Pitch your novel, memoir, biography, autobiography, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, thriller, graphic novel, romance, how to, children’s book, etc.

April 13, 2013 morning in San Francisco “Pitch-O-Rama: Meet the Agents, Editors, and Publishers” – register through Women’s National Book Association (Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Mary E. Knippel and Catharine Bramkamp will be coaching attendees before and after they pitch)

Peter Beren

Nancy Fish

Tory Hartmann

Brenda Knight

Michael Larsen

Linda Joy Myers

Elizabeth Pomada

Lara Perkins

Alan Rinzler

Andy Ross

Brooke Warner

Erin Wiegand

**

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Hook attention with your themes, the four Ws (what, who, when, where) and who YOU are . . . when you pitch to agents, acquisition editors, and publishers."

**

Coach Mary E. Knippel says: "If you're given only 6 minutes with an agent, use your time wisely. Save 3 minutes for the agent to give you advice."

**

**April 13, 2013 in San Francisco “Small Press Publishers Panel & Luncheon” – register through Women’s National Book Association (must also register for “Pitch-O-Rama” in order to attend luncheon)

Brooke Warner of She Writes Press and Brenda Knight of Cleis Press & Viva Editions

Featured Authors: Betsy Graziani Fasbinder and Maggie Oman Shannon

In both her works of memoir and fiction, Betsy Graziani Fasbinder explores the unending complications of people living, working, and loving one another. Her debut novel is a dark love story, lightened with the balm of humor and tempered with the comfort of deep and true friendship. Fire & Water (She Writes Press, March 2013) is Kate Murphy’s story of navigating the treacherous territory of passionate love with friendship and family devotion as the only anchor that can keep her from losing all. Betsy will have her book for sale and signing.

Maggie Oman Shannon is an interfaith minister, spiritual director, and workshop and retreat facilitator. She is the author of five books, including Prayers for Healing. She is serving as the spiritual director of the Unity Spiritual Center of San Francisco. In Crafting Calm: Projects and Practices for Creativity and Contemplation, a D.I.Y. guide to peace of mind, Maggie Oman Shannon explores crafts and creativity as a spiritual practice providing enormous benefits. Shannon takes a rich “potpourri approach” that weaves together interviews, historical facts, “Soul Craft” projects for readers, quotations, and suggested resources with a broad assortment of spiritual practices gathered from crafts communities around the world, as well as from everyday people who have adopted creative forms of spiritual practice.

* * * * * * *

**Many thanks to Committee Co-Chair Kate Farrell (WNBA-SF Chapter VP) and Committee Members Linda Lee (WNBA-SF Chapter Co-President), Linda Joy Myers (WNBA-SF Chapter Co-President), Betsy Fasbinder,  Jane Glendinning, Sherry Nadworny, Susan Pace-Kochand, Catharine Bramkamp, and Mary E. Knippel (Past President) ! Many thanks to WNBA-SF Chapter Membership Chair Ana Manwaring,  Blog Editor Patricia V. Davis,  Social Media Manager Frances Caballo, Secretary Teresa LeYung-Ryan, and Immediate-Past-President Lynn Henriksen too!

See you there!
Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan cares about helping fiction and nonfiction writers build their platforms and work on their craft simultaneously with ease.  She says: “Wear the dual hats as promoter and writer and be happily published. Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

Tool #1   Grounding Reader with the four Ws (Who? When? Where? What?) “What does Protagonist want?” (in prescriptive nonfiction “What does Reader need?”)

Tool #2   Hooking Reader from first page to last with core themes. 

Tool #3     In Fiction & Narrative Nonfiction (both genres are forms of  “story-telling”) — Who are your protagonist, antagonist(s), and other archetypes?

Fiction:

The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler

Lost In Yonkers – a play by Neil Simon

Wordsworth! Stop the Bulldozer! children’s picture book by Frances Kawugawa

Love Made of Heart – mother-daughter novel by Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Charlotte’s Web – a children’s classic by E. B. White

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever by Judith Marshall

Narrative Nonfiction:

Woven of Water by Luisa Adams

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

The Secret Artist – Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine! by Mary E. Knippel

The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston

Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother – anthology edited by Kate Farrell

If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland

A Joyful Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me by Lynn Scott

A Dreamer’s Guide to Cities and Streams (poetry) by Joan Gelfand

Prescriptive Nonfiction:

Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life – photo/gift book by Margie Yee Webb

