Posts Tagged ‘Luisa Adams’
Dear Writers,
Do submit your work to writing contests run by reputable organizations. Do choose contest categories that match your genre or themes.
Congratulations to all the 2016 Literary Award winners at the Literary Arts Stage at the San Mateo County Fair, San Mateo, California. To see the list of the many writing contests and the winners - https://sanmateocountyfair.com/contests/departments/literary-arts. Bardi Rosman Koodrin (Literary Director, Fine Arts Galleria at the San Mateo County Fair) says: “Winning entries will be displayed during the County Fair June 11-19, 2016. Winners will receive prizes and will be published in our Carry the Light anthology published by Sand Hill Review Press.”
Each year, I, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, sponsor the “Immigrant Experience Writing Contest”
DIVISION 358 – THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE: SHORT STORY, ESSAY, OR MONOLOGUE
This contest is to honor immigrants who struggle over language barriers, poverty, stigmas, and injustice. Your entry could be a firsthand account or a retelling of someone else’s experience. Show how your protagonist goes about pursuing what she/he wants while confronting antagonists (persons or circumstances); use authentic details to show protagonist’s recollection or attitude of “the old country”; foreshadow the core theme in the first paragraph. ELIGIBILITY: Submit a 1,500 word maximum unpublished short story, essay or monologue. Must have a title.
Sponsored by 22-Day Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan www.writingcoachTeresa.com
Love Made of Heart: a Daughter Finds Herself Through Witnessing Her Mother’s Mental Illness (novel);
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase in 22 Days (workbook);
Talking to My Dead Mom Monologues;
Coach Teresa’s Blog http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Judges’ comments to 2016 Winners of the “Immigrant Experience Writing Contest”:
1st Place: “A Little Water goes a Long Way” by Ellen Six
Poignant. Excellent show of theme – protagonist connecting with faraway relatives solely through letters sent to her mother. Story clearly shows “immigrant experience” from narrator’s point of view. Brava! Thank you for entering Immigrant Experience Writing Contest sponsored by Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan. http://WritingCoachTeresa.com Judges: authors Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Luisa Adams
2nd Place: “Immigrating to America, 1960” by Rosina Weiskopf
Nice job showing protagonist’s determination. Would have liked to hear her voice, know her name, whether she had previous waitressing experience, and what she looked like through dialogue. Engaging story. Thank you for entering Immigrant Experience Writing Contest. http://WritingCoachTeresa.com Judges: authors Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Luisa Adams
Honorable Mention: “Belly Dance” by Marcela Dickerson
Enticing hook – widow from Chile becomes newlywed in CA, U.S.A. However, help reader connect with protagonist even though she says she’s a sociable person and that she worked as an interpreter for the UN. Show her reactions to the TV programs and especially interaction with her husband. Stay with your enticing hook. Thank you for entering Immigrant Experience Writing Contest http://WritingCoachTeresa.com Judges: Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Luisa Adams
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Thank you, Bardi Rosman Koodrin (Literary Director, Fine Arts Galleria at the San Mateo County Fair), for helping me refine my contest description.
Thank you, Luisa Adams, for being co-judge this year 2016.
Thank you, Mary E. Knippel, Prof. Sheryl Fairchild, and Margie Yee Webb, for being co-judges in past years.
· . . . and other workshops
· “Help Your Fans Find YOU”
· “Build & Retrofit Your Writer’s Platform”
· . . .and other interactive presentations
· Immigrant Experience Writing Contest
· the trademark LOVE MADE OF HEART
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Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan celebrates California Writers Club colleagues
February 20, 2016 Redwood City, CA
Teresa LeYung-Ryan (Past-President of California Writers Club – SF Peninsula Branch) will be attending the branch’s 50th anniversary party to celebrate her colleagues and the memories of her mentors. http://www.cwc-peninsula.org
“Thank you, President Carole Bumpus, officers, board members, Elise Miller, Darlene Frank, and all committee members! And, I’ll get to see other past-presidents, Winifred McCaffrey, Margaret Davis and Ray Davis too!”
What an exciting week for writers in San Francisco this week!
February 12, 13, 14, 15, 2015 http://sfwriters.org
“If you’re going to the San Francisco Writers Conference, I’ll see you there! With smiles.”
Thursday Feb. 12, 2015 I (Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan) be on the 4:45-5:45 panel MAKING YOUR WORK REJECTION PROOF: Advice from Freelance Editors – Nina Amir, David Colin Carr, Tanya Egan Gibson, Stuart Horwitz, David Landau, Heather Lazare, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Mary Rakow, Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, Annie Tucker, Ricky Weisbroth. Moderator: Mary E. Knippel. At the end of the session, you can sign up for a free consultation.
