Posts Tagged ‘Mary E. Knippel’
Tonight August 28, 2012 at 7:30pm
Martha Alderson the Plot Whisperer at
1520 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tel: 831-423-0900
The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-By-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories (Paperback) $16.95
Turn lackluster plots into irresistible stories!
When it comes to writing bestsellers, it’s all about the plot. But creating a captivating storyline that mesmerizes your audience until the very end is easier said than done. With thousands of engaging books on the shelf, you’ll need to set yours apart by developing unique scenarios that leave readers wondering what happens next.
In this writing workbook, celebrated local writing teacher and author Martha Alderson covers everything from constructing spirited action and compelling characters to establishing an unforgettable ending. She also walks you through the development of a successful narrative with exercises that: help build suspense, incorporate effective subplots, tie up all the loose ends, and keep the reader turning pages. Filled with essential advice and writing exercises, The Plot Whisperer Workbook will quickly become your go-to guide for crafting a tale worthy of the bestseller list!
Don’t miss Wallace Baine’s article about Martha Alderson, her book, and our event in The Sentinel.
ISBN-13: 9781440542749
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Adams Media Corporation, 8/2012
Sign up for Martha’s e-zine; read Martha’s blog! Go to http://blockbusterplots.comog!
Colleagues Lori Noack, Linda Lee, Mary E. Knippel and Luisa Adams and yours truly Teresa LeYung-Ryan will be cheering for Martha Alderson tonight. See you there!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa

writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!"
- As coach and author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”
- 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.
- Please visit Coach Teresa’s Events Page
- http://WritingCoachTeresa.com Click on “Coach Teresa’s Blog”
- http://www.facebook.com/
Teresa.LeYung.Ryan - http://www.youtube.com/
teresaleyung
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to introduce you to a colleague (Mary E. Knippel) who also wears 3 hats:
Your-Writing-Mentor Mary E. Knippel is also the author of The Secret Artist: Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine, is also The Unleashed Homemaker !
The UnleashedHomemakertm says: “Please join us for our upcoming events in 2012…
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Editor, Story Consultant, Platform-Building Coach
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan has helped over 1,000 writers.
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s dear colleague Mary E. Knippel says about April 27, 2012 the last day of the FREE, online event called “A Juicy Journey to Happiness” telesummit designed for women of a certain age:
Dear One,
Are you as happy as you want to be? Or, like most people, do you tell yourself, “I’ll be happy when … (I’m healthier or wealthier, or my home is more peaceful, or I have more time to do what I love?)”
I don’t want you to keep waiting. I want you to claim your happiness right away, and I have a lovely invitation to help you do just that. Join me on this juicy journey.
My friend and colleague Dr. Nancy Burnett is leading a very special, FREE, online event called A Juicy Journey to Happiness designed for women of a certain age. I’ll be speaking on one of the ten online conversations, and I’d love to have you join us for the entire series as my guest. You’re welcome to invite your friends as well!
Yes, tell me more!
Each call will explore one aspect of happiness. The series as a whole focuses on how each of us can find beauty, purpose, and success on our own terms.
At a Juicy Journey to Happiness, you’ll learn…
* How to become a happy traveler and leave the ‘baggage’ at home.
* How to develop your confidence regardless of shape, weight, or age.
* How to dial in to your own style.
* The break-out solution to unleashed creativity. (can you guess who that is? – Friday, April 27, 2012 at noon Pacific – join me)
* Ways to break through loss of purpose and discover a whole new path.
* Secrets of breaking out of old ideas about good health.
* How to reach beyond your comfort zone to create the life you want.
* The true relationship between money and success.
… and much, much more!
Register today to attend all ten online sessions free:
I look forward to seeing you there.
Unleash!
Mary E. Knippel
The Unleashed Homemakertm
P.S. Every one of the speakers will be giving away valuable gifts on our calls. And if you can’t attend these calls live, you’ll have an opportunity to listen to the call recordings. So you have nothing to lose! Let’s grow the number of happy women! Click here to register.