Break Through the Noise: 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message by Elisa Sasa Southard

My Dreams: A Simple Guide to Dream Interpretation by Angie Choi

Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know by Lori Hope

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW  by Teresa LeYung-Ryan

The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master by Martha Alderson

TellTale Souls Writing the Mother Memoir: How To Tap Memory and Write Your Story Capturing Character & Spirit by Lynn Cook Henriksen

Correct Me If I’m Wrong: Getting Your Grammar, Punctuation, and Word Usage Right!  by Arlene Miller

Social Media Just for Writers: The Best Online Marketing Tips for Selling Your Books by Frances Caballo

The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages: A Book Promotion Reference Guide for Authors and Small Press Publishers  by Christine Pinheiro  e-book published by http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net

How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen

The Power of Memoir by Linda Joy Myers

Marriage Meeting Starter Kit  by Marcia Naomi Berger

Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach

The Secret Artist – Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine! by Mary E. Knippel

Also, please refer to the SFWC list of presenters

Mary E. Knippel & Teresa LeYung-Ryan teach 'Be Your Own Editor' at SFWC - photo by Margie Yee Webb

Free Webinars –   register with https://www.authorlearningcenter.com

3 Top Tools for Editing Your Manuscript After You’ve Written Your First Draft  with Coach Teresa

·         April 10, 2013  at 10:30am Pacific Time / 1:30pm Eastern Time

·         April 25, 2013  at 4:30pm Pacific Time /  7:30pm Eastern Time

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan cares about helping fiction and nonfiction writers build their platforms and work on their craft simultaneously with ease.  She says: “Wear the dual hats as promoter and writer and be happily published. Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

For a complete list of names and photos of these talented and generous folks, please go to:

http://askmepc.com/sfwc-volunteers/2013-volunteer-directory/

SFWC Volunteer Director Linda Lee!   And Jane Glendinning!

I so look forward to seeing Everyone involved with SFWC!  This is the 10th anniversary too!

SFWC Co-Founders & Co-Directors:
Elizabeth Pomada
Michael Larsen
Marketing/Newsletter Director: Barbara Santos
Registration/Website Director: Richard Santos
Finance/Auction/Contest/Tech Director: Laurie McLean
Volunteer Director: Linda Lee

SFWC Freelance Editor Coordinator Mary E. Knippel

SFWC ADVISORY BOARD 

Kathleen Antrim, Author/ThrillerFest VP National Events 
Andrea Brown, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Constance Hale, Author/journalist
Evan Karp, Quiet Lighning
Harvey Pawl, businessman
Sheldon Siegel, New York Times Best Selling Author/Attorney
Alan Rinzler, consulting and freelance editor
Elisa Sasa Southard, Author/speaker
Joyce Turley, Dimensional Reading
Peter Wiley, Chairman of the Board, John Wiley & Sons

* * * * * * *

Friday Feb. 15, 2013,   9:00-9:45am   at San Francisco Writers Conference

“GETTING TO FIRST BASE BY BUILDING YOUR FANBASE”

presented by:  Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase in 22 Days  and  SFWC Advisory Board Member Elisa “Sasa” Southard, Break Through the Noise: 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message (balloons in this interactive session)

* * * * * * *

Sunday Feb. 17, 2013,   10:00-10:45am   at San Francisco Writers Conference

“BE YOUR OWN EDITOR:  Ensuring Agents and Editors Love Your Work”

presented by:  Writing Coach/Manuscript Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase in 22 Days;  Love Made of Heart  and Your-Writing-Mentor/The Writer Unleashed Mary E. Knippel, The Secret Artist: Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine!

* * * * * * *

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”   http://writingcoachteresa.com

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan on CBS Bay Sunday with Host Frank Mallicoat
Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryansays:

Click here to read the interview with Coach Teresa for StepByStepPublishing

How do you attract new fans?  When your friends and colleagues brag about you?  Yes!   What else?  How do you help your prospective fans find you?  By making your name synonymous with the issues / themes / subject matter you write about?  Yes!!  After all, when folks need something, don’t they go to search engines and type keywords and key phrases (aka “tags”) to find what they need?  Those folks will find you through the tags associated with your name!

Here’s an excellent example — let’s look at author Wendy D. Walter and her tags.  Wendy writes fantasy / adventure stories for young adults / teens.  Her protagonist is fourteen-year-old Ambril Derwyn.

