New Ghostwriter Certification Classes Starting July 11th

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

This may be your last chance to take Claudia Suzanne’s entire Ghostwriter Certification Training course in one term: she’s training student teachers to take over GCT instruction. Claudia is brilliant, and it won’t be the same without her, though I’m sure anyone she trains will be competent, and her book is great to work from.

Here are the details about the course.

Ready to launch your new career? Join me for this last blast of eight (seriously intense) weeks and prepare to earn a professional ghostwriter’s income!

When: Mondays & Thursdays, 4-7 pm PDT

Dates: July 11 – Aug 26

Tuition: $1080.00

Required Texts: $130.40

REGISTER HERE

“In short, I’ve been blown away by the caliber of the course and your generosity. It’s rare to find a course so affordably priced that offers so much exceptional content, a fun, engaging instructor plus ongoing one-on-one coaching."In these 15 weeks, I feel you’ve guided us through the depth and breadth of ghostwriting, its agonies and ecstasies, and taught us all we need to know to succeed. Thanks for a fabulous course!”

Patricia Robertson, certified ghostwriter

“GCT is a graduate level course that will demand a lot of your time. In return, be prepared to learn the nuts and bolts of this new career from the expert. Claudia Suzanne knows her stuff extremely well. And she’s compassionate about helping her students learn. So set aside the time for class and then another four to six hours a week for homework. You’ll be glad you did.”

Victory Crayne, certified ghostwriter

“This course has been invaluable and has given me an avenue for making a living through writing. How fabulous is that!?”

Liv Haugland, certified ghostwriter

Class size, as always, is severely limited. Sign up now to reserve your seat.

Sincerely,

Claudia Suzanne

Wambtac Communication

Ghostwriter Certification Classes Start March 7th

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

From Claudia Suzanne’s newsletter:

Whether you want to change your freelancing status, enhance your income, or just improve your writing skills, Ghostwriter Certification Training is the pinnacle of writing classes.

You won’t find these clear-cut techniques for writing, editing, and submitting novels and nonfiction anywhere else—nor the unique ghostwriting skills and proven “insider” secrets that can transform a run-of-the-mill freelancing career into a $75,000 – $150,000 or more Writing Professional  career.

Learn:

  • How to do an A&R
  • How to find the “gold” in any manuscript
  • How to determine BISAC selection
  • How to advise the three types of authors on publishing options
  • The scope of responsibility for the various ESPs
  • The variances between the author’s writing process and the ghostwriting process
  • How to chart nonfiction
  • How to apply a content template (not MS Word formatting)
  • How to maintain the author’s voice
  • How to do multiple “spins” (while maintaining the author’s voice)
  • The variances between passive, static, and active voice; when and how to convert; and when to not
  • The variances between and basic principles of line and copy editing
  • How to build a nonfiction proposal and query letter and research a submission list
  • The variances between plot and character driven novels
  • PMA+A
  • The elements of fiction writing
  • The parameters of fiction A&Rs
  • How to map a plot w/characters
  • Meet-in-the-Middle

Classes start next Monday, March 7. Go to http://claudiasuzanne.com/gct  for details and registration, or call toll-free at 1-800-641-3936. Class size severely limited.

Act now!

Claudia Suzanne has ghostwritten more than 100 books, both fiction and non-fiction, and she really knows her stuff. Plus, she’s been teaching for years. Not all those who have a skill can teach it, but Claudia can. You can’t do better than to learn from her.

And no, I am not getting a kickback for recommending these classes. I just think Claudia rocks.

Margaret Atwood on the State of Publishing

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

Brilliant, funny, insightful treatment of what changing publishing technologies mean to authors. My favorite quote so far: “Every tool has three sides: the sharp side, the dull side, and the stupid side—the side that has consequences you didn’t intend.” The illustrations are hilarious.

From the O’Reilly Tools of Change for Publishing conference 2011.

