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.

 Pitch-O-Rama 2014 Meet the Agents and Editors
Saturday, March 29, 2014, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

sponsored by Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter

Meet our experts: Peter Beren, Amy Cloughley (Kimberly Cameron), Rachel Neumann (Parallax Press), Georgia Hughes, (New World), Brenda Knight (Viva Editons), Laurie McLean (Foreword Literary), Pooja Menon, (Kimberley Cameron), Michael Larsen, Elizabeth Pomada (Larsen-Pomada Agency), Alan Rinzler, Andy Ross, Brooke Warner (She Writes Press) Click here for full listing.

The event includes a FREE pre-pitch session and mentoring throughout the morning in our Green Room, an adjacent classroom to the main event in the Audre Lorde Room (both on the second floor) with Catharine Bramkamp, Patricia V. Davis, and Mary E. Knippel.

Immediately following the two-hour pitch session is a lively panel discussion on the controversial topic, Categorizing “Women’s” Fiction: Helpful or Hurtful? moderated by member/author Rayme Waters, with Book Club expert and blogger, Marsha Toy Engstrom, and acclaimed historical fiction author, Anita Amirrezvani.

TO REGISTER:  http://wnba-sfchapter.org/pitch-o-rama-2014/               

Space is limited! Cost: $65 WNBA members, $75 non-members

I wish everyone lots of fun!

$149 until sold out!

REGISTER NOW!

The San Francisco Writing for Change Conference will be held the Unitarian Universalist Center on Saturday, October 12, 2013 … about two weeks away!   If you write nonfiction, this is the event for you! This year’s keynote–When Woman Wake, Mountains Move–will be delivered by Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen. Her book, Moving Toward the Millionth Circle led to her involvement with the United Nations and the 5th World Conference on Women. Equally inspirational is Jennifer Przybylo who co-authored Do Good Well which was praised by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus as “the primer for social innovation.”

Also confirmed for the SFW4C: Charlotte Ashlock, Digital Producer and Editor at Berrett-Koehler; Nina Amir, Write Nonfiction NOW! and How to Blog a Book, Jim Azevedo, Smashwords; Kirk Boyd, author of 2048: Humanity’s Agreement to Live Together; Joel Friedlander, Marin Bookworks; Anne Hill, Bay Area Bloggers; Jan Johnson, Red Wheel/Weiser; Cathleen Miller,Champion of Choice; and literary agents Peter Beren, Andy Ross and Mike Larsen. Panels of authors, agents, editors, and marketing pros will offer you the chance to pitch your book and get free feedback on your work.

Register online today!  This highly effective and affordable event is just $149. Optional gourmet box lunch: $20. Details and Registration:  www.SFWritingforChange.org

Barbara Santos

www.Facebook.com/SanFranciscoWritersConference

Sincerely,

Pitch your novel, memoir, biography, autobiography, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, thriller, graphic novel, romance, how to, children’s book, etc.

April 13, 2013 morning in San Francisco “Pitch-O-Rama: Meet the Agents, Editors, and Publishers” – register through Women’s National Book Association (Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Mary E. Knippel and Catharine Bramkamp will be coaching attendees before and after they pitch)

Peter Beren

Nancy Fish

Tory Hartmann

Brenda Knight

Michael Larsen

Linda Joy Myers

Elizabeth Pomada

Lara Perkins

Alan Rinzler

Andy Ross

Brooke Warner

Erin Wiegand

**

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Hook attention with your themes, the four Ws (what, who, when, where) and who YOU are . . . when you pitch to agents, acquisition editors, and publishers."

**

Coach Mary E. Knippel says: "If you're given only 6 minutes with an agent, use your time wisely. Save 3 minutes for the agent to give you advice."

**

**April 13, 2013 in San Francisco “Small Press Publishers Panel & Luncheon” – register through Women’s National Book Association (must also register for “Pitch-O-Rama” in order to attend luncheon)

Brooke Warner of She Writes Press and Brenda Knight of Cleis Press & Viva Editions

Featured Authors: Betsy Graziani Fasbinder and Maggie Oman Shannon

In both her works of memoir and fiction, Betsy Graziani Fasbinder explores the unending complications of people living, working, and loving one another. Her debut novel is a dark love story, lightened with the balm of humor and tempered with the comfort of deep and true friendship. Fire & Water (She Writes Press, March 2013) is Kate Murphy’s story of navigating the treacherous territory of passionate love with friendship and family devotion as the only anchor that can keep her from losing all. Betsy will have her book for sale and signing.

Maggie Oman Shannon is an interfaith minister, spiritual director, and workshop and retreat facilitator. She is the author of five books, including Prayers for Healing. She is serving as the spiritual director of the Unity Spiritual Center of San Francisco. In Crafting Calm: Projects and Practices for Creativity and Contemplation, a D.I.Y. guide to peace of mind, Maggie Oman Shannon explores crafts and creativity as a spiritual practice providing enormous benefits. Shannon takes a rich “potpourri approach” that weaves together interviews, historical facts, “Soul Craft” projects for readers, quotations, and suggested resources with a broad assortment of spiritual practices gathered from crafts communities around the world, as well as from everyday people who have adopted creative forms of spiritual practice.

* * * * * * *

**Many thanks to Committee Co-Chair Kate Farrell (WNBA-SF Chapter VP) and Committee Members Linda Lee (WNBA-SF Chapter Co-President), Linda Joy Myers (WNBA-SF Chapter Co-President), Betsy Fasbinder,  Jane Glendinning, Sherry Nadworny, Susan Pace-Kochand, Catharine Bramkamp, and Mary E. Knippel (Past President) ! Many thanks to WNBA-SF Chapter Membership Chair Ana Manwaring,  Blog Editor Patricia V. Davis,  Social Media Manager Frances Caballo, Secretary Teresa LeYung-Ryan, and Immediate-Past-President Lynn Henriksen too!

See you there!
Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan cares about helping fiction and nonfiction writers build their platforms and work on their craft simultaneously with ease.  She says: “Wear the dual hats as promoter and writer and be happily published. Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

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!

Literary agent Andy Ross, former owner of Cody’s Books, has written an informative blog post about Borders Books & Music and consequences on publishers and authors.

http://andyrossagency.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/whats-the-matter-with-borders/

In Andy’s post, he refers to Peter Osnos’s article in the Atlantic January 11, 2011

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/01/what-went-wrong-at-borders/69310/

I am sad for everyone, especially for employees who have lost or will lose their jobs.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

Manuscript Consultant / Writing Career Coach / Author / Publisher

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com