Sincerely,
Coach 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.”
News from colleagues:
Poetry Reading
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 7pm. Join us for a poetry reading benefiting the Food Bank and celebrating the publication of the anthology “Broken Circles: A Gathering of Poems for Hunger”, by Cave Moon Press. Hosted by Dan Brady, the reading features poets Joan Gelfand, Mary Mackey, and Rachelle Escamilla. An open mic follows the main presentation.
Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, 2095 Hayes Street, San Francisco
If you would like to donate, bring cash or checks made out to SF Food Bank.
In honor of this wonderful event, I will be giving away three free download cards for my CD and one broadside.
Hope to see you there,
Joan Gelfand
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April 21, 2012. Learn from 3 pros. How to create and use your WordPress BLOG with cyberspace genius Linda Lee of Askmepc; how to be your own publisher with literary agent & publishing expert Laurie McLean and adventure travel writer & self-publishing expert Carla King. April 21, Stanford University http://wordpressbootcamp.net/wordpress-bootcamp-sign-up/ Bootcamp and Self Publishing Bootcamp. * Linda Lee is my cyberspace coach; she’s a wizard. I recommend her classes and services.
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Mary E. Knippel says: ” . . . I know how you feel and I founded The Unleashed Homemakertm to help you along the journey from the woman you no longer recognize to the woman you want to become. One of the goals I am no longer putting off is writing my book. I am the author of The Secret Artist: Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine.”
We look forward to seeing you.
Warmly,
Maureen Samson
Member of the Nachamu (Comfort) Project of Congregation Beth Sholom
May 3, 2012 6:00-7:30pm WNBA Silent Work Session in Stong Conference Room at SFPL”
No talking; work on individual projects; library has wifi; bring your laptop or print-out of your project; work together/work quietly.
First 7 WNBA members or prospective members to email Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan will get table space.
at SF Main Library Stong Conference Room (first floor, no food allowed).
Coach Teresa’s email address is: WritingCoachTeresa (use @ sign) gmail.com
Put in your subject line: RSVP May 3 WNBA.
Want to be a member of WNBA-SF Chapter? http://wnba-sfchapter.org/
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Sincerely,
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.”
What to do after pitching to agents and acquisition editors?
Coach Teresa here… to say “I’m sorry that I’ll have to miss being with you at WNBA-SF Chapter’s signature event on March 24, 2012. Special thanks to WNBA-SF Chapter fellow pitch-coaches Mary E. Knippel and Tanya Egan Gibson, program chair Lynn Henriksen and co-president Linda Lee for providing bios of the agents and acquisition editors so that I was able to create handout material for tomorrow, and Mary E. Knippel and co-president Linda Joy Myers for taking care of duplicating material and bringing to event tomorrow.”
“I wish my colleagues, all the authors who will be pitching, agents and acquisition editors, and luncheon keynote speaker Meg Waite Clayton a most wonderful day at our signature event ‘Meet and Speed Date with Agents and Acquisition Editors.’”
After you pitch . . .
What to do if an agent or acquisition editor has asked you to send a portion of your full manuscript or the entire manuscript?
If he/she has asked you to email the submission:
- Make your email subject line” to the point” (Example: follow-up on our meeting at WNBA event on March 24 Another example: Thank you for asking me to send my manuscript)
- Use salutation; pitch in 1 to 3 sentences (do not assume that agent/ acquisition editor remembers everything you told her/him); state what you are attaching (first 3 chapters? first 50 pages? book proposal? (for a how-to book also known as prescriptive nonfiction); ask when you can expect a reply; your “thank you”; signature block with your full name and contact information and website/blog/facebook/twitter/YouTube address. Be sure to use paragraphs in the body of your email so that your message doesn’t look like a block of text. Email yourself to preview.
- The attachment—use industry standard format (Cover page showing your book title; genre; word count; your full name; your contact information. Manuscript pages — 1” margins; double spaced; 12-pt. font; header on each page contains book title and your full name; each page numbered)
Multiple agents and/or acquisition editors have asked to read a portion of your manuscript or the entire project?
