This document provides an overview of breaking into the non-fiction book market. It discusses how non-fiction is a more accessible market to enter than fiction because it focuses on providing useful content rather than needing original stories. The document outlines tips for becoming an expert in a field, identifying a topic to write about, structuring a book proposal, and writing an effective query letter. It emphasizes doing thorough research, finding the right agent or publisher, and convincing them the book topic has not been sufficiently covered elsewhere and the author has relevant expertise or platform.
Three important elements in writing a successful thriller are characterization, plotting, and action. Characters must be compelling and undergo meaningful change. The plot should keep readers engaged through complications and a climactic ending. Descriptive action sequences are also important to drive the story forward. The document provides tips on developing these elements such as using the Freytag pyramid model and crafting character biographies and motivations.
This document provides an overview of a workshop on finding the heart of your story and developing your original idea. The workshop will help attendees explore generating original ideas for fiction and non-fiction works, where ideas come from, and how to develop a kernel of an idea into a novel, narrative non-fiction, or screenplay. The document outlines the workshop structure and covers topics like examining your original idea, developing it from a spark to a fully formed narrative, focusing your idea, and turning it into a written work.
This document provides an overview of a workshop on developing plots and narratives for books. The workshop will help attendees focus their original book ideas and examine protagonists, antagonists, and the core elements of any story: what the characters want, why they want it, and what's preventing them from achieving it. Attendees will learn how to shape a story using techniques like character development, conflict, complications, climax, and resolution. They will also be introduced to Freytag's pyramid as a way to examine how action drives a story from beginning to end. Attendees will receive online access to all workshop materials.
You Don't Have to Make It Up: Breaking Into the Non-Fiction Marketggaldorisi
This document summarizes a lecture on breaking into the non-fiction book market. It discusses that non-fiction is easier to enter than fiction as it focuses on expertise in a topic rather than creative storytelling. It also emphasizes finding a topic you are passionate about and becoming an expert in through research. Further, it stresses convincing publishers that the topic has not been sufficiently covered elsewhere and that the author has a platform to promote the book. The summary provides the key high-level takeaways around subject selection, expertise, query letters, and book proposals.
Finding the Heart of Your Story: Your Original Ideaggaldorisi
This document summarizes a workshop on developing original story ideas. It discusses exploring the kernel of an original idea and shaping it into a story. Attendees will learn how to generate ideas, fan the spark of an idea into a fire by developing plot, characters, stakes, and setting. The workshop also covers focusing an idea and determining if it is just a story or something more substantial, like conveying an emotion or theme. Attendees will then learn how to turn their idea into a narrative by creating a treatment and outline to develop the story without being chained to the initial idea.
This document provides an overview and recap of a workshop on establishing an online presence as a writer. It discusses generating unique content, attracting an audience, and whether to do content creation yourself or with others. The workshop also reviewed prior lessons on why to write, writing for publication, writing fiction and non-fiction, and generating story ideas. Attendees were asked to develop a one sentence logline for a story idea.
The document summarizes a workshop on developing plots and narratives for books. The workshop covers analyzing other successful books, focusing a story idea, developing protagonists and antagonists, shaping a story using character, conflict, climax and conclusion. Attendees will receive online access to workshop materials.
This document summarizes a workshop on developing plots and narratives for books. The workshop covers analyzing other successful books to understand what works and doesn't work, focusing on protagonists and antagonists, ensuring the story has conflict to drive it forward, and providing a satisfying resolution. It emphasizes starting with a clear original idea that can be summarized in one sentence, and developing the characters, their goals and conflicts, complications throughout the story, and its climax and conclusion. The workshop aims to help authors take their ideas from inception to a full narrative structure that keeps readers engaged.
Three important elements in writing a successful thriller are characterization, plotting, and action. Characters must be compelling and undergo meaningful change. The plot should keep readers engaged through complications and a climactic ending. Descriptive action sequences are also important to drive the story forward. The document provides tips on developing these elements such as using the Freytag pyramid model and crafting character biographies and motivations.
This document provides an overview of a workshop on finding the heart of your story and developing your original idea. The workshop will help attendees explore generating original ideas for fiction and non-fiction works, where ideas come from, and how to develop a kernel of an idea into a novel, narrative non-fiction, or screenplay. The document outlines the workshop structure and covers topics like examining your original idea, developing it from a spark to a fully formed narrative, focusing your idea, and turning it into a written work.
This document provides an overview of a workshop on developing plots and narratives for books. The workshop will help attendees focus their original book ideas and examine protagonists, antagonists, and the core elements of any story: what the characters want, why they want it, and what's preventing them from achieving it. Attendees will learn how to shape a story using techniques like character development, conflict, complications, climax, and resolution. They will also be introduced to Freytag's pyramid as a way to examine how action drives a story from beginning to end. Attendees will receive online access to all workshop materials.
You Don't Have to Make It Up: Breaking Into the Non-Fiction Marketggaldorisi
This document summarizes a lecture on breaking into the non-fiction book market. It discusses that non-fiction is easier to enter than fiction as it focuses on expertise in a topic rather than creative storytelling. It also emphasizes finding a topic you are passionate about and becoming an expert in through research. Further, it stresses convincing publishers that the topic has not been sufficiently covered elsewhere and that the author has a platform to promote the book. The summary provides the key high-level takeaways around subject selection, expertise, query letters, and book proposals.
Finding the Heart of Your Story: Your Original Ideaggaldorisi
This document summarizes a workshop on developing original story ideas. It discusses exploring the kernel of an original idea and shaping it into a story. Attendees will learn how to generate ideas, fan the spark of an idea into a fire by developing plot, characters, stakes, and setting. The workshop also covers focusing an idea and determining if it is just a story or something more substantial, like conveying an emotion or theme. Attendees will then learn how to turn their idea into a narrative by creating a treatment and outline to develop the story without being chained to the initial idea.
