Posts Tagged ‘JENNIFER JOSEPH’
How to Pitch a Novel, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, or How To Book to Agents and Acquisition Editors
I invite everyone referred to in this post (especially the authors who have been coached by yours truly, 22-Day Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan) to introduce yourselves by submitting a comment to this post. To do that, click on the blue title bar of this post, fill in the boxes, then press the [ submit comment ] button. I cheer for you.

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.
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/
Getting to talk to an agent or an acquisition editor is a valuable experience.
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 26th, 2011 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Space is limited (we sold out last year) – register by March 15th, 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
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!
The Jennifer Joseph, Publisher, Manic D Press Books
I met Jennifer Joseph at a writers’ conference many years ago and throughout these years whenever someone asks: “Who should we include on a panel of experts in the publishing industry?” I would reply: “Invite the owner of Manic D Press–Jennifer Joseph. Great energy. Savvy. She cares about her authors’ careers.”
Manic D Press is an award-winning literary press based in San Francisco, California publishing fiction, poetry, pop culture, music, art, narrative-oriented comix, and alternative travel books, representing a diverse group of unique writers and artists,
When I was president for California Writers Club-SF Peninsula Branch 2005-2006, I wanted to give our members a program of publishing experts at the June 2006 meeting–my last meeting as president. That day, I learned from Jennifer Joseph why publishers usually don’t print large quantities of any particular book, and, why publishers “remainder” books (sell a book at a low low price) even when they’ve been only recently published. Here’s the answer: Books are inventory; inventory gets taxed. To have unsold books sitting in warehouses cost money to the publishers.
Last week, at the publishing panel sponsored by Women’s National Book Association at San Francisco Public Library-Main Branch, I learned from Jennifer Joseph to take advantage of the facebook phenomenon. I love writing blog posts to help writers build their names/platforms; Jennifer recommends my using facebook to broadcast new posts.
Also, I learned that she publishes poetry books. On the Manic D Press postcard are thumbnail-size images of 20 book covers with their titles, authors’ names, genres, ISBNs and cover prices; 5 of them are poetry/essays.
Please visit the online Manic D store http://manicdpress.com
On her website, Jennifer says: “If there’s a Manic D book that’s not here and you want it, send an email, okay? Thanks for everything (and especially for reading our books).”
Writers who want to see submission guidelines, go to: http://manicdpress.com and scroll to the bottom of the page OR click here: http://manicdpress.com/submissions.html
http://www.facebook.com/manicd
http://twitter.com/manicdpress
Awards presented to Manic D Press include 2000 American Library Association Stonewall Award for Literature; 1997 Firecracker Alternative Book Award for Art; 2002 and 2000 Firecracker Alternative Book Awards for Fiction; 1998 American Institute of Graphic Arts juried traveling exhibition 50 Books, 50 Covers; Sept/Oct 2003 + March/April 2004 Booksense 76 lists; SF Bay Guardian’s 2004 Best of the Bay: ‘Best Quintessentially San Franciscan Publisher’, Publishing Triangle’s 2007 Thom Gunn Award for Poetry + 2008 Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction; SF Weekly’s “Best of San Francisco 2008″; 2009 and 2010 Lambda Literary Transgender Awards.
Thank you, Jennifer Joseph, for being a hard-working publisher who enjoys sharing your insight with the writing-and-reading community!
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.”
http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
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
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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
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!
September is National Literacy Month!
October is National Reading Group Month!
Third week of October is California Writers Week!
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September & October & November 2010 events I recommend to writers in the San Francisco Bay Area
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“Poetry on Main” meets 2nd Thursday in Pleasanton, CA
Next meeting: Thurs., September 9, 2010 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Little Valley Winery, 739 Main St., Pleasanton, CA
Calling all Poets! Free event. For more info (what to bring): http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/community/arts/civic-arts-literary.html
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Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, 2:00-5:00pm
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Women’s National Book Association presents:
Publishing Panel: Zen and the Art of the Book Deal
At San Francisco Public Library—Main Branch– Latino Hispanic Community Room, Lower Level, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
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
Participate in our Great Book Give Away. See you there!
