Speaker: Lucille Ponte
Topic: Copyright or Copy Wrong?
The Basics of Copyright for Authors

Members can obtain a recording and PowerPoint of June’s meeting by contacting Christie Zarria.

What are my rights to my creative works as an author? Can people use the contents of my books and stories without my permission? Are there limits on my uses of another’s creative works in my books? In this educational talk, author and former law professor Lucille Ponte will help unravel the mysteries of the basics of copyright and address issues of copyright registration and infringement of creative works.  Her presentation will also consider key defenses to claims of copyright infringement, such as public domain and fair use. A great opportunity to learn more about protecting your rights to your literary works. (for educational purposes only, not intended as legal advice)

A legal educator for more than 31 years, Lucille Ponte taught a wide range of business law and intellectual property courses. She published textbooks on dispute resolution and contract law and wrote scholarly articles on copyright, trademark, and legal policy. She previously served as in-house counsel for technology firms and governmental agencies in Massachusetts. As a fiction author under the pen name Bridges DelPonte, her legal mystery, Deadly Sacrifices won a Royal Palm Literary Award (2d place – unpublished mystery) from the Florida Writers Association. She has also published an underwater fantasy novel, Bridles of Poseidon, a children’s book, The Little Dusties – The Roar of the Silver Dragon (with illustrator, Michelle Bakay), and numerous short stories in anthologies. She is represented by Kelli Martin at Wendy Sherman Associates, Inc., a literary management firm in New York. To learn more about Bridges, check out her author website: bridgesdelponte.com

Speaker: Kathleen Sweeney
Topic : How To Create Professional Looking Images to Market Your Books and More with Book Brush

May 15 2021, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Zoom Meeting — Register Here

Join Kathleen Sweeney from Book Brush for a fun live walk-through of the Book Brush tools. Get ready to embrace the marketing side of writing & see why authors say Book Brush saves them both time and money! Learn how easy it is to use Book Brush to create your own eye-catching marketing images for all things social media. Plus explore video effects, create Box Set images, design your own book covers, animation and more! Kathleen will share handy tips & tricks along the way and have time for Q & A, too.

Bio: Kathleen is the Manager of Marketing and Customer Service at Book Brush. She has over 19 years of client service and business assurance experience. She thoroughly enjoys working with authors and helping them create eye-catching images. She lives in central Illinois with her husband and three busy boys. Her hobbies include reading and turning socks right side out.

bookbrush.com

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: May 15, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Speaker: Cherie Postill
Topic : Improve Your Writing and Sell More Books with Beta Readers – What Every
Writer Needs to Know Before Publishing

PowerPoint and Zoom recording available to members. Contact Christie Zarria.

In my workshop I show you how to identify, qualify, locate, and utilize an incredible writer’s asset know as Beta Readers. They are often overlooked and frequently misunderstood. You will learn the definition of beta testing, how to identify your beta readers, and why every writer needs them. I introduce a process that results in a comprehensive manuscript critique, including actionable feedback. We discuss the techniques and tools used to beta test your manuscript for optimal results.

The methods outlined in my workshop will give you a competitive advantage and make you a better writer. In today’s crowded market, your manuscript needs to stand out more than ever. Once you have followed my process, not only will you be assured your story is perfect for your target readers, but you will also know precisely who your ideal readers are. You will learn where to find your target readers and how to utilize their talents to help you sell more books and attract a loyal fan base.

You will also get reviews, referrals, and book comps (comparable titles) from your beta readers to use in query letters, on your book cover, and in promotional material.

Cherie Postill is a writer, a marketing professional, and a speaker. She is the author of How to Train a Beta Reader and Sell More Books, a nonfiction guide for writers. Cherie presents workshops to writers across the country, teaching her unique strategy and step by step process. Her debut fiction novel for middle-grade readers, and the first in a planned series, Cory Summers and the Wrath of Naytas, is scheduled for publication in Fall 2021. Her upcoming humor/adventure novel for middle grade readers is targeted for release in early 2022. Ms. Postill is on the board of the St. Louis Writers Guild where she holds the title, VP of contests and works as the liaison for more than 21 school districts. She teaches workshops for writers in grades 4^th – 12^th, and is an active member of the St. Louis Publishers Assoc. When Cherie is not writing or presenting, she enjoys time with friends and family, reading, camping, hiking, cooking, and mentoring aspiring writers. You can learn more about her writing at www.clpostill.com.  She loves to connect with readers and fellow writers and welcomes your emails at cherie@clpostill.com. Find out what she is up to at https://twitter.com/postillc, http://Instagram.com/cheriepostill, and www.facebook.com/Cherie.Postill.

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