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SCOTTSDALE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS welcomes Melissa Pritchard – award winning novelist and biographer as speaker for June 27th, 2012

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SCOTTSDALE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS
Welcomes Melissa Pritchard – award winning author and biographer of Virginia G. Piper to the June 27th Meeting!

WHO: Scottsdale Society of Women Writers

WHAT: Monthly Speaker/Dinner Meeting

WHERE: Chaparral Suites Resort, 5001 N, Scottsdale Rd. at Chaparral Rd light, NE corner – Enter off Chaparral Rd – 4th Floor Grill entrance, then left to the Cactus Room

WHEN:          JUNE 27th Wed. 5:30-7:30 – Celebrate the Summer Writing Season!

WHY: The Scottsdale Society of Women Writers gives members access to events of interest, a format for exchanging ideas, an opportunity to network with other women writers and authors, an alliance with businesses relating to writing, publishing, camaraderie and support.

SPEAKER:  Melissa Pritchard www.melissapritchard.com

Melissa Pritchard is the author of seven books of fiction and a biography. A recipient of the Flannery O’Connor and Carl Sandburg Awards, multiple Pushcart and O. Henry Prizes, and an NEA grant along with other fellowships, she teaches at Arizona State University.  She has published fiction and non-fiction widely, including in The Paris Review, O, the Oprah Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, The Southern Review, The Gettysburg Review and Conjunctions. Her website and long bio are at www.melissapritchard.com

“The Writer as Curator, Witness,  Diviner”  An exploration of three major areas writers address in their work…the past, the present and the future.  As human beings, we long to
remember our history, as social creatures in local and global communities, we
are called to bear witness to the present, and as spiritual seekers or pilgrims
of spirit, we often find ourselves writing from a mysterious place of
prescience and prediction.  I will address these three fertile areas for writers, offering examples from contemporary American fiction.

HOW: PLEASE – RSVP now to Patricia L. Brooks, president/founder

Cell 480-250-5556 or patricia@plbrooks.com See Details Below

See notes below for dinner fees, format and location directions.  Thank you.

MENU:  Salad, dessert, beverage and roll or a sandwich/soup, dessert, beverage and roll – both with tax and gratuity included – make your choice the night of the meeting.

COST: $22.00 for members – $25.00 for guests (able to visit twice before joining)

CHECKS:  Please make check payable to Scottsdale Society of Women Writers prior to
coming to the meeting to save time at the check-in table.  Thank you.

CHECK-IN:  Please check-in between 5:15 and 5:45 at the door, the meeting starts promptly at 6:00.  Leave your check made payable to SSWW.  All those attending the meeting must pay for
the dinner/room/speaker.  Pick up your name badge – thank you!

AGENDA:  The agendas will be on the dinner table and the format remains the same.

DIRECTIONS: Chaparral Suites is in Scottsdale at Chaparral Rd just north of Fashion Square
Mall – Chaparral Rd has a light.  Parking is in the rear – two large parking lots Note: best to enter from the middle elevator for the 4th Floor Grille.

From the 101 freeway exit Chaparral Rd and go west.  Just prior to Scottsdale Rd enter the side
drive at 4th Floor Grille and come up that elevator.  There is an awning marked 4th
Floor Grille.  This is the easiest way in – not through the lobby.  The parking
lots are in the back of the complex.

Goals of the Group

Value all the professional women writers seeking to
share their expertise

  • Honor all genres and all forms of professional
    writing
  • Attend monthly meetings  to move the group and its members
    forward
  • Learn and share in the experiences of monthly
    professional speakers
  • Grow the group to a membership of active and
    contributing women
  • Encourage participation by members as presenters,
    mentors, judges and volunteers
  • Support and challenge each other to always be
    writing
  • Help members to stretch as writers and reach lofty
    personal goals
  • Have fun,  meet trustworthy women writers, share dreams

PUBLISH WITH MARKETING IN MIND

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Publish with Marketing in Mind – Patricia L. Brooks, author, consultant

Brooks Goldmann Publishing, LLC  www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com

Publishing is like Sailing!