Visit http://wnba-sfchapter.org/for more info.
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September meetings at California Writers Club
http://calwriters.org/ Find a branch near you
October meetings at California Writers Club
http://calwriters.org/ Find a branch near you
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Thursday October 14, 2010, starts at noon
WNBA-SF Chapter & Book Passage in Corte Madera host:
Literary Luncheon with Celebrated Author Joyce Maynard
Call Book Passage, Corte Madera (415) 927-0960 ext.1 to reserve. The ticket price of $55 includes an outstanding lunch catered by Insalata’s Restaurant & an autographed copy of Joyce Maynard’s book The Good Daughters.
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October 17, 2010 California Writers Club Berkeley Branch http://calwritersclub.wordpress.com/
General Meeting & Program
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Oakland’s Main Library
West Auditorium
Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan will lead “Major League Tryouts with Coach Teresa to Build Your Writer’s Name”
understand the need to build one’s name/fame in today’s publishing arena.
identify advocates, endorsers and fans.
gain recognition through your words and your community.
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Saturday October 30, 2010 7:30 am – 6:30 pm Redwood Writers Conference
http://redwoodwriters.org/redwood-conference/
Writing Career Coach & Author Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “Go to this conference. You deserve to celebrate and grow your writing career!” 9:30-10:30am Teresa will present: “Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published”
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November 13 – 14, 2010 Writing for Change Conference
For non-fiction writers/authors
http://www.sfwritingforchange.org/
The theme of the conference is “Changing the World One Book at a Time,” and the goal is to encompass business, politics, technology, spirituality, personal development, health, social issues, the environment, culture, the law, international relations.
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If you have events for writers that you wish to recommend, please submit a comment to this post. To comment on any of my blog posts, just click on the blue title bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.”
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
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.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com
Photo: University of Louisville
“Happy Birthday, 19th Amendment (And thanks to Harry T. Burn’s mom)”
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Today is the 90th anniversary the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, the one that gave women the right to vote after a full century of organization, agitation and marching.
On this date in 1920 the Tennessee General Assembly became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, thus making it official.
To read the full article/post . . . http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/08/19th-amendment-constitution.html
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Happy Birthday, 19th Amendment; Thank You, Suffragettes and the men who walked the walk of equality with them!
The Nineteenth Amendment (Amendment XIX) to the United States Constitution prohibits each state and the federal government from denying any citizen the right to vote based on that citizen‘s sex. It was ratified on August 18, 1920.
Did you know that the Women’s National Book Association http://www.wnba-books.org/ was established in 1917, before women-citizens in America even had the right to vote?
The Women’s National Book Association is a national organization of women and men who work with and value books. WNBA exists to promote reading and to support the role of women in the community of the book. WNBA has been a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) member of the United Nations since 1959. http://www.wnba-books.org Jill A. Tardiff & Nancy Stewart are our UN DPI/ NGO representatives http://www.wnba-books.org/chapters-members/wnba-officers/
I am so proud to be a member of WNBA. I think my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother would be proud too. If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area on Sunday Sept 12, 2010, 2:00-5:00pm, come by the San Francisco Public Library-Main Branch…
ZEN AND THE ART OF THE BOOK DEAL
Publishing Panel: Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 • 2-5 p.m.
San Francisco Public Library-Main Branch
Latino Hispanic Community Room, Lower Level, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Women’s National Book Association – San Francisco Chapter brings you the latest news in the publishing industry from the following insiders:
- 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
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Moderator: Mary Knippel, immediate past president, WNBA-SF Chapter
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September is National Literacy Month. Join our panel of experts as they share the newest insights into the publishing industry.
- Participate in our Great Book Give Away. See you there!
- http://wnba-sfchapter.org/
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
Writing Career Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.”
Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention (the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook) http://WritingCoachTeresa.com
To comment on any of Teresa’s columns (blog posts), just click on the blue title bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.” Please click here for her blog http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
Teresa uses her acclaimed novel Love Made of Heart to help survivors of violence find their own voices through writing. http://lovemadeofheart.com/Advocacy-For-Women-Resources.html offers resources for women.