The one-day writers’ conference to help authors before and after publication. Learn from experts in the industry.

http://cwcmarin.com/writerslife/

Conference Chair – Dr. Joan Steidinger

Keynote Speaker

CONSTANCE HALE “The Seven Stages of Manuscript Grief”

Presenters

LINDA WATANABE MCFERRIN “Writing about Places Real and Imagined”

ROBERT PIMM – literary and trademark attorney

MARY RAKOW, Ph.D. – freelance editor

TANYA EGAN GIBSON - freelance editor

DAVID COLIN CARR - freelance editor

TERESA LEYUNG-RYAN  “Where Are YOU and Your THEMES on Your Writer’s Platform-Building Journey?”

JENNIFER MARCH SOLOWAY is an associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

ANDY ROSS started his literary agency in February, 2008. Prior to becoming an agent, Andy was the owner of Cody’s Books in Berkeley, California for 30 years.

The Writer’s Life Conference sponsored by California Writers Club–Marin Branch  at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera, CA

If you miss this writers’ conference, here are other opportunities to attend my presentation “Where Are YOU & Your THEMES on Your Writer’s Platform-Building Journey?” and meet the members of these writers’ organizations:

• June 11, 2017, 1:00-6:00pm Writers Mini Conference at San Mateo County Fair Literary Stage https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/pdf/2017/literary_17.pdf
  
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• July 10, 2017 Sacramento Suburban Writers Club, Fair Oaks, CA) http://www.sactowriters.org/

Cheering for all writers and readers!

Reach out, not stress out.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan who teaches my clients (writers, artists) how to reach out, not stress out, before and after publication — identify themes in their intellectual properties and create scripts for pitches, query letters, press releases, talking-points, one-minute videos, photo slideshows, and the all-mighty blog. Please visit http://WritingCoachTeresa.com  and http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog for resources.

The workbook:
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW – available at http://www.laurelbookstore.com in Oakland, CA and http://www.bookpassage.com in Corte Madera, CA and on Amazon – print edition and Kindle edition!

If you’d like to email me . . .   WritingCoachTeresa  then @, then Gmail.com

• What email subject line will attract my attention?  Tell me where you’ve met me (which conference? which workshop? which community event?) or tell me who referred you.

•  In the body of your email, please include your full name and your URL (website or blog address) so that I can see what you’re already doing to build your writer’s platform and fanbase. I like concise and gracious emails. Thank you so much.

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 (mother-daughter love story) by Teresa LeYung-Ryan 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

Build Your Writer's Platform & Fanbase in 22 Days - workbook 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

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here . . .  honored to be invited to present at the San Francisco Writers Conference again.   I will get to work with talented colleagues and friends, ten years in a row!

Friday Feb. 15, 2013  9:00-9:45am

“GETTING TO FIRST BASE BY BUILDING YOUR FANBASE”

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

Sunday Feb. 17, 2013  10:00-10:45am

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

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

Also, I will be one of the independent editors, giving one-on-one consultation, on:

Friday  11:00am — 11:50am; Friday   2:00pm  –  3:30 or 3:40pm

Saturday  11:00am — 11:50am

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  The 10th Anniversary SFWC February 14-17 (Thursday through Sunday), 2013 !

Goosebumps author R.L. Stine offers a free talk for his young fans

on February 16^th at the 2013 San Francisco Writers Conference

While he is in town as a keynoter for the 2013 San Francisco Writers Conference, the shadowy R.L. Stine will offer a frightfully delightful session for his young fans. We promise there is nothing to fear from the master of horror. It all begins promptly at 10 a.m. on February 16^th at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. His talk is free, but rules must be followed! (See below.)

            Mr. Stine is best known as the author of the popular Goosebumps series of books for young readers. He has sold over 350 million books, making him one of the best-selling children’s authors in history. In fact, he was named the #1 best-selling author in America by USA Today for three straight years outselling John Grisham, Stephen King and Tom Clancy.

The FREE session for students during the SFWC is made possible by the San Francisco Writers Conference which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the InterContinental Mark Hopkins and the many companies and individuals who are sponsors of the 2013 San Francisco Writers Conference.

RULES for the R.L. STINE session during the 2013 San Francisco Writers Conference:

The event starts PROMPTLY at 10 a.m. at the Mark Hopkins Hotel on Saturday, February 16^th, 2013. The session is open to students in 3rd to 8th grade and is limited to the first 200 confirmed RSVPs.

You MUST RSVP following these rules or something bad may happen (perhaps you won’t get in!)   Go to www.SFWriters.org.  Click on ‘Register Here for R.L. Stine’ option on the right side of the homepage.  Fill out the form.  List all the students who will be attending in the box provided. Submit the form.  A thank you page will appear.  We suggest you bring a copy of the thank you page with you.

