Tag: Business of Writing

Join COFW 8/17/24 for "How to Attract Book Clubs to You and Your Book," by DiAnn Mills.

DATE  | August 17th, 2024

TIME  |
  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker

LOCATION   |    Zoom and Hilliard Room of Hilliard Branch, Columbus Metropolitan Library, 4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, OH 43026. See below for further instructions. Speaker will be via zoom.
TOPIC   | DiAnn Mills: How to Attract Book Clubs to You and Your Book

Book Clubs and Your Book

This Session

Writers love to have their books featured by book clubs. We’re excited for, passionate about, and longing for readers to enjoy a new adventure. We might think that should be enough for book clubs to jump onboard our book, but we can thrill them even more by offering ways to enjoy the book within a book club.

In our time together, we will dive into the following topics to make sure each writer is professional and organized:

  • Rule #1: Write a Good Book.
  • What is a Book Club?
  • What Do Readers Look for in a Book?
  • How Do Writers Select the Best Book Club Fit for Their Book?
  • Where do you find Book Clubs?
  • The Mechanics of Getting Organized.
  • How to Create a Book Club Kit – Step by Step.
  • Resources to Make the Writer’s Job Fun and Easy.

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

This program is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings. For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the members-only Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social half hour through the business meeting and this program.

Per library policy, “Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.”

 

About Our Speaker

DiAnn Mills is a white woman with short-cropped reddish brown hair. She's wearing a green long-sleeved top and sitting on a bench.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is active online and loves to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

Learn more about DiAnn at her website.

Join COFW June 15 for Instagram Business Account Basics

DATE & TIME:

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker

LOCATION   |   Zoom and Whitehall Library, 4445 E Broad St., Columbus, OH 43213. We will be in Room 3. Directions from Dayton: I-70 to I-670 E in Columbus; I-670 E to 5th Avenue exit; turn right on 5th Avenue to Yearling Road; turn right on Yearling Road to Broad Street; turn left on Broad Street. Library will be on the right (south),
SPEAKER   |   Marisa Dillon via zoom.
TOPIC   |   Instagram Business Account Basics

Instagram Business Account Basics

This session

Would you like to earn more than hearts from your Instagram account? Learn what to include on your business account profile, including how to direct your followers to your books, website and more in this presentation by Marisa Dillon.

Instagram is constantly evolving, and you have to evolve with it. In this presentation, marketing professional Marisa Dillon will help you learn how to earn more than hearts from your Instagram followers.

In this virtual workshop, Marisa will explain:

  • What your Instagram business account profile should include.
  • How you should determine what type of content to share.
  • What Insta stories you should highlight.
  • The top five reel topics for authors.

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

This program is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings. For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the members-only Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social and introductions through the business meeting and this program.

It is unknown if the library permits food and drinks. You might google the library and find out, before bringing food and drink in.

 

About Our SpeakerMarisa Dillon is a white woman with long brown hair. She is holding a book about Celts, and is seated with what looks like a castle door behind her.

Marisa Dillon’s fascination with historical places started at an early age. Add in a love of all things romantic, a passion for writing, and a fully charged laptop, and you’ll find her creating adventures not for the faint of heart.

Marisa is the author of The Ladies of Lore, a three-book Tudor romance series distributed by Soul Mate Publishing. And she will have a new Regency Era release this Spring called The Duchess Heist.

Learn more about Marisa at her website.

DATE & TIME:

  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Let your novel brainstorming begin!

LOCATION   |   Zoom and Huber Heights Library. It’s on Brandt Pike, and a straight shot from the I-70 exit.
SPEAKER   |   Teri Wilson via zoom.

TOPIC   |   Being Cute (and Safe) Online

Being Cute (and Safe) Online

This session

No, you don’t have to dance on TikTok to sell books (unless you want to, and dancing’s your jam). But you do need a social media presence. In this workshop, we’ll explore the ways to build a social media identity that is authentically, uniquely you. The same way I’ve built my identity.

And, you just might sell some books and have fun at the same time.

If you were to visit my Instagram or Facebook pages, or my website,

  • What might you expect of me as an author?
  • Of the experience you’ll have when you read one of my books?
  • Of what it’s like when you follow me and I pop into your feed?

 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

This program is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings. For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the members-only Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social and introductions through the business meeting and this program.

It is unknown if the library permits food and drinks. You might google the library and find out, before bringing food and drink in.

 

About Our SpeakerTeri Wilson is a white woman with long, gently curling blond hair.

USA Today Bestselling Author Teri Wilson writes heartwarming contemporary romance with a touch of whimsy. Three of Teri’s books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies by Crown Media, including Unleashing Mr. Darcy (plus its sequel Marrying Mr. Darcy), The Art of Us, and Northern Lights of Christmas, based on her book Sleigh Bell Sweethearts.

