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