Posts Tagged ‘california writers club’

The Plot Whisperer aka The Plot Guru aka The Martha Alderson!

Book Launch PARTY

The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing is here! If you’re NOT in Northern California Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013 to celebrate the official release of latest book in The Plot Whisperer series with Martha, you can still have an autographed copy. See below. You’re invited. Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 7:00pm. Come for the cake. Stay for the plot tips.

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Live PLOT WORKSHOP

California Writers Club (CWC) South Bay Writers Present:

Martha Alderson, The Plot Guru

author of Blockbuster Plots and The Plot Whisperer books

Sunday, January 27, 2013 in San Jose, CA
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Start the new year out right. Give yourself and your writing the gift of an intense look at the plot and structure and communication your story conveys. Devote a disciplined 5 hours exclusively to the character emotional development plot, dramatic action plot and the thematic significance plot and take your story to the next level of excellence.
To sign up for the plot intensive, visit: http://southbaywriters.com/wordpress/blockbuster-plots-workshop/

 

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For a schedule of upcoming plot events: http://www.blockbusterplots.com/resc/workshops.html

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The Plot Whisperer says:

WRITE A NOVEL, MEMOIR, SCREENPLAY with ME

The latest Plot Whisperer book beckons me from teaching writers how to plan and test a story with a plot to the actual writing a story with a plot from the beginning to the end. Use The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing and write a novel, memoir, screenplay with me one prompt at a time. Join me. Plot support on my blog.

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3 books – the set!  the kit!
The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing
The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories 
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
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Coach Teresa here . . .  My mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart would not have hooked super agent Stacey Glick in 2000 if Martha Alderson had not taught me how to plot and understand the functions of front story and back story.  Thank you, Plot Whisperer Martha!
I advise every writer to consult with Martha Alderson at least one time after you have written your first draft.  Her books = survival kit for writers.

Cheers to The Plot Whisperer aka The Plot Guru aka The Martha Alderson!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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

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.”

As author of Love Made of Heart, creator of Love Made of Heart gift items and the Talking to My Dead Mom Monologues, Teresa encourages writers to speak out (in print) for those who cannot speak for themselves.

 

After Thanksgiving Day . . . Events for Writers & Readers in Placerville, Fremont, El Dorado Hills, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, CA

Friday, November 23, 201211 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Award-winning authors at Placerville News Company!

409 Main Street
Placerville, CA 95667
530-622-4510

Author/photographer Margie Yee Webb, Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life; and author Cindy Sample, Dying For A Date and Dying For A Dance, during Merchants Open House on Historic Main Street.  Just in time to start your Christmas shopping!

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Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, 2:00-4:00pm  California Writers Club–Fremont Branch

For details: http://www.cwc-fremontareawriters.org/

Get ready to put aside the Thanksgiving leftovers, and dine on Fremont Area Writers’ Two for One Turkey Time Treat!

No, not food—food for thought.

We’re planning a revival of Open Mic, followed by a panel discussion in which three intrepid FAW members will attempt to answer your questions about writing, editing, marketing…you name it!

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Saturday, November 24, 2012,   5:00pm to 7:00pm

Authors Dahlynn McKowen & Ken McKowen at Face In A Book

Book Signing
FACE IN A BOOK Bookstore and Gifts
El Dorado Hills Town Center, El Dorado Hills, CA

Come meet local authors Dahlynn and Ken McKowen, creators of the Not Your Mother’s Book anthology series, at this special Small Business Saturday event. Also joining them will be Granite Bay resident Nancy Withers, who contributed a story to the On Being a Woman title. Light refreshments will be served.