Take the Helm – Brand

Chart your Course – Differentiation

Hoist your Best Sails – Creativity

Launch a Smooth Voyage – Diversify

Ask the Right Questions

Who are my Audiences?     What is my Purpose?

When Should I Launch?      Where will I Compete?

YES Editors/Proofreaders as Partners

Mature the Work

Cultivate a must Read

Shape it and Improve it

Position in your Genre

YES Cover Design/Title – – Hottest Sell Points

Show a Succinct Title

Dress it up – Clear and Curious

Make it Count – Get attention

Brand it – Pedigree

YES Back Cover Matters

Short Testimonials – No bragging

Photo/Message – Challenge/Invite

Pitch what you Know – Inspire

Endorsements – Benefits are Paramount

YES Interior Layout Legend is Critical to Success

Influence the Buying Decision with the following:

Show your Message

Establish Expectations

Delight the Reader

Printing Particulars

YES Compliance is Critical – get it right the first time

Research is Required – Shop ‘till you Drop

Budgeting is Best

YES Try the Traditional Route

You too will do Marketing!

Agents – Prestige – Advances – Rights

Contracts – Control issues – Timelines – Changes

YES Self-Publishing Perspective is an option

In Control – Earn more per book

Process much quicker – All Costs to You

Consultant/Book Shepherd can be the way to go

YES Marketing You and your Book! is the goal

Social Media – Network – Online – Websites – Blogs

Promotion – Bookmarks, Postcards, Posters

Media – Print/Broadcast – Publicity

YES Launch Lessons Learned are vital

30 Second Commercial

Market Locally then Globally

Distribution – Delivery

Business Plan – Marketing Plan

HERE THEY ARE Some Suggested Reading

Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg

Your Life as Story – Tristine Rainer

The Right to Write – Julia Cameron

1001 Ways to Market Your Book – John Kremer

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS AND GOOD LUCK

Patricia L. Brooks

patricia@plbrooks.com 480-250-5556

 

San Diego State University Writers Conference – 2010 some things I learned

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Some Things I Learned at the

 

San Diego State University

 

  

Writers Conference – 2010

 

  

and more things I know and share with you!

 

Patricia L. Brooks, author, writer, speaker, publishing consultant, faculty  www.plbrooks.com www.blog.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com

“Connecting readers to authors is the Primary Goal” here for this weekend!

TAKING A LOOK AT PUBLISHING:

·         You must have a good concept and/or a great story first.

o   Readers have a lot to choose from and demand good work.

·         You must have good writing skills.

o   Readers are an educated and intellectual – give them what they want!

·         You must know the market – our readers are a savvy bunch.

o   Research with interviews, online, library sources and personal observation.

·         You cannot quit – be resilient and persevere.

o   If you write, you have to write.

·         You must be open to suggestions from various sources.

o   The best information comes from surprising voices – be open.

·         You must be professional in all you do.

o   Do not take short cuts; take time to do it correctly up front.

·         You must be genuine in the writing and promotion.

o   You get what you give out, give it your all.

TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR MANUSCRIPT:

·         It must be clean and revised several times before the editing process.

o   Don’t throw your book together in haste, show the editor respect.

·         It must be enough for a book – consider first a short story.

o   Take a hard look at your topic then do your outline and table of contents.

·         It must be more than a regional piece if you have lofty goals.

o   Honor our global society and allow yourself all the opportunities out there.

·         It needs goals, objectives and strategies in a well written plan.

o   Write out the steps you will take to your destination and the action needed.

·         It needs an author who is willing to take risks to make it a success.

o   Remember launching a book means always believing in your project.

·         It needs to find a place beyond its initial comfort level on your blog.

o   Respect the audience is looking for what you have to say – so say it!

TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR MARKETING:

·         Research every aspect of the niche, primary and secondary markets.

o   Understand you have readers you may be unaware of, give it some thought.

·         Prepare a synopsis of the book chapter by chapter.

o   Be prepared to share your work when called upon by an agent or the media.

·         Write an Author’s Platform for your book – regardless of genre and topic.

o    See my blog for a sample – a good practice for all of us!

·         Prepare a Book Proposal – regardless of how you plan to publish.

o    Decide if it will be independently or traditionally – this helps you get organized!

