Introductions and Your Great News

Marketing and Community Engagement

Discussion

• Let’s try this again! Since we cancelled last month thanks to the snow, we’ll spend time this month preparing for readings of our books. Whether for schools, book stores, or special groups, reading your work is a great way to get the word out and make sales!
• Lucinda Etienne, who is active in Toastmasters, has agreed to come and share with us principles and practices for public speaking to help when we stand up in front of an audience and read.
• In addition, here are some resources on setting up book readings:
  • Arranging Your Own Book Tour; by Erica Verrillo; April 27, 2018; https://writingcooperative.com/arranging-your-own-book-tour-6248c5b569d0
  • How to Build a Rocking Author Media Kit: a 7-Step Template; September 28, 2018; https://blog.reedsy.com/author-media-kit-template
  • 9 tips for successful author reading; by Alan Rinzler; November 19, 2009; https://alanrinzler.com/2009/11/9-tips-for-successful-author-readings
• Next month, we’ll practice readings. In March, plan to bring your book or favorite passage(s) to share with the group. If you have props or swag that would go well with your reading, bring those too!

Upcoming Events, Conferences and Workshops

• March 1, 2020 Submission deadline for digital submissions to the PNWA Writing Contest; check https://www.pnwa.org for more information.
• CORRECTION: May 16, 2020 CDA Christian Writers Conference; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Interesting workshops, including on memoir , plotting character arc, Keynote speaker: Mike Parker from WordCrafts Press. Jan Cline tells me that the speakers are involved in the Christian publishing field, but the sessions are focused on the art and craft of writing, and all are welcome. Learn more here: https://jancline.net/conference

Next Meetings

• March 9, 2020: Practicing your book reading.
• April 13, 2020 Exposition and Backstory? or Writing Great Dialogue?