Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Posts Tagged ‘Reach out’

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

* * *
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

NAMW Members Only

Click on the title bar of this post so that you can see the boxes to enter your comments.

Thank you, Linda Joy Myers, for being a magnificent resource center for memoir writers!

I created this post just for you–members of NAMW.  After the June 18, 2010 Members-Only Teleseminar, let me know what steps you’ll take to further build your name to attract more fans (before or after publication). More fans lead to bigger platform/fame . . . which attracts agents / acquisition editors & publishers / advocates /endorsers / media attention . . . which leads to even more fans . . .

Remember to click “submit comment” after you have composed yours. When I receive your comment, I will add your name to this post and “tag” you (you’ll know what this means after the teleseminar).

“USE WHAT YOU KNOW TO BUILD FAME:  Fun & Simple Steps for Memoir Writers”

• Understand the need to build one’s name/fame in today’s publishing arena.
• Identify your advocates, endorsers and fans.
• Gain recognition through your words and your community.

How do you thrive in the fiercely competitive industry?  You hold the power to beat the game.

Sincerely,

Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, to build your name.”

“When you make your name synonymous with the themes/subject matters/issues in your writing, you are building your fame/career/platform.”

Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published (the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook)

Visit: http://www.WritingCoachTeresa.com

Author/Self-Publisher Seeks Advice from Writing Career Coach Teresa

Here’s a question from a hard-working author:

“Dear Teresa,

One of my friends is planning to publish her book.  I want her to get the best price for her money…  The main thing I’m interested in is distribution, selling online, and creating DVDs.  I would love your comments. Thank you.”   Kim

Here’s my reply:

Hi, Kim,

Amazon has a new self-publishing program:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html?ie=UTF8&ld=AZFooterSelfPublish&topic=200260520
Do read up on that program.

Also, 2 organizations in the Bay Area to help authors/publishers:

http://www.baipa.org/
http://www.norcalpa.org/

Even if you find a publisher that has a huge distribution channel, the challenge “how big is the author’s platform?” still exist. That’s why I wrote my workbook –to help authors build that platform before the book is published, to beat the game.

If you send your friend to http://WritingCoachTeresa.com and also tell her about Amazon Create Space program, and Bay Area Independent Publishers Association, and Northern California Publishers & Authors, then she’ll be armed with resources.

I want you to be armed too (and have fun).

Sincerely,

Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.”

Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook