Seminar

Screenwriting & TV Writing with Pilar Alessandra: 90-minute Q&A

 in PastEvent19 / Seminar

Webinar
Wednesday, July 10, 2019

This July we present this online Webinar as our monthly Seminar.

Are you a screenwriter or thinking about writing a movie or TV script?

Our popular seminar leader, Pilar Alessandra, author of “The Coffee Break Screenwriter,” answers your questions about the craft. Her tips and techniques are well known for getting writers On the Page, and helping them finish their scripts fast! Anything goes in this 90-minute video-conference Q&A. So, bring your questions about brainstorming, outlining, character work, dialogue and page-writing.

Writers can ask about:

  • Structure
  • Outlining
  • Character work
  • Page craft
  • and any other questions you may have.

Presented by: Pilar Alessandra

[To read more, click the title!]

Pilar Alessandra

Writing Memoirs that People WANT to Read!

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Seminar
Saturday, March 16, 2019

Writing Memoirs that People WANT to Read!
Writing Tips and Techniques to Bring Your Story to Life

IWOSC kicks off the New Year with a memoir-writing workshop intensive led by our own Ina Hillebrandt. Using her special provocative techniques in this hands-on writing seminar, you’ll be writing a short tale to immediately get the hang of this new style!

You’ll experience for yourself how fun and cathartic it can be to write stories from your own life.

You’ll get creative practical feedback and writing tips to write memoirs that people will want to read — even those who are not your mother or child.

You’ll see why internationally celebrated storyteller and new author Michael D. McCarty wrote about Ina’s workshops, “My inner critic disappeared. He’s somewhere in the Bahamas.”

Presented by: Ina Hillebrandt

[To read more, click the title!]

Ina_Hillebrandt_laughing_with_Cheryl_Miranda_Wendy_writing_at_Jump_Start_Your_Book_seminar

Writers Marketing Intensive 2018

 in PastEvent18 / Seminar

“Hope is Not a Book Marketing Strategy”
Prepare, Plan & Produce The Perfect Book Marketing Campaign

For the third year in a row, IWOSC is offering a premium, all-day intensive seminar on building a strategy for your book marketing:
Strategizing your publishing • Strategizing your publicity • Strategizing your platform

Helping you build a strategy for your book’s success.

What Book Marketing strategies are most effective today?
What’s changed in the past year that affects your publishing, launch, publicity and platform building?
How do your publishing decisions affect your book’s success?
What publicity works best for authors?
Why is your platform more important than ever and what pieces are essential?
Presenting new material for 2018 (and a new expert!), our three experts will take you through strategies on everything from publishing to publicity to platform-building. If you’re a seasoned author, we will help you fine-tune your approach to marketing your books. And if you’re just putting together your first book marketing plan, our full-day intensive will help you put together the right strategies for your success.

The morning will be sectioned into three sessions, with three group sessions in the afternoon.

Session 1: Book Publishing and Launch Strategies, 2018-2019 — by David Wogahn
Session 2: Publicity and Marketing Strategies, 2018-2019 — by Emanuela Cariolagian
Session 3: Platforms and Social Media Strategies, 2018-2019 — by Steven Sanchez
Session 4: Group Session — The Experts Review Your Plan
Session 5: Your Questions —  Ask the Experts
Session 6: Intensive Wrap-Up — If You Only Do One Thing…

Grammar for Grownup Writers

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Seminar
Saturday, July 21, 2018

Flo will go through the reasons that grammar matters to writers and readers, and review simple, often overlooked, rules to correct dozens of common errors. You’ll come away with newfound confidence including support with printed handouts.

Presented by: Flo Selfman

[To read more, click the title!]

Pilar Alessandra

The Pitch (for writers) with Pilar Alessandra

 in PastEvent18 / Seminar

Seminar
Saturday, June 16, 2018 

Whether you as a writer are pitching your book or novel idea to a publisher or your screenplay idea to a producer, this class will help you stay on point and avoid listener tune-out.

As a writer, you never know when the chance to sell your book or screenplay may pop up. Don’t let it pass you by! Be prepared, and learn to pitch your writing with panache and excitement.

Pilar guides writers as we learn to pitch our ideas in a concise, focused, and entertaining manner – one that emphasizes the hook and eliminates “writer-babble.” Proven pitching tools for writers and a written template are provided, to help authors define the key elements of their stories.

Presented by: Pilar Alessandra

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Practical Poetry for Everyday Writers

 in Seminar

Seminar

Novelists, screenwriters, essayists, non-fiction and memoir authors, songwriters, and writers of all genres: did you know you can will learn poetic techniques that you can use in all of your writing, whether it’s for articles, books, copywriting, songs, or scripts.

Writer and poet Tresha Faye Haefner, will share basic poetic principles that writers can use to improve all of your writing and enhance your creative voice.

Presented by: Tresha Faye Haefner

[To read more, click the title!]

