Posts Tagged ‘Write the Book You Want—Be Your Own Coach’
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: What is a Writer’s Platform, Why Do You Need One, How Do You Get One?
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “What is a Writer’s Platform, Why Do You Need One, How Do You Get One?”
The blog posts from Dystel & Goderich Literary Management www.dystel.com and Fuse Literary http://www.fuseliterary.com/blog are examples of the level of support that experts give to writers so that you can navigate this dynamic world of publishing.
So, you have a finished manuscript. Oh happy day! Celebrate!
What next? If you want your book to be more than a personal legacy for your family and friends, there are two sets of tasks to perform on your writer’s journey.
· Hire an editor who has experience editing your genre.
· While your editor is busy at work, you are also busy at work taking care of the business side of being a writer. If you haven’t been building your platform, it’s time now (before pitching and sending queries to agents and acquisition editors at publishing houses).
The focus of this post is on platform-building. What is a writer’s platform? Why do you need one? How do you get one?
The question: “What kind of platform does this author have?” (asked by agents and acquisition editors) = “How many books can this author sell right now, on her own/his own?” At this point, your manuscript (a polished one) becomes a commodity (whether your book is fiction or nonfiction).
Of course if you are already a celebrity author or a best-selling author, the agent can pitch you to acquisition editors with ease, and in turn, acquisition editor can pitch you to the sales team and publisher with ease. The publisher will then offer you a big advance (because they know that your fans are likely to buy your book); they’ll make money, you’ll make money.
However, what if you do not have a huge fanbase? What can you do to attract the people who have the power to help you and your book go far and wide?
The answer is: Making your name stand for something—to attract target consumers— who are likely to buy what you have to sell (from page 1 of my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days).
Let’s take a look – making your name stand for something – that “something” is the core theme in your book. If you do not know what your core theme is, hopefully members in your critique group and the editor you have hired will know. You need to know what your book is about.
Example: the core themes in my novel Love Made of Heart are: daughter-mother relationship; mental illness; family violence.
The core theme in a book is the bait that attracts your target consumers. The target consumers are your fans.
Fact: Your loyal fans (people who care about you) are likely to buy what you have produced.
Fact: Your prospective fans (people who care about what you care about / the core themes in your book) also are likely to buy what you have produced.
1. You know who your loyal fans are. However, do you know how to articulate your themes to them so that they can broadcast for you? I say: “You can ‘train’ them.”
2. How do you find your prospective fans? I say: “Reach out, not stress out. Help them find you.”
You can accomplish both… through the appearance of your platform statement.
I reiterate: “Make your name stand for something—to attract target consumers— who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”
Example (for my fiction and narrative nonfiction): My name is Teresa LeYung-Ryan. Through my books and monologues, I encourage adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas.
Another example: My name is Teresa LeYung-Ryan. Through my novel Love Made of Heart, I help survivors of family violence speak openly about the stigmas.
Example (for my how-to books): I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan. Through my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, I teach writers how to attract attention from agents, editors, publishers, media, book buyers, and readers.
Where would you showcase your platform statement?
Email signature block; business card; website; blog; YouTube channel; press releases; social media; query letters; book proposals; your bio; photo file names and photo captions . . . Where else?
Learn more. On Sunday, August 28, 2016, 2:00-5:00pm -
Join me (Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan– Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days) and Valerie Haynes Perry–Write the Book You Want: Be Your Own Coach and Luan Stauss--owner of and book buyer for Laurel Book Store in a three-hour workshop -
“Where are YOU on YOUR WRITER’S JOURNEY?”
for you and your friends who identify yourselves as serious writers
at Laurel Book Store (near the 12th St. BART station in Oakland, California)
We will address the following topics:
- Build your name, platform, and fanbase to hook attention before publication
- Maintain clarity, self-confidence, and motivation to bring your own book into being
- Expand your knowledge of the moving parts that comprise the publishing industry and make savvy choices
Register online: http://www.laurelbookstore.com/event/where-are-you-your-writers-journey $25.00 SKU: EVENT828
I cheer for you!
Reach out, not stress out. I wish you a joyful writer’s journey!
Sincerely,
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
http://WritingCoachTeresa.com
youtube.com/user/TeresaLeYung
http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog
Dear Writers,
Teresa LeYung-Ryan here wishing you “Happy writing, rewriting, and building your name!” I am teaming up with Valerie Haynes Perry and Luan Stauss to deliver a new version of my workshop “Where Are You On Your Writer’s Journey?” I remember having fun conducting my monthly class at Boadecia’s Books (I am thinking of you, angel Suzanne Corson) and I am excited now to collaborate with Valerie and Luan.
Please tell your writer-friends about:
Where are YOU on YOUR WRITER’S JOURNEY?
Sunday, August 28th , 2016, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Laurel Book Store, 1423 Broadway, near the 12th St. BART station in Oakland
COST: $25.00 with a capacity for 20 writers
Sign up by Wed, Aug. 24th http://www.laurelbookstore.com/event/where-are-you-your-writers-journey
Join Luan Stauss, Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Valerie Haynes Perry in this three-hour workshop for those who identify themselves as serious writers. The panel will address the following topics:
* Maintain clarity, self-confidence, and motivation to bring your own book into being
* Build your name, platform, and fanbase to hook attention before publication
* Expand your knowledge of the moving parts that comprise the publishing industry and make savvy choices
Valerie Haynes Perry (motivational writer, author, coach) says: “I motivate serious writers to embrace the experience of completing their own books and encouraging fellow writers.” motivationalwriting.com Write the Book You Want—Be Your Own Coach, Listening Out Loud—A Friend to the Serious Writer, Write, Read, Listen—Your Handy Writing Coach; and four novels – Tanner Blue, Painted Deserts, Music for the Dream, and Members
Teresa LeYung-Ryan (manuscript consultant, author, fanbase-building coach) says: “I can help you focus on your themes to rewrite with ease and build your writer’s platform to attract attention now.” WritingCoachTeresa.com Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase in 22 Days—Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW; Love Made of Heart: a Daughter Finds Herself through Witnessing Her Mother’s Mental Illness (novel)
Luan Stauss (owner of and book buyer for Laurel Book Store since 2001) says: “The books I want in the store are the ones I want to read and put in the hands of other readers.” laurelbookstore.com
Click the link below for a ticket to the event and to reserve the books written by the presenters.
http://www.laurelbookstore.com/event/where-are-you-your-writers-journey
You can also call or email the store to reserve a spot. 510-452-9232 or laurelbookstore@att.net
COST: $25.00 with a capacity for 20 writers Sign up by Wednesday, August, 24th.
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The novel: Love Made of Heart: a Daughter Finds Herself Through Witnessing Her Mother’s Mental Illness