The McKowens spent 10 years creating Chicken Soup for the Soul books with Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen before launching the NYMB series. NYMB books are contemporary, fun and even daring! No sad, sappy or death and dying stories—EVER! They are looking for stories for 30-plus new NYMB titles. Submission guidelines can be found at www.PublishingSyndicate.com

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Saturday, December 8, 2012  California Writers Club–Mt. Diablo Branch in Pleasant Hill, CA

For details: http://cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.com/next-program/

Special End-of-Year Luncheon

with “Two of Our Own”

Susan Pace-Koch

Susan will discuss Get Out of My Head, I Should Go to Bed, illustrated by award-winning Jeremy Kwan, and her latest children’s book, In One Ear and Out the Other, illustrated by Jack Wiens.  Her books will be available for sale for those special children on your “list.”

Kathleen Curtis Wilson

Kathleen will speak of her twenty years of writing set-backs, successes, and opportunities.  She will describe two years of photography, three years of research, and four years to find a publisher for her third book, Irish People, Irish Linen.

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Saturday, December 15, 2012  California Writers Club–Tri-Valley Branch in Pleasanton, CA

For details:  http://trivalleywriters.org/

Meg Waite Clayton is the national bestselling author of The Four Ms. Bradwells, The Wednesday Sisters, and the Bellwether Prize finalist The Language of Light, published by Ballantine Books, a Random House imprint, and acclaimed by all major national book club picks.

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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.”

 

What Is Happening this Weekend November 16, 17, 18, 2012 for Writers and Readers in northern California?

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Friday, November 16, 2012, 7:00pm
Author / Writing Teacher Lynn Cook Henriksen will be at Books Inc.  1344 Park Street, Alameda, CA

  Lynn Henriksen-Author-TellTale-Souls

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

Lynn Stegner     *

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.”

(Clicking on underscored text in this post will open a new window to get to referenced site.)

Meet Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Book Marketing Coach!

1. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your background in the industry?
My name is Teresa LeYung-Ryan and my clients call me Writing-and-Platform-Building Coach Teresa. I wish to thank Christy Pinheiro-Silva of www.StepByStepSelfPublishing.net for this interview, and, I encourage everyone to look for the core messages in my responses—which are:  Reach out, not stress out, to material your dreams;  and, wear your two hats as a writer and be happy (whether you’re writing fiction, narrative nonfiction, or prescription nonfiction also known as “how to” books/articles).

This is what happened to me, over ten years ago, and the choices I’ve made.

I had a dream—a dream of connecting with readers the way Maxine Hong Kingston touched me with her memoir The Woman Warrior.  My writer’s journey started with learning the components of a story in a ten-week course Writing Children’s Literature at the community center and forming a critique group with three classmates after the course ended.

Fast forward.  After seven years of writing and rewriting, showing up at critique meetings twice a month,  I received a gift from a friend—a brochure for the Jack London Writers’ Conference with an entry form for their writing contest.   Two months later, at the conference, I met members from California Writers’ Club and I received “Second Prize” in the Novel Category in the writing contest. I thought that by being a winner in a contest, surely I would attract mentors and be “discovered” by an agent the following week.  (Are you laughing?)

Fast forward.  After sending query letters and the first two chapters of my novel to dozens of agents over a year, and, receiving “rejection letters” and getting very depressed, I took a friend’s advice and registered for a workshop “How to Get Published.” Also, I got together with two other contest-winners (Luisa Adams and Martha Alderson) and we pledged to help each other on our writers’ journeys.

I took a six-week leave of absence from my job to perform the last big rewrite of my manuscript.  (Note: Surround yourself with people who really support your dreams. My husband and my friends were cheering for me.)

Fast forward.  My first novel Love Made of Heart (a mother-daughter love story) 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.   October 2012 marks the tenth anniversary of Love Made of Heart.  The book is still in print, and, I continue to meet new fans.

For the past nine years, through my coaching  and my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, I have been helping writers reach out, not stress out, to attract agents, editors, publishers, readers, and media attention.

2. What is your opinion on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing and represented by an agent?

The advantage of identifying the right agent who will pitch your intellectual property to the right publishers— agents have their specialties and their relationships with acquisition editors at publishing houses; established publishers have relationships with book distributors.

Note: An agent gets 15% of what the author receives from the publisher (similar to a finder’s fee). Agents are not publicists, marketing managers or promoters.  The publisher, not the agent, offers you the contract (to buy the rights to publish your book).

