Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Posts Tagged ‘publishers’

After Thanksgiving Day . . . Events for Writers & Readers in Placerville, Fremont, El Dorado Hills, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, CA

Friday, November 23, 2012,  11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Award-winning authors at Placerville News Company!

409 Main Street
Placerville, CA 95667
530-622-4510

Author/photographer Margie Yee Webb, Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life; and author Cindy Sample, Dying For A Date and Dying For A Dance, during Merchants Open House on Historic Main Street.  Just in time to start your Christmas shopping!

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Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, 2:00-4:00pm  California Writers Club–Fremont Branch

For details: http://www.cwc-fremontareawriters.org/

Get ready to put aside the Thanksgiving leftovers, and dine on Fremont Area Writers’ Two for One Turkey Time Treat!

No, not food—food for thought.

We’re planning a revival of Open Mic, followed by a panel discussion in which three intrepid FAW members will attempt to answer your questions about writing, editing, marketing…you name it!

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Authors Dahlynn McKowen & Ken McKowen at Face In A Book

Book Signing
FACE IN A BOOK Bookstore and Gifts
El Dorado Hills Town Center, El Dorado Hills, CA

Come meet local authors Dahlynn and Ken McKowen, creators of the Not Your Mother’s Book anthology series, at this special Small Business Saturday event. Also joining them will be Granite Bay resident Nancy Withers, who contributed a story to the On Being a Woman title. Light refreshments will be served.

The McKowens spent 10 years creating Chicken Soup for the Soul books with Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen before launching the NYMB series. NYMB books are contemporary, fun and even daring! No sad, sappy or death and dying stories—EVER! They are looking for stories for 30-plus new NYMB titles. Submission guidelines can be found at www.PublishingSyndicate.com

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Saturday, December 8, 2012  California Writers Club–Mt. Diablo Branch in Pleasant Hill, CA

For details: http://cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.com/next-program/

Special End-of-Year Luncheon

with “Two of Our Own”

Susan Pace-Koch

Susan will discuss Get Out of My Head, I Should Go to Bed, illustrated by award-winning Jeremy Kwan, and her latest children’s book, In One Ear and Out the Other, illustrated by Jack Wiens.  Her books will be available for sale for those special children on your “list.”

Kathleen Curtis Wilson

Kathleen will speak of her twenty years of writing set-backs, successes, and opportunities.  She will describe two years of photography, three years of research, and four years to find a publisher for her third book, Irish People, Irish Linen.

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Saturday, December 15, 2012  California Writers Club–Tri-Valley Branch in Pleasanton, CA

For details:  http://trivalleywriters.org/

Meg Waite Clayton is the national bestselling author of The Four Ms. Bradwells, The Wednesday Sisters, and the Bellwether Prize finalist The Language of Light, published by Ballantine Books, a Random House imprint, and acclaimed by all major national book club picks.

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Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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.”

What Is Happening this Weekend November 16, 17, 18, 2012 for Writers and Readers in northern California?

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The award-winning guidebook TellTale Souls Writing the Mother Memoir: How to Tap Memory and Write Your Story Capturing Character & Spirit

If you could tell just one  small story that would reveal the essence of your mother’s character and keep her spirit alive, what would it be?

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Saturday, November 17, 2012, 9:30 am–1:30 pm

“The Narrator’s Tale: All About Point of View” Workshop at Redwood Writers

Presented by Ana Manwaring

Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa,
2777 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95405  

$25 members, $35 non-members

Register: http://redwoodwriters.org/workshops/november-2012-workshop/

A workshop on the intricacies of Point of View. This will be a hands on workshop so come prepared with pen, paper, and a scene from your original writing (double spaced) that includes plenty of narration.

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Saturday, November 17, 2012 10:00am Belmont, CA Library

San Francisco Peninsula Branch of California Writers Club presents:
Tanya Egan Gibson: Author, Editor, Writing Coach

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Learn the various ways you can get the details of places right (even without a travel budget), how to make your world exciting, and and how to use your world to strengthen both plot and characterization. For more: tanyaegangibson.com  Tanya is the author of How To Buy a Love of Reading.

Members $15, Non-Members $18, Students $10 with ID
http://www.cwc-peninsula.org/events_pay.html

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Saturday, November 17th, 2012 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

Sacramento Branch of California Writers Club

Luncheon November 2012: Karl Palachuk, publisher

Topic: Publishing Your Own Book: What’s new, what’s important, what’s essential?

