Some months ago Rebeca Seitz spoke to our group about turning our books into podcasts. The first episode of Pauline Hayton’s “Grandma Rambo” came out April 15th. The podcast has 12 x 30 minute episodes, one per week.
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.
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
July 17, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Zoom & In Person meeting
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 4th – 12th, 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.
Vic Larson has an essay appearing in a literary journal next month, which will be available on Amazon. His article, called “Violets are Blue” is listed among the essays.
Bouquets of Chocolate for the Soul:
A Devotional with Conversation Starters
by Dr. Carol Kennedy
Do you like chocolate? Do you find it sweet, satisfying, and delicious? Do you often crave it?God’s Word can be the same. Once you make it part of your daily life, you will hunger for it.Bouquets of Chocolate for the Soul is the fourth chocolate book, filled with inspirational stories, and poems. Each of the books can be enjoyed on its own. Bible study groups and Women’s small groups are attracted to the books because of the conversation starters after each story or poem. Dr. Carol shows readers how God’s Word sweetens relationships and solves problems. Dr. Carol shares how God led her out of a 30-year career of teaching and administration into a world of Christian writing.The chocolate books have received gold and silver medals from Florida Authors and Publishers Association for outstanding Christian inspirational literature.Groups such as Women of Faith and Cancer Survivors equally praise Dr. Carol’s ability to combine humor with inspiration.
BITE-SIZE Chocolate for the Soul:
A Devotional with Conversation Starters
by Dr. Carol Kennedy
Are you a chocolate lover? Do you find it sweet, satisfying, and delicious? God’s Word can be like chocolate. Once you make it part of your daily life, you will hunger for it. Bite-Size Chocolate is the third book in the Chocolate for the Soul series, filled with inspirational stories and poems. Award- winning author, Dr. Carol, shows the reader how God’s Word sweetens relationships, solves problems, and how scripture can relate to their everyday lives. Each Chocolate for the Soul book can be enjoyed on its own. If you like Christian Authors Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer, you’ll like Dr. Carol Kennedy. Her style is personal and honest; you’ll be attracted to her conversational and approachable tone.
April 2021 Zoom only meeting
Register Here
Change of plans. We have no meeting place this month.
April 24, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to noon
GCWA Writing Contest Winners
Winners of the writing contest will be announced and authors will read their winning submissions.
GCWA and Affiliate Organizations attend FREE
Others $5 per meeting. Pay with PayPal here.
A Nashville native, Mary landed in New York City in 1981 and spent the next 35 years there as a writer of business communications – ads, press releases, speeches, internal publications, etc. – for a variety of luxury goods companies. She left the business world in 2019 after moving to Fort Myers, did a bit of traveling, and during the pandemic of 2020 discovered the joys of writing short fiction. She looks forward to finding collegiality with other writers in GCWA.
Bob McCarthy’s contribution to the February panel discussion.
Announcing the new Miller Aud-Cast, an extension of the Miller Audio Contest
In this 14th year of the Miller Audio Contest, we are excited to announce a reimagining of the competition: the contest is now open year-round and 12 finalists from each of our four categories will be featured throughout 2021 on the new Miller Aud-Cast. At the end of 2021, one winner from among the 12 featured finalists in each category will be awarded $1000.
Learn more on our website, but there are a range of entry fees, all of which guarantee a one-year digital subscription to TMR, and each of which may be considered for publication in the Miller Aud-cast. We seek recordings of prose, poetry, audio documentary, and comedy of no more than 15 minutes. Note: previously published and broadcast pieces are valid for entry. Tell your friends!
Visit our website for more information & resources.