I hosted Wendy D. Walter (author of Ambril’s Tale, Return of the Dullaith) in a live-blog event on January 5, 2013.  Nineteen fans (old and new) showed up to greet her and cheer for her and to ask questions.

Thank you, Anne M. Beggs, Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Christopher Wachlin, Deborah Taylor-French, Diane LeBow, Dorcas Cheng-Tozun, Eugenia Budman, Eve Visconti, Janine, Jean Morrow, Kate Farrell, LakshmiLove, Linda C. McCabe, Margie Yee Webb, Maria, Tera, Thonie Hevron, Yolande Barial, for participating on January 5th, 2013!

To see complete questions and answers and  comments from please click on: http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/please-help-me-welcome-author-wendy-d-walter-to-this-live-blog-appearance/

To read my interview with Wendy, please click on:

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresas-interview-questions-for-author-wendy-d-walter-ambrils-tale-the-return-of-the-dullaith/

Here are some tags associated with Wendy D. Walter’s writings

• Ambril’s Tale, Return of the Dullaith
• father’s death
• half-truth
• ancient Celtic magic and nature-based magic
• introverts
• Global Warming, rising seas, raging storms
• Utah in the middle of winter
• taking on the bullies
• fictional California town Trelawnyd
• fantasy stories
• monsters
• young adult Y/A
• secret warriors
• human morality

Thank you,Wendy, for having written a compelling story. What a page-turner!

Look for more “tags” in Wendy D. Walter‘s answers to the questions asked by fans:

“My all time favorite writer is Jane Austen. It’s been over 200 years since she was first published and her stories still enthrall me. From her books, I learned that the most important thing a writer can do is to make your readers care about what happens to your character and to never underestimate your reader.”

“I’m also a great admirer of Diana Wynne Jones, my favorite fantasy writer. She also never underestimated her readers and gave us incredibly intricate and original stories. Her books are often funny as well!”

“And that is why Ambril’s Tail has a very robust plot, with lots of twists and turns and strives to be humorous as often as possible!”

“Some of my characters are right out of my imagination, but some of them have roots in mythology. The Aunties, for instance, are the seers of the story, who share one pair of glasses. Perseus runs into three crones who share one eye and a tooth in one of his adventures, but groupings of three witches/hags/seers appear in all sorts of ancient Nordic and Germanic stories as well!”

“The Cerberus, the guardians of the underworld, is one of my favorite Greek legends.”

“I’m not sure why this is, but if you take a simple bullying exchange off the playground in our world and give the characters fangs and fairy wings, the issue becomes much clearer. In fantasy, we get a bit heavy handed at times and tend to make our bullies actual monsters (it’s more fun that way). Also, as bullying is an obvious abuse of power, it works well within worlds where it’s clear who the good and bad guys are, at least most of the time! Check out the Q & A Teresa posted on this blog for more on bullying: http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresas-interview-questions-for-author-wendy-d-walter-ambrils-tale-the-return-of-the-dullaith/  Bullying appears to be a behavior that some mistake for strength, particularly the immature (of all ages).”

“And there is a great male main character called Ygg. My beta readers all chose him as their favorite character!”

“Ambril’s Tale is for the 10-14 marketplace, just right for middle schoolers!”

Get your copy of Wendy D. Walter's book or ask your library to carry it!

Where to Find the book Ambril’s Tale, Return of the Dullaith:

http://www.amazon.com/Ambrils-Tale-Return-Dullaith-ebook/dp/B008EALE3A/

Ambril’s Tale, Return of the Dullaith at Barnes and Noble

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/174750

“Book 2, Ambril’s Tale, Riding the Cursed Shoots, is coming out in March, 2013!”

Cheers to Wendy D. Walter, protagonist Ambril and everyone she cares about!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com

As author of Love Made of Heart, creator of Love Made of Heart gift items and the “Talking to My Dead Mom Monologues,” Teresa encourages writers to speak out (in print) for those who cannot speak for themselves.

As coach and author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW , Teresa says: “Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”

Platform-Building and Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “My deep gratitude to colleagues who have endorsed me on LinkedIn in September and October 2012.  If other colleagues / clients have endorsed me but I haven’t received notification, please let me know by emailing me or submitting a comment to this post.  Thank you so much! To submit a comment: click on the headline/title bar of this post, scroll down to the end of this post, fill in the boxes, and press the [submit comment] button.”