Members $12.00,  Non-Members $14.00

Meetings are held at:

Tokyo Buffet restaurant
7217 Greenback Ln., Citrus Heights, CA 95621

http://www.cwcsacramentowriters.org

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Nov. 2 – 18, 2012  Fringe of Marin Festival of New Bay Area One-Act Plays and Solos

http://www.fringeofmarin.com/index.html

http://www.fringeofmarin.com/performanceschedule.html

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan and author Lynn Scott will catch a show in Program 2 to cheer for playwrights Carol Sheldon (On With the Wind) and Ollie Mae Trost Welch (Shaw).  Annette Lust, I cheer for you always!

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Sunday, November 18, 2012, 2:00pm

Berkeley Branch of California Writers Club

Speaker — “Scenes for the Novel and the Screen” with James Dalessandro

at the Oakland Main Library, Bradley C. Walters Community Room, also known as the West Auditorium, Oakland, CA

Monthly Speaker Programs (FREE)

http://cwc-berkeley.org/

1:05 p.m. Doors Open, Marketing Group

1:30-2:00 pm Social Time

2:00  to 4:30 pm Announcements, Program & More Social Time

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Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! 

print edition ISBN: 978-0983010005

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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.”

(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!!!”

Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to say:

“I had such a good time on CBS Channel 5 Bay Sunday.  My big thanks to:  Arts-in-the-Valley radio show host Kim McMillon, Bay Sunday producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa, Bay Sunday host Frank Mallicoat (3 time Emmy Award journalist), Bay Sunday team (including audio expert Francisco Gomez, interns Jennifer and Chelsea, the gurus behind stage), colleagues Joan Gelfand, Ishmael Reed, and Pireeni Sundaralingam, and all my friends and clients who cheered for me and my colleagues.”

Please click here to see the segment on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel - the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am.

What is a platform anyway?  A platform is what your name stands for – what you care about.

After you watch the interview, please come back to this post.  What do you care about?

Tell us by submitting a comment to this post.

1. Click on the blue header of this post

2. Scroll down to get the boxes

3. Fill in the boxes and press [submit comment] button.  Consider keeping a copy of your comment and post it in your email signature-block and on other blogs. This is how you broadcast your platform.

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Please click here to see the segment on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel - the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am.

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

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Please click here to see the segment on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel - the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am.

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I care about helping writers thrive in the publishing arena.  Coaching writers before and after publication is what I enjoy doing.  Some clients prefer my coaching them 5 to 15 minutes a day for 22 consecutive days ( in-person, via Skype or phone calls); some prefer an hour or two hours at a time.  Start with my workbook — You can sneak preview the 2 exercises for Day 1 in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days by going to Amazon and take advantage of their “Look Inside” feature.

How to contact me?  Click here please.

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

I cheer for all writers!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Update: Colleagues Leon Veal, Judith Marshall, Chandra Garsson, Sheryl Fairchild, Susan Pace-Koch, Dave LaRoche, and of course Cindy Sample and Jennifer Walker have sent their good wishes to Margie Yee Webb via my facebook posting of this blog post.

Margie Yee Webb, author of Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life, enjoys promoting her book in person.

Margie says: “I am so excited since I have seen some authors at Apple Hill before and wanted to do an event there. So when Cindy Sample asked me, I said yes!”

10th Annual Art in the Orchard
September 8 & 9, 2012
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Author Appearance and Book Signing
Rainbow Orchards – #10
2569 Larsen Drive
Camino, CA 95709

Local Authors  Margie Yee Webb (Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life), Cindy Sample (Dying for a Dance and Dying for a Date) and Jennifer Walker (Bubba Goes National and Bubba to the Rescue) will be signing their books and talking to fans.

Click here Margie’s calendar of events for details of this fun event.

Click here for Margie Yee Webb’s website to see how this author builds her writer’s platform and fanbase

 

Click here for El Dorado Arts Council

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

Sincerely,

writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!"

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

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

Tonight August 28, 2012 at 7:30pm

Martha Alderson  the Plot Whisperer at

Bookshop Santa Cruz

1520 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tel: 831-423-0900

The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-By-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories (Paperback)  $16.95

Turn lackluster plots into irresistible stories!

When it comes to writing bestsellers, it’s all about the plot. But creating a captivating storyline that mesmerizes your audience until the very end is easier said than done. With thousands of engaging books on the shelf, you’ll need to set yours apart by developing unique scenarios that leave readers wondering what happens next.