Join Me at the BAIPA “Get Published!” Institute March 12, 2011

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

BAIPA logo

For the first time since its inception, the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association’s annual conference is taking place outside of Marin County. The institute’s new venue is Nile Hall in Preservation Park. That means less of a drive for me as I head over to record it. For those who might be worried about parking in downtown Oakland, don’t. First, you have the option to take BART to 12th Street and not worry about a car at all, and second, there’s free parking at 1250 Martin Luther King Way, across from Preservation Park.

Conference location map

The topic for the 2011 conference is “How To Make Real Money Selling Your Books.” Given that most traditionally-published books don’t earn out their advances and most self-published books sell about 200 copies and net the authors about enough for a cup of coffee at Starbucks, this is guaranteed to be a subject of interest to authors and publishers alike.

There are three morning keynotes, two sets of afternoon breakout sessions, and a closing keynote. The keynote speakers are Jim Horan, Brian Jud, and the team of Jon Tandler and Lloyd Rich.

If you pre-register before February 28th, you also get to attend two webinars with Brian Jud:

February 28, 4:00 PM 

How to Find More Buyers for Your Books in Non-Bookstore Markets

March 7, 4:00 PM 

Preparing a Proposal And Making Presentations For Large-Quantity Sales

Registration is $139 for members and $159 for non-members—a steal by comparison with the cost of other writers’ conferences. And while BAIPA focuses on small publishers and authors who plan to self-publish, there’s a lot of useful information for any author here.

After all, whether you self-publish or go with a traditional publisher, you’re going to need to know about marketing, intellectual property law, the way e-books are revolutionizing the publishing industry, and what an editor can do for you—particularly in light of recent news that many publishing houses are laying off their editors and pushing responsibility for that task onto authors and freelancers.

Book Breakthrough Workshop in NYC

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

Elizabeth Marshall, host of Author Teleseminars, asked me to let my readers know about her upcoming workshop for aspiring authors.

Elizabeth MarshallBook Breakthrough NYC │ Ideas + Relationships + Strategy
Date: Thursday, Jul 29 to Saturday, Jul 31
Location: Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel (New York City)

http://www.BookBreakthrough.com

At the event, we’ll have a select group of top NYC publishing experts along with NY Times bestselling author, Michael Port, so it’s a great opportunity for aspiring authors and messengers who are committed to getting their book and message out to the world.

If you follow that link, you get one of those long-copy sales letters I so dislike, but if you read all the way to the bottom, you’ll find the important part:

Our Book Breakthrough NYC event is ideal for:

  • Coaches, consultants and service professionals who feel “called” to deliver a message to a much wider audience
  • Entrepreneurs and business experts who want become a recognized expert in their field or industry
  • Leaders and executives who know that a book is an essential next step for their career
  • Speakers, teachers and helping professionals who want to expand their influence and impact thousands of lives
  • Both aspiring and already published authors who want a fresh perspective on how to expand their reach, publish a new idea and build their “platform” (don’t worry, we’ll explain if this concept is new to you)

In addition, this workshop is INVALUBLE if you:

  • Have a self-published book or partially written manuscript and need help on how to build an audience and following to attract a literary agent, publisher or plan to successfully publish your book on your own
  • Want feedback and help on how to come up with your BIG IDEA

BUT, so that we’re clear on what to expect, the Book Breakthrough NYC is NOT for:

Fiction authors who just want to learn about crafting and pitching (however, this event IS great for helping you learn how to build your “tribe” and an audience for your work)

Authors who are looking for a specific “book launch plan” or a formula for how to reach bestseller status (but we WILL discuss the essential marketing elements that lead up a successful launch and help sustain book sales)

Any aspiring author or messenger who’s not open or willing to receive feedback and direction about your idea and your publishing plans.

I have no affiliation with the event, so if you hand over your $697 ($1297 after today, July 16th), I don’t get a cut of it. And no, I don’t know what Elizabeth means by “messengers,” except that it’s not people on bicycles delivering packages.

