Special event for teen writers

If you're in the Chicago area, here is something special coming up on Saturday:

JESSIE ANN FOLEY - Writing Workshop for Teens

Saturday, November 15th

3:00 pm at The Book Stall, 811 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL

 

Every story has to take place somewhere, and for writers from William Faulkner to Suzanne Collins, the WHERE can be just as important as the WHO and the WHAT.  In the “Take a Place” workshop, Jessie Ann Foley will introduce some techniques to "see" a setting in your mind and build out an entire story world from there.

The event is free, but space is limited. Please call The Book Stall: 847-446-8880 to reserve your spot. Recommended for teen writers ages 14-18. 

Thirteen places to hold book events

Lucky 13... Thanks to Caitlin Muir @authormedia.com for these great suggestions. Get motivated to plan a book tour schedule for next Spring to promote your books. Pick a few close to home and do winter events too. People love to get out and hear authors talk about their work.

Find a Place To Give a Book Reading:

1. Your local coffee shop
2. A hospital
3. A retirement community
4. A rehabilitation center
5. A local church
6. A locally owned bookstore
7. The library (try the five closest to your house)
8. The local community college
9. A school
10. Wherever the main setting of your book is
11. Google+
12. Videos you upload to Facebook
13. Goodreads--stay active on this site

Illinois Arts Council events

Events for this Week

Event Date	Event Name	Location	City
09/19/2013 - 12:00pm	Love and Labor: Domestic Workers as Community Docents	Jane Addams Hull-House Museum	Chicago
09/19/2013 - 4:45pm	Another Chicago is Possible: An Evening with Chicago Activists Engaging Critical Ethnic Studies	UIC Forum	Chicago
09/19/2013 - 7:00pm	The Last Mission of 'Hog Wild'	Taylorville Public Library	Taylorville
09/19/2013 - 7:30pm	Civic Cinema at the Critical Ethnic Studies Association Conference	UIC Forum	Chicago
09/19/2013 - 7:30pm	Syria & American Foreign Policy	Panera Bread	Carbondale
09/20/2013 - 12:00am	East West Riverfest Festival	Various Locations throughout the Quad Cities
09/20/2013 - 7:30pm	Civic Cinema at the Critical Ethnic Studies Association Conference	UIC Forum	Chicago

Think big for your book promotion

Beyond your local bookstore and local library, there is a world waiting to discover your book. Work a book tour into your summer vacation this year if you're promoting a new book. Poets & Writers has a huge database of literary places here:
http://www.pw.org/literary_places


Libraries, book shops, museums, arts centers.... you're sure to find a few great places where you can book an event.

A six-week course on self-publishing

Two publishing workshops I've done in 2013 attracted a total of nearly 150 people. Clearly, many of you writers are ready to explore the avenues to publishing. And a huge number of people are ready to produce an ebook, either as an adjunct to a current print book, or as a first step in the digital world. Your timing is great because Media Bistro has a six-week online class that might be perfect for you ...

Transform your manuscript into an eBook in our Self-Publishing Finishing School. Develop a strategy to design, market, and publicize your eBook with industry professionals such as Mark Coker (founder, Smashwords) and Guy Kawasaki (author, APE! What the Plus).

Register here.  The online class runs April 3 to May 8, 2013.

You've heard me speak highly of Mark Coker, of Smashwords, and if you aren't familiar with Guy Kawasaki, he is a real delight. He will be discussing two of his books. What the Plus refers to understanding the power of Google Plus. Here is my review of his recent book:  APE: Author Publisher Entrepreneur. I can guarantee, with these two speakers, the online workshop will also be great fun.

Natl. Assn. Memoir Writers - next roundtable

Tired of Just Saying You're Going to Finish Your Memoir?

"Rev Up to Write Your Memoir"

FREE call on Tuesday, Feb 26, at 4pm PST | 7pm EST

At a wonderful workshop in Hinsdale, IL yesterday, I mentioned the resources available at the National Association of Memoir Writers. Here's an upcoming online event on Tuesday you might enjoy. Even if you're working on fiction, essays, or short stories, the techniques of good writing cross all boundaries.



This call is for you if you have a memoir-in-progress, or even an idea for a memoir, and you're needing that extra bit of motivation to just make it happen already! 
In this call, join Linda Joy and Brooke to explore:

• common reasons for abandoning your memoir and how to get your groove back
• strategies for prioritizing your writing
• ways to confront what's holding you back
• ideas for reconnecting to the heart of your story and what moves you

Learn more by clicking here.

 

 

Free Memoir Roundtable:  Real Life Characters--The Heart of your Memoir 

March 7, 2013 

4 PM PST 5 PM MST  6 PM CST  7 PM EST
We're so pleased to have Suzanne Sherman talk with us about developing your characters in a memoir. We know that they're "real people" yet we have to bring them alive so others can know them too.
In fiction, writers give focused attention to creating characters that carry the plot forward. Character motivation is a continuing consideration as they reveal the central and secondary characters through the book or short story. In screenwriting, the same is true.
In memoir, our job is different. We aren't creating characters and deciding their relevant motivations, we're taking what's here and turning it into story. We're writing about central and secondary characters and we're drawing them in 3-D, so readers get to know them.
Characters -- the people in our life stories -- are at the heart of it all.
Sign up here.

