweeny’s
Chuck Sambuchino, Editor at Writers Digest Books and edits Guide To Literary Agents
Jay Schaefer, Independent editor/writer based in San Francisco
Jill Schwartzman, Editor at Dutton – Penguin Group
Ralph Scott, Executive Editor at Credit The EditAGENTS:
Peter Beren, literary agent and publishing consultant (CA)
Kimberley Cameron, President of Kimberley Cameron & Associates (CA)
Minju Chang, Book Stop Literary Agency (CA)
Verna Dreisbach, Dreisbach Literary Management (CA)
April Eberhardt, April Eberhardt Literary (CA/NYC)
Stephany Evans, President/Agent at FinePrint Literary Management (NYC)
Laurie Fox, Linda Chester Literary Agency – West Coast Associate
Mollie Glick, Foundry Literary & Media (NY)
Jeff Kleinman, Folio Literary Management (NYC)
Mary Kole, Andrea Brown Literary Agency (CA/NYC)
Michael Larsen, Larsen/Pomada Literary Agents (SF)
Daniel Lazar, Writers House Literary Agency (NYC)
Taylor Martindale, Full Circle Literary (CA)
Laurie McLean, Larsen/Pomada Literary Agents (SF)
Elizabeth Pomada, Larsen/Pomada Literary Agents (SF)
Jody Rein, President of Jody Rein Books, Inc (CO)
Katharine Sands, Sarah Jane Freymann Agency (NYC)
Ken Sherman, Ken Sherman and Associates
Nephele Tempest, The Knight Agency (Atlanta/CA)
Sally van Haitsma, van Haitsma Literary (CA)
Gordon Warnock, Andrea Hurst & Associates (CA)
Ted Weinstein, Ted Weinstein Literary Management (NYC/SF)This list is subject to change without notice.



