Note: Hire a literary attorney to interpret and negotiate the contract for you if your agent doesn’t have access to legal counsel. Know what rights you are selling to the publisher.

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The advantage of being your own publisher—you have full control regarding:

  • rights to publish and re-print
  • how to promote your book, when, and to whom
  • publication date and publication format
  • book layout, cover design, jacket copy
  • cover price; discounts to booksellers
  • budget and profits

Consider Your and Other People’s Timetables:
It might take years to find your agent; it might take years before your agent finds the publisher.  By the way, my super-agent Stacey Glick tells me that only 2% of her clients would receive contracts from publishers.  When Stacey negotiated the deal with acquisition editor John Scognamiglio at Kensington Publishing Corp. New York (a publisher who releases 500+ new titles each year) for my  mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart, my book title got onto the “conveyor belt” (it would take 18 months from when I sign the contract to when the book would show up in bookstores).

Note: A publisher could “fast track” a new title,  releasing the book within months or even weeks.  An example of releasing a book within weeks would be when a super-famous person dies and big publishers would forego some of the stops in the conveyor belt process.

How much attention are you going to get and give?
The bigger the publisher, the more new titles they release each year, the less attention each author gets.  Their best-selling authors, celebrity-authors, and new authors to whom they have given huge advances would get the most attention of course.

A decade ago when John Scognamiglio told me “You have six weeks to get on the radar”  I thought I knew what that meant.  You see, I was one of the lucky authors.  Kensington had bought “front of the store” shelf space at chain-stores for Love Made of Heart.  Chain-stores would rotate inventory every six weeks.  If a book sells during those six weeks, then the store would order more copies through their distributor.  Independent sales representatives (especially Nancy Suib and Anne Shulenberger) introduced Love Made of Heart to their accounts (independent booksellers).  “Indies” also had to rotate their inventory every few weeks.  What does this mean?  Unsold books are returned to the distributors (warehouses).  Publishers have to pay taxes on inventory—it is a costly business—selling printed books.

To stay on that “radar” meant making one’s name and the subject matter/issues/themes in one’s book visible in media attention over those precious six weeks. Which also meant having lined up interviews—in print, radio, television.  You’re probably saying . . . Wouldn’t the publisher handle all that?  Yes, if you are one of their best-selling authors, a celebrity, or a new author who has been given a huge advance.

Note:  Cyberspace magic provides opportunities galore for authors to broadcast ourselves (build our platforms and fanbases). What is a platform?  The definition is on page 1 from my workbook  Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days“Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers—who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”

3. What do you feel is the most important thing that authors can do to promote their books?
The simple yet powerful tool is:  Making your name synonymous with the  themes/subject matter/issues in your literary works.

In my interview on CBS Channel 5, I talked about:  “What I care about … leads to my writing about those themes/subject matters/issues.  What I write about …   attracts my fans because they also care about what I care about.  Help your fans find you.”

Introduce yourself with your full name.  Then use these three words:  “I care about . . . ”

Example: (as a writer of fiction, narrative nonfiction, including memoirs )
I am Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart (a mother-daughter love story).   I care about helping adult-children (of mentally-ill parents) speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their loved ones.
Example: (as a writer of prescriptive nonfiction  a.k.a. “how to” )
I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW.   I care about helping writers thrive in today’s publishing arena.

I call these self-introductions my platform-statement.
Where to “show” your platform-statement? 

  • Your email signature-block! 
  • Your letterhead! 
  • Your website and blog slogan/tagline/description! 
  • Your bio! 
  • Your business cards! 
  • The caption for your photographs! 
  • Headline for press releases!
  • Social media pages! 
  • And, let’s hear it on your voicemail!

Even when I’m emailing my loved ones (my biggest fans), I show them my platform-statement in my signature block.  Help your fans brag about you with ease.