This document provides an overview and recap of a workshop on establishing an online presence as a writer. It discusses generating unique content, attracting an audience, and whether to do content creation yourself or with others. The workshop also reviewed prior lessons on why to write, writing for publication, writing fiction and non-fiction, and generating story ideas. Attendees were asked to develop a one sentence logline for a story idea.
The document summarizes a workshop on developing plots and narratives for books. The workshop covers analyzing other successful books, focusing a story idea, developing protagonists and antagonists, shaping a story using character, conflict, climax and conclusion. Attendees will receive online access to workshop materials.
This document summarizes a workshop on developing plots and narratives for books. The workshop covers analyzing other successful books to understand what works and doesn't work, focusing on protagonists and antagonists, ensuring the story has conflict to drive it forward, and providing a satisfying resolution. It emphasizes starting with a clear original idea that can be summarized in one sentence, and developing the characters, their goals and conflicts, complications throughout the story, and its climax and conclusion. The workshop aims to help authors take their ideas from inception to a full narrative structure that keeps readers engaged.
This document provides an overview of a seminar on why to write. It discusses that writers shape history through their works and outlines various writing mediums. It encourages building writing skills incrementally, from articles to books. It also stresses doing research by reading various publications to find story ideas and learn about different markets. Throughout, it shares advice from successful authors about working hard at writing and making time for it while balancing other responsibilities.
This document provides a summary of topics covered in previous weeks for establishing an online presence, including why write, writing for publication, and writing fiction and non-fiction. It then discusses finding the heart of a story by nurturing the original idea. This involves stating the idea in one sentence, focusing the idea from divergent to convergent thinking, and determining if it is just a story or has deeper intent. Developing the idea requires using who, what, why, where, when and how questions to expand the spark into a full narrative.
The document provides information about writing novels and getting published. It discusses:
1) The importance of storytelling and keeping readers engaged by making them want to turn the page.
2) The main elements needed for a successful novel - strong characterization, an engaging plot with action, and maintaining the reader's suspension of disbelief.
3) Tips for developing ideas like reading widely, generating character details and exotic titles, and plunging the hero into trouble from the start.
Here are a few ways the articles could lead:
- Recognition as an expert in the field from continued publications could lead to invitations to present at relevant conferences or symposia.
- Building your reputation as an expert over time through numerous publications could lead to invitations to teach or give lectures on the topic at universities or professional events.
- Strong relationships built with editors and other experts through collaboration could lead to invitations to collaborate on larger projects like co-authoring a book or report on the subject.
- Individual articles or groups of articles on aspects of the topic could form the basis for chapters in a future non-fiction book authored on the overall subject written by the person.
- Continued momentum and
This document provides guidance and advice for writing non-fiction books. It discusses determining what type of non-fiction book to write (narrative or prescriptive), overcoming common objections from publishers such as a book being "just an article" or the author lacking a platform, and how to write an effective query letter and book proposal to get a book deal. It also lists some iconic non-fiction writers and resources for learning more about writing in the non-fiction genre.
This document provides guidance on writing a successful non-fiction book. It discusses determining what type of non-fiction book to write (narrative or prescriptive), doing thorough research on the topic, and overcoming potential objections from publishers. Key steps include crafting a compelling query letter that hooks the agent/editor and addresses whether the topic has been sufficiently covered and whether the author has a platform. It also provides tips on writing a strong book proposal that outlines the book and shows the author is uniquely qualified. Examples of successful proposals for the books "Leave No Man Behind" and "The Kissing Sailor" are presented and summarized.
This document provides an overview of a six-week course on writing titled "Get Published Now!". The first seminar, titled "Why Write?", discusses why people choose to write and the various outlets available. It encourages participants to consider their audience and goals. The seminar also stresses that writing requires hard work and due diligence through reading widely. The course will cover non-fiction writing, novels, developing an online presence, and using social media for writing. Participants are asked to introduce themselves by sharing a brief story about their life and writing goals.
This document provides information about writing novels, including the genres of mainstream and genre fiction, developing characters, plots, and action, as well as getting a novel published. It discusses that novels require strong storytelling ability through compelling characters, plots, and pacing to engage readers. Successful novels are grounded in truth but present something familiar in a new way to publishers and audiences.
This document provides guidance on leveraging social media to promote writing and get published. It discusses establishing an online presence through nurturing original ideas and balancing entertaining and informative content. The document then focuses on social media challenges and opportunities, noting that everyone uses it but engagement, visibility, and momentum must be sustained. Specific social media platforms like email, blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and others are examined in terms of their benefits and how to best utilize them for writing promotion. Maintaining a balance of online and offline connections is advised.
This document provides an overview of a writing workshop on finding the heart of your story and developing your original idea. It discusses generating ideas, focusing an idea from divergent to convergent thinking, and turning the idea into a narrative through outlining and plotting. It emphasizes developing the three key elements of characterization, plotting, and action. Specific techniques are presented like using Kipling's six questions to expand an idea and deconstructing a classic plot structure. Character examples from thriller novels are also provided.
The document discusses plotting techniques for writing successful novels, using George Galdorisi's presentation on writing naval and military fiction as an example. It explains Freytag's pyramid as a model for plot structure, with components like exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution. It also provides an analysis of the plot in The Wizard of Oz using this model to illustrate how to "deconstruct" a story's plot progression.
This document summarizes a presentation given by Dick Couch at the Palm Springs Writers Guild on writing. It discusses Couch's background as a naval aviator and author. Couch explains that he writes about what he knows from his experiences. He writes adventure stories to relive the thrill of his past career. The presentation provides tips for writers, including starting small with articles and building experience, as well as the importance of establishing an online presence through websites and social media. It previews the next workshop on developing original story ideas.
This document provides information on writing and publishing novels. It discusses deciding between writing for fame, pleasure, or money. It also covers non-fiction vs fiction requirements, the Great American Novel, plotting, characterization, and getting a book sale. Key aspects include having a compelling plot, developing characters with motivations, focusing on either mainstream or genre works, and using a query letter to find an agent. Writing fiction is portrayed as difficult work that requires planning one's novel and characters.