February 23rd: Join us in Hinsdale for a workshop

Inside Writing & Publishing A Writer’s Guide to Tech Tools

Saturday, February 23
2:00 p.m.
Join author and national speaker Helen Gallagher to learn about the tools and skills you need to gain visibility for your writing and publishing. Blogs, social media sites, eBooks and other digital options will be explored. Register at the Library, over the phone or online...

Is 2013  the year you reach your writing goals?

Helen Gallagher

Getting more out of Google

I participated in an great panel discussion and presentation at Barrington Area Library last night. A big crowd who stayed with us for over two hours with these authors.Presenters who joined me were Ted Grippo, Chris Lindberg, and Eleanor Anne Sweet. We had a terrific audience.

Following the panel, I gave an overview of the self-publishing world today.

Eleanor made specific mention of something we don't usually cover in basic level workshops -- the use of Google keywords. I've invited Eleanor to give us a guest post here, to explain in full detail. It includes finding the search keywords used by books similar to your own, and making use of those words in order to show up better in search results.

Here are a few other critical benefits of increasing up your Google skills.

1. Work your blog. Blogs are more visible in search engines because there is more text, fresh text, and they are updated more often than stale web sites.

2. Use YouTube to promote your events, do author readings, and share your book video on YouTube. Link to it from your site and your blog. Remember, Google owns YouTube, so use keywords in the 'tags' on your video and it will also increase your visibility in searches.

Write on,

Helen

Digital Publishing Virtual Summit

It's not to late to join in on this Digital Publishing Virtual Summit, packed with workshops to answer all your questions. It runs through June 21, online, This is a no-charge way to learn more about how to create, publish, and sell your book (or another digital product.


Direct Link: http://www.bookmarketingalliance.com/schedule/


Listen live or get a full access member pass to download the MP3 recordings for $97. (which is a great way to listen to the archives during your summer road trip.)

Blog design options

Today I changed my blog design back to a simpler design. I was testing the checkerboard design but found it awfully confusing for those who want to read my work here.

Yesterday was a great day. I had the largest crowd ever for my workshop at the Helen Plum Memorial Library in Lombard. A terrific audience stayed with me as we did a 90-minute race through Everything E, covering writing for e-markets, e-books, e-publishing and e-marketing.

Attendees are welcome to leave questions here in the Comment section and I'll reply here or privately - your choice.

Thanks to the hard-working staff at the library.
I'll be back!

Helen

Looking for Helen? Upcoming event schedule

I have quite a few events coming up as part of the North Suburban Library system program "Inside Writing and Publishing."

All are free for attendees, and there are several topics I'll be discussing. Each library has a full list of the events on their web site - some calendars show the Jan-Feb "Inside Writing and Publishing" events, and others are updated to include these March-April dates as well. All of the speakers on the schedule offer great information at libraries all over the north and western suburbs. Like indie book stores, we owe a debt of gratitude to our Illinois libraries for recognizing the need for more writing/publishing/technology programs:

My events:
Feb. 25, Helen Plum Library /2:00 p.m. / Topic: Everything E!  -- ebooks, epublishing, emarketing
Mar. 25, Geneva Public Library / 1:00 p.m. / Topic: Writing effectively for today's markets
Apr. 28, Ela Area Library / Lake Zurich / 11:00 a.m. / Topic: Blogging for authors/writers
Also Apr 28. Fremont Library, Mundelein / 2:00 p.m. / Topic: same program as Lake Zurich


Check all library websites for further details and other events you might want to attend on the same dates.

Feb. 11, 2012 Lawyers for the Creative Arts hosts DIY Publishing and more...

I have attended this even in the past and it is a wonderful learning opportunity. Hope to see you there:

Pen to Digital Press: DIY Publishing in the Digital Age

Date: Saturday, February 11th Time: 9 A.M. - 6 P.M. Place: John Marshall Law School, 315 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604 On Saturday, February 11th, Lawyers for the Creative Arts and John Marshall Law School will host an all day symposium titled Pen to Digital Press: DIY Publishing in the Digital Age. This day long program will feature a diverse group of speakers from the writing and publishing professions, professors of law and literature, and members of LCA's Staff and Board of Directors. A detailed program will follow. Topics to be covered include: 1. Overview of Publishing in the Digital Age: Perspectives and Alternatives; 2. Choosing a Publisher: Contracts and Other Pitfalls; 3. Taking It to the Bank: Monitoring Your Sales and Reading Your Royalty Statement; 4. Problematic Content: Solving Privacy and Defamation Issues; Collaborating; and Legally Using Third-Party Content; and 5. How to Become an Outrageously Successful Author: Using Social and Other Media. This not-to-be-missed program will include lively round table lunch discussions on hot topics of the day, ranging from how to write a query to idea protection to writing for television to Q & A with literary agents and entertainment lawyers. We will also host a book signing and networking reception at the close and authors are encouraged to bring their books.  Local writers, law and college students, professors, and attorneys are all encouraged to attend.   Full details are available here.   Registration fee is a real value: $85/person, including lunch and our written materials* $55 for each student currently enrolled in a full-time higher education program** * 3.0 MCLE Hours are anticipated. * *Complimentary for JMLS students and faculty. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Marci Rolnik at LCA: mrolnik@law-arts.org or (312) 649-4111.