I thank:

Barbara Toboni  –  video of Barbara reading her poetry

Carol Sheldon, author, playwright, actress, poet, novelist; Carol’s mystery Mother Lode received BAIPA award for Best Fiction

Elaine Webster  President of Redwood Writers; author of multiple books

Kathryn (Kay) Mehl Miller – author of Living with the Stranger In Me: An Exploration of Aging

Kim McMillon – playwright, Arts In the Valley radio show producer, event producer, teaching assistant at U.C. Merced.  Kim is flying to Hawaii to help Vince McMillon, creator of the 1st Annual Hilo Coconut Festival,  Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 at Mokuola (Coconut Island).  Free to the public.

Linda C. McCabe – author of the historical novel Quest of the Warrior Maid

Mary E. Knippel, founder of The Unleashed Homemaker

Mona Mechling – memoirist; creator of The Fridge Magnet Chronicles

Sandy Baker – author of Mrs. Feeny & the Grubby Garden Gang

Steve (Fredericks) Liddick – author at Top Cat Publications

Thonie Hevron – Suspense stories that navigate the murky waters of right and wrong–on both sides of the law

Here are some organizations that connect these colleagues to me:

California Writers Club – Santa Rosa Branch aka Redwood Writers

California Writers Club – Marin Branch

California Writers Club – Sacramento Branch

California Writers Club – San Francisco Peninsula Branch

Writers Forum Petaluma with Marlene Cullen

Wisdom Has A Voice with Kate Farrell

Napa Writers Network

National Association of Memoir Writers with Linda Joy Myers

Women’s National Book Association

Have you seen Coach Teresa interviewed by Frank Mallicoat on CBS Channel 5?

Cheering for writers and readers and everyone who has a story in her/his heart!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

http://www.facebook.com/Teresa.LeYung.Ryan
http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

***

Good Day!  Coach Teresa here . . .

* * * * * * * * * *

Dear friend Diane Ichiyasu emailed me about Mani Feniger‘s new book The Woman in the Photograph

For more information about Mani and her events http://manifeniger.com

* * * * * * * * * *

Girl In the Mirror by Kate Farrell

Sylvie Dawson is a young woman with a dangerous secret: an abusive boyfriend who is stalking her. Forced to hide in her godmother’s country home for the summer,she struggles with isolation and creeping terror. When her godmother tells her the ancient story of Psyche and Eros, Sylvie is inspired to begin a journey of self-discovery. Will she be able to overcome her fears and live the life she was meant to live?  http://www.girlinthemirror.info/

What is Kate Farrell doing these days?  Visit her at: http://wisdomhasavoice.com

Lennie Dean directs Stacey Marie Kerr in Answer Me Now (10-minute play written by Teresa LeYung-Ryan) as Jonathan Hayden sets up shot

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here again . . .  A remarkable dream about my mother and me has become the centerpiece of my 10-minute play Answer Me Now.  My heritage is Chinese.  When director Lennie Dean asked me to consider changing a few words in my script to fit the actress’s heritage, the “alarms” went off in my head. Oh no, I thought . . .  I don’t want my words altered.

“Stacey Marie Kerr’s heritage is Jewish,” Lennie said.  “Instead of calling her mother ‘MahMa,’ she would be saying ‘Mameh’ and instead of referring to her father as BahBa, she would be saying ‘Tateh.’  Think it over, tweaking a few words makes the piece personal for the actress on stage.” Lennie added.

I thought it over in the next three seconds of that phone conversation.  “Yes!  From now on, I would tweak those pronouns and the words ‘China’ and ‘Hong Kong’ to fit the actress whoever she may be.”  Asian, Jewish, Italian, Russian, American, Australian, African actress?  I can see them and hear them! I’d be honored to change a few words to fit each woman.

I met Stacey Marie Kerr on June 2, 2012.  She said she has “adopted” my monologue, she has made the words hers.  I couldn’t be more pleased. Thank you, Lennie and Stacey!

Thank  you, Linda Loveland Reid, for creating the playwriting contest!

Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s 10-minute monologue Answer Me Now (middle-aged woman asks her dead mother a question) is one of nine winning-plays to be produced by Redwood Writers & 6th Street Playhouse Play Festival in Santa Rosa, CA.

2012 Performance Dates:

• June 29 – 8:00 PM
• June 30 – 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM
• July 1  – 2:00 PM

For my Events Page, click here.

I am so looking forward to seeing Stacey on stage and my friends in the audience.

