Classes and Workshops to Help You Write Your Book and Get it Published

I just returned from speaking and working as a “book doctor” at the San Francisco Writers Conference. I’ve attended or worked as a volunteer at this particular conference for six years! This was my first year as a presenter.
If I could pass along just one bit of information I heard stressed over and over again at this conference I’d offer this one: BUILD YOUR PLATFORM NOW!

This tip isn’t a new one by any means, but each year the state of the publishing industry makes the need for platform more and more important. And this remains true whether you want to publish your book traditionally or independently. However, each year writers have more and more ways to build that coveted platform without even setting foot outside the door.

That’s right. You can actually remain at home in your lonely garret simply writing and still build a platfrom…but…and this is a BIG BUT…you must get out into Cyberspace. You must become a social creature–even if you do this only via social networking. You must blog, tweet, comment, post, update, link, etc.

Of course, getting out and speaking helps, too. You’ll find, though, that participating in social media increases your odds of getting speaking gigs.

And then you must put the information about your platform in a truly great proposal that has been preceded by a truly phenomenal query–both of which have to contain the most outstanding pitch ever.

That’s not too much to ask of a writer, is it?

I know this task feels overwhelming, but every writer can accomplish the “feat” of building a great platform.  I’ve been whittling away at a platform for quite a while myself, and now I actually have one big enough to attract an agent and, hopefully, a publisher. I know a lot about pitching and writing proposals as well. Some of you may have even been at the conference’s pitch contest, which I helped judge, or come to talk to me about your proposal during the book doctor sessions.

I’d like to help you get your writing projects and career off and running this year. And that’s why today I’m posting a long list of teleseminars and workshops I have coming up that might jump start whatever writing project you want to start or finish in the near future. I’ve designed them with that purpose in mind. Here they are:

Birthing Your Book
How to Move from Nonfiction Book Conception to Finished Product

March 13 and 20; 10am-4pm
San Jose, CA
A workshop held on two consecutive Saturdays.
Cost: $150

Giving birth to your nonfiction book doesn’t have to take nine months or longer. You can give birth quickly and easily if you understand the conception and pregnancy process and utilize effective birthing exercises. (Of course, a good midwife to coach you along from start to finish helps as well!)

Attendees will leave this workshop with an understanding of what it takes to write a nonfiction book and get it published traditionally. Those who plan to self-publish will understand how to approach their book with a business eye. Everyone will have worked through their mental writing obstacles, crystallized their book idea and conceptionalized their book and at least one chapter. Additionally, they will have started work on a proposal and have written and practiced a “pitch.” They also will have begun writing.

Propose, Publish, Promote
Three Essentials for Getting Your Book Out of Your Head and Into Readers Hands

Saturday, March 27;8:30am-2pm
Palo Alto, CA
(Continental breakfast and lunch are included)
Cost: $49

PROPOSE: A step-by-step approach to writing a book that sells
presented by Nina Amir
As an editor, writing coach, and consultant, Nina Amir has helped numerous authors create successful books, both traditionally published and self-published. She has guided aspiring non-fiction writers through the book proposal process, helping them find both agents and publishers. In her session Nina will teach participants how to ensure their book starts on the road to success.

PUBLISH: Indie-artist authors-a guide to self-publishing
presented by Lewis Greer
It all started with a friend who had the makings of a book, and today Lewis Greer has helped a number of authors navigate the paths of publishing and has published books himself (sometimes two or three) for about half-a-dozen of them. He’ll teach you what you need to know to self-publish-or even if that’s your best choice-and turn what looks like a mountain climb into a walk in the park.

PROMOTE: Six steps to get thousands of readers to your blog
presented by Bill Belew
Bill Belew speaks from experience, not theory. More than 18 million folks have visited his blogs. Some 40,000 come daily and more than 1 million each month. Bill will teach participants in this session how to get visitors to their sites.

How to Blog a Book
A Step-by-Step Teleseminar about Writing and Publishing Manuscripts on the Internet One Post at a Time

Tuesday, February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 2-3pm PST
A 6-week tele-class held every Tuesday for one hour.
Cost: $119

Blogs provide writers with an awesome platform-building tool and a superb way to gain exposure to agents and publishers. Given the current state of traditional publishing, however, writers must also consider creatively taking their careers into their own hands and taking advantage of the technology currently available. The savvy writer, therefore, might want to use blogging as a unique way to not only write a book but publish it as well one post at a time.

This teleseminar is geared primarily towards nonfiction writers, although fiction writers will find most of the tools offered useful also.

Writing Winged Words
How to Use Life Experiences to Create Uplifting, Enlightening & Inspiring Personal Essays

Thursday, March 11, 18, 15, April 9, 16; 12-1pm PST
A 5-week tele-class held each Tuesday for one hour.
Cost: $99.

Learn how to become an inspirational writer or storyteller and to use your personal stories to help awaken others to the lessons in their own lives. Discover how to use your life experiences to transform the lives of your readers through the art of personal essay. Writing Winged Words will show you how to delve into your own life and discover material for personal essays that uplift, enlighten and inspire those who read them.

Turning Writers Into Speakers
How to Get Your Words Off the Page and Out of Your Mouth

Monday, March 22 & 29; 5-6 pm PST
A 2-part tele-class held on 2 consecutive Mondays for one hour.
Cost: $35.

A 2-part tele-class that teaches writers how to get their stories off the page and into their mouths. All writers-both fiction and nonfiction-are storytellers at heart. This tele-class will help them learn how to take their written stories and turn them into ones they can speak to audiences. This will allow them to build their platforms as public speakers, which will help them become published book authors.