4. What are your feelings on Social Media? (Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc)
I thank creators and users of social media.  How else could our fans from faraway places find us?  Be consistent.  Update your bio in all these forums to reflect your current platform-statement. A picture speaks a thousand words; be sure to rename photo-files (show your full name and book title, and even keywords from your platform-statement)

5. Do you feel that book marketing for fiction is different than book marketing for non-fiction?

No difference in today’s markets.
How do I choose books as a consumer?
As Teresa-the-consumer, I pay attention when:

  • friends recommend a book
  • I read about or hear or meet the author and I appreciate what the author has to say
  • I need information on a particular subject, so  I use a search engine (like Google.com) to find those books or I ask my favorite booksellers and librarians.

How would I help these consumers find me if I am an author?
Please see the answers to Question # 3—“What do you feel is the most important thing that authors can do to promote their books?”

6. What are some of the biggest mistakes that authors make when trying to promote their books?

  • One big mistake is misdirecting your energy pitching to book reviewers or radio or television producers who are not interested in the subject matter /issues/ themes that you are promoting.  Do your homework; seek advice from mentors, colleagues, and yours truly Coach Teresa; use The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages; listen and watch shows you’d like to be invited to, and, please study their format
  • Another common mistake is what my colleague Elisa Sasa Southard calls “killing a marketing moment.”   Her book Break Through the Noise shows you the 9 tools to propel your marketing message.
  • The third common mistake is tiring yourself out when promoting at events where there is traveling, schlepping, and setting up involved. I have lots of fun with colleagues/co-presenters at writers’ conferences, book festivals, and community events. Recently I shared a booth with Margie Yee Webb and Rita Lakin at the Sonoma County Book Festival.  Every year I join forces with co-presenters Sasa Southard and Mary E. Knippel at the San Francisco Writers Conference.  On December 15, 2012 I’ll be sharing a table with Margie Yee Webb (she’s the author of the gift-book Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings) at a Local Authors event.  Please check my events page.

7. Do you have any other useful advice for beginning authors?

  • Get yourself a calendar (month at a glance) with big squares to write in, and, schedule time to work on your craft and your platform.
  • Get to know members in writers’ organizations (my favorite ones are California Writers Club and Women’s National Book Association)
  • Please read my blog post:  Wear Two Hats as a Writer and Be Happy


8. How can authors contact you if they have any questions?

I encourage you to ask me question by posting a comment on any of my blog posts. That way, my fans will see your name and questions (so, promote yourself).  To submit a comment: click on the headline/blue title bar of the post, scroll down to the end of the post, fill in the boxes, and press the [submit comment] button.

Here’s a blog post you might like to submit a comment/question:  Who Really Is the Most Qualified Person to Build the Author’s Platform and Fanbase?

My email address:   WritingCoachTeresag   at    gmail.com

You will find links to the organizations referenced in this interview on my “Writers’ Resources” page at  http://writingcoachteresa.com

In closing, I wish to reiterate my thanks to Christy Pinheiro and to say “I cheer for all writers!”

Reach out, not stress out!
Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

Christy Pinheiro-Silva of www.StepByStepSelfPublishing.net  says:

“Thanks, Teresa, for a great interview!!!”

Dear Writers,

When someone whom I respect asks me to share my expertise (even on short notice), and, I can adjust my schedule, I say “Yes!”

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Author & Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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Writers’ Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan was honored to respond to Christy Pinheiro’s interview invitation