- Show your professional self. If more than one person asked to read a substantial portion of your manuscript (investing their time), you be honorable–give one agent an exclusive reading period (typically 2 to 3 weeks); let that agent know that other agents are waiting to read.
What to do if no agent or acquisition editor has asked to see your work?
Despair not. Polish your pitch and query other agents. How do you find other agents? Read acknowledgment pages of books similar to yours; authors usually thank their agents and editors. Go to Association of Authors’ Representatives’ website and search in their database.
Books that can help you refine your pitch and/or build your writer’s platform:
How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen
Break Through the Noise: 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message by Elisa Southard
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW by Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Cheering for you!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”
2012 March 24 in San Francisco “Meet and Speed Date with Agents, Acquisition Editors, and Publisher”
signature event of Women’s National Book Association–SF Chapter
Meg Waite Clayton–keynoter at luncheon (optional)
More info and registration: http://wnba-sfchapter.org
Lynn Henriksen chairs event
Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Mary E. Knippel, Tanya Egan Gibson will coach registrants on how to pitch 8:00-9:00am.
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WNBA colleague Ann Steiner, Ph.D.MFT, CGP (author of Starting and Sustaining Groups that Thrive: Workbook and Planning Guide) highly recommends Dr. Paul Watsky’s workshop March 23-25, 2012. Dr. Steiner says:
Would you like a weekend devoted to exploring the challenges and rewards of practicing your creative art?
This workshop provides a safe place to deal with such common emotional obstacles as identity, follow-through, isolation, motivation, negative self-talk, and rejection.
This weekend workshop is offered by the Jungian analyst and San Francisco poet, Dr. Paul Watsky. Please forward this announcement to interested colleagues and contact Dr. Watsky directly if you have any questions.
When: Friday evening, March 23rd – 25th
Where: Inverness, CA
Workshop Size: Limited to Twelve Participants
About the Workshop Leader
Paul Watsky, Ph.D., ABPP is a licensed clinical psychologist with over thirty years’ experience in his field, an analyst member of the CG Jung Institute of San Francisco, and a widely published poet, whose debut collection, Telling The Difference (Fisher King Press) was published in 2010. Before becoming a psychologist he taught English literature full time as an Assistant Professor at San Francisco State University, and has continued to teach and lecture through the public programs of the CG Jung Institute and various other organizations.
For Information and Registration please call: 415 346-0253
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Speaking of creative art . . . Mary E. Knippel’s book The Secret Artist – Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine is scheduled to debut by late Spring 2012!
Sincerely,
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
As editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying their themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story. http://writingcoachteresa.com
Her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. Thank you, Teachers & Students!

Author / Story Consultant / Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan -- photo by Cyberspace Guru Linda Lee
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, what happened on Sunday Feb. 19, 2012 at San Francisco Writers Conference?
Here’s another example on how to help yourself by helping your loyal pals. It’s the fourth and last day of the fabulous conference.
On the first day of SFWC (Thursday Feb. 16, 2012) I had arrived at the Mark Hopkins by 12:30pm–saw dear friends; rehearsed with Mary E. Knippel and fine-tuned my portion of our presentation “Be Your Own Editor” (scheduled for 6:00pm that day). What happened? Here’s that post.
On the second day of SFWC (Friday Feb. 17, 2012) My presentation ” Blowing Up Your Balloon: Writing a Tagline That Will Sell You and Your Book” with Elisa Sasa Southard was scheduled for 9:00am and I put on my “Story Consultant/Platform-Building Coach” combo hat and met with over a dozen authors one on one. Here’s that post.
On the third day of SFWC (Saturday Feb. 18, 2012) I put on my “Story Consultant/Platform-Building Coach” combo hat again and met with over 30 authors one on one. Here’s that post.
