Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Posts Tagged ‘publishers’

What is going on in the publishing world?  Four experts answered that question today Sept. 12, 2010 at the Women’s National Book Association event.

Picture this:  San Francisco Public Library-Main Branch, 50+ writers in the audience and a panel sharing what they know about the publishing industry.

JENNIFER JOSEPH – publisher and editor of Manic D Press
PETER BEREN – literary agent and publishing consultant
BRIDGET KINSELLA – Breaking Books & navigating the publishing landscape
GEORGIA HUGHES – editorial director of New World Library
Moderator: Mary Knippel, immediate past president, WNBA-SF Chapter

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What did I learn today from the panelists?

• Publisher Jennifer Joseph advised us to take advantage of the FaceBook phenomenon; to be true to ourselves and work on the craft.
• Literary Agent & Publishing Consultant Peter Beren advised us to research websites that help authors promote our books (including Redroom, GoodReads, Library Thing); to really know our market; also, he reminded us that usually “noise/excitement around the event is better than the event itself.”
• Bridget Kinsella advised us to understand that even when a book is selling well, there’s no guarantee that the publisher of that book will commit to additional print-runs.
• Georgia Hughes advised us to conduct marketing research for our book proposals and that “a good book title goes a long way.”

Thank you, panelists!

Two dozen WNBA members were present and a dozen members (those who had arrived early and signed up) introduced their books/writings to the audience.

Thank you, Michelle Jeffers-Public Relations Officer, Daniel, Leon Veal, and everyone at San Francisco Public Library who helped us publicized today’s event.  It’s a joy working with fellow board and committee members from WNBA-SF Chapter (the sponsors of the event).  Lynn Henriksen, Kate Britton, Mary Knippel, Sarbjit Rai, Leon Veal, Leigh Anne Lindsey & yours truly, Teresa LeYung Ryan, were happy to see so many WNBA members and guests showing up for the literary community.

If you were there today, please submit your comment by clicking on the title of this blog post; tell us who you are, what you gained today from the panelists and WNBA members, and what steps you’ll be taking to enrich your writing-life.  We thank you for being there.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan, author, writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing

Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.    “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.”

Member-at-Large, WNBA-SF Chapter

To join WNBA-SF Chapter – http://wnba-sfchapter.org/Join-WNBA-or-Renew.html

WNBA authors Lynn Henriksen (how to write memoirs), Sarbjit Rai (children's books), Teresa LeYung Ryan (how to build writer's platform; women's fiction) welcome everyone at Publishing Panel

Here’s a tip from me—Writing Career Coach Teresa… One way to build your name/platform is to write book reviews.  Who reads book reviews?  Book buyers, book sellers, teachers, librarians, agents, publishers, sales reps, wholesalers, distributors, and of course your fans/readers.

My clients ask me:  “How do I write book reviews on Amazon to build my name/platform?”

To write a review for a book listed on Amazon.com:
After you get to the Amazon-page dedicated to the book, scroll down and look for the rectangular button: Create your own review
You’ll be asked to sign-in. If you don’t want an account at Amazon, then, you can’t write reviews on Amazon.
After you sign-in, you’ll be asked:
Are you over 13?
Then, you’re asked: “How do you rate this item?” 1 to 5 stars

Example: I studied Christy Pinheiro’s & Nick Russell’s book The Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit! Start Your Own Home-Based Publishing Company and Publish Your Non-Fiction Book with CreateSpace and Amazon

I rated Christy Pinheiro’s & Nick Russell’s book 5-stars
The title of the review I used: Most Helpful Guide on Self-Publishing
My review:
“Thank you, Christy Pinheiro & Nick Russell, for helping me through my self-publishing journey with your wonderful ‘page-turning’ guide on how to succeed in the Amazon CreateSpace program. Your tips, especially on identifying a publisher’s name and your interviews with other experts, were all priceless.” Teresa LeYung Ryan, writing-career coach, author of Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
Tags: self-publishing, amazon createspace, christy pinheiro, nick russell, step by step guide, book publishing, print on demand

Here’s the link to all the book reviews I’ve written on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2N7SSE36ACHMR/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdp

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author & writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing

Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

Hello, Everyone,

I have exciting news.  Today I registered my own publishing company – GraceArt Publishing.  I thank my dear mastermind buddies who have encouraged me these past two years to re-invent myself again.  Thank you, author Luisa Adams, for coming up with “GraceArt.”  Thank you, plot consultant, author & publisher Martha Alderson, for trail-blazing.