Register for BAIPA’s 2010 Get Published! Institute

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

BAIPA logo

Yep, it’s that time again. Every year the Bay Area Independent Publishers’ Association holds a “Get Published!” institute. This will be my second year recording the speakers in my Podcast Asylum persona, but it’s the aspiring writers and authors, not the podcast junkies, who will be interested in this one.

This year’s keynotes focus heavily on new trends in publishing and book marketing, most notably e-books and social media such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. And I happen to know that my brilliant colleague Hilary Powers has been invited to give a breakout session on editing.

When

March 13, 2010
8:30 to 5:00

Where

Dominican College / Guzman Lecture Hall
50 Acacia Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

Cost

Before March 1, register in advance / $99 for members / $119  for non-members 
After March 1, register at the door /  $129 for members / $149 for non-members

Get the Details

Head over to the Registration Page and sign up.

Sign Up Now for Claudia Suzanne’s Spring Ghostwriter Certification Course

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

Claudia Suzanne is that contradiction in terms, a famous ghostwriter. After ghostwriting more than 100 titles, both fiction and non-fiction, she knows her stuff. If you want to know it, too, you can sign up for one of her semester-long Ghostwriter Certification courses. She teaches them in-person down in San Diego, and over the phone for everyone else. The cost is $930 plus an $89 materials fee; there’s a payment plan option.

Here’s a list of topics covered:

    • How to do an A&R
    • How to find the “gold” in any manuscript
    • How to determine BISAC selection
    • How to advise the three types of authors on publishing options
    • The scope of responsibility for the various ESPs
    • The variances between the author’s writing process and the ghostwriting process
    • How to chart nonfiction
    • How to apply a content template (not MS Word formatting)
    • How to maintain the author’s voice
    • How to do multiple “spins” (while maintaining the author’s voice)
    • The variances between passive, static, and active voice; when and how to convert; and when to not
    • The variances between and basic principles of line and copy editing
    • How to build a nonfiction proposal and query letter and research a submission list
    • The variances between plot and character driven novels
    • PMA+A
    • The elements of fiction writing
    • The parameters of fiction A&Rs
    • How to map a plot w/characters
    • Meet-in-the-Middle
    • How to ghostwrite supplemental scenes while maintaining the author’s voice
    • How to ghostwrite full novels while maintaining the author’s story, characters, vision, premise, theme, intent and “tells”
    • The variances between “show” and “tell”; when and how to convert; and when to not
    • How to create a compelling submission synopsis and query letter and research a submission list
    • How to create a personal resume and credit list while maintaining client confidentiality
    • How to find clients and how to get clients to find you
    • How to set reasonable fees, bid projects, and write equitable contracts
    • How to assess clients and control the initial contact to land the gig
    • How to establish and maintain authority and avoid or handle problems as they arise

I would love to take this course, but haven’t had a chance yet. I do know the classes fill up quickly, so if you’re an aspiring ghostwriter, you should head to Claudia’s website to register. (And don’t mind the painful collision of font colors—she’s a writer, not a web designer.)

BAIPA’s Annual “Get Published” Workshop is March 21, 2009

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

The Bay Area Independent Publishers Association
Welcomes Writers, Publishers, and Editors to San Anselmo’s
SF Theological Seminary for our 2009 Independent Publishing Institute

(swiped shamelessly from the brochure)

Date & Time

Saturday, March 21, 2009
8 AM – 5 PM

Location

Alexander Hall
SF Theological Seminary
40 Kensington Road
San Anselmo, CA, 94690

SFTS Campus Map
Google Map

Cost

  • $95 BAIPA member advance registration ($125 after March 7)
  • $125 Non-member advance registration ($150 after March 7)
  • $150 at the door

(Non-member registration includes a 6-month membership in BAIPA.)

