NOLA story: It's Oprah's way or not at all....

I am a big supporter of New Orleans, before and after the Katrina carnage. Here's a chance for me to promote a journalist's book about the experiences, and for you to have some fun. Imagine if you, as a fresh author of a new book, were asked to speak about the topic on Oprah!! But - you couldn't mention your book! You'd be frustrated too.

Read the New Orleans Time-Pic story by Chris Rose here. Chris is the author of 1 Dead in Attic.
http://www.cclarity.com/ryw/NOLA/NOLA-oprah-not.html

I put the link on my site since news stories move off the top pages online very fast.

Helen

Writing: The last week of August

It's Monday morning, and the last week of August. For many, it starts the end of summer: hot nights, porch swing, luxury of time to read. Oh, and write ! If you're a writer, make the most of this week, and get back into the habit of daily writing. Take a bit inspiration from Isaac Asimov:

“If the doctor told me I had six minutes to live, I’d type a little faster.”

Don't give up on ebooks ...

Here's a brief comment from a New York Times article from August 9, 2007:

"WHEN Paul Biba, a lawyer in Bernardsville, N.J., finds himself stuck waiting, he likes to pull out his Nokia E61i cellphone and read one of the 20 or so books he usually stores on it.

The virtual bookshelf in his pocket currently has science fiction like “Falling Free” by Lois McMaster Bujold, all of the novels of Anthony Trollope and Charles Dickens, “Eminent Victorians” by Lytton Strachey and the September issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.

“Once you get use to having books with you, you get use to reading in places where it never occurred to you. If I’m waiting in line at the supermarket counter, why not read one of my science fiction magazines?” he said. “Believe it or not, I’ll sit down in my chair at home, pull out my phone and read a book.”"

So, whether you read ebooks on your laptop screen, desktop, Palm, Life Drive, iPod or iPhone, they are a convenient, trouble-free way to read wherever you are.


The full story is posted on their site (free registration required).

Book Launch Events

For your convenience, you can now receive a weekly email of author events, including my own, in your area. Sign up free at booktour.com:

 http://booktour.com/signup?referrer=2371

Events for "Release Your Writing: Book Publishing, Your Way"

Oct. 14, 2007 Uptown Writer's Space, Chicago, IL
Fee-based workshop, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Contact Uptown Writer's Space at: 773-275-1000 or email susan@uptownwritersspace.com

Oct. 20, 2007 National Assn. of Science Writers, Spokane, WA
"Taming the Digital Office" panel
nasw.org

Jan. 28, 2008 Mt. Prospect Public Library
Free workshop & Q+A, 7 p.m.
mppl.org

May 3, 2008 Chicago Dramatist's Guild
details to follow


Click here for photos from the book launch party 9/29/07 at Mario's Mondo Cafe.

Prior author events:


Sept. 15, 2007 Prose In the Park, Taylorville, IL
Two workshops: New writers - a.m., Advanced writers - p.m.
More info: Prose In the Park

Sept. 19, 2007 Women's Exchange author night
Generational issues in technology
reservations: Womens-Exchange.org

Oct. 1-6, 2007 Speaker at global Momference teleconference
Don't know what a Momference is? Learn more here:www.momference.com

Writer's Digest blog

I've had the pleasure of writing a few articles for Writer's Digest, and am pleased to see some of their best people are moving into blogs. Maria Schneider handles technical and publishing concepts at hers: http://www.writersdigest.com/writersperspective/default.aspx

Make it a regular stop on your "paper route."

Cheers,
Helen

Advance praise for Release Your Writing

In workshops and appearances this Fall, I'll speak as much about marketing and promoting your work as I do about writing or technology. Endorsements are one of the best ways to show credibility and give readers a reason to look further into your book. I've received two stunning endorsements and am excerpting them here for your reference and inspiration:

• "...I took her blogging class, which is the only reason I have a blog today. The obscure was made clear, and fun. I would trust Helen’s expertise in any of the new technologies, and I would recommend her to anyone who needs to know how to take advantage of the digital world’s tools.”

Cynthia Clampitt, author of
Waltzing Australia

• “Helen Gallagher's new book Release Your Writing has just stripped you of your last excuse for not writing that book that's inside you and waiting to be released. She has an answer for every question you've ever had about birthing a book into the world and covers every step you need to take it from beginning to end."
  
  
  Jan Phillips, author of
  The Art of Original Thinking,
  Marry Your Muse
  
  
  

Could Jane Austen get published today?

One of the tenets of Release Your Writing: Book Publishing Your Way is the need for writers to self-advocate.
No one believes in your work more than you do, and its unlikely the glint of your perfect prose will be shine in an agent's or editor's eye.

We hear that mainstream publishing is harder to achieve than ever. It rejection is a frustration for you, take heart in this recent news story:

I frustrated writer, David Lassman disguised Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice and sent it off to 18 publishers. One well-read editor spotted the fraud, but the other 17 publishers all rejected or ignored it. Lassman submitted the manuscript under a female pseudonym, and changed only the title and character names. Odds are he's now a big fan of self-publishing.

One month to release date

When Your Muse is Calling

I've never needed a push to get started with writing. My muse is always speaking to me, putting a pen into my hand, or flying across my keyboard.

