Marketing & Publishing Classes

Class: Leslie Keenan - You Can Complete That Book!

Saturday, November 16, 2019 - 10:00am
photo of Leslie Keenan, writing coach, editor

Saturday, November 16 • 10:00am - 4:00pm • $150

Have you started a book but haven’t been able to finish it? Leave this class with a strategy for completing your book! Leslie Keenan has 30 years’ experience helping writers complete their books. She knows the most frequent reasons writers get stuck and can help writers discover how to get back in flow and write effortlessly again. Leslie also provides advice on the best way to get a book published and suggests agents, editors, publishers, and printers.

Leslie Keenan is a writing coach, teacher and editor with a proven track record of getting writers across the finish line. 

What Students Are Saying about Leslie Keenan

“If it weren’t for Leslie Keenan’s courses at Book Passage, I would never have written a word of fiction, and I would never have been published. To this day, I still use the tools she gave me for understanding my process, finding my voice, and fighting my fears.” – Tammy Kaehler, author of Dead Man’s Switch, Poisoned Pen Press

“Leslie is inspiring, compassionate and has a natural gift for creating a safe place for a writer.” – Student, “Is There a Book in You?”

“Truckloads of useful information and inspiration.” – Harvey Hyman

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Class: Melissa Cistaro - The Memoir Writer’s Survival Kit

Saturday, September 21, 2019 - 10:00am
photo of author and writing teacher Melissa Cistaro

Saturday: Sept 21 • 10:00 am - 1:00 pm • $65

How does a writer survive the long journey of writing a deeply personal story? How do we handle the stages of rejection and self-doubt? Memoirist and industry insider, Melissa Cistaro will share her circuitous path to publication and the lessons she learned along the way. In this workshop, you will wrangle some new survival skills as a writer, flex your writing muscles, gather a deeper understanding of the current memoir market – and discover ways to thrive as you explore the path of publication.

Melissa Cistaro is the bestselling author of the award-winning memoir Pieces of My Mother (US edition) and the Canadian bestseller Without My Mother (HarperCollins Canada). Melissa mentors writers and teaches memoir writing workshops in the Bay Area and internationally.

What Students Are Saying about Melissa Cistaro

"Melissa’s compassionate feedback as a writing coach along with her generosity in sharing her years of experience, greatly enhanced my journey from manuscript to book signing. Her passion for mentoring writers is an absolute blessing." - Nisha Zenhoff, Author of The Unspeakable Loss

"Melissa is everything you would hope for in a teacher. She creates a safe learning and sharing space that facilitates valuable give and take and seems to know how to nudge students just the right way. She created a wonderful learning atmosphere, provided great writing exercises to get the creative juices flowing and provided encouraging feedback that kept us on track. I can't wait to take another class with her and highly recommend her to any aspiring writer." - S. Mirfattah

"I could not have asked for a better first time memoir writing class. Melissa was great and really set the mood for a safe and supportive workshop environment. The feedback she gave during class was always encouraging and helpful. I understand now how to go about writing my memoir and, most importantly, I feel very proud and courageous for attempting to share my story." - Nina Meechoonuk

"Melissa is more than an inspiring teacher; she is a wise human being who combines a macro passion for books, with a micro ability to connect with the ink words of her students. Melissa creates a very safe space for writers to share their work, and encourages the finding of one's own voice. I can say emphatically that I am a better writer and more reflective person having taken not one, but two classes with her." - Daniel Polk

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Class: Diana Toledano & Victoria Rock - Creating Chapter Books (Corte Madera Store)

Saturday, June 15, 2019 - 10:00am to 1:00pm

Sat., June 15 • 10:00am - 1:00pm • $75

Chronicle Books editor Victoria Rock and illustrator Diana Toledano will share their behind-the-scenes experience on creating a chapter book, from manuscript to editing to illustration to publication! We’ll also cover tips and tricks on creating powerful chapter books, and answer frequently asked questions.Topics will include: series potential, the difference between chapter books and early chapter books, character consistency, how to create a strong cover, etc.

As a special treat, we'll have a pitch contest! The winner will be able to submit a query to agent Teresa Kietlinski, of Bookmark Literary. The agency is currently closed to submissions from authors, so don't miss this opportunity!

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Class: Linda Watanabe McFerrin - Writing and Publishing (Corte Madera Store)

Saturday, January 26, 2019 - 10:00am

Saturday January 26, 2019 • 10:00 - 2:00 pm • $120 

**Please call 415 927-0960 ext. 1 to register for this class, room still available**

 This workshop will teach you how to get your book published and into the hands of readers. The world of publishing is changing rapidly, and each change brings new challenges.

Linda Watanabe McFerrin is almost uniquely qualified to help writers get through these issues, because she has successfully written and published books through several channels—from major publishers to self-publishing. She is a poet, travel writer, a winner of the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction. She is the founder and leader of Left Coast Writers.

 

 

 

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Class: Diane Hinds - How to Promote Your Book (Corte Madera Store)

Thursday, March 8, 2018 - 6:00pm

Thursday March 8, 2018• 6:00 pm - 7:30pm • $60

An interactive presentation by Diane Hinds

How To Promote Your Book is a talk aimed at the independent writer.  

