IF GIVING READINGS IN PUBLIC SCARES YOU LEGLESS, THERE'S HOPE...

All writers have to speak in public sooner or later. Open mics abound; poetry slams are commonplace; authors give readings from their latest books.

If the prospect of participating in these opportunities scares you legless, you are not alone.

Here is a short blog post from my friend, Geoffrey, who is a brilliant speaker's coach, that gets to the heart of the fear: http://geoffreyxlane.com/blog/2009/07/4-beliefs-that-help-fight-fear/. He provides the reasons that cause sweaty palms and a tangled tongue at the microphone, and outlines some strategies to calm your nerves.

ADD VALUE FOR MAGAZINE EDITORS

BEACON FLASH #37 - July 2009

In the summer issue of The Beacon, the sidebar addressed one way to add value for magazine editors. This Flash will give you more ideas.

Freelance writers no longer just write articles. In today's connected and visual world, we have become content providers, which means that well-orchestrated text is just not enough. Savvy writers today offer:

• a choice of article lengths: feature, department, or short
• a text version for the publication's website, which is shorter and edgier. (Think - small screens on Smartphones)
• a selection of their own images in lo- and hi-res for print and web (see the June 09 Beacon); everyone with a digital camera can achieve pix good enough for print magazines
  
• podcasts for the website that enlarge on the written article and may include interview clips and sound effects. (The 18-34 year old age group prefers to listen to their magazines, but so do many others.)
• where appropriate, short video clips for the website. ( For example, sports and recreation, and travel pubs use them.)
  

These enhancements to simple print articles demand that writers check into periodicals' websites to see what they offer. Some use all of the above to push traffic back and forth from their print mags to the website. Others do not. Make sure you know who uses what before you query an editor with an article idea and your additional offerings.

A few diehard freelancers are resisting this approach, saying they are writers not broadcasters or photographers. But many have already embraced the change and upgraded their skills to provide magazine editors with exciting content for print and the web. These are the writers who are selling their articles in this competitive climate.

To learn more about the value-added components, join Julie for
Pitching in a Cold Climate
at the Whistler Writers' Festival on September 12, 2009.
Go to www.theviciouscircle.ca and click on "Events" for details.

THE NEW SURREY WRITERS' SCHOOL OPENS REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL

Registration is now open for fall offerings by the Surrey Writers School at www.surreywritersschool.com

• Introduction to Creative Writing
• Writing From Life
• Writers' Express

Signing Bonus:
All students attending either Introduction to Creative Writing or Writing From Life receive a FREE copy of 101 - and more - Writing Exercises to Get You Started & Keep You Going by Lois Peterson.
(Value $19.95).

SWS is also looking for YOUR ideas of what you'd like them to offer. Email SWS anytime at lp@surreywritersschool.com.

SURREY INTERNATIONAL WRITERS' CONFERENCE 2009 OPENS REGISTRATION

The renowned and wonderful SiWC has opened for registration early this year. It runs October 23-25 in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

If you attend, you are guaranteed a mind-expanding experience as a writer. Workshops galore, appointments with agents and editors where you can pitch your latest books, a Blue Pencil Cafe with working writers who can assist with your writing and career, and wonderful company.

It is a friendly conference where the presenters are approachable and very helpful. Delegates also get to rub shoulders with champions and learn vast quantities of craft and marketing skills at the myriad workshops.

All the details are at www.siwc.ca, but register early because it fills up fast...

Go do it!!

BC WRITERS: TIME TO SIGN-UP FOR SFU'S SUMMER WORKSHOPS!

With four weeks to go, now is the time to select and register for some workshops in SFU's Summer Publishing Workshop series.

They offer emerging and experienced writers and editors a chance to learn from and work with more than 100 of Canada's top editors, writers, marketers, designers, publishers, and new media moguls. They challenge and guide the participants through one of the most intense and valuable educational experiences available in the publishing industry.

This year SPW is again hosting the widely popular Symposium of the Book, which focuses on From Memories to Memoir, an all day session at $75. In addition to this, individuals can choose from 44 other workshops across the disciplines of writing, editing books, promoting your work, magazines, design and new media.

I try to take one or two sessions every year and recommend SPW. The program is held at SFU's downtown campus. You'll find the details at www.sfu.ca/pubworks where you can also download the full program in.pdf.

SPW points writers in the right direction!
Four happy authors in 2008

NEWS FOR ALL WRITERS IN BC, CANADA

This week the Surrey school district cancelled their Community Programs. Along with many others, the 16 year old Surrey Creative Writing Diploma program died too. But don't despair!

Original founder, Ed Griffin, and long time coordinator, Lois Peterson, quickly filled the gap by starting the Surrey Writers' School, which gets underway after Labour Day. The months before Christmas have a modest program but plans for 2010 are more ambitious, with many instructors from the old program offering their services.

My guess is that the SWS will be better than its predecessor, freed as it will be from outside constraints. This is a non-profit venture: the fees for the courses are low and, as always, excellent value. The website is already up at www.surreywritersschool.com and deserves watching as Peterson fleshes it out over the summer.

Just imagine...

BUILDING YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE

This video by Joanna Penn of the Creative Penn is a clear and up-to-date presentation about how to create an author platform online that will reassure publishers that you are promotion-savvy and capable of increasing sales of your book when it launches.

If you can't access the video below, visit http://www.viddler.com/explore/thecreativepenn/videos/2/.