Mandatory:  If you are bringing a group, there must be 1 adult per 10 children.

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Who else will be helping writers at the 2013 San Francisco Writers Conference?

Published authors and publishing experts who generously volunteer their time! Click here to see who they are!

Members from Women’s National Book Association!

Members from California Writers Club!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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

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

Click here to read the interview with Coach Teresa for StepByStepPublishing

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

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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.”

Coach Teresa here… to say “I’m sorry that I’ll have to miss being with you at WNBA-SF Chapter’s signature event on March 24, 2012.  Special thanks to WNBA-SF Chapter fellow pitch-coaches Mary E. Knippel and Tanya Egan Gibson, program chair Lynn Henriksen and co-president Linda Lee for providing  bios of the agents and acquisition editors so that I was able to create handout material for tomorrow, and Mary E. Knippel and co-president Linda Joy Myers for taking care of duplicating material and bringing to event tomorrow.”

“I wish my colleagues, all the authors who will be pitching, agents and acquisition editors, and luncheon keynote speaker Meg Waite Clayton a most wonderful day at our signature event ‘Meet and Speed Date with Agents and Acquisition Editors.’”

After you pitch . . .

What to do if an agent or acquisition editor has asked you to send a portion of your full manuscript or the entire manuscript?

If he/she has asked you to email the submission:

• Make your email subject line” to the point”  (Example:  follow-up on our meeting at WNBA event on March 24      Another example:  Thank you for asking me to send my manuscript)

• Use salutation; pitch in 1 to 3 sentences (do not assume that agent/ acquisition editor remembers everything you told her/him); state what you are attaching  (first 3 chapters?  first 50 pages?  book proposal? (for a how-to book also known as prescriptive nonfiction);  ask when you can expect a reply;  your “thank you”; signature block with your full name and contact information and website/blog/facebook/twitter/YouTube address.  Be sure to use paragraphs in the body of your email so that your message doesn’t look like a block of text.  Email yourself to preview.

• The attachment—use industry standard format (Cover page showing your book title; genre; word count; your full name; your contact information.  Manuscript pages — 1” margins; double spaced; 12-pt. font; header on each page contains book title and  your full name; each page numbered)

Multiple agents and/or acquisition editors have asked to read a portion of your manuscript or the entire project?

• Show your professional self.  If more than one person asked to read a substantial portion of your manuscript (investing their time),  you be honorable–give one agent an exclusive reading period (typically 2 to 3 weeks); let that agent know that other agents are waiting to read.

What to do if no agent or acquisition editor has asked to see your work?

Despair not.  Polish your pitch and query other agents.  How do you find other agents?  Read acknowledgment pages of books similar to yours; authors usually thank their agents and editors.  Go to Association of Authors’ Representatives’ website and search in their database.

Books that can help you refine your pitch and/or build your writer’s platform:

How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen

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

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

Cheering for you!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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

http://wnba-sfchapter.org

signature event of  Women’s National Book Association–SF Chapter

Meg Waite Clayton–keynoter at luncheon (optional)

More info and registration: http://wnba-sfchapter.org

Lynn Henriksen chairs event

Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Mary E. Knippel, Tanya Egan Gibson will coach registrants on how to pitch 8:00-9:00am.

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WNBA colleague Ann Steiner, Ph.D.MFT, CGP (author of Starting and Sustaining Groups that Thrive: Workbook and Planning Guide) highly recommends Dr. Paul Watsky’s workshop March 23-25, 2012.  Dr. Steiner says:

Would you like a weekend devoted to exploring the challenges and rewards of practicing your creative art?

This workshop provides a safe place to deal with such common emotional obstacles as identity, follow-through, isolation, motivation, negative self-talk, and rejection.

This weekend workshop is offered by the Jungian analyst and San Francisco poet, Dr. Paul Watsky. Please forward this announcement to interested colleagues and contact Dr. Watsky directly if you have any questions.

When: Friday evening, March 23rd – 25th

Where: Inverness, CA

Workshop Size: Limited to Twelve Participants

About the Workshop Leader

Paul Watsky, Ph.D., ABPP is a licensed clinical psychologist with over thirty years’ experience in his field, an analyst member of the CG Jung Institute of San Francisco, and a widely published poet, whose debut collection, Telling The Difference (Fisher King Press) was published in 2010. Before becoming a psychologist he taught English literature full time as an Assistant Professor at San Francisco State University, and has continued to teach and lecture through the public programs of the CG Jung Institute and various other organizations.