I’m proud to be a publisher. I can better support bookstores, booksellers, schools, libraries, and the entire book community now.

Since January 2010 I have been updating my 22-minutes for 22 days workbook to help authors build their names/platforms to attract agents, acquisition editors and publishers. Printing and shipping my workbook have been time-consuming and costly.  After reading The Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit! Start a Own Home-Based Publishing Company and Publish Your Non-Fiction Book with CreateSpace and Amazon, I have decided to use the CreateSpace program for my workbook.

Now I am not only the author but also the publisher and owner of the ISBN (the book’s I.D. number); Amazon will print-on-demand, produce the e-book version of my workbook, distribute, and fulfill orders.  As the publisher, I will continue to promote my book; also I can update it as often as I want.

So, I have changed the title of my workbook from Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published to:  Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention. I like “Build Your Name, Beat the Game ” though (love the rhyme–thank you Elisa Southard); I can use it as my workshop title.

May the force be with you, Writers & Publishers!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!
September is National Literacy Month!
October is National Reading Group Month!
Third week of October is California Writers Week!

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September & October & November 2010 events I recommend to writers in the San Francisco Bay Area

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“Poetry on Main” meets 2nd Thursday in Pleasanton, CA
Next meeting: Thurs., September 9, 2010 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Little Valley Winery, 739 Main St., Pleasanton, CA
Calling all Poets! Free event. For more info (what to bring): http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/community/arts/civic-arts-literary.html

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Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, 2:00-5:00pm
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Women’s National Book Association presents:
Publishing Panel: Zen and the Art of the Book Deal
At San Francisco Public Library—Main Branch– Latino Hispanic Community Room, Lower Level, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Jennifer Joseph – publisher and editor of Manic D Press
Peter Beren – literary agent and publishing consultant
Bridget Kinsella – Breaking Books & navigating the publishing landscape
Georgia Hughes – editorial director of New World Library
Moderator: Mary Knippel, immediate past president, WNBA-SF Chapter
Participate in our Great Book Give Away. See you there!
Visit http://wnba-sfchapter.org/for more info.

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September meetings at California Writers Club
http://calwriters.org/ Find a branch near you

October meetings at California Writers Club
http://calwriters.org/ Find a branch near you

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Thursday October 14, 2010, starts at noon
WNBA-SF Chapter & Book Passage in Corte Madera host:
Literary Luncheon with Celebrated Author Joyce Maynard
Call Book Passage, Corte Madera (415) 927-0960 ext.1  to reserve. The ticket price of $55 includes an outstanding lunch catered by Insalata’s Restaurant & an autographed copy of Joyce Maynard’s book The Good Daughters.

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October 17, 2010 California Writers Club Berkeley Branch http://calwritersclub.wordpress.com/
General Meeting & Program
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Oakland’s Main Library
West Auditorium
Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan will lead “Major League Tryouts with Coach Teresa to Build Your Writer’s Name”
understand the need to build one’s name/fame in today’s publishing arena.
identify advocates, endorsers and fans.
gain recognition through your words and your community.

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Saturday October 30, 2010 7:30 am – 6:30 pm Redwood Writers Conference

http://redwoodwriters.org/redwood-conference/

Writing Career Coach & Author Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “Go to this conference. You deserve to celebrate and grow your writing career!” 9:30-10:30am Teresa will present: “Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published”

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November 13 – 14, 2010  Writing for Change Conference

For non-fiction writers/authors

http://www.sfwritingforchange.org/

The theme of the conference is “Changing the World One Book at a Time,” and the goal is to encompass business, politics, technology, spirituality, personal development, health, social issues, the environment, culture, the law, international relations.

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If you have events for writers that you wish to recommend, please submit a comment to this post. To comment on any of my blog posts, just click on the blue title bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.”

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan

Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

I am most joyful when I can pass on knowledge to anyone who wants to help herself/himself succeed in her/his field.