Friday Feb. 13 & Saturday Feb. 14 I (Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan) shall be in the Garden Room giving 8-minute consultations, so, please sign up early in front of the Garden Room on Friday or Saturday OR after the Thursday panel.
If all my 8-minute slots are filled, not to worry… If you see me sitting in the lobby or conference registration areas or near the conference bookstore, come by to ask me questions about your manuscript and how to pitch. Reach out, not stress out.
My books will be at the conference bookstore. Cheers to Bookseller Neal!
Love Made of Heart
the mother-daughter novel that inspires adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about stigmas
- use in college courses -
http://writingcoachTeresa.com
Ask to see Coach Teresa
for an 8-minute consultation
Fri. or Sat. in Garden Room
Go to http://writingcoachTeresa.com
to see
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
interviewed on CBS Channel 5
And, I recommend your getting this book for a friend.
Break Through the Noise is also available at conference bookstore
Go to: http://breakthroughthenoise.com
to watch Elisa Sasa Southard demonstrate
“the talking tagline”
Author and Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Identify the themes and archetypes in your intellectual properties and articulate your platform statement, simultaneously with ease. Show up for the writing, show up for the promoting. I cheer for you.”
Take a look at the impressive list of speakers, presenters, freelance editors, agents, acquisition editors, publishers, and publishing experts. http://sfwriters.org/2015-sfwc-speakers/
Take a look at the impressive list of volunteers http://askmepc.com/sfwc-volunteers/
And of course the superheroes:
Mike Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada, SFWC Co-directors
Barbara Santos, Marketing Director/SFWC Newsletter
Richard Santos, Registration Director/SFWC website
Frances Caballo, Social Media Manager
Joan Gelfand, Poetry Track; Carla King, Self-Publishing Track
Linda Lee, Volunteer Director; Jane Glendinning, Volunteer Manager
Mary E. Knippel, “Conductor!” of One-on-One with Independent Editors
Writing Coach / Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Colleagues at San Francisco Writers Conference 2015
Conference bookstore will be open Friday 8:00am through Sunday midday; stop by – say hello to Neal (from Bookshop West Portal, San Francisco) – take a look at novels, memoirs, biographies, how-to books for writers, children’s books, Y/A, graphic novels, romance, historical fiction, science fiction, thrillers, mysteries, photo/gift books, and more.
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Developmental editors & story consultants Mary E. Knippel & Teresa LeYung-Ryan use classics to draw examples for their class "For Theme Sake! BE YOUR OWN EDITOR" -photo by author Margie Yee Webb
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Developmental editors & story consultants Mary E. Knippel & Teresa LeYung-Ryan use classics to draw examples for their class "For Theme Sake! BE YOUR OWN EDITOR" -photo by author Margie Yee Webb
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Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings author/photographer, editor of Not Your Mother's Book on Cats anthology, FEMME: Women Healing the World documentary movie producer Margie Yee Webb
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Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson flanked by Writing & Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Memoirist Luisa Adams
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Cyberspace Genius Linda Lee empowers writers at SFWC--photo by Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Women's National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter members-authors-presenters at past years' SFWC
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Then, on Sunday February 15, 2015, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Free and open to the public – Peacock Court, Lobby level
JOINING THE WRITING COMMUNITY: Connecting with Writers
Members of writer’s organizations, some national, will bring literature and speak about their organization and meet with attendees. Nina Amir, National Nonfiction Writing Month; Cara Black, Mystery Writers of America; Pat Brown, Goodreads; Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, San Francisco Writer’s Grotto; Stephanie Chandler, Nonfiction Authors Association; Gennifer Choldenko, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators; Randy Dotinga, American Society of Journalists and Authors; Grant Faulkner, National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo); Lee Foster, Bay Area Independent Publishers Association, Bay Area Travel Writers Association; Jane Glendinning, California Writers Club; Anne Hill, Bay Area Bloggers Society; Scott James, Litquake; Linda Lee, Women’s National Book Association; Kerry Lonsdale, Women Fiction Writers Association; Kirk Russell, International Thriller Writers
Reach out, not stress out. I’m cheering for you!
Teresa LeYung-Ryan is “Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa” and Manuscript Consultant and . . .
author of:
Love Made of Heart: a Mother’s Mental Illness Forges Forgiveness in Daughter Ruby (novel used by college professors)
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (workbook)
Coach Teresa’s Blog at http://writingcoachTeresa.com
Author & Platform/Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa Jade LeYung (formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan) celebrates New Year 2015 with dear colleagues
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https://lynnscott.wordpress.com
https://feministteaching.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/
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author Luisa Adams http://www.rp-author.com/Adams/
author Teresa Jade LeYung (formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan) https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog http://writingcoachTeresa.com
author Martha Alderson https://marthaalderson.com/
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https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

Writing Coaches Teresa Jade LeYung and Mary E. Knippel prepare outline for Teresa's "For Theme's Sake" class for writers and editors
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https://www.facebook.com/diane.warner.948?fref=ts
Carmen Lee of Stamp Out Stigma http://www.stampoutstigma.net/ I look forward to seeing you soon!
