Due to a health challenge this class has been cancelled.
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 most important 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. There are many classes about writing; this is one of the few online writing classes about the business aspects of being a writer.
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 four consecutive days – September 12-15, 2023 from approx. 2:00 – 3:30 PM Eastern (end time is approx.). All sessions will be recorded and can be viewed for 2 months following the seminar. In order to best accommodate questions and interaction, class size will be limited, so register early! All live sessions will take place on Zoom.
Registration Now Open! Click on this link to pay now – only $129 (credit card, debit card, or PayPal 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. After you register we will email you the Zoom link. Please check your Spam or Promotions folders in case our emails get stuck there. If you need to change the name or email address on your registration please let us know.
Here is what the seminar will cover:
Day 1: Publishing
- Introductions
- What are your writing goals? This makes a huge difference in selecting a path to publishing.
- Overview of the publishing industry
- Why you should consider DIY-publishing (a.k.a. self-publishing)
Day 2: Author market entry strategy
- Identifying your audience niche – the most important thing to get right!!
- Positioning and branding
- It is NOT all about you
- Elevator pitch practice
Day 3: Author marketing
- Platform development
- Attracting followers
- Accelerating your platform growth
Day 4: How to think like an entrepreneur
- Entrepreneurial thinking
- Tools and tactics
- Partnering and networking
- Financial principles
Registration Now Open! Click on this link to pay now – only $129 (credit card, debit card, or PayPal 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. After you register we will email you the Zoom link.
By registering, all conference participants agree to abide by our Code of Conduct and Release Agreement.
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 Find Your Next Calling and How to Heal Our Divides. Previously he founded Writing for Your Life, a resource center and conferences for spiritual writers, Publishing in Color, a conference series intended to increase the number of books published by spiritual writers of color, and Compassionate Christianity, a resource center for progressive Christians. Writing for Your Life and Compassionate Christianity are now owned by Kate Rademacher, and Publishing in Color is now owned by Joyce Dinkins. 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, the University of Southern California, Belmont University, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, the United Methodist Publishing House, and several churches. He led the publishing effort for the book Buechner 101: An Introduction to Frederick Buechner in collaboration with Anne Lamott, and also the books in the How to Heal Our Divides series. All of this is a second career, coming after business and technology leadership in high-tech. 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. Learn more about Brian here and here.
Feedback from previous attendees:
D.R.: The 8 or so hours spent viewing the recorded sessions of the 4-day event and the presentation slides produced more thought provoking, practical and useful information than the two-year writing apprenticeship course I took.
Shannan: Just wanted to say thank you for a great class! I learned so much and have lots to think about. My writing goals haven’t changed but how I approach marketing and such definitely has. But in a good way.
Joanna: Thank you so much for an amazing seminar. I am so glad you are doing this amazing ministry for writers as well as introducing others to Frederick Buechner. Your conferences are an amazing ministry to so many. I hope our paths will cross again soon. Bless you.
Pat: I just wanted to thank you so much for this seminar. It has been very thought- and planning-provoking for me. I just so appreciate the content and the challenges it offers. It is not easy to step from being a writer to being a promoter of oneself, but I think you offer some great tools for that transition.
Geri: You gave us so much through this course and I really appreciate it! Brian, you have definitely found your ministry and I am so grateful for YOU to have that, and for US to have it too!
Tim: Thank you for a very worthwhile seminar. I found it very helpful, practical, and motivating. It’s already bearing fruit as I work on sharpening my brand and have some new thoughts about how to use Facebook.
Stacy : Brian, it was great content! And your insights are so valuable. Thank you!
Junie: This has been a GREAT seminar!
Lisa: It has been a great 4 day seminar and I enjoyed meeting everyone!
Cynthia: I was so impressed with your workshop and manner of delivery. Very professional, friendly and authentic! Thank you for all of your follow-up and great resources.
Lisa: Thank you again for offering and hosting a very informative week long session! I sincerely appreciated all of your thoughtful feedback and words of encouragement to all of us. May God continue to bless you as you continue to bless others.
Camden: Thank you for the seminar- very helpful!
Molly: The webinar was very helpful. I would like to meet to follow up on this, so I can prioritize, discuss where I need help to execute things, and plan my calendar so I can do as much as possible in a reasonable time period to support launching my book.
Jennifer: I want to thank you again for the ways you resourced us in this week’s conference. I really appreciate your heart to do that (and your skills)!
Martha: I have been trying some new things since our workshop ended. Thanks again for all the tools you shared! You’re always so willing to help. I appreciate you!
Jill: I enjoyed the time so much!
David: Thank you for a great week of learning and sharing.
Nathan: Thanks, Brian, for the great workshop!
Jan: Thank you, Brian. Great, helpful information.
Susan: Brian, thank you so much for the time and energy you invested to bring this together! What a gift you’ve given.