On the fourth and last day of SFWC (Sunday Feb. 19, 2012) . . . here are some highlights:
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Sasa Southard checks details for her San Francisco Literary Tour scheduled for 11:00am Feb. 19, 2012 for SFWC registrants
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Sasa Southard (wearing blue beret) gives SFWC registrants her signature San Francisco Literary Tour 2012 Feb 19--tour begins in front of Club Fugazi
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Sasa Southard makes her SF Literary Walking Tour fun for everyone--photo by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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I said goodbye to Tour Director Sasa Southard, Joyce Turley and the other folks at Washington Square. Then I walked to Mason Street to catch a cable car. While walking up Mason Street toward the Mark Hopkins, I ran into Lori Henriksen and her partner. Lori, I can’t wait to read your book! Happy platform-building!

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan so delighted to run into novelist Lori Henriksen (right) and her partner on Mason Street on last day of SFWC
I got to the Six Continents room and was delighted to see Rebecca Martin & Lori Noack assisting our pal Martha Alderson. Mary E. Knippel was there too. Linda Lee had been with them in the morning, while I was with Sasa Southard.
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Also, I was happy to see Kenneth Ogalvie, Christopher Eng and Joanne Huspek at Plot Whisperer Martha’s enlightening session. Creating plotline is “a must” not only for fiction but also for narrative nonfiction.
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master-mind members Mary Knippel, Rebecca Martin, Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson, Lori Noack, Teresa LeYung-Ryan at SFWC 2012 (Linda Lee was somewhere in the building helping other writers; Luisa Adams was with her family)
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Story Consultant & Editor Teresa LeYung-Ryan happy to see Joanne Huspek at Martha Alderson's breakout session "How to Plot"--photo by Christopher Eng
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In the hallway I ran into dear Kathi Kamen-Goldmark (so good to see Kathi!) and Sam Barry (good to see Sam too). I’ll be blogging about Kathi real soon.
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Kimberly Edwards & Nina Amir & Margie Yee Webb with Marty Castleberg at SFWC--last day of the most wonderful conference
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Practice Aloha / SuperWoman Barbara Santos gets shoulder massage from Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson
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Martha Alderson & Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Lolly Winston & Laurie Fox inspire SFWC writers--photo by Tara Farquhar thepennedartist
One of the biggest rewards was having a moment with dear Laurie Fox and Lolly Winston with my pal Martha Alderson. I was overjoyed.
Vicki Weiland and Luisa Adams, how I missed you both. You both had emailed/called before the conference commenced. I love you gals.

Andy Jones invites Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson to his radio show--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Just when Martha and I were about to walk out of the Rooms of the Dons (a.k.a. SFWC’s Café Ferlinghetti), Leigh Anne Lindsey of SeaStorm Press entered with a “real” video camera and asked me about the 2 sessions I co-presented on Thursday night and Friday morning. Leigh Anne is a colleague through Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) and California Writers Club (CWC). Robbi Bryant was with Leigh Anne–always fun to see them.
From reviewing the program, I know there were another 20 WNBA members who were at SFWC but I didn’t get to chat with them. Linda Joy Myers, co-president of WNBA-SF Chapter and founder of National Association of Memoir Writers (NAMW), had orchestrated the WNBA exhibit at the conference!

Story Consultant & Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson at Nob Hill Cafe SF--photo by author Margie Yee Webb
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Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings Margie Yee Webb, Kimberly Edwards & Sheila McDonald meet at Nob Hill Cafe after working 4 days and inspiring writers at SFWC--photo by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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the end of a lovely conference--lovely food at Nob Hill Cafe--thank you, Plot Whisperer, for the delicious treat.
When the 5 of us got back to the Mark Hopkins, Elizabeth Pomada asked if we wanted the lush centerpieces (garden-in-pots). I was already schlepping my-show-in-suitcase, so, I didn’t have room for one. However thank you so much, Elizabeth! Buddy Martha Alderson gave me a ride to downtown San Francisco; I walked into Nordstrom, found a quiet spot to unwind, read some pages from Mary Jo McConahay’s Maya Roads: One Woman’s Journey Among the People of the Rainforest (cannot put down this spellbinding read) before meeting with Birgit Soyka to return her camera tripod.
