In “the old days” an author could write a manuscript and “throw it over the wall” to the publisher who would take care of the rest. That is no longer the case. The best quote I’ve heard from a publishing house CEO:
“Fifteen years ago all I cared about was the quality of the writing. Now I don’t even look at the writing unless they have a platform.”
Not only does an author need a platform, they must enter the market very strategically in order to make that platform, and that book, happen. They must operate like an entrepreneur – agile, flexible, and creative in their business.
This seminar is a step-by-step roadmap of best-practices for figuring it all out. Brian Allain has advised many spiritual writers, and before entering the publishing industry he led several successful high-tech businesses. Brian has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was designated a Palmer Scholar, their highest academic award. Now he is dedicated to helping spiritual authors succeed.
The seminar will take place on Friday October 18, 2019 at Abingdon Press (the United Methodist Publishing House) at 2222 Rosa L. Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37228.
Registration Now Open! Click on this link to pay now – only $89 (credit card, debit card, PayPal, or PayPal Credit are accepted; all payments are processed through PayPal). After you pay, an email confirmation will be sent to the name and email address you enter into PayPal (or the one associated with your PayPal account) within 5 days. If you need to change the name and email address please let us know.
Here is what the seminar will cover:
8:30 – 9:00 AM: Refreshments
9:00 – 10:30 AM: Publishing
- Introductions
- What are your writing goals?
- Overview of the publishing industry
- Why you should consider DIY-publishing
10:30 – 10:45 MA: Break
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Author strategy
- Identifying your audience niche – the most important thing to get right!!
- It is NOT all about you
- Small group discussion
12:15 – 1:45 PM: Lunch on your own
1:45 – 3:15 PM: Author marketing
- Platform development
- Attracting followers
- Accelerating your platform growth
3:15 – 3:30 PM: Break
3:30 – 5:00 PM: How to think like an entrepreneur
- Revenue streams
- Entrepreneurial business principles
- Partnering and networking
- Tools
Registration Now Open! Click on this link to pay now – only $89 (credit card, debit card, PayPal, or PayPal Credit are accepted; all payments are processed through PayPal). After you pay, an email confirmation will be sent to the name and email address you enter into PayPal (or the one associated with your PayPal account) within 5 days. If you need to change the name and email address please let us know.
By registering, all conference participants agree to abide by our Code of Conduct and Release Agreement.
Lodging and Transportation suggestions
Writing for Your Life is pleased to offer 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for pastors for this seminar. Writing for Your Life is a member of the Association of Leaders in Lifelong Learning for Ministry (formerly the Society for the Advancement of Continuing Education for Ministry).
All seminar information is subject to change.
Brian Allain leads Writing for Your Life, a resource center for spiritual writers, and provides marketing services for authors and companies through Enliven Your Tribe! His work includes the Publishing in Color conference series, which is intended to increase the number of books published by spiritual writers of color, who have been under-represented in terms of the number of books published. Previously Brian served as Founding Director of the Frederick Buechner Center where he led the launch of Mr. Buechner’s online presence and established several new programs and strategic partnerships. Brian has developed and led spiritual writers conferences at Princeton Theological Seminary, Drew Theological Seminary, Western Theological Seminary, Belmont University, New Brunswick Seminary, and several churches. He led the DIY-publishing effort for the book Buchner 101: An Introduction to Frederick Buechner. For additional information please see www.enlivenyourtribe.com, www.writingforyourlife.com and www.publishingincolor.com.