Entertainment PR expert Diane Hinds recognised that so many writers who followed the less traditional routes lacked media coverage, reviews, and improved sales.

How To Promote Your Book guides writers through the process of devising  their personalised campaigns, with comprehensive information regarding research, targeting the audience, creating the key message, as well as ‘writing a press release and learning about distribution.  Writers will learn how to achieve these advertising and marketing elements in an affordable way, delivering to the target audience, sound public relations through a well-thought-out campaign.

Diane has delivered this popular talks to literary festivals, libraries and universities throughout the UK, to the California Writer’s Group in Victorville, San Diego Writers’ Guild and more in California. Her clients include the Irish singing sensation Nathan Carter, international & New York Times bestselling writer Anne Perry and Annie Machon, and she has promoted Jermaine Jackson, Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin, Lesley Garrett CBE, Nigel Kennedy to name a few.

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Path to Publishing Workshop - Nonfiction Writers Workshop (Corte Madera Store)

Saturday, March 17, 2018 - 9:00am to 4:00pm

 

Path to Publishing Workshop: Nonfiction Writers Workshop
$75 for Path to Publishing Members • $150 for Non-Members
Saturday, March 17, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

 

Writers of Nonfiction
Join us for a day of discovery on the ins and outs of nonfiction writing in both traditional and nontraditional publishing. the emphasis will be on the particular challenges and opportunities for writers in the vast field of non-fiction writing. The day will be filled with professional panels and direct expert advice provided by the Mentors of Book Passage’s Path to Publishing program.

Panels & Presentations

  • An Introduction to the Publishing World
  • Writing Your Proposal
  • The (Non-Spooky) World of Ghost Writing
  • What Agents Look For
  • Polish to Perfection: Editing & Designing
  • Marketing and Promoting Your Work

Presenters
Bob Cooper has won several writing awards and has worked as an editor for national magazines. He serves as a line editor for the Path to Publishing Program, paying attention to every detail from spacing and word-choice consistency to proper punctuation and hyphenation.

Jan Johnson Drantell cofounded RedWheel/Weiser publishing house and has many years experience publishing, editing and acquiring non-fiction books. She spearheaded a cooperative publishing arrangement in New York and is the founder of an author-driven imprint, Turning Stone Press.

Josh Floyd presents IngramSpark®, an award-winning independent publishing platform that offers the same fully integrated print and digital products and global distribution services enjoyed by big-time publishers to the indie-publishing community.

Candice Fuhrman's West Coast literary agency represented high quality literary fiction and non-fiction subjects including twelve New York Times bestsellers from clients including Patricia Garfield, Rabbi Michael Lerner and Mehmet Oz. Fuhrman works with up and coming authors to meet their career goals.

Laurie McAndish King is an award-winning travel writer, editor and photographer whose stories have aired on NPR and have been published in Lonely Planet, Travelers’ Tales, San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, and Marin Magazine.

Linda Jay is a book manuscript copy editor and a promotional writer with decades of experience. Her career began at traditional publishers, and she now works with indie authors and writes marketing copy for both corporations and individuals.

Pamela Livingston, MA, MFA, is an experienced writer and book consultant who heads the Book Passage’ Path to Publishing program and the annual Children’s Writers’ Conference, She is also the owner of Goosebottom Books publishing company.

Bill Petrocelli is the co-owner of Book Passage. He is the author of two works of fiction books as well as two non-fiction books, including Sexual Harassment on the Job: What It is and How to Stop It. His new novel is Through the Bookstore Window.

Andy Ross opened Andy Ross Literary Agency after owning the legendary Cody’s Books in Berkeley, California, for 30 years. He represents books in narrative non-fiction, science, journalism, history, religion,  children’s books, young adult fiction, literary fiction, & cooking.

Jim Schubin, aka “The Book Alchemist,” draws upon his years of graphic design experience to design and customize print-ready and online format books. He is an Ingram-Spark specialist with years of experience in formatting books.

 

 

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Class: Alice Acheson - Insider Insights & Answers (Corte Madera)

Saturday, October 7, 2017 - 2:00pm

Sat., Oct. 7 • 2:00 - 5:00 pm • $60

Once you have chosen the method of publishing for your book (traditional, self-publishing, Print-on-Demand, here's what else you need to know:

Why it takes a year -- minimum -- to publish your book, no matter which method you choose,

How you can make that year "work" for you,

How you can affect the marketing of your book, and

How you can estimate the financial success of your book.

Sorry!  Alice Acheson can't answer that last one, as each book -- and author -- is different, but the other three -- and more -- will be included in this class.  Her four decades of experience as an editor, publicist, and seller of subsidiary rights with large and small publishers and as a consultant for authors needing a mentor in the publishing process give her the experience and background for straight-forward answers.

As the title indicates, she is a bonafide insider and will supply answers to your questions about your book.

