What both experienced and new authors have to say about
my workshops.
-Everyone that wants to sell a book has to make
that giant step through the door and speak, yes, speak to an editor or and
agent. I know you'd rather face man-eating lions. I heard Linda Rohrbough's
presentation at the Red River, New Mexico Conference and it would prepare
anyone for the lion's den. I attend and speak at several conferences in the
year and hers is the best one on this vital step in your career. She'd be a
real asset to speak at any writer's conference. Fledgling or pro, her session
will be well worth your time to attend." - Award-winning western author Dusty
Richards. (Click on the link to drop in at DustyRichards.com.)
-OKAY, Huge thank you! I spoke to the Flower
Mound Women's Club last night, and, because of you was able to speak about the
log line AND the theme of my book -- I looked smart and it enriched my talk. -
award-winning author Sarah Clark Jordan (www.SarahClarkJordan.com)
- I get it [now] about genre and log lines and the
differences and purposes of all this.
- This workshop gives real-world advice useful to
new authors.
-Practical principles well explained.
- I attended a class Linda conducted [at the Writers' League of Texas conference] that was
instrumental in pushing me over the hump in completing my second novel. Her
class, "Learning to Talk About Your [Book] " was the best writing
investment I've made in a long, long time. I knew the story I wanted to tell .
. . the setting . . . the characters; but I wasn't sure if I was writing a
mystery or suspense novel and she cleared that up for me with excellent
examples of various genres. In addition, I learned some typing shortcuts that
helped immensely. The draft was over 425 pages and the publisher wanted about
350 pages. Her tips regarding double spacing after punctuation, using Widows
and Orphans, and other information helped me meet my goal. Exercises writing
log lines were particularly helpful. Now my novel was [sic] released and
is posted on a half-dozen web sites including a brief appearance on the big
screen PRN in Times Square. - author Les Coalson (www.LesCoalson.com).
- Although I knew about the importance of log
lines--those 25 words that best sum up the book--I was at a loss as to what to
say after that. I used to either try to give a mini synopsis or just babble on
about the characters and the setting. Thanks to Linda's workshop, "The
Second Log Line," I now have a follow-up that sounds smart and exciting
and makes the reader want more. My queries and pitches have both improved
thanks to Linda's technique. The first agent I tried it on immediately handed
me her business card and asked for sample pages. (This author recently wrote in
to say she is now represented by an agent.)
To see if I'm available for your upcoming event, click here.
Overview: The
Writer's Toolbox is an overview of novel development and various systems or "tools" fiction writers use to develop novel elements such as plot,
characterization, and subplots as well as tools to edit a completed novel.
In
this workshop, I present a detailed overview of the novel development
cycle and the various "tools" writers use for growing a novel including various
plotting grids, story line development tracking tools, character arc
development worksheets, character development grids, and subplot development
utensils. I also offer examples of various editing tools for smoothing the
rough spots once a novel is complete. These tools are not only useful for
creating a novel, but for doing revisions to a finished manuscript if you are
asked to do so by a publishing house buying the work.
Learn
How to Talk About Your Book to an Editor or Agent
Overview: It is my
opinion that the most important thing a pre-published author learns is how to
talk about their work in a way that attracts interest from an editor or agent.
That's how they become a published author. This workshop provides all the
tools, along with practical experience, writers need to develop this
all-important skill.
It's
a very different skill set to talk about your work as opposed to creating the
work in the first place.
In
this interactive workshop, I teach for both fiction and non-fiction, the five
critical principles for success and the four most important things a writer
must know about their manuscript. From how to look like a pro to how to pitch
both in person and by mail, I'm going to cover all the bases.
This
workshop combines my Fiction Genres workshop (which adds insight into
publishing genres and helps authors pinpoint where their book falls) and
Pitching Your Work (to teach authors the basics of how to talk about
their work).
This
workshop is best when presented to a group of twenty or more.
Note:
Writers are looking for this material. In 2005 and 2006 alone, my workshops
sold out two months in advance of the Writers' League of Texas Annual Agents
and Editors Conference.
Overview: It can be
surprising how many authors really don't know their genre. And it explains why
so many get rejected. After attending my workshop, even newbees are talking
like pros when it comes to genre.
You've
written the book of your heart, but you can't sell your book if you don't know
your genre. And agent or editor will know within one or two sentences into your
pitch if you're off on your genre and that can get you rejected over and over.
In this workshop, I offer specifics on what is genre, what are the elements of
specific genres, what are the most popular genres, what genres work best for
new writers to break into. You'll be able to talk-the-talk after attending this
workshop.
Genres
have specific requirements which include story elements and a word count. This
workshop explains the parameters of each genre.
After
this workshop, you'll know the answers to the following questions:
-
How do I determine where my book fits in the genres agents and editors are
looking for?
- What are the rules, how can I break them and when should I?
-
What does an agent or editor mean when they say they're accepting Speculative
fiction?
-
What is the difference between Suspense and Mystery?
-
What is Chick Lit? What are the other subcategories in this new genre?
-
If an editor says they're looking for Romantic Suspense, what does that mean?
-
What are the best-selling genres and how are they defined?
-
What are the best genres for new writers to break in?
This
workshop got started due to an article I wrote, "The Genre Hurdle" published in
the Pikes Peak Writer NewsMagazine for distribution at their annual
conference, one of the top ten writing conferences in the nation according to Writer's
Digest Magazine.
Overview: Your
novel is ready for the market. But how do you get it there? Let me coach you in
this workshop to develop the lifelong skill of how to talk about your work to
people you don't know, especially publishing professionals.