Oct. 26, 2012
Hi Teresa;
The book reviewer website and our monthly newsletter need to interview a writing/publishing industry pro.   This is last-minute–the person I planned to interview for this month had some personal issues and had to drop out.   Any chance you’d be interested?  The interview would go out to our newsletter subscribers. I’d need you to answer questions, and I’d need it back by the 28th, so around 48 hours. Let me know if you are interested.
Best Regards,
Christy Pinheiro-Silva, EA ABA RTRP
PassKey Publications
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Oct. 26, 2012
Hi, Christy,
I’d be honored.  Thanks!
I’ll focus on you all day tomorrow Saturday.
What a fun weekend it shall be — interviewed by you, and, my writing to Mr. Richard Bolles of  What Color Is Your Parachute (last week, I found a letter he had sent me 18 years ago!)
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Author & Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Oct. 26, 2012
Teresa,
Great! I watched your interview on Bay Sunday– lots of good ideas, I will add a link to that video if you like.Here are some interview questions, feel free to expand them.
1. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your background in the industry?
2. What is your opinion on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing with an agent?
3. What do you feel is the most important thing that authors can do to  promote their books?
4. What are your feelings on Social Media? (Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc)
5. Do you feel that book marketing for fiction is different than book marketing for non-fiction?
6. What are some of the biggest mistakes that authors make when trying to promote their books?
7. Do you have any other useful advice for beginning authors?
8. How can authors contact you if they have any questions?
Thanks for doing this at such short notice!
Best Regards,
Christy Pinheiro-Silva, EA ABA RTRP
Passkey Publications
Defiant Press
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Oct. 28, 2012
Dear Christy,
Here goes… Please see attached document.  I inserted hyperlinks; all you’ll need to do is “open link to a new window” for each one.
Also attached are 2 photos and both book covers.
I had fun answering your interesting questions.Thank you again for the opportunity to work with you.
:)
Sincerely,
Teresa

Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
says:
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com
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Oct. 28, 2012
Hi Teresa;
The interview sounded great. I just sent out the newsletter and I’ll post the interview and your images to our main website on Nov 1st.
I really appreciate you taking the time to do this– lots of great information.
 
Best Regards,
Christy Pinheiro-Silva, EA ABA RTRP
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Oct. 28, 2012
from: Book Reviewer List

Book Reviewer Yellow Pages

Book Reviewers for November 2012:
Plus, Interview with Teresa LeYung-Ryan, professional book marketing coach!

Kevin’s Corner
RoseBuz
Regency Reader
so much to write so little time
Red Square Reviews

Dear Authors and Publishers,
We have a new batch of great book reviewers, as well a great  interview with  Teresa LeYung-Ryan, professional book marketing and writing coach. We will feature an interview with a different publishing professional each month.  I hope our tools have been helpful, and improved the way you promote your own books.

As always, subscribers to our newsletter get an additional 48 hours to contact these new reviewers before we list them on our main website. Please respect their submission guidelines, and be polite. Thank you!

Christy Pinheiro-Silva, EA ABA RTRP
Passkey Publications
Defiant Press
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Nov. 1, 2012
Hi Teresa;
Your interview has been posted to our homepage:
Thanks again for pulling this together at such short notice!
Best Regards,
Christy Pinheiro-Silva, EA ABA RTRP
Passkey Publications
Defiant Press

Here’s the answer to Question #1; please go to Christy Pinheiro’s StepByStepPublishing for answers to Questions 2 through 8 . . .

1. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your background in the industry?
My name is Teresa LeYung-Ryan and my clients call me Writing-and-Platform-Building Coach Teresa. I wish to thank Christy Pinheiro-Silva for this interview, and, I encourage everyone to look for the core messages in my responses—which are:  Reach out, not stress out, to material your dreams;  and, wear your two hats as a writer and be happy(whether you’re writing fiction, narrative nonfiction, or prescription nonfiction also known as “how to” books/articles).This is what happened to me, over ten years ago, and the choices I’ve made.I had a dream—a dream of connecting with readers the way Maxine Hong Kingston touched me with her memoir The Woman Warrior.  My writer’s journey started with learning the components of a story in a ten-week course Writing Children’s Literature at the community center and forming a critique group with three classmates after the course ended.Fast forward.  After seven years of writing and rewriting, showing up at critique meetings twice a month,  I received a gift from a friend—a brochure for the Jack London Writers’ Conference with an entry form for their writing contest.
****
Two months later, at the conference, I met members from California Writers’ Club and I received “Second Prize” in the Novel Category in the writing contest. I thought that by being a winner in a contest, surely I would attract mentors and be “discovered” by an agent the following week.  (Are you laughing?)Fast forward.
****
After sending query letters and the first two chapters of my novel to dozens of agents over a year, and, receiving “rejection letters” and getting very depressed, I took a friend’s advice and registered for a workshop “How to Get Published.” Also, I got together with two other contest-winners (Luisa Adams and Martha Alderson) and we pledged to help each other on our writers’ journeys.I took a six-week leave of absence from my job to perform the last big rewrite of my manuscript.  (Note: Surround yourself with people who really support your dreams. My husband and my friends were cheering for me.)