Highlights

  • Jim Horan, author of The One-Page Business Plan: “Your Book Can and Should Be Your Next Best Friend!”
  • Kathi Kamen Goldmark, author, producer, “West Coast Live”: “Publishing Demystified”
  • Ask a Pro (one-on-one with Speakers and BAIPA experts)

In addition to these main sessions, there will be a number of break-out sessions that delve deeply into topics vital to successful publishing, including:

  • Pre- and Post- Reviews
  • Book Design and Production
  • Children’s Publishing
  • Web Presence
  • Fiction Books
  • Children’s Books

Pre-register (by old-fashioned postal mail) by downloading and printing the brochure, then sending in the registration form with a check.

Contact Info

Questions? Phone: Paula, 415.975.0950 Registrar: valpub [at] yahoo [dot] com

Hat tip to Lin Lacombe for posting about this on LinkedIn.

Are You an Editor Looking for a Deductible Vacation?

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

Sherri Schultz of Words with Grace just posted the following announcement to the Bay Area Editors’ Forum e-mail discussion list:

Looking for a vacation you can write off (at least part of)? Want to improve your professional skills and revel in the company of more than a hundred fellow word lovers?

Beyond the Red Pencil Logo

Consider attending “Beyond the Red Pencil 2,” the second biannual conference organized by the Northwest Independent Editors Guild. It takes place in Seattle on Saturday, March 28, and is open to members and nonmembers alike. Having attended the first one (which sold out), I can virtually guarantee that you’ll have a good time!

The conference offers a full day of activities, with something for everyone. Enjoy professional development workshops, interact with expert speakers, and meet fellow editors. The keynote speaker is Sheila Bender (publisher of Writing It Real, an online instructional magazine), who will speak on “Using Our Hearts to Head in the ‘Write’ Direction: Editors and Writers Moving Forward.” Morning and afternoon seminars will address such topics as dealing with problem clients, online vs. print editing, tooting your own horn, editing longer manuscripts, and “Taking Control of Microsoft Word,” led by the Bay Area’s own Hilary Powers. Plus there’ll be a catered lunch (included in the conference fee) and an informal lunchtime spelling bee!

You can take advantage of early-bird rates and get the best choice of sessions by registering before March 1.

Download the conference brochure here.

I’m not going to be able to go myself, because I’m planning to drive down to LA the following weekend, and I can’t take that much consecutive time off (or that much consecutive travel). But it sounds fun and informative, and anyone who has the opportunity to hear Hilary talk about how to use Word should definitely take advantage of it!

Seattle is a fun city, too. There’s plenty to occupy your spouse and children for a day while you’re justifying your write-off.

Teleseminar:“How to Pitch a Business Book”

Posted on by Sallie Goetsch

SpeakerNet News (part of the National Speakers’ Association) is hosting a teleseminar with Matt Holt from Wiley Publishing on December 16th, 2008.

From the SNN Website:

The Details:

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Time: 7:00 pm Eastern (6 pm Central, 5 pm Mountain, 4 pm Pacific)
Length: ≈ 60 minutes
Cost: $25

The Program:

Matt Holt is one of the top five players in the business publishing world. He knows what sells. He knows what authors need to do to partner with publishers. He knows what annoys him. He will share the straight scoop that will save you lots of time and money from pitching the wrong book to the wrong people.

Many would-be authors think that once their book is in print, the publisher will push it to bestsellerhood. You are smart enough to know that isn’t true. Matt will discuss what you will be expected to do to market your book.

If you’ve considered proposing a business book to a major publisher, this is a must-hear session. Matt will cover what gets his attention and what gets tossed.

You will learn how to:

  • Capture a top publisher’s attention
  • Avoid common mistakes would-be authors make
  • Submit a pithy proposal including key elements
  • Help your book sell big
  • Know when you will be expected to pay for editing, illustrations and promotion
  • Market your book pre-publication

Register or order the CD/MP3 here.