Today I received an email from my sister (who had been a reluctant-blogger), but because of her job she will be blogging consistently.  Brava!

http://blog.mkis.edu.my/ka/2010/08/25/newsletter-for-weeks-of-aug-23-to-sep-3/comment-page-1/

Here’s my comment to her post:

Dear Ms. Leung (aka Sis),
I am so happy to be reading your blog for your kindergarten class. You’re an expert in your field; experts write columns/journals/logs. Blog is just an abbreviation for Weblog. Your blog posts not only record your students’ progress but also provide resources for the parents and your colleagues and mentees.
Happy blogging!
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of the novel Love Made of Heart; creator of the 22-minutes for 22 days workbook Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, and Readers.  http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

Hello Writers of Fiction and Non-Fiction,

I’ll be at these events in May and June, 2010:

This Thursday May 13, 2010 I will be attending the Effie Lee Morris Lecture at the San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Saturday, May 15, 2010  11 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST

Asian Heritage Street Celebration (starts at Larkin and McAllister Streets in San Francisco, in front of the Asian Art Museum in Civic Center, leading up to the Little Saigon District)

Look for Teresa LeYung Ryan (author of Love Made of Heart), Margie Yee Webb, Frances Kakugawa and Lloyd Lofthouse  at the California Writers Club booth.

The fair features Asian American artists, DJs, martial arts, today’s Asian pop culture, j-cars, a Muay Thai kickboxing ring, scrumptious food, children’s area, cultural procession, anime, free hepatitis B screenings and more! www.asianfairsf.com

The event is free and open to the public.   Teresa will post location of  their booth; please check: http://writingcoachteresa.com

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010  11:00am – 12:45pm PST

Blockbuster Plots Consultant Martha Alderson http://blockbusterplots.com &  Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan on Kim McMillon’s “Writers’ Sanctuary” Blog Talk Radio Show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onword/page/3 If you miss  the live show, you can listen to the archive at:   http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onword/2010/05/18/writers-sanctuary-with-kim-mcmillon

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Friday June 18, 2010

Time: 11 AM PDT |12 PM MDT | 1 PM CDT |2 PM EDT

Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan  on Linda Joy Myers’s Teleseminar for The National Association of Memoir Writers (NAMW)

[June NAMW Member-only Teleseminar] Join Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan as She Helps Memoir Writers Use What They Know to Build Fame!  Fun & Simple Steps for Memoir Writers to Thrive
Not already a member of NAMW? Visit http://www.namw.org now!

How do writers thrive in the fiercely competitive industry? Find out for yourself in this delightful session with Coach Teresa who created Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published (the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook).

She will help you:

* understand the need to build one’s name/fame in today’s publishing arena.
* identify advocates, endorsers and fans.
* gain recognition through your words and your community.

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Saturday, June 19, 2010 2:00pm PST

San Mateo County Fair / Peninsula Festival

Four Bay Area novelists discuss their writing experiences and offer tips for aspiring fiction writers.

Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart. www.writingcoachteresa.com

Margaret Davis, author of Straight Down the Middle. www.margaretdavisbooks.com

Judith Marshall, author of Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever.  www.judithmarshall.net

Jon Corey, author of A Plague of Scoundrels

Moderator:  Tory Hartmann  http://toryhartmann.com/

Bios

Teresa LeYung Ryan uses her novel Love Made of Heart to shed light on secret agonies suffered by mothers and daughters in domestic violence. She is also a writing career coach and creator of Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published.

Margaret Davis (Straight Down the Middle) is a sociologist who is also the author of Families in a Working World and A Practical Guide to Organization Design. Her second novel, Katie Carlisle, will be available soon.

Judith Marshall (Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever) is the owner of Kelso Books, a publishing house. Husbands has been optioned for the screen and her second novel, Staying Afloat, will be available soon.

Jon Cory (A Plague of Scoundrels). Retirement enabled Jon to return to creative writing after a career in business. His debut novel received the 2009 Independent Publishers’ Silver Medal award for popular fiction.

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Coach Teresa here.

Can you relate to any one of these statements?

* Agents and acquisition editors say publishers prefer to work with authors who are already celebrities or have established platforms (i.e. means to build fan base). How do I compete?
* I am published. There aren’t enough hours in a day to write, let alone run around and network.
* I believe in my writing and I’m committed to building my career, but, my budget is limited.

Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “You are the expert of your experiences whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction. When you make your name synonymous with the themes/subject matters/issues in your writing, you beat the game. You too can be happily published.

Coach Teresa’s 22-day playbook Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published has arrived.  $22

Grab a few writer-friends or ask your writers’ club to invite me and I will conduct:

“Major League Tryouts with Coach Teresa– Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published”

Cheering for all writers!

Coach Teresa

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

Last week while my husband was at a music workshop, I started a new writing project–a guide for writers to build their names so that they’d have the competitive edge when pitching to an agent or an
acquisition editor at a publishing house  or pursuing the independent publishing route. The guide will serve my clients as well as writers who prefer to learn from written instructions.