Fast forward.  My first novel Love Made of Heart (a mother-daughter love story) 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.   October 2012 marks the tenth anniversary of Love Made of Heart.  The book is still in print, and, I continue to meet new fans.

For the past nine years, through my coaching  and my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, I have been helping writers reach out, not stress out, to attract agents, editors, publishers, readers, and media attention.

***
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Coach Teresa here . . .
If you have seen my co-presenting at San Francisco Writers Conference with The Elisa “Sasa” Southard in the past 9 years, then you’ll recognize her speaking those magic words “Yes I can!”
Cheers to Christy!  Cheers to Sasa!  Cheers to Everyone!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan on CBS Bay Sunday with Host Frank Mallicoat
Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com

 

  • 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.

 

September through October 14, 2012

Platform-Building and Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “My deep gratitude to colleagues who have endorsed me on LinkedIn in September and October 2012.  If other colleagues / clients have endorsed me but I haven’t received notification, please let me know by emailing me or submitting a comment to this post.  Thank you so much! To submit a comment: click on the headline/title bar of this post, scroll down to the end of this post, fill in the boxes, and press the [submit comment] button.”

I thank:

Barbara Toboni  –  video of Barbara reading her poetry

Carol Sheldon, author, playwright, actress, poet, novelist; Carol’s mystery Mother Lode received BAIPA award for Best Fiction

Elaine Webster  President of Redwood Writers; author of multiple books

Kathryn (Kay) Mehl Miller – author of Living with the Stranger In Me: An Exploration of Aging

Kim McMillon – playwright, Arts In the Valley radio show producer, event producer, teaching assistant at U.C. Merced.  Kim is flying to Hawaii to help Vince McMillon, creator of the 1st Annual Hilo Coconut Festival,  Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 at Mokuola (Coconut Island).  Free to the public.

Linda C. McCabe – author of the historical novel Quest of the Warrior Maid

Mary E. Knippel, founder of The Unleashed Homemaker

Mona Mechling – memoirist; creator of The Fridge Magnet Chronicles

Sandy Baker – author of Mrs. Feeny & the Grubby Garden Gang

Steve (Fredericks) Liddick – author at Top Cat Publications

Thonie Hevron – Suspense stories that navigate the murky waters of right and wrong–on both sides of the law

Here are some organizations that connect these colleagues to me:

California Writers Club – Santa Rosa Branch aka Redwood Writers

California Writers Club – Marin Branch

California Writers Club – Sacramento Branch

California Writers Club – San Francisco Peninsula Branch

Writers Forum Petaluma with Marlene Cullen

Wisdom Has A Voice with Kate Farrell

Napa Writers Network

National Association of Memoir Writers with Linda Joy Myers

Women’s National Book Association

Have you seen Coach Teresa interviewed by Frank Mallicoat on CBS Channel 5?

 

 

 

 

Cheering for writers and readers and everyone who has a story in her/his heart!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

http://www.facebook.com/Teresa.LeYung.Ryan
http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

 

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CA State Fair line-up of authors for July 22-28, 2012

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CA State Fair line-up of authors for July 29, 2012 last day of fair

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to cheer for author Margie Yee Webb who does so much for colleagues, aspiring writers, and communities to promote literacy and animal welfare.

What’s Margie’s book? Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life

“The playful maxims with equally delightful photographs in Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings inspire readers to fall in love with life.” – Teresa LeYung- Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart; Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days

 

California State Fair - www.bigfun.org

Are you going to the California State Fair July 12-29, 2012 ? If you are . . .  please stop by A/B Building and look for Margie and her beautiful gift book.

