Thank you so much for all your guidance. I am taking everything to heart. I changed my mission statement at the top of my blog, right next to my blog title last night when I posted last nights post.
It may need fine tuning, just like editing a book, but I believe it’s a pretty good start!
Thank you again for all you do!

Suzannesan

I am so happy for you–you have a completed memoir and a platform!
What is your mission statement? Turn your book title into your mission statement. How do you help readers? Use an “I statement”.

Show your mission statement (as your tagline) on your blog.

Let’s look at definition of platform again:
“Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers—who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”

Question to all writers who want to pitch to agents:
Has your manuscript been professional edited?
OR if you’re also an editor . . . go to my webpage http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Platform-Building-Manuscript-Consultant-Editor-Book-Doctor-Writing-Coach-Teresa-LeYung-Ryan.html scroll down the page, and review “How to Make Your Manuscript Compelling? Look at Your Own Manuscript with an Editor’s Lens” By Teresa LeYung-Ryan

How to find the right agent who are passionate about the themes you write about in your memoir:
* read acknowledgment pages of books (memoirs and novels) that carry your themes (authors usually thank their agents, editors, publishers)
* go to Association of Authors’ Representatives http://www.aar-online.org
* meet agents at writers’ conferences. I’ll be coaching authors on pitching and platform at the February 2, 2012 WNBA-SF Chapter meeting at SFPL, the February 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference, and the March 24, 2012 WNBA-SF Chapter “Meet the Agents” These events are listed on my Events Page http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Teresa-LeYung-Ryan%27s-Events.html There’s also the April 28, 2012 Redwood Writers Next Step Conference!

Sincerely,
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

* As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she coaches authors before and after publication.
* As editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying themes and archetypes.
* Her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes.

http://writingcoachteresa.com Click on “Coach Teresa’s blog”.

I was trained as a speed reader; your blog answers so many of the questions that I have been seeking. I have my platform started, a good while back. I have my blog (and readers), a Twitter account with many followers, a seperate FB page dedicated soley to my writing and I am well known from my days of working with special needs advocacy. Pete Wright was the key note speaker at the last conference that I put on this past September, so I have no fear of speaking in public or about my past. It is simply something that happened in my life that helped develop me into the person that I am today.
I have a few chapters left to write in order to finish my memoir.
If there is one thing that scares me the most, it’s the proposal letter and finding a good agent for my memoir. One that will present me and not just throw my memoir amongst the pile of others wanting to be published as well.
I know there are more writers than there are agents and less publishers than agents.
I am also fully aware a memoir is not the latest “Vampire” or “Horror/Supernatural” type book/movie . Hopefully, those are beginning to fade and we can see more serious writing.
Because I’ve already tackled so much of your book, what should I do next?

V/r,
Suzannesan
“To give of oneself and ask nothing in return is the ultimate form of happiness.”