For poster of winning playwrights and contest judges: http://www.6thstreetplayhouse.com/home-old/article/article/167/

For tickets:
http://www.6thstreetplayhouse.com/online-ticketing/show-availability/?show=328

If you prefer talking to real person, call (707) 523-4185 and leave your phone number for a ticket rep. to call you back.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Teresa LeYung-Ryan helps clients identify themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story in their manuscripts.

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: “Make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”

Teresa has built her own platform happily; her novel Love Made of Heart and her short play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship.

Teresa created the annual “Immigrant Experience Writing Contest” and cheers for all contestants.

http://writingcoachteresa.com  for her Blog, events, and other resources.

An Evening of Poetry
Friday – April 27,2012 – 6:15 to 9:30 pm
Flamingo Hotel – Empire Room, 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, CA 95405    707-523-4745   dinner included
Register: http://redwoodwriters.org/conference/poetrynight/

AL YOUNG-Evening Keynote Speaker

From 2005 through 2008, Al Young served as poet laureate of California. Other honors include NEA, Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships, the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence, and most recently, the 2011 Thomas Wolfe Award. Widely translated, Al Young’s many books include poetry, fiction, essays, anthologies and musical memoirs.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Petaluma native, Bill Vartnaw is Sonoma County Poet Laureate, 2012-2013.

Bill has a master’s degree in poetics from New College of California. He has been writing seriously for over 35 years. Bill is the author of Concern: for Angels and Suburbs of my Childhood. He is also founder of Taurean Horn Press and has published 14 books. He has spent his life in the service of poetry, often helping his fellow poets behind the scenes of the Petaluma Poetry Walk.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Juanita Martin is the 1st Poet Laureate, Fairfield, CA 2010-2012. She is an award-winning poet, freelance writer and performance artist. Her poetry appears in journals such as Blue Collar Review, Some Literary Review and Rattlesnake Review.

She’s an active member of Ina Coolbrith Circle, Redwood Writers and Marin Poetry Center.

Juanita at 50, won the honor scroll award in the 2011 National Senior Poet Laureate competition. Juanita is currently working on a book of poetry called The Lighthouse Beckons.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Redwood Writers NEXT STEP 2012 Conference, Saturday, April 28 , 2012,  8:00 am – 5:30 pm
at Santa Rosa Junior College, Bertolini Student Union, 311 Elliot St., Santa Rosa, CA

Sandy Baker (2012 Conference Chair), Linda Loveland Reid (president of Redwood Branch of California Writers Club), and all the officers and board members deserve big thanks!

Keynote speaker is David Corbett on “Beyond the Book: Writing Opportunities in a Multi-Platform Era.”

“Leap into Tomorrow’s Publishing” Luncheon Panel: Laurie McLean, Mark Coker, Charlotte Cook and Joel Friedlander;  Linda McCabe, Moderator

Looks like 20 fabulous presenters will be teaching at this conference that offers 4 tracks:  Craft; Genre; Publishing; Marketing.

To register:  http://redwoodwriters.org/conference/registration/

Craft Track:

9:30 – 10:30 am David Corbett “The Next Step: Finding the Character Behind the Character”

11:00 – 12:00 pm Geri Spieler “Fact Finding for Fiction Writers: Easy Research Techniques to Pump Up your Novel”

1:45 – 2:45 pm Arlene Miller “Grammar: Don’t Skip this Important Step”

3:15 – 4:15 pm Catherine Brady “Revealing Character through Dialogue”

Genre Track:

9:30 – 10:30 am Christorpher Gortner  “Historical Fiction: Stepping Back in Time”

11:00 – 12:00 pm Deborah Grabien  “Jumping into Mystery with Character”

1:45 – 2:45 pm Jody Gerrmann  “Give Your Young Adult Fiction Zap and Zing!”

3:15 – 4:15 pm Abby Bogomolny “Poetry: The Oldest Literature”

Publishing Track:

9:30 – 10:30 am Verna Dreisbach “Fabulous Fiction”

11:00 – 12:00 pm Pete Masterson “Indie Publishing How-To”

1:45 – 2:45 pm Laurie McLean & Verna Dreisbach “Undercover Agents”

3:15 – 4:15 pm Panel: ebooks  “Leap into the Future” Robert Digitale, Scott James, Mark Coker, & Rob Loughran (Kate Farrell, Moderator)

Marketing Track:

9:30 – 10:30 am Frances Caballo  “I’m on Facebook! (Now What?)”