For Information and Registration please call: 415 346-0253

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Speaking of creative art . . .  Mary E. Knippel’s book The Secret Artist – Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine is scheduled to debut by late Spring 2012!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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

http://writingcoachteresa.com

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

As editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying their themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story.  http://writingcoachteresa.com

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

Author / Story Consultant / Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan -- photo by Cyberspace Guru Linda Lee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sincerely

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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

http://writingcoachteresa.com

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

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

As editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying their themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story.  http://writingcoachteresa.com

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

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22-Day Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan helps authors with their pitches at "Speed Dating with Agents & Acquisition Editors" at WNBA's signature event

Andria Wagner
Barbara Brunetti
Belinda “Bee” Hylinski
Brittany Pettibone
Nicole Pettibone
Danny Garon
Diana Franco
Jennifer Hewitt
Joan Steidinger
Kimber Simpkins
Rasa Gustaitis
Ronnie Lovler

How to Pitch a Novel, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, or How-To Book to Agents and Acquisition Editors

Saturday March 26, 2011

This morning colleague Jane Glendinning and I had a chance to catch up since October last year when I met the delightful writers (and saw Sarah Clark!) at California Writers Club Berkeley Branch.

Jane and I had shared  an adventure when Oakland public libraries were in danger of severe budget cuts.  This morning 7:40am our walk from BART Embarcadero station to Sinbad’s Restaurant was another adventure in San Francisco.  Rain. Puddles.  We were on our way to help authors pitch their projects at the WNBA signature event “Meet the Agents & Acquisition Editors”

The reward was working with fellow members at Women’s National Book Association. Jane Glendinning and Birgit Soyka helped Meet-the-Agents Event Chair Judith Marshall and  Chapter President Lynn Henriksen set up while Treasurer Christopher Payne and beloved Vicki Weiland greeted attendees at registration.  VP Kate Britton had worked miracles pulling online registration data.  Mary Jo McConahay took photos (We are so happy for Mary Jo. Two years ago at this same event, Mary Jo met agent Andy Ross.  Her book, Maya Roads, will be published on August 1, 2011.)

Tanya Egan Gibson, Mary E. Knippel and yours truly Teresa LeYung Ryan helped authors fine-tune their pitches.

Karen Folger Jacobs & Diane LeBow I always get a kick seeing you two power-women.

Talking Tagline Coach Elisa Southard couldn’t be there because she was at the Bay Area Travel Writing planning retreat. Diane LeBow also headed to that meeting after the pitch fest.

Mathilde Schmidt and Carla Danziger – great seeing you both.   I met new member Janine Kovac.  Welcome aboard!

Valerie Mihalache, it was wonderful seeing you.

The 11 agents/acquisition editors/publishers included WNBA members Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen (who are co-founders of San Francisco Writers Conference and Writing for Change Conference), Laurie McLean, Jennifer Joseph, Amy Burkhardt, Andy Ross, Brooke Warner, Georgia Hughes, Gordon Warnock, Jeanette Perez, and Peter Beren!

Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, author of Imperfect Endings, gifted us with a candid talk about her publishing journal, the folks who helped her share her remarkable story with readers, and what she’s working on now.

Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan and Agent Laurie McLean

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW is available through Amazon.  Read success stories (on Amazon) from writers who have finished the 22-day workbook I created to help fiction and nonfiction authors gain a competitive edge.  Whether you want to be your own publisher or sell rights to another publisher, attract readers and more readers now!  http://writingcoachteresa.com

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/is-there-a-book-to-help-a-writer-build-platform-and-fanbase/

What does an agent do?  What does an acquisition editor do?

An agent represents the author.  Agent earns his/her commission when he/she lands a publisher for the author.  An acquisition editor buy authors’ works for the publisher he/she works for; publisher offers the author a contract (publisher buys/author sells the rights to publish); agent gets his/her 15% commission.

“Meet the Agents and Acquisition Editors” a signature event of Women’s National Book Association (WNBA-SF Chapter)

Saturday, March 26^th, 2011  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Space is limited (we sold out last year) – register by March 15^th, 2011

Sinbad’s Restaurant, Pier 2, San Francisco

$50 WNBA member, $65 non-member, or $75 at the door

8:00 to 9:00 am Bonus:  Coffee and “How to Pitch Training” included from 8:00 to 9:00 am.

Coaches Teresa LeYung Ryan, Mary E. Knippel and Tanya Egan Gibson will help you with your pitches.

Coach Teresa’s examples of pitches from last year’s event: http://wnba-sfchapter.org/2-more-examples-on-how-to-pitch-to-agents-acquisition-editors-publishers-at-wnbas-signature-event/

**     **   **

Saturday March 26, 2011 You’ll get a chance to meet:

Amy Burkhardt of Kimberley Cameron & Associates

Andy Ross

Brooke Warner is Senior Editor at Seal Press

Elizabeth Pomada is a partner in Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents

Georgia Hughes is editorial director at New World Library

Gordon Warnock is a Senior Agent with Andrea Hurst Literary Management

Jeanette Perez, Senior Editor, acquires for the HarperOne imprint based in San Francisco after six years at Harper Perennial.