Award-winning writer and poet Tresha Faye Haefner
Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound

Free Promotional Ideas for Writers: easy, creative and productive ideas from Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound

 in PastEvent18 / Seminar

Phone Seminar
TUESDAY, March 13, 2018

When it comes to generating publicity for your book, don’t expect a press release do all the heavy lifting. You must have a strong “hook” or angle to get the media’s attention and use the press release as background information. Publicity expert Joan Stewart will share more than a dozen hooks that smart authors can use to promote their fiction and nonfiction books.

You will learn:

  • How to “newsjack” by taking a breaking new story and tying it to your book.
  • Creative ideas for fiction
  • Powerful hooks for nonfiction
  • The easiest place to start you publicity campaign: This media outlet will welcome you with open arms!

Presented by: J Joan Stewart “The Publicity Hound”

[To read more, click the title!]

Self-Publisher’s Toolkit — with IngramSpark

 in PastEvent18 / Seminar

Webinar
Tuesday, February 6, 2018

As writers, we know that writing a great piece is only part of our challenge. Along with the writing and editing, we have the challenges of publishing our work. That’s why, in February, we are hosting a special WEBINAR with IngramSpark, one of the main producers of print-on-demand and e-books.

IngramSpark offers the same products and services enjoyed by big-time publishers—superb quality and industry connections backed by decades of experience—made accessible to the indie-publishing community from one award-winning platform.

We will discuss the following topics as time permits…

  • Print on Demand as a way to create and sell quality printed books without a massive print run.
  • E-book publishing
  • Formats
  • Reach to 39,000+ retailers and libraries worldwide and 70+ major online retailers.
  • Marketing

Presented by: Justine Bylo — Key Account Sales Manager, IngramSpark, Ingram Content Group Inc.

[To read more, click the title!]

IngramSpark-featured

Grammar and Punctuation Review for Writers

 in Seminar / Upcoming-Seminar

Seminar
Saturday, January 20, 2018

Authors, do you fear making grammatical errors in writing or speaking?

Have you forgotten the writing rules you learned in school – and do they still apply?

As a writer, you might be preparing your book manuscript for publication, or maybe you’re crafting a query letter to a literary agent or a magazine editor. How about updating your author website? You might be writing promotional copy or composing a memoir.

Whatever you’re writing, are you just plain confused? Then this grammar class is the class for you. Publicist, copyeditor and IWOSC past president Flo Selfman will bring your prose up to speed.

Writers will gain grammar confidence with a review of simple rules to correct dozens of common writing errors.

Topics include…

Presented by: Flo Selfman

[To read more, click the title!]

Self-Publishing with BookBaby

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar

Seminar
TUESDAY, November 14, 2017

A special telephone seminar

Steven Spatz, president of BookBaby, will share with his audience of essayists, novelists, editors, book designers, authors of all genres, and self-publishers, information on topics of vital interest to book producers and writers, including…

Presented by: Steven Spatz

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Overcoming Gender and Racial Bias in Publishing and Hollywood

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar

Seminar
Saturday, October 21, 2017 

In this seminar for writers and others in publishing and Hollywood, we will explore the dynamics of gender and racial discrimination that writers face in publishing and in show business. Whether you are a journalist, scriptwriter, copywriter, editor, songwriter, script doctor, or any other type of writer, join us as we discuss discrimination: how to spot it, how to handle it, how to “lean in” and push back against it, and how to work around it.

For a time, it appeared that sexism, homophobia, and racism directed at writers were things of the past in “tolerant, liberal” New York publishing and the world of showbiz. But it appears that change was only cosmetic. Discrimination persists, but has become more coded than it was in the days of Madmen. The same problems that writers faced back then have been lurking under the surface all along.

To get at how writers can fight back or find a way around this issue, we will be discussing topics like…

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Legal issues for writers 101

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar

Seminar
Saturday, September 23, 2017 

What do writers need to know about contracts? Or Intellectual Property? How about collaborations between authors? Turns out, there’s a lot of legal issues that writers and self-publishers should be aware of.

How can writers avoid the pitfalls of intellectual property theft, frivolous libel and plagiarism lawsuits, scam literary agents, too-good-to-be-true offers, contract loopholes, and how can authors avoid being cheated out of their money when writing a book, screenplay/play, or TV format? And what new traps are out there in cyberspace and online writing that writers need to be aware of?

Presented by:
Dan Laidman
Dana Newman
Workshop Coordinator: Telly Davidson

[To read more, click the title!]

Dana Newman
Colleen D. Bates

Summer Reads – Who’s hot, why, and how can we all sizzle on the bookshelves next summer?

 in Seminar / Upcoming-panel

IWOSC presents an interactive Monday Evening Meeting: Summer Reads — Who’s hot, why, and how can we all sizzle on the bookshelves next summer? Monday, July 24, 2017 — sorry, this event has been cancelled. 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. (networking follows the program) Jump down to register As the season heats up, do readers’ tastes run toward light romance, cozy mysteries, or do more prefer curling up on the beach with serious literature? What makes for a hit summer read? Summer Reading Lists from major literary publications – what are their staff members reading? What tips does this provide for […]

Jump Start Book Writing Project

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar

Seminar
Saturday, June 17, 2017

Have you been thinking about writing a book?
Wondering where to start?
Or, have you started, but feel unclear about how to organize your writing?
Looking for ideas to make your book a better read?