This document provides an overview of content for a writing workshop. It discusses establishing writing goals, creating content for publications, and strategies for placing written work. Some key points covered include:
- Encouraging participants to share brief stories about their lives and writing inspirations.
- Advising writers to create interesting content for publications on topics they are passionate about in order to build relationships with editors.
- Suggesting a "building block" approach of starting with non-paying publications and working up to paid work.
- Offering tips for submitting work, such as following submission guidelines, writing a compelling pitch email, and providing sample materials to showcase writing style.
This document provides an overview of writing across genres. It discusses the importance of genre for readers' expectations and marketing purposes. While genre conventions exist, the document advocates for creative freedom and writing what inspires you. It provides tips for mixing genres effectively and developing characters that transcend any single genre. Common patterns are discussed for genres like fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and romance. The key messages are to know genre conventions but not be restricted by them, and to focus on telling a compelling story above all else.
The document provides an overview of a lecture titled "A Thrill a Minute: Crafting, Pitching, Writing, Selling and Promoting Thrillers" given by George Galdorisi at the La Jolla Writer's Conference. The lecture focuses on how to write a thriller novel, pitch it to agents and publishers, and work with a publisher to promote the book. It discusses developing a high concept and effective pitch, writing techniques like characterization, plotting and action, the publishing process, and book promotion strategies. The goal is to help attendees understand how to successfully publish a thriller with a mainstream publisher.
Social Media - Challenges and Opportunities ggaldorisi
This document provides an overview and recap of a six-week course on writing and publishing. The course covered topics such as why write, establishing an online presence, writing non-fiction, writing novels, and using social media. It summarizes the key lessons from each week, including tips on content creation, building relationships with editors, defining your target audience, and balancing engagement and visibility online. The document concludes with reminders about additional writing resources and an open question forum.
This document provides an overview of a class on establishing an online presence for writers. It discusses designing unique and engaging online content that balances entertainment and information. It recommends determining the right level of effort for refreshing content and balancing what is given away online versus sold. The document also discusses whether to build a website oneself or hire someone, and provides examples of successful writer websites. It emphasizes that the online presence should represent the writer's professional persona and be updated regularly with social media used to drive traffic.
Fiction Secrets: Pitching, Selling, and Promoting Thrillersggaldorisi
This workshop will focus on the challenges – and opportunities – regarding getting your novel accepted by a mainstream publishing house. Learn how to decide what to write about, how to pitch a story to publishers and agents, how to seal the deal once the pitch gets a nibble, and how to team with your publisher to promote your book. While the primary focus will be on getting published by a mainstream publisher, we’ll also examine how some of these same lessons apply to the world of e-books and print-on-demand.
This document provides an overview of a writing course at Coronado Adult Education covering how to establish an online presence. It discusses reviewing content from prior weeks on writing skills, publishing, fiction and non-fiction. It emphasizes making online material unique, competing for attention, balancing content and entertainment, and whether to build a website yourself or hire someone. Examples are provided of successful writer websites along with advice on engagement, visibility and constants like providing content and using social media to drive traffic. The goal is to establish an online "professional persona" as the CEO of one's writing career.
This document summarizes a lecture on breaking into the non-fiction book market. It discusses that non-fiction is easier to enter than fiction as it focuses on expertise and timely topics rather than creative storytelling. The lecture provides tips on choosing a subject area, becoming an expert, structuring a book proposal, and writing an effective query letter. Attendees are given online access to workshop materials to help with non-fiction writing.
Breaking Into the Nonfiction Market: Step-by-Stepggaldorisi
This document provides an overview of breaking into the nonfiction market. It discusses writing nonfiction articles and books, becoming an expert in your subject area through research, deciding what type of nonfiction to write, and getting a book published. The key steps outlined are pursuing a passionate subject, conducting due diligence research, determining if the book will be narrative or prescriptive nonfiction, writing an effective query letter, and following up promptly once interest from an editor is expressed.
This document provides an overview of a seminar on why to write. It discusses that writers shape history through their works and outlines various writing mediums. It encourages building writing skills incrementally, from articles to books. It also stresses doing research by reading various publications to find story ideas and learn about different markets. Throughout, it shares advice from successful authors about working hard at writing and making time for it while balancing other responsibilities.
This document provides a summary of topics covered in previous weeks for establishing an online presence, including why write, writing for publication, and writing fiction and non-fiction. It then discusses finding the heart of a story by nurturing the original idea. This involves stating the idea in one sentence, focusing the idea from divergent to convergent thinking, and determining if it is just a story or has deeper intent. Developing the idea requires using who, what, why, where, when and how questions to expand the spark into a full narrative.
The document provides information about writing novels and getting published. It discusses:
1) The importance of storytelling and keeping readers engaged by making them want to turn the page.
2) The main elements needed for a successful novel - strong characterization, an engaging plot with action, and maintaining the reader's suspension of disbelief.
3) Tips for developing ideas like reading widely, generating character details and exotic titles, and plunging the hero into trouble from the start.
Here are a few ways the articles could lead:
- Recognition as an expert in the field from continued publications could lead to invitations to present at relevant conferences or symposia.
- Building your reputation as an expert over time through numerous publications could lead to invitations to teach or give lectures on the topic at universities or professional events.
- Strong relationships built with editors and other experts through collaboration could lead to invitations to collaborate on larger projects like co-authoring a book or report on the subject.
- Individual articles or groups of articles on aspects of the topic could form the basis for chapters in a future non-fiction book authored on the overall subject written by the person.
- Continued momentum and
This document provides guidance and advice for writing non-fiction books. It discusses determining what type of non-fiction book to write (narrative or prescriptive), overcoming common objections from publishers such as a book being "just an article" or the author lacking a platform, and how to write an effective query letter and book proposal to get a book deal. It also lists some iconic non-fiction writers and resources for learning more about writing in the non-fiction genre.
This document provides guidance on writing a successful non-fiction book. It discusses determining what type of non-fiction book to write (narrative or prescriptive), doing thorough research on the topic, and overcoming potential objections from publishers. Key steps include crafting a compelling query letter that hooks the agent/editor and addresses whether the topic has been sufficiently covered and whether the author has a platform. It also provides tips on writing a strong book proposal that outlines the book and shows the author is uniquely qualified. Examples of successful proposals for the books "Leave No Man Behind" and "The Kissing Sailor" are presented and summarized.
This document provides an overview of a six-week course on writing titled "Get Published Now!". The first seminar, titled "Why Write?", discusses why people choose to write and the various outlets available. It encourages participants to consider their audience and goals. The seminar also stresses that writing requires hard work and due diligence through reading widely. The course will cover non-fiction writing, novels, developing an online presence, and using social media for writing. Participants are asked to introduce themselves by sharing a brief story about their life and writing goals.
This document provides information about writing novels, including the genres of mainstream and genre fiction, developing characters, plots, and action, as well as getting a novel published. It discusses that novels require strong storytelling ability through compelling characters, plots, and pacing to engage readers. Successful novels are grounded in truth but present something familiar in a new way to publishers and audiences.
This document provides guidance on leveraging social media to promote writing and get published. It discusses establishing an online presence through nurturing original ideas and balancing entertaining and informative content. The document then focuses on social media challenges and opportunities, noting that everyone uses it but engagement, visibility, and momentum must be sustained. Specific social media platforms like email, blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and others are examined in terms of their benefits and how to best utilize them for writing promotion. Maintaining a balance of online and offline connections is advised.
This document provides an overview of a writing workshop on finding the heart of your story and developing your original idea. It discusses generating ideas, focusing an idea from divergent to convergent thinking, and turning the idea into a narrative through outlining and plotting. It emphasizes developing the three key elements of characterization, plotting, and action. Specific techniques are presented like using Kipling's six questions to expand an idea and deconstructing a classic plot structure. Character examples from thriller novels are also provided.
The document discusses plotting techniques for writing successful novels, using George Galdorisi's presentation on writing naval and military fiction as an example. It explains Freytag's pyramid as a model for plot structure, with components like exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution. It also provides an analysis of the plot in The Wizard of Oz using this model to illustrate how to "deconstruct" a story's plot progression.
This document summarizes a presentation given by Dick Couch at the Palm Springs Writers Guild on writing. It discusses Couch's background as a naval aviator and author. Couch explains that he writes about what he knows from his experiences. He writes adventure stories to relive the thrill of his past career. The presentation provides tips for writers, including starting small with articles and building experience, as well as the importance of establishing an online presence through websites and social media. It previews the next workshop on developing original story ideas.
This document provides information on writing and publishing novels. It discusses deciding between writing for fame, pleasure, or money. It also covers non-fiction vs fiction requirements, the Great American Novel, plotting, characterization, and getting a book sale. Key aspects include having a compelling plot, developing characters with motivations, focusing on either mainstream or genre works, and using a query letter to find an agent. Writing fiction is portrayed as difficult work that requires planning one's novel and characters.
This document provides an overview of content for a writing workshop. It discusses establishing writing goals, creating content for publications, and strategies for placing written work. Some key points covered include:
- Encouraging participants to share brief stories about their lives and writing inspirations.
- Advising writers to create interesting content for publications on topics they are passionate about in order to build relationships with editors.
- Suggesting a "building block" approach of starting with non-paying publications and working up to paid work.
- Offering tips for submitting work, such as following submission guidelines, writing a compelling pitch email, and providing sample materials to showcase writing style.
This document provides an overview of writing across genres. It discusses the importance of genre for readers' expectations and marketing purposes. While genre conventions exist, the document advocates for creative freedom and writing what inspires you. It provides tips for mixing genres effectively and developing characters that transcend any single genre. Common patterns are discussed for genres like fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and romance. The key messages are to know genre conventions but not be restricted by them, and to focus on telling a compelling story above all else.
The document provides an overview of a lecture titled "A Thrill a Minute: Crafting, Pitching, Writing, Selling and Promoting Thrillers" given by George Galdorisi at the La Jolla Writer's Conference. The lecture focuses on how to write a thriller novel, pitch it to agents and publishers, and work with a publisher to promote the book. It discusses developing a high concept and effective pitch, writing techniques like characterization, plotting and action, the publishing process, and book promotion strategies. The goal is to help attendees understand how to successfully publish a thriller with a mainstream publisher.
Social Media - Challenges and Opportunities ggaldorisi
This document provides an overview and recap of a six-week course on writing and publishing. The course covered topics such as why write, establishing an online presence, writing non-fiction, writing novels, and using social media. It summarizes the key lessons from each week, including tips on content creation, building relationships with editors, defining your target audience, and balancing engagement and visibility online. The document concludes with reminders about additional writing resources and an open question forum.
This document provides an overview of a class on establishing an online presence for writers. It discusses designing unique and engaging online content that balances entertainment and information. It recommends determining the right level of effort for refreshing content and balancing what is given away online versus sold. The document also discusses whether to build a website oneself or hire someone, and provides examples of successful writer websites. It emphasizes that the online presence should represent the writer's professional persona and be updated regularly with social media used to drive traffic.
Fiction Secrets: Pitching, Selling, and Promoting Thrillersggaldorisi
This workshop will focus on the challenges – and opportunities – regarding getting your novel accepted by a mainstream publishing house. Learn how to decide what to write about, how to pitch a story to publishers and agents, how to seal the deal once the pitch gets a nibble, and how to team with your publisher to promote your book. While the primary focus will be on getting published by a mainstream publisher, we’ll also examine how some of these same lessons apply to the world of e-books and print-on-demand.
This document provides an overview of a writing course at Coronado Adult Education covering how to establish an online presence. It discusses reviewing content from prior weeks on writing skills, publishing, fiction and non-fiction. It emphasizes making online material unique, competing for attention, balancing content and entertainment, and whether to build a website yourself or hire someone. Examples are provided of successful writer websites along with advice on engagement, visibility and constants like providing content and using social media to drive traffic. The goal is to establish an online "professional persona" as the CEO of one's writing career.