Thank you, buddy Mary E. Knippel, for orchestrating the independent editors program and to all the wonderful volunteers who kept everyone on schedule on Friday and Saturday in the Garden Room!
Thank you, Elizabeth Pomada & Michael Larsen, Barbara Santos & Richard Santos, Laurie McLean, Linda Lee, every volunteer, every SFWC advisory board member and sponsor, SFWC organizational team, Patrick and his team, all fellow co-presenters, speakers, registrants, Mark Hopkins team, and everyone (online, in-person) who played a role in making the conference the most delightful event of the year!
I was “high” going home. It’s two weeks later, I’m still high. How I love being the Story Consultant & Writers’ Platform-Building Coach.
Sincerely,
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
As editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying their themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story. http://writingcoachteresa.com
Her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. Thank you, Teachers & Students!
Coach Teresa, what happened on Saturday Feb. 18, 2012 at San Francisco Writers Conference?
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here . . . this is what happened from my POV. Please tell me and my colleagues your point of view by submitting comments to this blog post. How? Click on the blue title bar of this post, scroll down to get the boxes, fill in boxes and click on “submit comment” button.
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Story Consultant & Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Elisa Sasa Southard of Go-With-Sasa at Lori's Diner on Powell Street in San Francisco to fuel up before Day III of helping SFWC attendees
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authors & independent editors Kate Farrell, Mary E Knippel and Wendy Nelson Tokunaga--photo by author & independent editor Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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historical novelist Liz Newman receives cheers and advice from Story Consultant & Writers-Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Shannon Johnson receives cheers and advice from Story Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan at SFWC Independent Editors Central--photo by Tara Farquhar
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At lunchtime, we heard announcements of scholarship winners! Congratulations to winners! Cheers to generous benefactors!
Martin Yan said lovely words about vibrant Shirley Fong-Torres, about how she smiled, how she enjoyed meeting her fans. Martin reminded us to smile when we’re autographing books. Smile.
Elizabeth Pomada introduced Laurie Fox (famous literary agent who also writes novels)–more about Laurie in another post (she is another super kind soul). Laurie introduced Lolly Winston. Lolly delivered a heartfelt speech about her encouraging teachers and her perseverance. She is funny, sweet, and serious.
What a memorable hour–from picturing Shirley’s smile through Martin’s tribute; hearing Elizabeth speak fondly of Laurie; Laurie speaking fondly of Lolly; Lolly expressing her appreciation for relationships and the craft. So beautiful.
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author / presenter / SFWC Marketing Director Barbara Santos with presenter / SFWC Volunteer Director / cyberspace genius Linda Lee
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Lynn Henriksen and Shulamit Sofia at SFWC (look who are sitting in back row! Sheldon Siegel, Elisa Sasa Southard and Kate Farrell!)--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Historical novelist Daniel Roddick receives Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan's editing advice on first 2 pages of his manuscript
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memoirist and novelist Ann Tashi Slater with independent editors Mary E. Knippel and Gabrielle Harbowy--photo by Story Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Agent Gordon Warnock answers questions from author while Mark Hopkins rep and Elizabeth Pomada go over details for autograph party--photo by Coach Teresa
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Margie Yee Webb & Michael Larsen & Harvey Pawl & Kimberly Edwards & Elisa Sasa Southard inspire writers--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Martha Alderson & Elisa Sasa Southard & Lynn Henriksen & Nina Amir all love to encourage writers at SFWC
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Women's National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter members-authors-presenters (back row: Margie Yee Webb, Lynn Henriksen, Tanya Egan Gibson, Verna Dreisbach; center Mary E. Knippel, Nina Amir, Apala Egan, Jane Omerod; front row: Elizabeth Pomada behind Barbara Santos, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Linda Lee, Elisa "Sasa" Southard, Joan Gelfand) at SFWC --photo by Don Hudson who says Western Women Save the World
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authors Joan Gelfand & Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Cara Black having fun at SFWC autograph party--photo by Adam Hertz
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Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Elisa Sasa Southard & Shari Dunn & Margie Yee Webb at Thai dinner on Powell Street in SF after inspiring registrants at SFWC Day III
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Sincerely
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
As editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying their themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story. http://writingcoachteresa.com
Her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. Thank you, Teachers & Students!