·         Always have a couple of fully revised chapters ready for review.

o   Remember, somebody may agree to do a peer review for you – be ready.

·         Develop a full Marketing Plan – this is your product.

o   Request this outline from me and get started; no one else will do it for you.

·         Read reviews of books currently coming out regardless of genre.

o   Peruse the newspapers everyday – you will learn from these commentaries.

·         Compare your book to current titles to know where to position your book.

o   Don’t be afraid of the 300 books published every day – just be ready.

·         Determine immediately what is unique and different about your book.

o   Practice your 30 second commercial so it rolls off your tongue easily.

·         Extol the virtues of your book and how it will entertain, inform or educate the reader.

o   Do something to be competitive – readers want value for their time.

·         Toot your own horn – no one else will do it as well as you will.

o   Forget shyness – you are now promoting a product and yourself.

·         Be fully aware of who is the reader/buyer of your book.

o   Do surveys, interviews or give away chapters for feedback to learn more.

·         Be very clear on the angle and/or twist of the book.

o   Be sure it is clear to you, so it is even clearer for the reader – keep it simple.

·         Be unwavering on why we “need” to buy your book and read it.

o   Remember you want readers to read the book and tell their friends about it.

·         Be absolutely sure of where the “hole” is that you can fill in the market.

o   Address this quickly, step back and take a strong approach to your plan.

TAKING A LOOK AT A MARKET ANALYSIS:

·         Who is the true audience for this book?

o   Is it broader than first anticipated; has a new trend come to light?

·         How big is that audience?

o   What are the demographics, the statistics to back your information?

·         Who is the target market for the book?

o   Have you considered all options for the first line of readers?

·         How will you find them?

o   Are they online, in bookstores, at events, in organizations or in corporations?

·         Are you being brutally honest with yourself about your market impact?

o   Is there more that you can do to make yourself successful?

·         What genre will this book fall into first?

o   Have you had a peer review to be sure you are seeing the big picture?

·         Where will bookstores shelve this book for the best sales?

o   Peruse bookstores and visualize your book on the shelves and ask booksellers.

·         Are you willing to role play your approach to bookstores?

o   Practice with a book seller; tell them your book will be out soon.  Take notes.

·         Do you have all the questions and objectives, all the answers prepared?

o   Practice dealing with “no” and with “yes” – anticipate the situation.

·         Do you understand the market trends playing a part in your book launch?

o   Read the newspaper – research online – understand the book business now.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE PR/MARKETING PLATFORM:

·         How will you create “Book Buzz” – word-of-mouth FREE marketing?

o   Can you write a Hot 100 Hit List of close friends and contacts?

·         How will you share your expertise to enhance your book’s PR?

o   Do you have a credibility statement on yourself?

·         How have you become an authority in your writing?

o   Why did you choose your topic?  What made you knowledgeable?

·         Are you willing to speak to groups with your book?

o   Be preparing a talk – even 20 minutes for a non-profit to boost sales.

·         Are you willing to blog faithfully about your writing or your book?

o   Be keeping a log of blogging ideas that relate to your topics.

·         Do you have a current bio, website and/or business card to enhance your image/PR?

o   Start collecting these from other authors and visualizing the same for you.

·         What is the angle you will use to get good PR immediately?

o   Review PR and media releases on other author websites in your genre.

·         What is distinctive about you and your book that would make for good PR?

o   Begin journaling while writing the book or promoting it – talk to yourself.

·         Do you have a critique partner you trust to read all your PR/marketing materials?

o   Join a writers group and critique group – trust other writers.

·         Are you willing to attend writing/publishing conferences to improve yourself?

o   Do at least one or two a year – and be a writer/author.

·         Do you read at least a dozen or more books a year in your genre?

o   Read to write – no excuses; if you don’t read, your readers won’t read either.

·         Are you willing to show your passion for your book by doing all of the above?

o   Pace yourself – pick three for the first month and add as you go – good luck.

GENERAL REMINDERS FOR ALL OF US:

·         Think of your book as a business or commercial entity.

·         Pick a subject you have expertise in and write on it with fierce abandon.