This document summarizes a lecture on breaking into the non-fiction book market. It discusses that non-fiction is easier to enter than fiction as it focuses on expertise and timely topics rather than creative storytelling. The lecture provides tips on choosing a subject area, becoming an expert, structuring a book proposal, and writing an effective query letter. Attendees are given online access to workshop materials to help with non-fiction writing.
Breaking Into the Nonfiction Market: Step-by-Stepggaldorisi
This document provides an overview of breaking into the nonfiction market. It discusses writing nonfiction articles and books, becoming an expert in your subject area through research, deciding what type of nonfiction to write, and getting a book published. The key steps outlined are pursuing a passionate subject, conducting due diligence research, determining if the book will be narrative or prescriptive nonfiction, writing an effective query letter, and following up promptly once interest from an editor is expressed.
Breaking into the Nonfiction Market, Step-by-Stepggaldorisi
This document outlines steps for breaking into the nonfiction market, including becoming an expert in a subject, deciding what to write about, getting published, and promotion. It discusses writing articles or books, doing research, querying publishers with compelling proposals, and provides examples from books on combat rescue and identifying the iconic "Kissing Sailor" photograph. Resources for writers are also listed, with the overall message being that writing can be a rewarding career if authors pursue their passions and promote their work.
This document provides information about writing and publishing non-fiction books. It discusses creating content and building relationships with editors to place that content. It emphasizes becoming an expert in a subject area through research and experience. The document encourages authors to write about a topic they are passionate about. It addresses questions about who the book is for, what it will cover, where and when it will be written, why it is being written, and how it will be written. The document also discusses getting a book proposal accepted by a publisher by overcoming objections, finding the right publisher, and writing an effective query letter and book proposal.
This document provides an overview of a class on getting published. It discusses writing non-fiction and the hungry market for it. It emphasizes doing research to establish yourself as an expert in your topic. It also discusses writing query letters and book proposals to pitch your work to publishers. Key steps include defining your audience, purpose, and promotion strategy to show publishers how your book will sell. Examples are provided of successful book proposals that secured publishing deals. The document stresses doing thorough due diligence on your topic to prove your work is unique and fills a need before approaching publishers.
This document provides an overview of a six-week course on writing and getting published. In the first seminar, titled "Why Write?", the instructor discusses why people choose to write, different writing mediums and genres, and approaches for getting started in writing. The instructor emphasizes that writing takes diligence and practice. The seminar also previews the topics to be covered in future classes, including writing non-fiction, novels, blogs, and using social media. The goal is for students to gain practical skills and resources for pursuing writing as a hobby or career.
This six-week course covers getting published as a writer. Week 1 discusses why to write, including that history is shaped by writers and there are many publication outlets. It suggests starting with smaller pieces and discussing writing plans with one's spouse. Week 2 covers essential first steps like recycling content and building relationships with editors. Future weeks address non-fiction markets, novels, online presence, and social media for writers. The instructor aims to have an interactive seminar where students learn something useful and network with each other.
This document provides an overview of a six-week course on writing. The course will cover why people write, essential first steps, opportunities in non-fiction writing, writing novels, establishing an online presence, and using social media. The instructor has decades of experience in writing and mentoring others. Each weekly session will delve deeper into the topics, provide advice from published authors, and optional homework assignments. The goal is for students to learn from the instructor's experience and each other in a fun, interactive way to help focus their writing goals.
This document provides an overview of a class on getting published. It discusses establishing an online presence, including making online material unique, beating competition for views, balancing content and entertainment, and deciding whether to build a website yourself or hire someone. It provides examples of successful author websites and tips for finding more examples. The document emphasizes consistently providing new content, using social media to drive traffic, and making one's website their professional online persona over time. The next class will cover challenges and opportunities of social media.
This document outlines various strategies for publishing works, including in scientific journals, books, blogs, and more. It discusses submitting articles to peer-reviewed journals, the review process, and increasing citations. For book publishing, it covers traditional and self-publishing options on platforms like Amazon, as well as pitching to publishers, negotiating contracts, and marketing books. The document also provides tips for blogging, using various publishing and marketing tools, finding speaking opportunities, and accessing additional resources to aid the publishing process.
How to get your work into print - Guaranteed!Glen Palmer
Writing your book, short stories or articles can be very rewarding. However, getting it traditionally published can be hard. Learn the easy techniques and strategies to getting you book into print and online.
Breaking into the Nonfiction Market by George Galdorisiggaldorisi
This document provides an outline for a 3-hour seminar on breaking into the nonfiction writing market. It includes introductions, an overview of nonfiction writing, exercises on developing expertise and story ideas, and guidance on creating content, building relationships with editors, and getting a book published. The instructor promises a fast-paced seminar where attendees will learn practical skills and have access to resources. The goal is for attendees to leave with an action plan for publishing their nonfiction work.
The Importance of Voice in Your Writing - Donna FreedmanPhilip Taylor
This document discusses how to make blog posts more compelling by developing and using your authentic writing voice. It emphasizes that voice means being able to hear the writer's individual style and personality. Bloggers are encouraged to avoid mimicking other styles and instead focus on being genuine, telling stories that matter, and letting their unique voice be heard. The key is finding a voice that sounds like how you would naturally explain something to a friend. Developing an authentic voice will help content stand out and better engage readers.
This document provides tips and techniques for conducting effective interviews. It emphasizes the importance of being prepared with research on the topic and questions, building trust with the interview subject, asking open-ended questions, taking accurate notes, following up for clarification, and using memorable quotes. The overall message is that interviews are most successful when the interviewer is fully prepared yet able to have a natural conversation by being a good listener.
This document provides tips and advice for authors on getting started with writing, publishing, and marketing books. It discusses reviewing articles, presenting at conferences, freelance writing, and writing columns as ways to start a writing career. It covers details of book contracts, marketing books through social media, talks, and self-publishing options like print-on-demand services and ebooks. Specific self-publishing platforms mentioned include CreateSpace and Smashwords. The document emphasizes the importance of marketing and publicity even after a book is published.