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Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan Enjoyed Helping Talented Writers / Registrants at San Francisco Writers Conference
Did we meet at SFWC last week? Here’s your chance to broadcast the themes in your projects. I enjoyed meeting all the authors at Independent Editors Central at San Francisco Writers Conference at the Mark Hopkins. I took notes during our time together. Please tell my colleagues and fans about your next step with your book or project — by submitting comments to this blog post. How? Click on the blue title bar of this post, scroll down to get the boxes, fill in boxes and click on “submit comment” button.
Thank you, Mary E. Knippel, for orchestrating the program and to all the wonderful volunteers who kept everyone on schedule on Friday and Saturday!
Thank you, Elizabeth Pomada & Michael Larsen, Barbara Santos & Richard Santos, Laurie McLean, Linda Lee, every volunteer, every SFWC advisory board member and sponsor, SFWC organizational team, Patrick and his team, all fellow co-presenters, speakers, registrants, Mark Hopkins team, and everyone (online, in-person) who played a role in making the conference the most delightful event of the year!
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Christopher Eng from Hawaii with memoirist Birgit Soyka (To Drink the Wild Air) from San Francisco thrilled to hear from Story Consultant and Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan that they can turn their massive books into multiple books (create series; and also cross-market)
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Shannon Johnson, nurse! ( Sunnyvale, CA) receives cheers and advice from Story Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan at SFWC Independent Editors Central--photo by Tara Farquhar
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"Kenneth Ogilvie's mystery shows how protagonist's desire for revenge transforms into desire for truth and becoming whole," says Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
More photos in the 2 previous posts and 2 following posts.
Sincerely
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”
http://writingcoachteresa.com
author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
As editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying themes and archetypes.
Her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. Thank you, Teachers & Students!
Coach Teresa, what happened on Friday Feb. 17, 2012 at San Francisco Writers Conference?
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here . . . this is what happened from my POV. Please tell me and my colleagues your point of view by submitting comments to this blog post. How? Click on the blue title bar of this post, scroll down to get the boxes, fill in boxes and click on “submit comment” button.
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Elisa Sasa Southard arrived at my home before 7:00am and off we went. I had packed chicken meatball/naan breakfast roll-ups for us. We were inside the Mark Hopkins before 8:00am. Thank you, author Birgit Soyka and Tessa Bertoldi, for helping us distribute session hand-out material and keep track of time at our 9:00am-9:45am presentation “Blowing Up Your Balloon: Writing a Tagline That Will Sell You and Your Book”

Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Elisa Sasa Southard promote SFWC everywhere--even on Go-With-Sasa's automobile
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Audrey Fairchild & Julaina Kleist & Jordan Bernal gracious reps at SFWC--photo by presenter & Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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SFWC Heroes make conference a huge success--photo by Story Consultant & Writers-Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Elisa “Sasa” Southard & Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Blowing Up Your Balloon: Writing a Tagline That Will Sell You and Your Book
Attend this session if you want to:
• hook agents, acquisition editors, readers, media attention
• make your name synonymous with the themes you write about
• have fun building your writer’s platform
YOUR NAME: _________________________________________________________
Before Talking Tagline: _______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTER crafting your personalized “talking tagline” from this workshop: ____________________
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Elisa “Sasa”’s definition of talking-tagline: “A one-sentence pitch that transforms every encounter into a marketing moment.”
Coach Teresa’s definition of platform: “Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers—who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”
My next steps:
• Go to http://BreakThroughTheNoise.com and watch Elisa’s TV clip about talking-taglines.