Margie will be at the fair these dates: * July 14 * July 16 * July 23 * July 24 * July 29 *

 

Margie Yee Webb, Author-Photographer of Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings--photo by Coach Teresa

 

I see that Naida West, Sandy Baker, Hazuki Kataoka & D. Battino, James Van Eaton, Denise Lee Branco, Margaret Murray will be exhibiting too!  Cheers to Margie Yee Webb and all the authors! For the full list of California authors at the state fair, with Naida West as Author Manager:  http://www.bridgehousebooks.com/events/statefair2012.htm

For state fair general information and directions to the fairgrounds: http://www.bigfun.org

Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life

Where else would you find Margie Yee Webb ?
Author/Photographer of Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life
http://www.catmulan.com

Got Cat Stories?
Co-Creator, Not Your Mother’s Book . . . On Cats

http://publishingsyndicate.com

She is:
Past President (2007-2011)
California Writers Club, Sacramento Branch

“Serving The Greater Sacramento Region”
http://www.cwcsacramentowriters.org/
Member
Cat Writers’ Association, http://www.catwriters.org/
Northern California Publishers & Authors, http://www.norcalpa.org/
Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter, http://wnba-sfchapter.org/
Bay Area Independent Publishers Association,http://www.baipa.org/
* * * * *
On Saturday, September 22, 2012 Margie and I will be exhibiting our books at the Sonoma County Book Festival in Santa Rosa, CA.  Please look for updates at my Event Page in September.
I cheer for writers and readers!

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Coach Teresa says: “I love helping writers build their platforms and published authors fortify theirs with individualized coaching.”

As coach and author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she advices: “Make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”

Teresa has built her own platform happily; her novel Love Made of Heart and her short play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship.

Teresa LeYung-Ryan helps clients identify themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story in their manuscripts.

A Time to Cast Away Stones, set in Berkeley and Paris in 1968

Delightful invitation from Elise Frances Miller:

Dear California Writers Club Friends!

I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming release of my novel, A Time to Cast Away Stones, set in Berkeley and Paris in 1968, by Sand Hill Review Press. If you’ve been coming to CWC  meetings, Open Mic, or Fault Zone readings over the past couple of years, then you might have heard segments of this work.

For now, I hope you will save the date for the launch party – your invitation is below! As of this email, we are still awaiting the book’s release. I will contact you again to let you know when it is available to the public – online and at bookstores.

As fellow-travelers, you know how much I appreciate your friendship and support! See you soon! Elise

You are all invited to join us for the LAUNCH PARTY at  Books Inc.

1375 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame CA

Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Refreshments will be served!

You can learn more about the novel as well as 1968 Berkeley and Paris at http://www.elisefmiller.com

I am so happy for Elise!

If you miss her at Books Inc. on June 13,  catch her on Friday, June 15, 2012 4:00-5:00pm at the San Mateo County Fair–Literary Arts Stage in the Fine Arts Department.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Editor, Story Consultant, Platform-Building Coach

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan has helped over 1,000 writers.

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

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan getting ready to meet Linda Joy Myers so that we can attend Lynn Cook Henriksen‘s book launch together. Joyce Turley is throwing the party for Lynn this afternoon.

 

TellTale Souls Writing the Mother Memoir: How to Tap Memory and Write Your Story Capturing Character & Spirit has the power to move people and change awareness.

What’s the connection?  Lynn Cook Henriksen is immediate past-president of Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter; Linda Joy Myers is current co-president; I (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) am current Secretary of the Board. We and Joyce are also involved with San Francisco Writers Conference. I’m hoping to see SFWC, WNBA and California Writers Club (CWC) colleagues as we all cheer for Lynn!

Mother-Daughter connection: Lynn’s book TellTale Souls: Writing the Mother Memoir is about how to write your mother memoir; Linda Joy’s memoir is Don’t Call Me Mother and her how-to book is The Power of Memoir; my novel Love Made of Heart and my play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to my heart: mother-daughter relationship.