Now’s the time to get feedback and ideas for moving ahead!

In this workshop…

Presented by: Ina Hillebrandt

[To read more, click the title!]

How to Write Query Letters & Proposals

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar

Seminar How to Write Query Letters & Proposals Saturday, May 20, 2017 10:30 am – 1:00 p.m.   How do you get published in “mainstream” publishing? If your story is fiction, get your backside in a chair and write it. If it’s nonfiction, the first and most critical step is creating a proposal. When you have a proposal, when your novel is in final manuscript, you will need an irresistible query letter that will convince an agent to represent you. Only literary agents have the contacts to get your work seen and read by editors in publishing houses. But how to […]

Monica Faulkner

Learn about the New Print on Demand Publishing Service from Amazon Kindle Direct!

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar  tagged Kindle

Seminar
Thursday, April 20, 2017

For April we present a special event: a phone-in seminar in conjunction with The Publishers Association of Los Angeles (PALA) — on a THURSDAY EVENING rather than a Saturday morning. We save you a trip to Culver City, enabling you to learn with us from the comfort of your own home — and for a special lower price!

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is rolling out a new program that offers self-publishers and indie authors the opportunity to publish print on demand paperbacks through Kindle, along with publishing their eBooks.

In this telephone seminar, Daniel Slater, Principal, Independent Publishing, Kindle Global Content, will present an overview of what making your POD paperback available from KDP entails, including publishing specifics, economics. etc.

Presented by: Daniel Slater, Principal, Independent Publishing, Kindle Global Content

[To read more, click the title!]

Nonfiction Writing Seminar

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar  tagged Non-Fiction

Seminar
Saturday, March 18, 2017

This month we’re diverging from our usual one-person seminar and hosting an intimate panel of sorts for our seminar.

Our experts will cover many aspects of writing non-fiction prose including…

Presented by: Marc Weingarten and Kelly Carlin with Greg Miller

[To read more, click the title!]

March 18 2017 IWOSC Nonfiction Panel, our speakers pose for us.
A rewrite page

Rewriting your writing

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar / Uncategorized  tagged editing / edits / revisions / rewrite / rewriting / work / writing

Seminar
Saturday, February 25, 2017

Finishing a draft of a book or script is an awesome accomplishment – but we all know that at least one more set of revisions will certainly follow, because you probably won’t get it totally right on the first or second draft.

Assessment of a draft and deciding what to emphasize or cut in the next draft is a very delicate stage of the process.

Now you’re not just invested in the project, you’re immersed in it.

This seminar will cover methods and principles that you can apply to books, scripts, memoir, personal essays, speeches, storytelling, etc.

Presented by: Greg Miller and Ina Hillebrandt

[To read more, click the title!]

Method Writing: An Organic Approach to Writing

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar / Uncategorized

Seminar
Saturday, January 21, 2017

Presented by: Jack and Josh Grapes

“Method Writing” is an organic approach to writing, much as method acting is an organic approach to acting, stressing inner process and deep voice. “Method Writing” consists of various concepts that take the writer through techniques designed to make the writing more compelling and more effective, publishable and productive.

Back by popular demand, Jack Grapes will present this overview of the writer’s creative process, focusing on his book “Method Writing,” a technique he’s developed and used in his writing workshops over the last 35 years.

Jack will discuss the nature of the creative process, and how that applies to “Method Writing.” So bring something to write on: paper and pen, parchment and quill, stone and chisel — whatever works.

[To read more, click the title!]

WordPress For Writers 2016

 in PastEvent16 / Seminar / Uncategorized  tagged website

Seminar
Saturday, November 19, 2016

Again and again, writing experts agree: WordPress is THE way to publish your website to the Internet.

You might be using something else. You might have tried WordPress and found it challenging. That’s ok. Like anything new, there are a few things to learn to get up and running successfully. But given WordPress’ popularity and nearly unanimous recommendation for writers, shouldn’t you take another look?

Would you like to know:

  • How to get started with WordPress or how to convert your existing site to WordPress without spending a fortune?
  • How to make your website mobile-friendly?
  • How WordPress has changed in the last year?
  • How writers use WordPress to do things like link to your book on Amazon (and elsewhere), include a YouTube video or Facebook post, or add new capabilities to your website?
  • How to get your website ranked by Google and improve your Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
  • What are the best plugins other writers are using?
  • How to secure your website from hackers?
  • Even how to improve your writing!
  • And much, much more!

Presented by: Steven Sanchez

[To read more, click the title!]