• Go to http://WritingCoachTeresa.com click on “Coach Teresa’s Blog” and bookmark it.
• I shall ____________________________________________________________
Elisa Sasa Southard & Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s session—crafting your talking-tagline & building writer’s platform & fanbase
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Elisa Sasa Southard & Teresa LeYung-Ryan show how using talking-taglines & building writer's platform are as fun as keeping balloons in the air--photo by Tessa Bertoldi
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Elisa Sasa Southard & Teresa LeYung-Ryan attract writers who want to create their talking taglines and build their platforms and fanbases--photo by Tessa Bertoldi
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Elisa “Sasa” Southard wears 2 hats:
• As author of Break Through the Noise, 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message, she helps writers turn personal skills into marketing talent http://BreakThroughTheNoise.com
• As creator of Big City Travel Skills Project, Sasa helps young travelers turn into smart and savvy adventurers
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Teresa LeYung-Ryan also wears 2 hats:
• As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she coaches writers on making their names synonymous with the themes/subject matters/issues they write about.
• As editor/story consultant, she helps writers polish their manuscripts by identifying their themes and archetypes
Her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes.
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testimonials from Elisa Sasa Southard & Teresa LeYung-Ryan's USE Your Talking Tagline to Build Your Writer's Platform session at SFWC
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story consultant & writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Birgit Sokya (author of To Drink the Wild Air) are colleagues at Women's National Book Association
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At lunchtime, the room’s energy fell to deep sadness when Elizabeth Pomada told us that Shirley Fong-Torres (who delighted us last year at SFWC) died a few months after the 2011 conference. Shirley was only 64. I am so sad for her family. Blossom branches in a huge vase on the SFWC stage reminded us of Shirley’s vibrance.
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Lisa See’s keynote speech was most inspiring. Lisa said when she reads a book she reads the beginning, then the ending, then back and forth until she reaches the middle; then she’ll read the ending again. Coach Teresa here . . . to remind my clients . . . Before you rework the beginning of your novel or memoir, review your ending. Lisa’s reading m.o. is a helpful trick for writers. As Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson says: “The beginning foreshadows the ending.” “The ending dictates the beginning.”
Read fabulous story-teller Lisa Lee’s books!

Julaina Kleist with Lisa See (author of Peony in Love, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, On Gold Mountain, Dreams of Joy) and BookShop West Portal Neal Sofman at SFWC -- photo by story consultant & writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan (presenter, author)
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Cyberspace Genius Linda Lee empowers writers at SFWC--photo by Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan advises prescriptive nonfiction author Jodi Lobozzo Aman of New York to buy domain names that are synonymous with her themes
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author Margie Yee Webb chats with SFWC advisory board member Harvey Pawl while Barbara Santos works out details with Mark Hopkins rep-- photo by Coach Teresa
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Alexis Masters and Margie Yee Webb author of Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings spread joy at SFWC--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Alan Rinzler’s keynote speech at 5:00pm gave us a glimpse into 50 years of the publishing world. Fascinating! Alan was the acquisition editor who believed in Claude Brown’s 1,400-page manuscript when no one else at the publishing house did. Alan helped Claude edit the book to 400 pages Manchild in the Promised Land: A Modern Classic of the Black Experience.
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Stephanie Carroll & Anna-Marie McLemore & author-- scholarship benefactor Victoria Hudson & Lisa Mattson--photo by Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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I saw Scott James aka Kemble Scott! Scott is an inspiration and generous mentor in the publishing arena.

actor Will Southard & Elisa Sasa Southard of GO-with-Sasa celebrate SFWC--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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actor Will Southard & author Elisa Sasa Southard 2012 Feb 17 photo by Story Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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Sincerely
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!”
http://writingcoachteresa.com
author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
As editor/story consultant, Coach Teresa helps her clients polish their manuscripts by identifying themes and archetypes.
Her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. Thank you, Teachers & Students!
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