This document provides tips and advice for authors on getting started with writing, publishing, and marketing books. It discusses reviewing articles, presenting at conferences, freelance writing, and writing columns as ways to start a writing career. It covers details of book contracts, marketing books through social media, talks, and self-publishing options like print-on-demand services and ebooks. Specific self-publishing platforms mentioned include CreateSpace and Smashwords. The document emphasizes the importance of marketing and publicity even after a book is published.
The Road to Writing & Publishing Your First Book: How to Do It without going ...dogreene
This document provides advice and lessons learned for writing and publishing a first book. It discusses developing the book idea, understanding the target audience, researching competitors, outlining the book structure, writing drafts and revisions, and preparing to publish. The key steps are to clarify the purpose and audience for the book, research the market, create an outline and chapter structure, write a first draft, take a break, extensively edit and refine the draft, and initially publish digitally before releasing a printed version. Details like sensory descriptions, editing for errors, and using appropriate verb tenses are also addressed.
The present and future of publishing for writersBob Mayer
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Breaking into the Non-Fiction Market
1. You Don’t Have to Make It Up:
Breaking Into the Non-Fiction
Market
George Galdorisi
La Jolla Writer’s Conference
October 27-29, 2017
2. You Don’t Have to Make It Up:
Breaking Into the Non-Fiction Market
“This lecture opens the door to the non-fiction market - a more
diverse and far-easier market to enter than fiction. It's all about
content and platform, and convincing a publisher or an agent
what you are selling is interesting, timely, and better than
looking up the same subject matter on Wikipedia. Attendees will
learn the secrets of success including: What subject areas to
pick, how to get started becoming an expert in a field, how to do
market research, how to structure a non-fiction book proposal,
and how to put together a query letter that will sell. Attendees
will be provided with online access to all workshop material.”
3. A Few Preliminaries….
• Three promises:
– This will be a fast-paced fifty minutes
– We’ll learn something…and we’ll have fun
– You’ll have access to these resources…take notes…or not….
• Three assumptions:
– You all are interested in the non-fiction market
– That includes articles of all kinds as well as books
– You didn’t wake up last Tuesday morning with this notion
• A word about Power Point…
7. “History is what the historians and writers say it is.”
Norman Polmar
(Forty books – and counting)
8. You Don’t Have to Make It Up:
Breaking Into the Nonfiction Market
• Some basics - and non-fiction in general
• Being - or becoming - the expert
• Pursuing a subject - or letting life happen
• Scratching itches - or entertaining
• Getting a publisher to buy your book
• Promoting your book
• Examples and resources
11. “Now, if you’re getting all fired up and ready to pound the keys, I
might inject a word of caution. Actually, this word comes from
my wife. For most of us, writing is not a team sport. An article for
a trade journal or a short story is no big deal, but if you find
yourself writing a long piece or a book, you probably ought to
have a chat with your spouse. For most of us, writing means
closing off the other people in your life for several hours a day
and it’s something you may want to talk about before you
begin.”
Dick Couch
(Fifteen books – and counting)
Shipmate, April 1993
12. “If you have other things in your life—family, friends,
good productive day work—these can interact with
your writing and the sum will be all the richer.”
David Brin
13. I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
Rudyard Kipling
The Elephant’s Child
14. Some Things to Consider Before You Write
• Who are you writing for?
• What are you going to write?
• Where are you going to write?
• When are you going to write?
• Why are you going to write?
• How are you going to write?
15. So Many Non-Fiction Outlets
• A wide array of online media
• Newsletters
• Alumni magazines
• Professional journals
• Popular magazines
• Newspapers
• Portions of non-fiction books
• Non-fiction books
16. Why Non-Fiction Books?
• It is a hungry market
• Relatively easy to enter
• Lower risk – sell then write
• Can be steady money
• Can query without an agent more easily
• Vastly more non-fiction published than fiction
18. “There are authors and artists and then again
there are writers and painters.”
Ian Fleming
How to Writer a Thriller
19. Being – Or Becoming - the Expert
• Some essential “first order” questions:
– Is this something you’re passionate about?
– Do you have enough “street creds” that you’re an expert?
– If not, is there a way you can acquire those street creds?
– Do you really want to spend several years doing this?
• If the answer is yes, then it’s all about the packaging:
– First stop – solo or with a collaborator?
– Next stop – the library and the internet – due diligence
– Is it a book – or an article?
– If it’s a book – packaging – query letters and proposals
20. What Should You Write About?
• Whatever you are passionate about
• “You’re in a bar with your friends”
• What my first agent always asked:
– What are you really passionate about?
– What do I wish I had more time for?
– How would I spend year as a “professional dilettante?”
– What do I think about when I’m alone?
– What do I worry about and what issues concern me most?
– What have I done that people seem curious about?
– Is there a topic where friend turn to me for advice?
22. “Being a comparatively successful writer is a good life.
You don’t have to work at it all the time and you carry
your office around in your head. And you are far more
aware of the world around you. Writing makes you
more alive to your surroundings and, since the main
ingredient of living, though you might not think so to
look at most human beings, is to be alive, this is quite a
worthwhile by-product, even if you only write thrillers.”
Ian Fleming
How to Write a Thriller
23. Pursuing a Subject-or Letting Life Happen?
• Beyond the Law of the Sea
• Leave No Man Behind
• The Kissing Sailor
• Other examples
• And this leads us to a question….
25. “I do not over-intellectualize the production process. I
try to keep it simple: Tell the damned story.”
Tom Clancy
26. Scratching Itches-Or Entertaining?
• Scratching Itches: Beyond the Law of the Sea:
– We had a mission
– We had a message
– We wanted people to do something
– It gave us a platform
• Entertaining: The Kissing Sailor
– We had a mission
– We were on a “Mission from God”
– In some ways, the day the book was published – we were done
– And…the book “percolated” into downstream goodness
• Leave No Man Behind – Both goals
27. How Much to Tell and What’s Next?
• Getting past: “It’s an article, not a book”
• A comfort zone and an “article to book ratio”
• One book – or a series
• Above all else – the purpose of the book (LNMB)
• At the end of the day – you decide, not the editor
• If you haven’t written articles – now you should!