11:00 – 12:00 pm Joel Friedlander  “Author Blogging 101”

1:45 – 2:45 pm Lee Stein  “Getting Found: Using Google (and other tools) to Promote Your Book and Yourself”

3:15 – 4:15 pm Jeane Slone and Suzanne Lang  “Local Steps in Promoting Your Book”

Cheering for all writers and readers!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”

http://writingcoachteresa.com

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 LeYung-Ryan here . . . this is what happened from my POV. Please tell me and my colleagues your point of view by submitting comments to this blog post.  How? Click on the blue title bar of this post, scroll down to get the boxes, fill in boxes and click on “submit comment” button.

**

Story Consultant & Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Elisa Sasa Southard of Go-With-Sasa at Lori's Diner on Powell Street in San Francisco to fuel up before Day III of helping SFWC attendees

**

authors & independent editors Kate Farrell, Mary E Knippel and Wendy Nelson Tokunaga--photo by author & independent editor Teresa LeYung-Ryan

**

historical novelist Liz Newman receives cheers and advice from Story Consultant & Writers-Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

**

Mary E. Knippel answers questions with smiles at SFWC Independent Editors Central

**

Shannon Johnson receives cheers and advice from Story Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan at SFWC Independent Editors Central--photo by Tara Farquhar

**

At lunchtime, we heard announcements of scholarship winners! Congratulations to winners!  Cheers to generous benefactors!

Martin Yan said lovely words about vibrant Shirley Fong-Torres, about how she smiled, how she enjoyed meeting her fans.  Martin reminded us to smile when we’re autographing books.  Smile.

Elizabeth Pomada introduced Laurie Fox (famous literary agent who also writes novels)–more about Laurie in another post (she is another super kind soul).  Laurie introduced Lolly Winston. Lolly delivered a heartfelt speech about her encouraging teachers and her perseverance. She is funny, sweet, and serious.

What a memorable hour–from picturing Shirley’s smile through Martin’s tribute; hearing Elizabeth speak fondly of Laurie; Laurie speaking fondly of Lolly; Lolly expressing her appreciation for relationships and the craft. So beautiful.

**

Marty Castleberg & Linda Lee & Richard Santos inspire writers at SFWC

**

presenters-authors-teachers Tanya Egan Gibson & Holly Payne meet up at SFWC and shine!

**

Danine Manette shine at SFWC--photo by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

**

author / presenter / SFWC Marketing Director Barbara Santos with presenter / SFWC Volunteer Director / cyberspace genius Linda Lee

**

Lynn Henriksen and Shulamit Sofia at SFWC (look who are sitting in back row! Sheldon Siegel, Elisa Sasa Southard and Kate Farrell!)--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

**

Historical novelist Daniel Roddick receives Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan's editing advice on first 2 pages of his manuscript

**

Lisa Marie Pontier receives encouragement on her story from Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

**

Nina Amir gives advice to author at SFWC--photo by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

**

memoirist and novelist Ann Tashi Slater with independent editors Mary E. Knippel and Gabrielle Harbowy--photo by Story Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan

**

Agent Gordon Warnock answers questions from author while Mark Hopkins rep and Elizabeth Pomada go over details for autograph party--photo by Coach Teresa

**

Andrew Rose chats with Kimberly Edwards & Sheila McDonald--photo by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

**

**

Margie Yee Webb & Michael Larsen & Harvey Pawl & Kimberly Edwards & Elisa Sasa Southard inspire writers--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

**

Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Martha Alderson & Elisa Sasa Southard & Lynn Henriksen & Nina Amir all love to encourage writers at SFWC

**

Women's National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter members-authors-presenters (back row: Margie Yee Webb, Lynn Henriksen, Tanya Egan Gibson, Verna Dreisbach; center Mary E. Knippel, Nina Amir, Apala Egan, Jane Omerod; front row: Elizabeth Pomada behind Barbara Santos, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Linda Lee, Elisa "Sasa" Southard, Joan Gelfand) at SFWC --photo by Don Hudson who says Western Women Save the World

**

**

authors Joan Gelfand & Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Cara Black having fun at SFWC autograph party--photo by Adam Hertz

**

Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Elisa Sasa Southard & Shari Dunn & Margie Yee Webb at Thai dinner on Powell Street in SF after inspiring registrants at SFWC Day III

**

Sincerely

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”

http://writingcoachteresa.com

to preview the exercises for Day 1 & Day 2, go to Amazon books

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 their themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story.  http://writingcoachteresa.com

Her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. Thank you, Teachers & Students!