·         Inform yourself on how many books are written on your topic.

·         Create an audience for yourself.

·         Understand what your book means for other people.

·         Study “smaller” competition too – not just the best seller list.

·         Write what you know.

·         Listen to advice you hear again and again.

·         Trust your writer’s path, the stories that haunt you, the unique stories.

·         Believe these stories pick you; you are here for a reason, so write to some degree daily.

ENJOY – AND HAPPY WRITING – PATRICIA

REFLECTIONS on our Published Books of 2009

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REFLECTIONS on our Published Books of 2009         

Patricia L. Brooks, MAOM

speaker, author, publishing consultant

Brooks Goldmann Publishing, LLC

www.blog.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com

THE INITIAL CONTACT:

Meeting our authors for the first time is usually serendipity through my knowing another woman writer or a contact from one of my speaking engagements.  Some come from our website and many have my card when they call, given to them by a friend or found in a coffee shop.  We immediately start talking about writing, usually sitting in a coffee shop.  Our relationship is cemented.

Some of our potential clients share mutual acquaintances with us and know our coming together was meant to be.  They seek us to help them independently publish their book.  I write this reflection of 2009 as part of a greater plan for both their books and our time together.  We help writers in various ways and are eager to give back to the community. 

THE FIRST MEETING:

Our first meeting with the budding author is to discuss taking their manuscript or notes (if a ghostwriter is needed) through the independent publishing process and launch their work as a tangible book to enhance their goals and purpose.   Most writers ask me to help in the post-marketing of the book too with a book review and media release.  While being available to them early on with a peer review and commitments in our proposal and contract, we pledge to our author to continue with them long after the initial launch. 

While answering the writer’s inquiries into what needs to be done to make this all happen, and their determination to get the book out, we accept the challenge.  To look at all the opportunities available in the many facets of publishing, we make this experience function exceptionally well by setting up a team and selecting the best vendors (ghostwriter, editor, designer, printer to name a few) for the client.  All plans are in writing, including the proposal and contract with us and the contacted vendor.

THE INTERVIEW:

The writer relates their creative side by sharing their experiences as a professional or novice writer.  They elaborate for us how they opted for a traditional career in life “to earn a living”, but now want to be a writer first, and “to have a life” as a published author.  Using a more avant-garde approach to their creative life today, they relate to us over and over again that they write first for themselves and then for the reader.

We talk in our first meeting about their childhood and young adult encounters with writing so I can have a full picture of their writing life and commitment, as well as how writing has sustained them.  Most of these writers are eager for us to give feedback on their manuscript (first 30 pages or first three chapters) before we embark on a contract.  Since our paths could easily have crossed earlier in our writing life, our souls have some stories that resonate with each other in all of the manuscripts we select.  I enjoy the peer review process and give a full report to them after reading their submission.

THE DECISION:

When asked to be their publishing consultant and to read their manuscripts or chapters as a peer reviewer prior to the proofreader, editor or designer, I am honored and accept immediately (my partner husband also does peer reviews).  Although I am flattered about the peer review, I know it will be one of the most difficult aspects of our relationship and I do not take it lightly.  My feedback must be honest and sensitive.  Being the publishing consultant enlists my expertise, but to accommodate the author’s voice and honor their vision in a peer review I know I will be challenged. 

 In accepting the job of peer reviewer whole heartedly and with fierce abandon, I begin reading daily 10-15 pages each morning.  Doing the exercises and questions I prepare for myself will be part of my final report to the writer.  While opening my heart to the possibilities of their work and learning more about my new writer friend, I forge ahead enjoying each new day.

Although I realize as I proceed through their writing, which can be daunting due to unedited drafts, that their views and ideas are not necessarily mine I enhance my life with the read.  We are very selective about the types of books we publish, so I set aside an hour early each morning for this reading time.  My days are enriched because I view their work as a gift and value it greatly.

THE PROCESS:

My goal is to help another up-and-coming author. My objective is to take their work through the step-by-step process for a quality book and visualize the reader involved in this endeavor as well.  Transforming their life as the author did only a few years earlier, the reader will be forever changed from the experience of the book.  Good and honest work in the peer review is part of our strategy for success.