She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction and a 2022 inductee into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame.

Learn more about Teri at her website.

Building a Following as a Writer Means Thinking Like a Business Owner, the April 13, 2024 program, for COFW by Gery Deer

DATE  | April 13th, 2024

TIME:
  • 12:00 pm, Networking
  • 12:15 pm, Introductions & Incentives
  • around 12:30-12:45 pm, Business meeting (we are not sure how long Intro & Incentives will take)
  • 1:30 pm, Speaker

LOCATION   |    Zoom and  Meeting Room of Urbana Public Library, 1060 Scioto St, Urbana, OH 43708-2228. Room is just to the right as you enter the library. See below for further instructions.
TOPIC   | Gery Deer: Building a Following as a Writer Means Thinking Like a Business Owner

Building a Following

If you want to build your reader base, join us!

Expert Gery Deer will provide tips for building your brand and answer questions about promoting yourself and your work.

 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

This program is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings. For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the members-only Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com. Please note, the link spans from the moment we open the room to the social and introductions through the business meeting and this program.

It us unknown if the library permits food and drinks. 

 

About Our Speaker

Gery Deer is a white man with blond hair, wearing glasses

As Gery says, “I can’t give you my biography, I’m not done with it yet.” So our webmistress had to hunt for information. Here’s what she’s found. Gery Deer is the CEO and PR Director of GLD Communications. He has been a freelance journalist since 1987. He’s been nominated for multiple journalism awards, including a 2010 Pulitzer Prize nomination.

Gery is a writer, an entrepreneur, a speaker, a bullwhip artist, a coach, a cyclist, and more.

Learn more about Gery and his PR firm at his website.

This graphic is the headshot of Otescia Johnson (a black woman with short black hair). It's advertising the COFW Nov. 18, 2023 program she is presenting: Using the "F" Word in Marketing (Fun)

DATE & TIME   |   November 18th, 2023 – Social at 12:00 PM, Business meeting at 12:30 pm, Speaker at 1:30 pm or later–after the business meeting concludes.
LOCATION   |   Meeting will be Hybrid via Zoom and Community Room at the Woodbourne Library, 6060 Far Hills Avenue, Centerville, Ohio 45459. See below for further instructions.
TOPIC   | Otescia Johnson & Using the “F” Word in Marketing (Fun). Presenting via Zoom.

Using the “F” Word in Marketing (Fun)

Marketing should be a natural extension of the things that you already enjoy. 

What Attendees Will Learn: the ins and outs of making marketing fun, not that other word, including:

  1. Identify what makes their characters human and how to implement those traits into their marketing- i.e. A main character who is always late would be an excellent subject for social media memes but also gives readers a chance to make light of themselves. Authors will learn how to help readers see themselves in the characters.
  2. Apply the breaking news angle- No one wants to be the last one to hear about a news story and many people will often lie and say they’ve heard of something when they haven’t. Authors will learn to use FOMO as a conversation starter to promote their fiction books.
  3. One link leads to another- Authors will learn how to use links inside of Kindle eBooks as well as references to other works inside of their story.
  4. Keep it Real- Authors will learn how to incorporate the nuances of their fictional world into their marketing. For example, if the world ended on August 1, 2030 in their story, August 1st becomes a significant marketing day.
  5. Parties, Character Costumes, and Special Appearances- Now that the world is “back outside” authors have a unique opportunity to reconnect with fiction readers. Making special appearances at book club meetings, creating an Amazon list of items needed for character costumes, and book themed parties are all fun ways to engage readers without breaking the bank.
  6. GIPHY Magic- GIFS are still a fun and easy way to engage readers. Authors will learn how to use GIF touchpoints to connect with readers and promote their books including how to have GIFS created from their own books.

 

Attending Our Hybrid Meeting

Presentation is free for members and prospective members who have not yet visited for two complimentary meetings. For those members who cannot join us in person, join us via Zoom. The password will be posted in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Google Group, and on the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Facebook page.

If you are not a COFW member and wish to attend this presentation via Zoom, email cofwpresident@gmail.com.

 

About Our SpeakerOtescia Johnson is a black woman with short, black hair. She's wearing a magenta blouse, and is standing in front of a bookcase.

Otescia is the bestselling author of 12 published books and multiple screenplays. She is also a multi-gifted captivating orator who expertly navigates both religious and secular spheres. Her warm personality allows her to connect with listeners in a way that provokes thought while providing inspiration for personal growth. Though she holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration, Otescia is a creative at heart and has found a way to merge her creative passions with her savvy business skills. Not only does she run multiple companies of her own, Otescia travels teaching others how to turn their passions into revenue streams that provide for the lifestyle they were born to enjoy!

Contact Otescia: https://www.otesciajohnson.com/