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http://lovemadeofheart.com/Love-Made-of-Heart-Online-Store-&-Gift-Shop.html
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Yolande Barial Knight is:
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Elisa Sasa Southard (Certified Tour Director) is creator of Big City Travel Skills http://elisaonassignment.com/
https://www.facebook.com/elisa.southard?fref=ts
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Theme consultant, author, photographer Teresa Jade LeYung http://writingcoachTeresa.com https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Professor Sheryl Fairchild https://feministteaching.wordpress.com
Author and photographer Margie Yee Webb https://www.facebook.com/
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I met with filmmaker / artist Chandra Garsson and had a lively discussion about a new book cover for Love Made of Heart, commenting on facebook to support our colleagues, and movie recommendations.

Chandra Garsson takes photo of the bookcase she was commissioned to paint for author Teresa Jade LeYung (formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan)
https://www.facebook.com/chandra.garsson?fref=ts
http://flyingpaintproductions.blogspot.com
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Dear Vicki Weiland, I wish to see you soon!
https://vickiweiland.wordpress.com
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Theme consultant and author Teresa Jade LeYung wishes everyone excellent mental health!
Teresa Jade LeYung (formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan) is “Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa” and Manuscript and Theme Consultant and . . .
author of:
Love Made of Heart: a Mother’s Mental Illness Forges Forgiveness in Daughter Ruby (novel used by college professors)
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (workbook)
Coach Teresa’s Blog at https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Lists of Books Referenced in Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s & Mary E. Knippel’s “Be Your Own Editor” session at SFWC
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
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.”
Coach Teresa here. At the San Francisco Writers Conference, Elisa Sasa Southard and I presented “GETTING TO FIRST BASE BY BUILDING YOUR FANBASE”
In our interactive session, Talking-Tagline Guru Sasa asked me: “Coach Teresa…What is a platform?”
I responded: “Before I define ‘platform,’ let’s talk about fans and what fans do for you. Fans tell their friends about you. Fans will pay to see you; they will buy what you have produced; they listen when you speak. Your name hooks their attention.
“So, how does one build a fanbase? By making your platform consistent. A platform is not something you step on, it is what you stand for. Help your fans find you by articulating the themes and issues you care about/write about.”
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I am a fan of many fine writers, with last names starting with A to Z. From Chinua Achebe, Luisa Adams, Martha Alderson, Jane Austen . . . to Margie Yee Webb, E. B. White, Anzia Yezierska, and two hundred other authors, including Scott James (fellow presenter at San Francisco Writers Conference).
Scott James writes novels under the name of Kemble Scott; I heard about Kemble when his first novel SoMa was published by Kensington Publishing Corporation New York (also my publisher for my first novel). Scott James, the journalist, writes about San Francisco, including contributions to the New York Times.
I am a fan because Scott James speaks/writes eloquently. His latest article is enlightening and compelling.
Scott says: The latest of my new columns on Medium is now up. This one is on gay marriage, and gets a bit personal. It’s called “My Big Gay Shotgun Wedding.”
Since I am a fan, I shall tell my friends about Scott’s columns.
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan cheering for you!
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.”
(Clicking on underscored text in this post will open a new window to get to referenced site.)
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!!!”
Dear Writers,
When someone whom I respect asks me to share my expertise (even on short notice), and, I can adjust my schedule, I say “Yes!”
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa
Author & Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Writers’ Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan was honored to respond to Christy Pinheiro’s interview invitation
The book reviewer website and our monthly newsletter need to interview a writing/publishing industry pro. This is last-minute–the person I planned to interview for this month had some personal issues and had to drop out. Any chance you’d be interested? The interview would go out to our newsletter subscribers. I’d need you to answer questions, and I’d need it back by the 28th, so around 48 hours. Let me know if you are interested.
I’ll focus on you all day tomorrow Saturday.
Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Great! I watched your interview on Bay Sunday– lots of good ideas, I will add a link to that video if you like.Here are some interview questions, feel free to expand them.
2. What is your opinion on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing with an agent?
3. What do you feel is the most important thing that authors can do to promote their books?
4. What are your feelings on Social Media? (Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc)
5. Do you feel that book marketing for fiction is different than book marketing for non-fiction?
6. What are some of the biggest mistakes that authors make when trying to promote their books?
7. Do you have any other useful advice for beginning authors?
8. How can authors contact you if they have any questions?
Defiant Press

Teresa
Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com
Book Reviewer Yellow Pages
Book Reviewers for November 2012:
Plus, Interview with Teresa LeYung-Ryan, professional book marketing coach!
