Over the years, I have cultivated ways that work for me and for my students. To date, six of my students have had seven books published. Another student’s book is forthcoming in 2013 and another has an agent and they are seeking a publisher for my student’s nonfiction proposal.
Additionally, I’ve referred two of my writing pals for three books deals and I share a wonderful agent with four students/friends.
If you know my work, then you know that it’s not merely all about traditional book deals, although I am always thrilled to help those who can commit to working steadily over the long haul to accomplish a big goal like a book deal.
I also facilitating writers’ professional growth on a daily basis across a wide spectrum of goals. How many paid articles have my former students published? Probably over a thousand at this point. How many assignments have my former students landed? Likely hundreds. I’m going to try and take an actual count this summer.
These are the short-term goals I help writers accomplish in my classes, which can add up to expanding rewards in the long run:
- Writing short, original nonfiction pieces for publication (more)
- How to accumulate a significant number of clips and the professional confidence that comes from writing for money (more)
- Writing personal pieces for publication (I refer these folks to my colleague, Abigail Green) (more)
- Writing queries that get noticed and result in assignments from national publications (more)
- Identifying a specialty that registers in your soul and compels you to share the best of what you have to offer (more)
- Articulate your professional identity and launch your platform (more)
- Draft your first course curriculum and get ready to share it with the world (more)
- Draft a nonfiction book proposal that will actually be saleable (more)
- Take your personal writing to a more professional level (with Abigail Green) (more)
These are the best practices I help writers learn in my dream teams:
- How to be prepared, practiced, professional, and poised throughout the writing and career-building process. How to work up the publishing ranks and rack up paid clips. (more)
- How to become a thought leader in your field and generate multiple income streams from your specialty (prereqs required, invitation only)
My favorite part of this work, truth be told, is working with beginners, often folks who have read my books, Writer Mama and/or Get Known, who are ready to get to work turning their professional writing dreams into reality. (more on my books)
I don’t have a magic wand nor am I a fan of rushing the process. Although I provide ample information and support in each class and training group, I don’t believe in information overload and I can’t do your work for you. Instead, I create safe learning contexts, usually for groups of women writers, who are often moms, and we all focus on getting our own work done.
And whadda ya know? This seems to work well for those who are ready and willing to apply themselves one step at a time, until the day they eventually look back and can’t believe how much they have accomplished.
After seven years of formal education, twelve years of writing for publication, and ten years of teaching, I feel the same way about my own writing journey. The whole process has taught me a ton and I’m eager to share all that I’ve learned with those who work with me.
I enjoy working with writers who have big aspirations and are ready to do the work to turn those aspirations into actions and ultimately results.
As my writing career grows, so do the ways I work with folks. However, I am always aware that if I don’t keep all that I juggle manageable, then I am not helpful to anyone, especially myself. And I value my own creative growth too much to sacrifice it on the alter of self-sacrifice, as is espoused by far too many these days.
Don’t sacrifice your creativity in a mad rush for empty promises. Cultivate your creativity slowly and surely instead.
Feel free to contact me with questions after you review my classes and training groups.