The catalyst for my coaching came from their reports:

• “I landed a big acquisition editor. He helped me with the book proposal over months. Everything looked promising until he pitched my book to the sales people at the publishing house and they asked him: ‘What kind of platform does this author have?’ Just like that I was rejected. I hope they won’t take my idea and let a big-name author write it before I build my fame.”
• “I’m tired of getting rejection letters from agents. They tell me I’m a fine writer, but, they also tell me that fiction is very competitive . . .”
• “I’m an expert in my field, and, still I can’t get a publisher to take my book. They asked me: ‘How big is your readership?’ Isn’t that their job, to find the readers?”
• “I was a ghost writer for a celebrity. He got the big advance from the publisher. I got paid one time, a small sum, and, I’m supposed to keep my mouth shut that I did the work.”

Writing-Career-Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan

Here’s a tip from my upcoming guide:  Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, identify the themes in your work.  In my all-time -favorite story, Charlotte’s Web, the themes included: cycle of life; friendship;
self-esteem; courage; loyalty. In Love Made of Heart, the themes included: daughter wanting mother’s approval; woman carrying guilt; traumas from domestic-violence and effects on children; stigmas with mental illness; struggles and courage of immigrants.

When you’re describing your book to anyone, focus on the themes. When  you’re calling in a talk show, make your comment or question relevant to the themes of the program as well as to your book. Be sure to say your full name.

What is fame, really?  Fame is when people hear or see your name, again and again.

Are you writing letters to newspaper editors? Read the paper and see what your community is most concerned with; then write the letter and offer a solution. Pure complaints usually don’t help; succinct proposals offering resources often do help (and get published).

I hope to see writers and readers in the next few months, at these events:

Sunday, August 23, 2009 1:00-3:00pm
Three Stories, Three Writers, Three Paths.

Teresa LeYung Ryan, Martha Alderson, Luisa Adams at San Mateo County Fair/Peninsula Festival

with Luisa Adams, author of Woven of Water; Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots—Pure & Simple; Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart; Moderator: Tory Hartmann, author of The Ghost of Harvey Milk and president of California Writers Club-SF Peninsula Branch
Expo Hall–Creative Arts Stage (west of #13 on festival map)—-at San Mateo County Fair/Peninsula Festival

www.sanmateocountyfair.com/event-info/fairgrounds-map
They met through the Jack London Writers Conference and the California Writers Club over 10 years ago.
How are they inspiring the reading and writing community today?

http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Teresa-LeYung-Ryan-s-Events.html

Thank you, CWC SF Peninsula Branch President Tory Hartmann, Bardi Rosman Koodrin and Alexandra King,  for orchestrating this fun gig for us!  Other CWC members at the festival will include:  Tory Hartmann, Christopher Wachlin, Laurel Anne Hill, Joyce Robins, Geri Spieler, Inés Villafañe-León, Jo Carpignano, Lucy Murray, and Linda Okerlund.

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Thursday, Sept. 3rd, 2009  6:00-8:00pm
Library Advocates MEET!
Oakland Main Library – West Auditorium
125 14th Street, Oakland, CA

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com

Teresa LeYung Ryan and fellow library advocates show up at Save-the-Libraries meetings

Find out how we can help the folks who have lost Book Mobile.

Find out how we can help the learners and tutors at Second Start-the adult literary program in Oakland.

Find out how our might voices can influence city council members.

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com

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Saturday,  September 19, 2009,  10:00am–4:00pm in Santa Rosa

Sonoma County Book Festival,  Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA  http://socobookfest.org/

Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart www.LoveMadeOfHeart.com

Mary Lunning, aka “Shyne” the poet, author of My Human Heart www.shynespoems.com

Kate Farrell, author of Girl in the Mirror www.girlinthemirror.info

Marcia E. Canton, Ph.D., co-author of Mentoring in Higher Education: Best Practices
www.cantonassociates.com

Stop by and say hello to these 4 authors and members of Women’s National Book Association.
http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Teresa-LeYung-Ryan-s-Events.html

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Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, 2009

Jack London Writers Conference http://jacklondonwritersconference.org/Event-Schedule.html
Saturday October 10, 2009  11:00-11:45am

Map Out Your Career NOW:
3 Easy Steps for Fiction and Nonfiction Writers
with Author and Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan

Learn how to:
• identify advocates, endorsers and fans.
• gain recognition through your words and your community.
• build your platform by reaching out, not stressing out.

How do writers thrive in the fiercely competitive industry?  Find out for yourself in this fun

interactive session.

http://www.lovemadeofheart.com