"You shared more helpful, nitty-gritty information than I've found anywhere else."
 -- Karen Wilson, Former Student

Alice B. Acheson, a consultant with decades of experience in publishing, guides clients in marketing and publishing their book, no matter the genre or choice of publisher. She has negotiated book contracts, sold subsidiary rights, and edited and publicized books.  Her work as a publicist was recognized with a Literary Market Place Outside Services Award for Advertising/Promotion/Publicity, and the The New York Times' bestseller list simultaneously has included four recipients of her publicity prowess.

"Armed with all the practical information you provided including how to get past the gate keepers I am now better prepared and ready to do what I need to do to get my book to the market place." -- Nisha Zenoff, former class member

"Before I took your 'Publishing Choices' I was not clear which would be the best for my book. Your course provided the information I needed to make an informed decision."

"Sending you my homework assignment before the first class and knowing you would read it and make comments for each individual helped focus my attention and intentions." 

"Knowing that each member of the class would read my writing and offer comments was a little scary at first. However,  the atmosphere in your classes was supportive and fun while being direct and honest."

"Wow! I loved this! Writing my 30-second verbal pitch and practicing it out loud before the first class was helpful. I went from feeling unclear and intimidated to clarification and excitement." 

"There was enormous value receiving live feed back in class. Your specific comments gave me exactly what I needed to pitch my book in 30 seconds rather than rambling on." 

"I am so glad this was my first course. It gave a strong foundation for the rest of the courses. I continued to practice my pitch and integrate what I learned as the weekend progressed."

​​

 

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Class: Alice Acheson - Publishing Choices (Corte Madera)

Saturday, October 7, 2017 - 10:00am

Sat., Oct. 7 • 10:00 am - 1:00 pm • $60

What is POD?  How does it differ from self-publishing?  Will either be easier, faster, better than the route to a traditional publisher?

All authors need to investigate the most appropriate method of publication before finishing their books.  You owe it to yourself -- and your pocketbook -- to learn the advantages and pitfalls of each type.  Using decades of working with all three publishing choices, the instructor shares the method that would be most appropriate for your book.

The services provided are quite different, as are the expenses. Can your book be reviewed and sold in bookstores and will you earn more money with one procedure over the others?  The answers to these crucial questions -- and others -- will determine the appropriate publishing route.

"[Alice Acheson's] knowledge about and reflection upon the reality of the publishing business makes her absolutely credible."
 --  Catherine Conway Honig, Book Passage student
 

Alice B. Acheson, a consultant with decades of experience in publishing, guides clients in marketing and publishing their book, no matter the genre or choice of publisher. She has negotiated book contracts, sold subsidiary rights, and edited and publicized books.  Her work as a publicist was recognized with a Literary Market Place Outside Services Award for Advertising/Promotion/Publicity, and the The New York Times' bestseller list simultaneously has included four recipients of her publicity prowess.

"Armed with all the practical information you provided including how to get past the gate keepers I am now better prepared and ready to do what I need to do to get my book to the market place." -- Nisha Zenoff, former class member

"Before I took your 'Publishing Choices' I was not clear which would be the best for my book. Your course provided the information I needed to make an informed decision."

"Sending you my homework assignment before the first class and knowing you would read it and make comments for each individual helped focus my attention and intentions." 

"Knowing that each member of the class would read my writing and offer comments was a little scary at first. However,  the atmosphere in your classes was supportive and fun while being direct and honest."

"Wow! I loved this! Writing my 30-second verbal pitch and practicing it out loud before the first class was helpful. I went from feeling unclear and intimidated to clarification and excitement." 

"There was enormous value receiving live feed back in class. Your specific comments gave me exactly what I needed to pitch my book in 30 seconds rather than rambling on." 

"I am so glad this was my first course. It gave a strong foundation for the rest of the courses. I continued to practice my pitch and integrate what I learned as the weekend progressed."

​​

 

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Class: Alice B. Acheson - Boot Camp for Writers' Conferences (Corte Madera)

Saturday, September 24, 2016 - 2:00pm

Sat., Sept. 24 • 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm • $60

You've heard of authors meeting their agents (or editors) at writers' conferences. How does that happen? Why begin the necessary groundwork now when West Coast conferences begin again in February? What are those needed preparations? The pre-class assignment (instructions supplied upon registration) will lead the way.

"I was overjoyed at the quality of Alice Acheson's presentation. She is knowledgeable, informative, personable and well prepared....I would have paid more...and considered it a bargain." --  Nancy Jean

Independent marketing and publishing specialist Alice B. Acheson draws on decades of experience with large/small publishers and has publicized many New York Times bestsellers (four simultaneously).

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Class: Alice B. Acheson - 13 Steps to Finding an Agent or Publisher (Corte Madera)

Saturday, September 24, 2016 - 10:00am

Sat., Sept. 24 • 10:00-1:00 pm • $60

You've written the last word and eliminated all spelling and grammatical errors as well as developmental problems. Now, what steps are necessary—and when—to find an agent or publisher? The teacher's experience and copious handouts will lead the way.

Independent marketing and publishing specialist Alice B. Acheson draws on decades of experience with large/small publishers and has publicized many New York Times bestsellers (four simultaneously).

51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925

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