Jennifer Joseph publisher and editor of Manic D Press

Laurie McLean is an agent at Larsen-Pomada Literary 

Michael Larsen is a partner in Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents

Peter Beren

Bios, more info, registration: http://wnba-sfchapter.org/

New this year!

Keynote Luncheon – 12:30 – $30.00 – Menu selections on WNBA website.

WNBA author Zoe FitzGerald Carter will share her journey to the publication of her memoir, Imperfect Endings, recently optioned for film. Join us for lunch and rub elbows with agents and acquisition editors.

Note:  Must be registered to attend
See you there!  Tell your writer-friends.

Sincerely,

22-Day Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan
http://writingcoachteresa.com

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW Available through Amazon.com   Check out the reviews on Amazon!

What Is a Talking Tagline for Writers of Fiction and Nonfiction?

Every year at the exciting San Francisco Writers Conference, Talking-Tagline Teacher Elisa Southard and Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan (yours truly) show writers of all genres how to hook attention–in person, in emails & voicemail, on their websites, blogs, facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other social-media forums.  Hook attention with your talking-tagline!

When someone asks: “Elisa, what do you do?”  Elisa responds with: “Through my book Break Through the Noise, I help professionals power up their marketing messages.” (she doesn’t say “I’m a writer” because… what if the other person doesn’t ask her more questions. )

When someone asks: “Teresa, what do you do?” Teresa responds with: “Through my book, I help writers build their platforms and fanbase in 22 days.”

As a novelist and memoirist, Teresa says: “Through my book Love Made of Heart, I inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas.” (When I was newbie, my playwright friend Kim McMillon would invite me to parties.  Someone would come up to me and ask “So, Teresa, what do you do?”  I would answer “I write novels.” Then the other person would ask “Are you published?” and I would shyly say “Not yet.” Where did that conversation take me? Nowhere.  Many times, the other person would corner me and tell me what he/she writes (a monologue).

Here are other examples of  how to engage with the talking-tagline:

As a travel writer, Elisa says: “I help people turn curiosity into confidence when they travel.”

As a guest speaker to schools, Teresa uses: “Through my book, I help survivors of family violence find their own voices.”

Elisa Southard says: "Break through the noise" and Teresa LeYung Ryan says: "Build your writer's platform & fanbase in 22 days."

*** This year our interactive presentation at SFWC was publicized as: Get a Grip: Be Your Own Best Promoter ***

Writers who:

• were in our session
• received one-on-one coaching from us
• bought the CD or MP3 of our session http://www.vwtapes.com
• learned Talking-Tagline from us at other conferences or workshops . . .

… here’s your chance to tell tens of thousands of my fans what your Talking-Tagline is. Click on the title bar of this post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.”

Also, Elisa and I are both on facebook.  Request

to be “Friends” and remind us where you met us.

Elisa loves Twitter, so, connect with her that way too.

More resources to help you and your writer-friends gain a competitive edge in the publishing industry:

http://breakthroughthenoise.com Watch Elisa’s interview on television–how to deliver your talking-tagline for any profession. Helping you create your talking-tagline is Elisa Southard’s unique talent. Get Elisa’s book Break Through the Noise, 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message

http://writingcoachteresa.com You will giggle when you see how fun it is to build your platform and attract more fans while you’re writing your project. Order my workbook from Amazon  Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW . Why 22 days? When you stick to a program, you develop new habits. Look at the reviews from writers who have used the program.

I say:  Reach out, not stress out!  Help your fans find you!

Let’s hear your talking-tagline.  Click on the blue title bar of this post to get the comment box, fill in all the boxes and press “submit.”

To read other posts in my blog (about writing contests, publishing opportunities, more tips on platform-building), click on [ Home ] and scroll down  OR key in words in the search box to find specific posts. Example: if you key in the words: poetry anthology 2011 into my blog’s search box and click [search], you will see my post containing info about the  Las Positas College Anthology and other contests for other genres (Thank you, Poet Laureate Deborah Grossman!) To read the entire version of a post, click on the title bar of that post.

To see my website for all my books, go to:  http://writingcoachteresa.com

http://sfwriters.org — future San Francisco Writers Conference, San Francisco Writers University, contests, scholarships, recordings of past conferences.

http://www.sfwritingforchange.org – for authors of non-fiction – Writing for Change Conference.

Saturday March 26, 2011 in San Francisco  “Meet the Agents & Acquisition Editors!”
Teresa LeYung Ryan, Mary E. Knippel and Tanya Egan Gibson will coach writers before they pitch at this event. http://www.wnba-sfchapter.org/

Reach out, not stress out!

Sincerely,

Build-Your-Writer’s-Platform Coach Teresa

What's Teresa's talking tagline for her novel Love Made of Heart?