* * * * *

Well, Of course Lynn Cook Henriksen’s book launch was a lovely event.  Joyce Turley hosted the champagne and brownie gala.  Lynn was surrounded by adoring fans/friends.  We are all so proud of her!

TellTale Souls: Writing the Mother Memoir by Lynn Cook Henriksen

 

Guest of Honor author Lynn Cook Henriksen with Joyce Turley and Linda Joy Myers

celebrated author Lynn Cook Henriksen with daughter and sister at book launch

 

celebrated author Lynn Cook Henriksen (with champagne) cheered by friends at her book launch. In photo from left to right: Patricia Morin, Lynn Cook Henriksen, Linda Joy Myers, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Lynn Scott. Who is the gentleman sitting in sunshine?

 

Lynn Scott (my dear friend) and Patricia Morin with her husband were there too… to celebrate Lynn Henriksen and her new book TellTale Souls Writing the Mother Memoir: How to Tap Memory and Write Your Story Capturing Character & Spirit.

Thank you, Linda Joy Myers, for zooming us cross the bridge, to cheer for our dear colleague Lynn Cook Henriksen, meet her daughter Samantha, run into my pal Lynn Scott (author of A Joyful Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me) and playwright Patricia Morin, see Joyce Turley, eat her signature brownies, and giving me a chance to take photographs of the lovely event.

celebrated author of TellTale Souls: Writing the Mother Memoir Lynn Henriksen signs books for fans at book launch

 

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan encourages you to wear your many hats as a writer — work on the craft and your platform at the same time.  Take a look at the exercises in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 DaysI can help you polish your manuscript (identify themes, universal archetypes, front-story & back-story) AND coach you on platform-buildingclick here.

 

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan Would Like To Know If You Will Be Attending Redwood Writers & 6th Street Playhouse Play Festival 2012

Hello, Everyone!

I am proud to announce that my short-short-play Answer Me Now has been selected as one of the nine short-short-plays for this year’s festival and fundraiser June 29-July 1, 2012.  Tickets will be on sale  through the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA.

$16 per person for all 9 short-short plays

Tickets on sale now!!      707-523-4185

June 29, Friday at 8pm;

June 30, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm;

July 1, Sunday at 2pm.

July 1st   4:30-5pm, following performance, free panel discussion with winning playwrights

 

Answer Me Now is a 10-minute monologue (middle-aged woman asking her dead mom a question). Autobiographical?  Please see the play and decide for yourself.  I hope you’ll be able to attend a performance.  Festival Director Lennie Dean is lining up directors. Who will be directing my play?

I can’t wait to see the other 8 plays written by fellow playwrights.

Festival Director Lennie Dean says: “More than 20 roles to cast and we will use 12 actors for these 20 some roles…. I have been working to firm up all of the events planned for the festival and will also send the line-up of the different events to all very soon.”

(Teresa here . . .  I’ll update my Events page on my website as I receive more info).

If you’re planning to catch a performance, please email me (I’m at gmail.com  My ID is: WritingCoachTeresa).  I’d like to greet you in person before and after the show. Santa Rosa is a lovely town; perhaps you can support the festival and visit other attractions too.

 

Playwright Teresa LeYung-Ryan cheers for everyone involved in the Redwood Writers & 6th Street Playhouse Play Festival 2012

Malena Eljumaily                             Special Delivery

Nancy Lockard Gallop                   There There, Now                     

Gene Griffith                                   Gravediggers

Teresa  LeYung-Ryan              Answer Me Now

Amanda McTigue                           Turn The Other

Elaine Maikovska                           The Play Is the Thang

Harry Reid                                       GPS

Elizabeth VanPatten                      Dream Girl

Jean Wong                                      BFF

I look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

As editor/story consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan identifies themes and universal archetypes for clients.

As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”

Teresa has built her own platform happily; her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. She says her novel and her play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship.

http://writingcoachteresa.com for Coach Teresa’s Blog and other resources.

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

 

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