Possibly spanning the course of several years, the author may have ended suffering and challenging experiences with a wonderful turn of events that tells a story of inspiration with ideas for the reader’s life too.  A book well worth reading has to play a role in saving the life of the author and/or protagonist in some way while allowing the reader to hope they too can witness a transformation.

Most authors are bold and courageous in their telling of their stories and are not afraid of the risk if it means helping another soul on a spiritual search.   The self-help and memoir genres are alive and well.  Most people today are on a spiritual quest.  I realize in my morning readings that the books we review and publish are similar creatures in many ways.  Being completely involved in the manuscripts in doing the peer reviews, I see them as an opportunity for me too and take the review to fruition in a positive manner.

THE INSIGHT:

None of us, me, my husband or the authors we work with, takes rising above the “ashes of life” lightly or looks past the obvious to realize a happy life.  Reading and critiquing our authors’ manuscripts or chapters is a responsibility taken to heart.  It is the sweetness of the process and a critical area on the successful journey of what we can offer the author.

Just as the author’s philosophy shines in their book, it also chooses to thrive in the challenges and opportunities of launching a book to market.  Our authors look to us for intuitive and creative ways to find solutions to the questions they pose for themselves in their writing plan.  Their positive attitude is paramount when we accept them into our program and take responsibility for making the book launch happen for them.  We share a common belief with our authors that there is something larger than ourselves involved in the creative and writing process, and that creativity is as much a part of healing as a pen is to paper. 

We published three wonderful books in 2009 in the genres of self-help, spirituality and new fiction.  They are written by creative and artistic souls who love their art and admire other’s art too.  They come to see their life’s worth sharing in writing as well as in art.

As stated throughout many of the books we publish, the path of life is sometimes simple; it just isn’t always that easy to achieve. We help you break-out and launch your first book or another book quickly and easily.

THE FEEDBACK:

Our peer reviews captivate an approach to faith and love, courage and the science to saving the voice of the writer’s work.  Most of our authors share their mind, body and spirit experiences in a mix with creativity and a love for the written word.  This philosophy and attitude carries forward. 

Having experienced our latest author’s work for many weeks, this philosophy is enhanced, and I have learned a lot.  All of the books (listed below) have pushed me to places I have neglected overtime.  It has been a wonderful journey.  Thank you, Mia, Cay and Kiki for an enlightened 2009.

It has been a privilege to meet Mia, Cay and Kiki as writer clients.  We have become friends through our working together and I encourage them to get their message out to the public with appointments on Internet Radio and online social networking, speaking to women who are in need of their message and blogging to the general population who in these difficult times needs to be part of the psychology of hope.

THE APPRECIATION:

We are pleased to be a part of three more important and inspiring books.  Each one of these women truly touches a chord for anyone who needs to know life can turn for the better with a slight change of attitude, a chance with faith or the courage to try new things.  Cay and Mia’s books are especially for the “baby boomer” generation that feels so many times to be in a poor light.  All three books show us how to appreciate our lives just the way they are and to be grateful for what we have and give back.

All too often, this “baby boomer” generation of mine finds itself lost and confused when in fact we continue to make a tremendous impact on every aspect of our society.  These three women author’s books should be part of Wellness Community and Life Long Learning programs for early retirees and third career people who need to take stock in just what they are worth and where they can go from here. 

My husband and business partner Earl, and I, would especially like these three beautiful books  The Secrets of the 100 Golden Keys, Remnants-ready for new life and Healing and the Creative Response to be compulsory reading for the many displaced “middle aged” workers who feel they have nowhere to turn and no solutions for a life interrupted.  Whether you are a “baby boomer” considering a new career or a “young-at-heart” senior person seeking answers and spiritual truths about yourself and your life, these books stand out like the artwork featured in them.

Happy New Year and enjoy the reading. 

Recommending this year’s books launched fall 2009:

Healing and the Creative Response   Cay Randall May        www.healingcreativeresponse.com

Remnants-ready for new life             Kiki Swanson              www.kikiswansonbooks.com

The Secrets of the 100 Golden Keys  Mia Pratt                    www.100goldenkeys.com

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