**

I had redesigned one of my signature presentations for California Writers Club-Redwood Branch and created a new template for Writing Career Make-Over with Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan.

I so wanted to help every writer in the audience see how simple building one’s platform could be.  To get familiar with my audience, I read every word of Redwood Writers’ January 2012 newsletter and looked at the names of the entire membership roster on the branch’s website.  The exciting programs created by the members are synonymous with Redwood Writers. I spent weeks preparing for my presentation.

But I goofed!   Even though my definition of platform was on the template, I didn’t say it!  And, because I didn’t say: “A platform is making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers who are likely to buy what you have to sell,”  my talk was missing  structure.

Whether you write fiction, narrative nonfiction or prescriptive nonfiction (how to books) or poetry or plays or anthologies. . . whether you want to land an agent or acquisition editor at a publishing house . . . whether you want to be your own publisher . . . you’re going to need a platform.

Let’s dissect the definition of a platform.  “Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers who are likely to buy what you have to sell.” (page 1 of my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days)

The last part “what you have to sell” — what you’re selling is your literary works or services.

The middle part “to attract targeted consumers” — the targeted consumers are the folks who read and buy the kind of material you write about.

The first part “Making your name stand for something” — that was the heart of my presentation–to help each writer identify the themes/subject matters/issues that he/she writes about. For my template, I had found on Google Images the perfect hard hat  to illustrate my point that the hardest job in platform-building is asking yourself and answering these questions: What is it that I write about? What are my themes/subject matters/issues? What will readers gain from reading my work?

So, there I was, asking 7 delightful authors (Marcia Naomi Berger, Deborah Taylor-French, Amanda McTigue, Robbi Sommers Bryant, Paul Greenberg,  Ana Manwaring, Heidi Roth) to come up to the stage to speak their full names. I guided them on how to identify: her/his picture of success; the themes/subject matters/issues that he/she writes about;  his/her motivators & modus operandi; her/his fans and where to find them.

Making one’s name synonymous with the themes/subject matters/issues one writes about.

If I had prepared everyone with the “why” for doing the exercises, then more writers in the audience would have gained their “aha moments” too.

When I coach my clients  . . .prescriptive nonfiction (how to books) authors usually answer those questions with ease. It’s not so easy for fiction and narrative nonfiction authors. I’d say: “Instead of telling me the plotline or the character sketch, think about the issues and the themes.  What does your protagonist have to deal with?  What will your protagonist learn in story world?  What your main character learns, your readers will also learn!”  The answers will help you form your mission statement.

So, Coach Teresa, define a writer’s platform!  “Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”

Understanding what a platform is gives you a fresh look at your writing career.

And you’ll be ready to have more fun doing the exercises in my workbook. Day I exercises:  “Who am I?” and “What I Have in Common with Super Famous People” (take a sneak peek at Amazon’s “look inside” of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days

I wish to thank these folks again:

Linda C. McCabe for inviting me to present

The entire Redwood Writers Board

Everyone in the audience yesterday

Kate Farrell for helping me format my template on her MAC and being a loving friend

Everyone who gave me their comments on the evaluation sheet.

Everyone who told me about their themes before and after the presentation.

Everyone who bought Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days and will start Day I exercises:  “Who am I?” and “What I Have in Common with Super Famous People”

Everyone who bought Love Made of Heart (my novel to inspire adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families)

Kate Farrell made my day by showing me Lindsay Pasdera Marquez’s email to Redwood Writers’ listserver.

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 8:57 AM

Re: [RWmembers] glad to have found RWC

I joined RWC a few months back, and was able to attend my first meeting yesterday.  Wow!  I feel very fortunate to have access to such a vibrant community of passionate writers in my own backyard.

I appreciated Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s perspective and am thrilled to have a written mission statement (Dream) for my work. Mine is: to dramatically increase the percentage of Americans who are aware that humans have a rich history of cooperation, egalitarianism, and non-violence. Writing that statement helped me see the coherence between my two current writing projects: one, a historical fiction set in sixth century Scotland among a matrilineal tribal people, and two, my blog (www.ancientabundance.blogspot.com) on the true nature of pre-agricultural humanity.  I have chosen a pen name for both the novel and the blog.

I look forward to taking advantage of all the wonderful growth opportunities that RWC has to offer and to getting to know each of you over time.