From the folks at Goodreads.com

The year has just begun, but we're already looking forward to World Book Night 2012. On April 23, 2012 join thousands of volunteers for a million-book giveaway. Inaugurated last year in the United Kingdom and now expanding to the United States, this nonprofit event is looking for enthusiastic readers who want to encourage their communities to read more. World Book Night needs 50,000 volunteers to help distribute 1 million books nationwide, especially in underserved communities that may not have easy access to books.

To become a book "giver," sign up by February 1, 2012. Select one of the 30 available titles—a range of fiction, nonfiction, and books for teens—and you'll receive 20 special-edition paperbacks to hand out to readers near you. The books are available free of charge thanks to support from the publishing industry. This year's lineup includes The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Zeitoun by Dave Eggers, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, and many more!

Full details here at World Book Night

Memoir - Essay contest

So if NANOWRIMO doesn't suit your style, how about a fabulous Essay - Memoir contest? This is sponsored by The Writer  magazine and Gotham Writer's Workshop. 
Here are the details.

Entry fee is just $10 and the judge is Lee Gutkind, founder and editor of Creative Non-Fiction.  Ready???

Writer's Support Group in Lake Zurich

While presenting a publishing workshop this morning at the ELA Public Library in Lake Zurich, I learned they have a Writer's Support Group that meets monthly, at 9:30 a.m. and at 6:30 p.m.

Full details are here on their monthly calendar. Their next meetings are on May 9th. If you're in the area, its a great opportunity for networking or to discuss your work-in-progress.

Why authors need a sense of humor

The Onion, America's best satirical journal, has a funny article on the exaggerated realities of author book signings:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/author-promoting-book-gives-it-her-all-whether-its,19985/

My upcoming events are at Book Tour.com -- I'll save you a seat ....

Cheers,
Helen Gallagher

Ever wonder why you should keep plugging along at social media? Think no one will notice you online? One of the many sites I visit and update is scribd.com.




And, Laura Novak found out that it really does pay. A former New York Times writer, TV news reporter  and now author of Finding Clarity:  A Mom, a Dwarf and a Posh Private School in the People’s Republic of Berkeley, she rose to the top on Scribd.com. As she says:

"In less than a year, I have become a top female author on Scribd.com, with 43,000 followers. As a result, the Scribd team invited me to read from Finding Clarity at this year’s Lit Quake festival in San Francisco. 

Read her full guest post here at Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents blog.

Learn about her work touring the book circuit and doing in-store readings BEFORE her book is even published.  Talk about a great way to build a following, and to improve her manuscript by reading live with an audience!!

Cheers,
Helen Gallagher

September: What happened to your summer goals?

September is here and summer is winding down. Have you moved along on your writing goals? Have you had the time you need to follow through?

If not, here's your motivation: GET IT DONE is NAIWE’s 2010 Summer Challenge.

Visit NAIME.com

The folks at NAIME, National Association of Independent Writers and Editors, offer a challenge to take this summer to learn, grow, and get ready for a busy and successful autumn. There are three parts to the challenge:

1. Read three books that will stretch your mind and inspire your creative spirit.
2. Finish one project that’s been nagging at you for longer than you care to admit.
3. Brainstorm a new project that will bring you an additional stream of income, then take the first step to make it happen.

My goals for the Get It Done challenge are:

1. I'm on book two of the three I committed to reading. The first was The Wealthy Freelancer.

2. After attending a conference in July, I haven't kept my goal of querying one editor each week. I'm back on track now with this.

3. Additional income is easy for any writer with the power of ebooks. I'm issuing a new one in September, and one more by the end of the year. Writing an article for an online marketing is also feasible. It might be an easy goal for you to tackle too. In August, I've had $150 in extra revenue with quick sales to these markets.

Sisters: An Anthology, radio clips

If you were unable to attend our Celebration of Sisters event at The Book Stall on Saturday, we have an upcoming Sisters: An Anthology salon scheduled with the Women's Exchange. Date will be posted as details are worked out.

For a treat, in the interim, enjoy this brief audio clip from WFCR Radio
http://www.wfcr.org/

NANOWRIMO Week 4

Gosh, the month of activity for National Novel Writing Month is winding down and there's a big, fat holiday this week, so don't lose focus.

The Chicago NANOWRIMO group has put together some spectacular free writing events all over the city and suburbs this week. You have NO excuses.... there is even an invitation to a Thanksgiving potluck and major writing day at someone's home. email me if you want the contact info.

Full details of the weeks events in cafes, shops, libraries and other parties can be found at my author marketing blog: pajamamarketing.wordpress.com. Jump over and find an event where you can write and writhe with NANOWRIMO this week!