28. You’re in the Starting Blocks!
• You know what you’re going to write about
• You know why you’re going to write about it
• You know who is going to write it (solo….or….)
• You know roughly when you’ll write
• You already have the where figured out:
– Solo
– With collaborator (the “how” question)
• Now all you have to do is get someone interested in
publishing the book!
30. “The toughest hurdle you must scale is getting a
publisher to agree to handle your book. You are a new
name, a new risk to them. They will judge you on what
you send, the thought behind it, the obvious
professionalism, how it reaches them, sometimes your
expertise or previous writing output, and always on
how your book will increase their profit line.”
Gordon Burgett
Before You Write Your First Book
31. You Must Do This:
Decide What Your Non-Fiction Book Is
32. What Is Your Non-Fiction Book?
• Narrative Non-Fiction:
– A book that tells a true story, often using the techniques of
fiction: biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs
• Prescriptive Non-Fiction
– A book offering information and advice, this includes
helping readers improve their lives or learn a new skill
33. Narrative Non-Fiction
• Most narrative non-fiction is produced by someone
who has some experience as a writer
• Most good narrative non-fiction entertains through
storytelling as much as it informs
• Biographies typically require an enormous amount of
research and need to “hook” if the subject is familiar
• Many aspiring non-fiction writers focus on memoirs –
the “art” is finding something new to say
• At the end of the day, narrative non-fiction will
succeed or fail based on the author’s writing skill
34. Prescriptive Non-Fiction
• Prescriptive non-fiction requires decent writing, but
the bar isn’t as high as for narrative non-fiction
• However, this kind of book is sold on the basis of the
author’s platform or visibility
• Readers don’t want to be entertained, they want to
learn from the wisdom of your experience or insights
• Most popular categories of prescriptive non-fiction:
– Religion
– Business
– Self-help: Diet, health, fitness, self-improvement etc.
35. “It’s already
been done, or
it’s on Wikipedia”
“It’s an article,
not a book”
“You don’t have
a platform”You must
overcome
all three!
36. Getting a Publisher
to Buy Your Book
• Due diligence – with a vengeance!
• Finding the right agent or publisher
• The query letter – address those three circles
• Your book proposal – and some examples
37. Due Diligence – With a Vengeance!
• Once you get past the “It’s an article, not a book”
roadblock, the next one is…
• “It’s already been done before or enough
information on the subject is on Wikipedia”
• You have to convince yourself it hasn’t been done
and then you have to convince an agent or editor
• How to you do that? (Your “Mission from God”)
38. Due Diligence – With a Vengeance!
• Meet Your Two Best Friends:
– The library
– The internet
• The library
– Books
– Journals and magazines
• The internet
– Subject searches
– Writer searches
• Other friends
– Your colleagues and fellow travelers
– Bookstores – large and small
39. What is the End Game –
What Are You Looking For?
• Publishers who publish this kind of book
• Agents who agent this kind of book
• Once you know that, it’s all about the query
• Persistence on steroids!
40. The Query Letter
• There is a cottage industry of courses on how to write a
query letter
• There are a number of books on how to write a query
letter
• There is a cottage industry of experts on how to write a
query letter – and some of them are here!
• There is a massive amount of information on the internet
on how to write a query letter
• One source:
– Google: http://www.agentquery.com/writer_hq.aspx
– But this is only one, there is a universe of them out there
41. The Query Letter
The “Bell Shaped Curve” For Most
• The hook
• Mini-synopsis
• Your bio
• Your closing – “where’s the beef?”
– High Concept
– Outline
– Table of Contents
– Sample Chapters
• “Bound the problem” for how much time you’re
going to spend on getting an “A” in query letters
46. Before You Write the Proposal
• Come up with a “purpose statement” for your book
and write it down in one sentence
• Then put this into a working question: This book is
the answer to….
• Two sources (there are a multitude of them in print):
– John Boswell – The Awful Truth About Publishing
– Jeff Herman – Write the Perfect Book Proposal
47. The Proposal – The 100,000-Foot View
• Who would read your book?
• Why would they buy it?
• Where would they use it?
• What else is available like your book?
• How does your book differ from others?
• When did you decide it’s better than Wikipedia?
Think about your competition today – not just books,
but the internet? Is your book better than Wikipedia?
48. Your Book Proposal
• This is not the time for humility
• Think back to when you wrote your first resume
• Advice from John Boswell: The Awful Truth About
Publishing
– Define the book’s audience
– Describe the book generally and specifically
– Show that your book fills a need for your audience
– Show that you are uniquely qualified to write this book
49. Today – You Are the Publisher’s
Marketing Department
• Part of your proposal must include how you are
going to do their work for them!
• What is your platform?
– Media of all kinds (talks, interviews, print, et al)
– Internet presence
• Facebook
• Twitter
• And more….
– How you are going to make promoting our book a
constant drumbeat
51. Leave No Man Behind
• The “Hook” – Rescue Story (Clyde
Lassen – Medal of Honor)
• About the Book
• Table of Contents
• Chapter Summaries
• The Market
• The Authors
• Promotion
• Length and Delivery
52. Leave No Man Behind
“An important and comprehensive work on that most
American of military imperatives--going in harm's
way to get one of our own.” Dick Couch (NYT
bestselling author)
“Leave No Man Behind is a solid piece of history. Well
written, well told, well done!” Darrel Whitcomb
Author of The Rescue of Bat 21
“This story has never been told before! Leave No
Man Behind offers a unique blend of operational
experience and technical description.” Dr. Norman
Friedman – author of over 30 books.
“George Galdorisi and Tom Phillips have provided a
comprehensive, and well-written history of the
development of combat rescue up to the present,
including dramatic accounts of rescues, among them
many never before revealed.” Norman Polmar –
author of over 40 naval books.
53. The Kissing Sailor
Cover
Quote
Table of Contents
Concept (Why this book?)