In this writing workbook, celebrated local writing teacher and author Martha Alderson covers everything from constructing spirited action and compelling characters to establishing an unforgettable ending. She also walks you through the development of a successful narrative with exercises that: help build suspense, incorporate effective subplots, tie up all the loose ends, and keep the reader turning pages. Filled with essential advice and writing exercises, The Plot Whisperer Workbook will quickly become your go-to guide for crafting a tale worthy of the bestseller list!

Don’t miss Wallace Baine’s article about Martha Alderson, her book, and our event in The Sentinel.

ISBN-13: 9781440542749
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Adams Media Corporation, 8/2012

Sign up for Martha’s e-zine; read Martha’s blog!  Go to http://blockbusterplots.comog!

Colleagues Lori Noack, Linda Lee, Mary E. Knippel and Luisa Adams and yours truly Teresa LeYung-Ryan will be cheering for Martha Alderson tonight.  See you there!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!"

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

• Teresa has built her own platform happily. Her first novel Love Made of Heart  is used in college composition classes; available at public libraries; recommended by the CA School Library Association and the CA Reading Association; and archived at the San Francisco History Center. Love Made of Heart and her short play Answer Me Now carry the themes closest to her heart:  mother-daughter relationship; Chinese-American immigrant experience; helping adult-children (of mentally-ill parents) speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their loved ones.

• Please visit Coach Teresa’s Events Page

• http://WritingCoachTeresa.com  Click on “Coach Teresa’s Blog”
• http://www.facebook.com/Teresa.LeYung.Ryan
• http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Writing Coach Teresa says: “Platform-Building Is Fun For Writers, Friends, Fans.”

"The way Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat cheers for his friend who is writing a book is a beautiful example of friends turning into fans for each other. Showing your fans 'what your name stands for' (your platform-statement) helps them brag about you with ease," says Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan -- photo by poet & novelist Joan Gelfand

When I heard dear friend Kim McMillon’s voice on July 16, 2012 asking if I would like to be a guest on CBS 5′s Bay Sunday show, I thought . . . I’d love to, but, I’m exhausted. . .  Just that day, artist Chandra Garsson (another dear friend) had filmed me reading my ten-minute monologue Answer Me Now.  Two days before that, I was on the “Writers on Writing” panel at Oakland Library, Rockridge Branch, that Kim had orchestrated for Stephanie Dale, Judith Cody, Yolande Barial, Joan Gelfand, and yours truly Teresa LeYung-Ryan.

writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!"

Saying “yes” would mean spending at least two full days preparing for the appearance and doing pre-event publicity and then calendaring another two days to do post-event follow-ups and publicity.

Carol Sheldon (author of Mother Lode) interviewed by Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan at Book Passage Ferry Building SF -- photo by Jim Weiland

You see . . . a week before that, I had interviewed award-winning author Carol Sheldon (Mother Lode) at Book Passage at the Ferry Building in San Francisco.  Two days before that event, I had attended a planning meeting at Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter. Before that, I was away for the 3-day Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival at 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa. Before that, I was having fun with California Writers Club friends showcasing our works at the San Mateo County Fair (June 12 and June 16 for me).

All the while . . .  I was helping clients create their platform-statements and identify themes in their manuscripts.

Yes, I was exhausted . . . But, I knew I would say “Yes!” to my dear friend Kim McMillon.  Kim was helping Bay Sunday Producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa by providing a list of authors with public-speaking experience.  I was one of the fortunate chosen ones. I needed to say “Yes! Thank you!”

I am so glad I did . . .  Angela Pang, Community Relations Manager at AsianWeek Foundation (who is also my pal Margie Yee Webb’s beloved niece), saw the group photo posted by Bay Sunday’s super team on their facebook album “Bay Sunday 7/23 Taping” and tagged me.  Now, I’m getting all kinds of fun messages from my other friends.

Writers’ Platform-Building Coach  Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “The way Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat cheers for his friend who is writing a book is a beautiful example of friends turning into fans for each other.  Outfitting your  fans (old ones and new ones) with your platform-statement helps them brags about you with ease. I cheer for writers, friends, fans!  Thank you, 3 time Emmy Award winner Frank!  Thank you, producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa! Thank you to the four wonderful interns, especially Jennifer and Chelsea! Thank you Bay Sunday Team (including audio expert Francisco Gomez and the gurus behind stage!)

“I had so much fun this morning being a guest on Bay Sunday at CBS 5 with fellow authors Joan Gelfand, Ishmael Reed, and Pireeni Sundaralingam . Everyone extended kind energy. I was happy to see Tennessee Reed!  Thank you, Kim McMillon, for pitching us to Akilah!

Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

authors Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Joan Gelfand, Pireeni Sundaralingam are fans of Bay Sunday host Frank Mallicoat--photo by Jennifer

Here and Abroad by Joan Gelfand

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Love Made of Heart by Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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

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Build Your Writer's Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Juice by Ishmael Reed

Indivisible an Anthology of Contemporary South Asian American Poetry - Edited by Neelanjana Banerjee, Summi Kaipa, and Pireeni Sundaralingam

Seeking Center A Collection of Poems by Joan Gelfand

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Jennifer helps Bay Sunday guests Joan Gelfand, Tennessee Reed and Ishmael Reed get comfortable before taping of show--photo by Coach Teresa

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"The way Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat cheers for his friend who is writing a book is a beautiful example of friends turning into fans for each other. Showing your fans 'what your name stands for' (your platform-statement) helps them brag about you with ease," says Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan -- photo by poet & novelist Joan Gelfand

Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

authors Joan Gelfand, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Pireeni Sundaralingam cheer for Bay Sunday producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa and host Frank Mallicoat--photo by Jennifer

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Wonderful Interns Jennifer and Chelsea flank Bay Sunday Super Producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa (yes, that is Host Frank Mallicoat walking by)-- photo by Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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CBS-5 Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat asks poet & novelist Joan Gelfand about her writing process--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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CBS-5 Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat asks Poet Pireeni Sundaralingam about her co-editing Indivisible: an Anthology of Contemporary South Asian American Poetry --photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan answers Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat's question "What is branding?" --photo by Jennifer

Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

Of the 10 talking-points that I was prepared to cover, we had time to answer most of these in the five-minute interview:

•    What is Coach Teresa’s definition of a writer’s platform?

“Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers—who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”  

“What I care about leads to my writing about those themes/subject matters/issues; what I write about attracts my fans because they also care about what I care about.  Help your fans find you.”

Start with:  “I care about . . . ”

Example: (as a writer of fiction, narrative nonfiction, including memoirs )

I am Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart.  I care about helping adult-children (of mentally-ill parents) speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their loved ones.

Example: (as a writer of prescriptive nonfiction  a.k.a. “how to” )

I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days.  I care about helping writers thrive in today’s publishing arena.

Where to “show” your platform-statement? 

Your email signature block!  Your letterhead!  Your website and blog slogan/tagline/description!  Your bio!  Your business cards!

“Even when I’m emailing my loved ones (my biggest fans), I show them my platform-statement in my signature block.  Help your fans brag about you with ease.”

•    Why does a writer need to promote?

“To compete in the publishing arena where celebrity authors and best-selling authors have huge fanbases. “

•    How much does it cost to build my writer’s platform?

“Might not require money.  The writer does need to invest time and energy.   22 minutes a day for 22 days to start.”

•    What is branding?

“Your name is your brand.  Making your name synonymous with the issues you write about in order to attract fans (a.k.a. targeted consumers)”

•    Which is the “better” route – find an agent who will find the publisher OR find the publisher myself OR be my own publisher?

“A writer’s journey is magical.  Your fans could be the ones to lead you to your route. Take a look at my website, page entitled “Writers’ Resources,” and my blog.”

•    Coach Teresa, your workbook is Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days .    Why 22 days?

“When we stick to something for 21 consecutive days, we develop a new habit. Why not gain the wonderful habit of building our platform/name?  On the 22nd day, we celebrate. Everyday is a good day to build your name / fanbase / platform!”

The workbook:  Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

I care about helping writers thrive in the publishing arena.  Coaching writers before and after publication is what I enjoy doing.  Some clients prefer my coaching them 5 to 15 minutes a day for 22 consecutive days ( in-person, via Skype or phone calls); some prefer an hour or two hours at a time.  Start with my workbook — You can sneak preview the 2 exercises for Day 1 in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days by going to Amazon and take advantage of their “Look Inside” feature.

How to contact me?  Click here please.

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

I cheer for all writers!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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

“My platform is not something I stand on, it is what my name stands for.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com

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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authors Irene Berman and Carla Danziger talk to fans at Norway Day Festival--photo by Coach Teresa

Carla Danziger, Julie K. Rose, Astrid Karlsen Scott, Norman Ronneberg at Norway Day Festival

Karin Stahl with Carla Danziger author of Hidden Falls

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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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Italian French Baking Company in North Beach, San Francisco

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Teresa LeYung-Ryan and pal Michelle enjoy dining at North Beach San Francisco

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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.

NPR’s Talk of the Nation

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.