Kevin’s Corner
RoseBuz
Regency Reader
so much to write so little time
Red Square Reviews
Dear Authors and Publishers,
We have a new batch of great book reviewers, as well a great interview with Teresa LeYung-Ryan, professional book marketing and writing coach. We will feature an interview with a different publishing professional each month. I hope our tools have been helpful, and improved the way you promote your own books.
As always, subscribers to our newsletter get an additional 48 hours to contact these new reviewers before we list them on our main website. Please respect their submission guidelines, and be polite. Thank you!
Defiant Press
Defiant Press
Here’s the answer to Question #1; please go to Christy Pinheiro’s StepByStepPublishing for answers to Questions 2 through 8 . . .
My name is Teresa LeYung-Ryan and my clients call me Writing-and-Platform-Building Coach Teresa. I wish to thank Christy Pinheiro-Silva 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.
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.
Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com
- 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
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
A Weekend In the Life of this Writing-Career Coach
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here, wishing all writers new vitality to write and promote your work.
On the evening of May 2nd, 2012, I received my sister’s text-message “Nayati is home!” (kidnapped boy had been released, thank God!) I text’ed back “Get some rest” because I knew she must be exhausted (joining forces and taking action to help find Nayati, conducting class, and comforting her own students).
That evening I got onto facebook to broadcast the news of Nayati’s safe return, called friends who don’t use facebook, and updated my webpage and blog posts. Thank you, Everyone, for your powerful prayers.
The next day (after a long sleep), I went about my day with a lighter heart.
So, I wrote cards (created by Rosemary C.) to Elaine M. (retired teacher), Luisa Adams (author of Woven of Water), Vicki Weiland (developmental editor of nonfiction books) and Lori Hope (author of Help Me Live)
I sent Bardi Rosman Koodrin scoring sheets for the “Immigrant Experience Writing Contest” which I created and sponsored. I understand that winners from all the writing contests through the San Mateo County Fair Literary Arts Division will be published in Carry the Light San Mateo County Fair Literary Anthology 2012.
And, I continue to read Mary Jo McConahay‘s mesmerizing memoir Maya Roads: One Woman’s Journey Among the People of the Rainforest.
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Linda Joy Myers made it possible for me (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) to attend Lynn Cook Henriksen's book launch at Joyce Turley's, and, when we arrived, I was tickled to see Patricia Morin and my dear friend Lynn Scott (right)!
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Another dear friend to me and my sister! Jonathan was able to go to Norway Day Festival to cheer for my client Carla Danziger too.

Jonathan and Teresa LeYung-Ryan at Fort Mason Center for Norway Day in San Francisco. Cheers to Carla Danziger!
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Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan with featured author Carla Danziger and journalist Cindy Warner at Norway Day Festival
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Jonathan and Teresa LeYung-Ryan cheer for authors Irene Levin Berman and Carla Danziger at Norway Day
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I emailed my publicity sheet to colleague Laurel Anne Hill who is helping Bardi Rosman Koodrin. “Teresa LeYung-Ryan and California Writers Club colleagues will be at Author Day June 16, 2012 at the San Mateo County Fair“
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My pal Elisa Sasa Southard (travel writer and certified tour director) called to schedule our next work session. Our conversation reminded me to post these links:
http://valerieleeworks.wordpress.com Valerie Lee is the author of The Jade Rubies. Here’s a book review by Robert A. Garfinkle of Valerie Lee’s book The Jade Rubies.
Jonathan Fung‘s film Hark is a powerful story that will raise awareness of human trafficking and change lives.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/index.html Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex or forced labor. They are young children, teenagers, men and women. Trafficking in persons occurs throughout the world, including in the United States.
http://www.polarisproject.org Polaris Project’s client services department has been providing survivors of human trafficking with the support necessary to rebuild lives and regain hope for the future.
Polaris Project’s Executive Director Bradley Myles discusses human trafficking in the United States, the NHTRC and what you can do if you suspect some one is being trafficked.
Here’s my webpage with links to The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Stamp Out Stigma, and BringChange2Mind.org
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com
Coach Teresa has helped over 1,000 writers.
As editor/story consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan identifies themes, universal archetypes, front-story & back-story in clients’ manuscripts.
- As 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; recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association; and archived at the San Francisco History Center
- Teresa’s 10-minute play Answer Me Now has been selected to be part of the 2012 Redwood Writers Play Festival. Tickets to June 29, 30 and July 1 performances will be on sale as of May 1st through the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA
Coach Teresa’s Blog is abundant resources for you.