Competition (Surely this story has
been told before?)
Timing (Why are we doing this
book at this time?)
Methodology (How are we going
to pull this off?)
About the Authors
Chapter Summary
The Market
Promotion
Length and Delivery
54. The Kissing Sailor
“What a wonderful detective story
about a kissing sailor and a beautiful
nurse – the most famous couple
celebrating the end of WWII. Famous
but anonymous - until now. I loved it.”
Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest
Generation
“The Kissing Sailor is a whodunit that
provides once and for all the
identification of the world’s best-
known smoochers…You have to read
this book!” David Hume Kennerly,
Pulitzer Prize winning photographer
55. Promoting What You Write:
Establishing an Online Presence
Leveraging Social Media
57. What Makes Your Online Presence Unique?
• Are you providing something people can’t get
anywhere else or get as easily?
• Are you aiming at the right attention span of online
tourists?
• Determining the right level of effort in refreshing
your online content
• Balancing what you give away online and what you
want to sell to visitors
58. Beating the Competition for Online Eyes
• Above all else, when someone “Googles” your name
your website must pop up at the top
• It’s not just about getting that initial visitor – it’s
about getting him or her to keep coming back
• Most online visitors are taking a break from what
they have to do at work or home
• Think of your website the same way as what you
write – tell people a story
59. Balancing Content and Entertainment
• People will tire of the monotonous “professor”
telling them “like this damn you” (from Ian Fleming)
• People will tire of dancing bears, dwarfs throwing
rose petals and fireworks
• Achieving the right blend and balance is your online
presence style
• Take the same approach Urban Meyer has during his
coaching career
60. Doing It Yourself Or Having It Done
• Your website is “you” to people you will likely never
meet – but who you want to entertain
• There are cottage industries of books, seminars, tools
and coaches to help you build your own website
• There are legions of people and businesses who will
do it for you
• If you have the time and energy and want to use
your left and right brain – try doing it yourself
61. Let’s look at some examples of
websites of people who write….
62. Some Writers Who
Have Done It Themselves
• Jeff Edwards
– http://navythriller.com/
• Janice Steinberg
– thetinhorse.com
• Larry Verria
– Site lapsed!
63. Some Writers Who Have Had Someone
Else Build Their Website
• Dick Couch
– www.dickcouch.com
• Larry Bond
– http://www.larry-bond.com/
• Your guide for this course
– www.georgegaldorisi.com
64. Some Ways to Find More Examples
• “Google” writers you enjoy
• Go online for advice on going online
• Check with local businesses in your community
• Use your library for additional resources
66. Vote Early and Often
• There are no limits to how much you can use social
media
• This goes to the number of sites you use as well as to
how often you are on those sites
• However, as with your online presence (website) it
comes down to how you invest your time
• Most “practitioners” advise a Zen approach; “If you
don’t do it excellently, don’t do it at all”
67. Building a Following
• There are many ways to build a following – find the
one that’s right for you
• You can even “buy” a following on media like Twitter
– if this is really what you want to do
• Most people find that letting a following build
naturally conveys the best long-term benefits
• Remember that social media following is a very
ephemeral thing (Un-friending, Tweepie, etc.)
68. Sustaining Momentum
• Building a following on social media carries an
implicit obligation – to stay with it!
• As one indication, Twitter tells you when a person’s
last Tweet was – and Tweepie keeps score too
• You want to make social media your servant not your
master
• Recognize that there are dangers that come with this
http://www.georgegaldorisi.com/who-likes-you
69. Do You Really Want To Do This?
• It can be time consuming – or all-consuming
• It can be boring
• It can be distracting – to the detriment of your work
• It can be expensive in terms of missed opportunities
• Doesn’t have a definable return on investment
• At the end of the day it is ephemeral
71. Benefits of Social Media
• You can reach a global audience
• Social media is accessible to everyone
• Most social media tools are easily learned
• You control your content and periodicity
• If you have no Web presence, agents, reviewers and
readers are a lot less likely to take you seriously
• Publishers will ask: “What platforms are you on and
how many followers do you have?”
72. A Slice of Social Media
• E-mail
• Blogging
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Text Messaging
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Instagram
73. A Slice of Social Media
• E-mail
• Blogging
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Text Messaging
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Instagram
74. Like Many Things in Life Using Social Media
to Enhance Your Writing Reach Involves
• Organization and planning
• Knowing your target market
• Getting creative
• Staying consistent
• Picking some – but not likely all – types of SM
• Setting realistic goals–especially the time you invest
76. “There comes a time when you realize that everything
is a dream, and only those things preserved in writing
have any possibility of being real.”
James Salter
“All That Is”
NYT Magazine
December 27, 2015
77. Some Iconic Non-Fiction Writers
and Helpful Resources
• David McCullough
• Walter Isaacson
• Malcolm Gladwell
• Laura Hillenbrand
• Writers on Writing (I)
• Writers on Writing (II)
• NYT Book Review
• NYT Book Review – Last Page
78. A Summing Up of What We’ve Covered:
Whew – is it Worth It?
You Don’t Have to Make It Up:
Breaking Into the Nonfiction Market
• Some preliminaries - and non-fiction in general
• Being - or becoming - the expert
• Pursuing a subject - or letting life happen
• Scratching itches - or entertaining
• Getting a publisher to buy your book
• Promoting your book
• Examples and resources
79. A Word About Surveys:
Comments Typically Come in Three Types
• You rocked my world and my life is now changed forever
for the better – I’m a completely new person
• I’d rather have a root canal than have to sit through this
again – and I think you should pay for it
• I got something (a lot, a little) out of this talk, but if the
instructor does this next year, he should:
– Do more of….
– Do less of….
– Go faster….
– Go slower….
– ????
80. Slides and Resources:
http://www.georgegaldorisi.com/
For 2017 La Jolla Writer’s Conference Attendees only.
Contact me via this website for:
Book proposal for: Leave No Man Behind
Book proposal for: The Kissing Sailor
And if you’d like to receive my “Writing Tips” bi-weekly