Happy New Year!

Lindsay Pasdera Marquez

Here’s my response:

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 8:57 AM

Good Day Fabulous Redwood Writers!

Thank you for your participation yesterday for my “Writing Career Make-Over with Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan” presentation.
Thank you for your comments on the evaluation sheets.

Lindsay, I am jumping for joy seeing your mission statement; it speaks with clarity. Be sure to add your mission statement to your signature block in emails (even emails to personal friends). Why? You want all your fans to see what you are passionate about. Fans talk about passionate people.

I will write a follow-up to yesterday’s session and submit it to Robin Moore and/or Lynn Millar for those who could not make it yesterday.

“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s platform!”
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa 

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (in print edition and E-book)

More rewards:

I’m going to submit my 10-minute play to 2012 Redwood Writers 2nd Playwriting Contest. Thank you, Linda Loveland Reid, for creating the contest!

Today, after Kate Farrell fed me breakfast and got me to Golden Gate Transit Mall in plenty of time (Thank you, Kate!), I met up with another dear friend–author Lynn Scott. I told Lynn about my goof-up yesterday; she laughed at me, lovingly. Thank you, Lynn! “Focus on the positive,” reminded Lynn.  Once again, writers brighten my day. I am a happy and thankful coach/author/friend.

To participate in this blog post (article), submit a comment by: clicking on the blue title bar of this post, scrolling down to get the boxes, filling in the boxes and click on “submit comment” button — so that thousands of my fans will see your name, URL (your website/blog address if you have one), and what themes/subject matters/issues you write about.

I’m cheering for you!

…which made me think about other colleagues  . . .  the list would go on and on, for days    This is just one post of a series.

I’ll be away for 9 days; please bookmark this blog http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ and visit soon.  Many thanks!

These authors, teachers,  editors, literary agent,  and I (Lindsay Whiting, Marie Elena Gaspari Mary E. Knippel, Adair Lara, Linda Joy Myers, Lynn Henriksen, Kate Farrell, Luisa Adams, Lynn Scott, Elisa “Sasa” Southard, Linda Lee, Vicki Weiland, Margie Yee Webb, Yolande Barial, Amy Rennert, Teresa LeYung-Ryan) are passionate about these themes:  helping self and helping others through art/writing; identifying publishing routes; manifesting dreams; mothers/daughters; promoting reading

Lindsay Whiting – Living into Art: Journeys Through Collage
Sat., November 12, 2011, 1:00-5:00 pm • $60 (plus $5 materials fee due to instructor)
Living Into Art: Journeys Through Collage

Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, CA 94925 (415) 927-0960

**************

Marie Elena Gaspari  http://riverofdreamswriting.weebly.com/

**************

Mary E. Knippel  http://yourwritingmentor.com/tag/collage/

**************

Class: Adair Lara – Writing the Memoir
Sat., November 19, 2011, 10:00 am–4:00 pm  $105

Adair Lara shows how to get your memoir started—or finished. You will learn all the vital elements: the arc, reflective voice, scene vs. narrative, fact vs. truth, and writing about family members. She also explains what it takes to get published. There will be in-class exercises and assignments. Writers of fiction and essays are welcome too. A former San Francisco Chronicle columnist, Lara is the author of 12 books, including Naked, Drunk and Writing, her popular new guide to essay and memoir.

Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, CA 94925 (415) 927-0960

**************

Linda Joy Myers  http://www.namw.org/

**************

Lynn Henriksen   http://telltalesouls.com/blog/

**************

Kate Farrell  http://wisdomhasavoice.com/

**************

Luisa Adams  http://www.rp-author.com/Adams/

**************

Lynn Scott    http://lynnscottbooks.com/

**************

Elisa “Sasa” Southard  http://elisaonassignment.com/

**************

Teresa LeYung-Ryan  http://writingcoachteresa.com

**************

Linda Lee  http://askmepc.com/

**************

Vicki Weiland  http://vickiweiland.wordpress.com/

**************

Margie Yee Webb  http://www.catmulan.com/

**************

Yolande Barial  http://just-a-mom.us/

**************

Amy Rennert – Secrets of Getting Published
Two Thursdays: Dec. 1 & 8, 2011 • 6:30-9:00 pm
Price: $130.00

Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, CA 94925 (415) 927-0960

*******

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Writing Career Coach/Manuscript Consultant

author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (print edition & eBook edition)
Author of Love Made of Heart (inspires adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families)