In
this workshop, I use easy to understand formulas and techniques to teach how to
talk about your work to people you don't know (known as "pitching") for both
fiction and non-fiction.
I
cover the background work such as:
-
How to write a log line.
-
Using the second log line to give your pitch pizzazz.
- Developing your theme to make your work stand out to a publishing
professional.
- How to create an effective synopsis in different lengths for using pitching.
- Examples of how the pros use these elements to pitch.
For
pitching in person, I'll explain:
-
Dressing for success.
-
What to bring with you.
-
What not to bring with you.
-
Talking about your book in a way that's compelling to an editor or agent.
-
Effective ways to deliver your pitch.
-
What to expect.
When
pitching by mail, I presents:
-
What a successful query letter contains.
-
The time line.
-
Tricks and tips the pros use.
-
Preparing for success.
I
offer plenty of examples of effective pitches both I and other experienced
authors have presented both verbally and in writing. This is a workshop you
cannot afford to miss. Come ready to learn how to successfully pitch your book.
Overview: In this
interactive workshop, I explain how to develop and use "the second log
line" to give your book extra pizzazz when talking to agents
and editors.
The
secret to transitioning from a pre-published writer to a published writer is
learning to talk in an interesting way about your work to people you don't
know. While the Log Line delivers the essentials of the plot line, the second log
line focuses on the more emotional element. A strong log line followed by a
second log line takes into account the major change in the story, allows you to
start a dialog with a publishing professional, and creates interest and
identification in the listener or reader.
In
this hour-long workshop, I briefly review the log line formula then give
attendees a formula for their second log line, which delivers the emotional
impact of their story. I present an abundance of examples from published works
and from movies. Interactive exercises make it so each attendee leaves with
their own version of a second log line and a plan for using it with an editor
or agent.
Overview:
It doesn't take a huge marketing budget to promote yourself like the pros do. Here's
how you can effectively do it yourself.
There
are a number of straight-forward ways to get attention for a book without
breaking your own budget. After my five years as a professional journalist for
an international computer news network and was a bureau chief in both Los
Angeles and Dallas, I've seen what effective and ineffective public
relations looks like from top agencies around the world. In this workshop, I'll
show you the simple tips and tricks professional publicists use that you can
take advantage of to get yourself seen in the marketplace and get your name
known.
I'll
also cover common mistakes and often missed opportunities first time authors
make in promoting themselves and how to get the very most out of the
promotional efforts you choose to take on.
As
part of this workshop, I will show you samples of material from successful
promotion campaigns I've done for myself and for writers groups.
Creating
and Selling Your Non-fiction Book: From Idea to Publication
Overview:
Non-fiction is lucrative, easier for new writers to get into and pays better at
the beginning levels. Here's a workshop with the nuts and bolts information you
need to get into this world.
Non-fiction
is lucrative and can be producing income for you while you pursue fiction. It
also is easier for beginning writers to get into and pays better at the
beginning levels. You can also sell a non-fiction book with a proposal, rather
than writing the entire book.
In
this workshop, I'll give you everything you need to get started. Topics covered
include:
-
The Steps to Success (idea, proposal, agent, etc.)
-
How to Turn Your Interests, Experience, Expertise or Hobbies into a Successful
Book Idea
-
Writing the Proposal (I'll show you actual successful proposals and the
resulting books.)
-
What Agents and Editors are Looking For in a Proposal
-
Getting an Agent (or Not)
-
Co-author Relationships
When
you leave my proposal workshop, you'll have all the tools you need to put
together and sell your non-fiction own book proposal - without writing the
entire book.
Interning:
How to Get Free Help and What to Do Once You Have It
Overview:
In this workshop, I offer a practical guide for how to implement the time-honored
practice of interning and down to earth tips and tricks for making this work
for both the author and the intern.
For
published authors, this hour-long workshop covers interning, an idea artists
have used for centuries to get free help. Getting an intern can boost a
writer's career and give the published writer on a budget the edge needed to
get more firmly entrenched in the competitive market of writing.
For
published writers, this workshop covers what an intern can do for you, how to
make the most of an intern to promote you and your work, where to look for
interns and what to expect in the intern relationship.
New
writers will also want to attend this workshop to learn how to get an intern
position and how they can develop their own careers in just a few hours a week
working with a professional.
Overview: This
week-long University-level course offers everything the writer needs to know
about organizing ideas, developing a career plan, selling manuscripts, and
marketing books!
Soldiers
go to boot camp to train for a tactical advantage. The Writer's boot camp is
the same idea. Learn how you can improve your odds to survive, and even thrive,
in the publishing world whether you're writing fiction or non-fiction. In this
hands-on workshop, I will provide you everything you need to know to give your
writing career the jump-start it needs. You'll leave with a solid, personalized
plan and know how to execute it from day one.
Topics
covered in DETAIL include: presenting yourself like a pro; learning to pitch;
knowing how to use your tools; organization for creative people; managing
writers block and uncovering your own circadian rhythms to boost productivity;
effective promotion of your work; practical tips for working with agents,
editors and publicists; developing your career path; and boosting your income
through work for hire and ghostwriting.
You'll
get to work one-on-one with me to get your career plan in place, learn to
handle problems, see successful proposals, learn to talk the talk, and walk out
ready to deliver the goods.
I
can and do modify these workshops to fit your group, your time frame and your
particular needs. I do this a lot and I'm open to discussing it with you. Contact
me if you need a more customized approach for your particular group's
needs.
Workshops 