Yesterday, before sending Release Your Writing off to the publisher, I received a wonderful endorsement for my book from Jan Phillips, author of the outstanding book: Marry Your Muse.

So imagine my surprise when I went to dinner with a friend last night and she presented me with this adorable gift -- a real muse!

The quote on her skirt is from James Michener:

"I love writing. I love the swirl & swing of words as they tangle with human emotions."

Inspiring, isn't it? Strike while the pen is hot !

Helen

Release Your Writing: Book Publishing Your Way

ANNOUNCEMENT:
Release Your Writing: Book Publishing, Your Way will be available in Autumn 2007.
Author: Helen Gallagher

Self-publishing continues to grow as a productive alternative to traditional publishing where:
book proposal + agent + publisher = about a two year time frame.

With self-publishing and more specifically Print-on-Demand (POD) you have another option: You handle the writing and publication process, with editorial input and design under your control. You use a POD firm to assist with print production, formatting, printing, distribution, obtaining ISBN, online sales, credit card processing, and fulfillment. Yes, you pay for that service, but if your choice without it is to remain unpublished, it's worth it.

Sound good? You bet. Send an email to books@releaseyourwriting.com to learn more about the book and POD. You can also add comments, questions and suggestions here about what you want to see covered in the book.

Helen Gallagher
author Computer Ease
and Release Your Writing

Chicago Writer Assn. Interview

Authors interested in self-publishing will enjoy these comments regarding the ASJA conference in New York. These notes are excerpted from a chicagowrites.org interview, conducted by Walt McElligott, editor.

We're lucky to have many good writing organizations in Chicago, and Diana was a brave adventurer when she launched Chicago Writer's Assn. I believe we all have an obligation to support the groups who support writers, especially in our own community.

I attend out-of-town conferences too, especially ASJA (American Association of Journalists & Authors), in New York. The April conference has about 50 panels, for ASJA members, Friday through Sunday, and open to non-members just on Saturday and Sunday. I think the attendance runs about 700 people. Topics range from freelance journalism to finding an agent, specializing in particular niches,and so much more.

This year I was surprised to see three things at the conference:

1. Technology played a bigger role: They usually have one speaker discuss the web each year, but this year there were sessions on Blogs, Making six-figures online, Online travel writing, and Writing for tech markets. That's four new topics spawned by the blurred lines between writing and technology, and an interesting trend. Some of these sessions were standing room only.

2. Many speakers discussed the move from print to, not just online journalism, but multimedia. Even a New York Times columnist spoke of the recent changes in her work. She used to write a 1,000 word column. Now her editors want 600 words, plus make her read the column aloud for a podcast, and create a multimedia story, combining voice, text, and photos. All for the same pay. Almost every editor said they want shorter work that leads the reader somewhere else - another link, another story.

3. The third change was the reason I went to the conference this year: A growing movement toward self-publishing. ASJA has partnered with iUniverse, one of the top print-on-demand firms,to offer members a better publishing package. And during two half-day sessions on self-publishing. I saw the audience doing the math -- as our own Nolan Lewis has mentioned on the CWA forum -- there is something wrong with the traditional publishing model, when the author keeps less than one percent of the revenue from their book.

Self-publishing and print-on-demand offer writers both the ability to get their book published, and to make more money per book. In fact, I've gotten Nolan's permission to quote him in my upcoming book on self-publishing.


Full interview available here

Printer's Row Book Fair

Thanks to all the visitors and book buyers who stopped by at the Printer's Row Book Fair. It was my 2nd year there, and I enjoyed meeting so many of you Saturday, and appreciate all the book sales. It's important to support independent authors, as you'll soon find out if you plan to write a book. The validation that comes from people stopping by to inquire, leaf through your book, and then take a copy home is the reason we write.

Release Your Writing will be going to the printer in about two weeks. Visit Computer Clarity in the meantime to sign up for a free email newsletter, or check out The Write Brain at my other site, GallagherInk.com.

We have five workshops and events planned for September and October. Stay in touch to find out more.

Helen Gallagher
author: Release Your Writing
and Computer Ease

About "Release Your Writing"

Whether you’re a writer just starting out or at the finish line, you can get your work published.

We know the long road to publishing success: attract an agent who has time and connections to place your book with a publisher, and follow the long rewarding journey to publication. But there is another way: publish it yourself.

This book goes beyond traditional publishing to strategies for success with self-publishing, putting you in control of the process.

But what about the writing, handling computer chores, and formatting a book for publication?

And how does a writer handle marketing and promotion? We’ll take you there too. Release Your Writing walks you through the whole project, not just publishing options.

Why self-publish?

Perhaps …

• You want your work to be seen. No one can read what’s in your desk drawer.
• You want to help people with what you’ve learned, and share your expertise.
• You have a collection of essays or stories you’d like to sell.
• You want a book for professional reasons, as an adjunct to your business or to share expertise with the public.
• You’ve studied the markets and you know you aren’t likely to attract a major publisher…

Then self-publishing might be perfect for you.

A friend's success

My friend, Bob Sideman just got an important paper accepted at the Illinois History Conference.
He will be attending the conference and presenting his paper in Springfield in October 2007. He will be publishing his book shortly thereafter.