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PREVIOUS MEETINGSMarch MeetingTime Management 101 for Writers Debra Russell
is a founder of
Here is the Time Management 101 Short Version Worksheet.doc (Click to open it or right click and select "Save Target As..." to save it to your hard drive.)
To hear her discussion with Capital Region Writers Bloc co-president Don Lipper, click on Debra Russell at the CRWB.mp3
February MeetingPublishing success is my specialty How to increase your success
by narrowing your focus. Learn how to choose a hot topic, how to create
your niche, how to develop your expertise, how to find unconventional
markets with your new expertise and how to keep generating stories (and
sales) for the long haul. To hear her discussion with Capital Region Writers Bloc co-president Don Lipper, click on CRWB_Kelly James-Enger.wav. Here is her creating your own specialty handout. January MeetingGet the money out of politics: How political and advocacy writing can pay.
For the past 15 years, Mr. Raimundo has developed and supervised every aspect of political and public affairs campaigns, coordinated public opinion polling, with a special emphasis on message development and themes that resonate with voters. A partner in Townsend Raimundo Besler & Usher (TRB&U), one of California's leading public relations, public affairs and political consulting firms, since 1989, Mr. Raimundo develops targeted communications strategies and messages, and he executes political, public affairs and news media relations strategies. He has served as communications director on numerous statewide and local political and public affairs campaigns. He is a specialist in writing ballot arguments, speeches, op-ed articles and other press materials and provides media training for corporate executives and elected officials. He is the creative force behind numerous political and public affairs campaigns, conceiving and writing winning brochures and advertisements. To hear his discussion with Capital Region Writers Bloc co-president Don Lipper, click on Jeff Raimundo at the CRWB.mp3 December MeetingCRWB/PRSA Holiday Bash
November MeetingUncovering a secret agent and getting them to do your bidding.
To hear her discussion with Capital Region Writers Bloc co-president Don Lipper, click on Andrea Hurst at the CRWB.mp3 October MeetingEarning a trade in trade publishing Valerie Okunami, a publisher
with Sunshine Media
spoke about what it takes for freelancers to break into the world of trade
publishing. She is looking for a team of freelancers to write sidebars
for her various trade publications. To hear her discussion with Capital Region Writers Bloc co-president Don Lipper, click on CRWB Sunshine Media meeting.mp3.
"An Arizona company that publishes slick local business magazines in markets across the nation will launch the Sacramento version of MD News in April. The target audience for the free magazine is 6,000 doctors and other healthcare professionals in the four-county region. This is the second title started here by Sunshine Media Inc. Local public relations consultant Valerie Okunami, tapped as area publisher, launched a Sacramento version of Builder/Architect last May that now has 3,000 subscribers. The company targets high-growth industries in selected metropolitan markets." For more details check out the Biz Journal story link above or the magazine links below.
September MeetingTravel Writing That Pays Topics include new online markets and how bringing a camera can increase your sales. Tips from writer/photojournalist.
MP3 audio file of meeting: James Raia (First six minutes only. Sorry.)
August MeetingBlogging for dollars: Area blogger reveals how to make money by blogging.
July MeetingWriters Bloc Summer Social (ate, drank, discussed deadlines you missed by attending) June MeetingGetting to know Natomas
The Natomas Journal is looking for writers. CRWB member Stephanie Flores showed members how this market is perfect for writers looking to create a clip file fast.
Lifestyle subjects include: The arts, books, home and garden, outside (vacations, outdoor activities), kids, pets, seniors) These stories typically don't jump so they will be 500 words on a 1-page spread or 800 words on a two-page spread. Please be prepared to suggest art as well. For example, if you interview an interior decorator, does she have a before and after of a Natomas home she has decorated? Clips and queries should be sent to editor2@natomasjournal.com.
May MeetingPutting your
money where your mouth is: How to become a food writer. Elaine Corn is a former news
editor turned food editor and author. Her journalism career began with
a bachelors of journalism from the University of Texas-Austin and in succession
with jobs as copy editor at the Dallas Morning News and Austin American-Statesman.
While in Austin, Elaine became interested in food and created the paper’s
first food section, becoming its first food editor. To learn more about
food, she cooked her way from Europe to Israel and onto a private yacht
sailing from Greece to Turkey as its only cook. Once back in America,
she headed up food sections for the Louisville Courier-Journal and Sacramento
Bee. While at the Bee, the paper won awards for Best Food Section and
Best Food Reporting from the Association of Food Journalists. She is author
of six cookbooks. “Now You’re Cooking: Everything a Beginner
Needs to Know to Start Cooking Today” won Julia Child and James
Beard culinary awards. Having begun a conversion from print to radio journalism,
Elaine continues the search for food stories in every corner of life. During her talk she showed how food is more than just recipes. She showed how to expand on her given specialty. With food you touch on politics, science, chemistry, nutrition, business, social science, memories, personal essays, reviews, and finally, recipes. She showed how she structured her writing to increase readability and writing speed. She also mentioned which culinary organizations will help boost your career. April MeetingIt's all geek to me: How to make money translating geek into English. Technical writing experts will speak about how to break into this constantly growing market. Michelle Gamble-Risley, is a communication specialist for MGR Consulting, specializing in marketing, public relations and custom publishing. She has 20 years experience working in the communications field as publisher of a regional computer magazine, executive editor for the Centers for Digital Government and Education, and recently as director of strategic communication for InfoPros. She launched MGR consulting and her newest client is Making Money magazine, a regional publication dedicated to educating readers on how to acquire wealth in the new economy.
March Meeting
Here's his brief recap: There is a method to the madness of attending writers conferences. First, you should know your primary purpose for attending - Do you have a book you are trying to sell? Are you after an agent? Do you want to network? Take workshops? Conferences vary greatly in what they offer, so you should thoroughly research all of the available conferences and choose one that fits your specific needs. Many factors go into this - travel, cost, quality of speakers or workshops, etc. Prepare a game plan. Learn the conference schedule well in advance and plan your time accordingly. Also plan some time to rest and to socialize. Have the proper materials (biz cards, etc) and make sure every single word of any manuscript you have is proofed and as close to perfect as possible. Seriously.
February MeetingTHE SOURCING OF ALL OUR ETHICS PROBLEMS? (An ethics in journalism roundtable)
Amy Chance: Sacramento Bee Political Editor
Moderated by Rich Ehisen, editor of State Net Capitol Journal
January Meeting SELL
YOUR BOOK IN 2006
Jennifer Basye Sander, an author, editor and former book packager spoke about how to sell that book proposal in 2006. Jennifer is available as a consultant, training her clients to think like a publisher in order to maximize sales and minimize rejection. Call 916-791-2101. Here is Jennifer's structure for a book proposal that will sell: Step
One: Your Cover Page One page maximum This
is easy, and feels great. Make
a simple page with your book’s title and subtitle, and your name
as the author underneath. If
you have an agent, the agents name and contact info go at the bottom.
Take a look at the sample proposals we’ve included to see how
its done. Step
Two: The Idea Minimum four pages, maximum ten (not including the table of contents and sample chapter) Now,
you’ve got to get to work describing what your book.
Your writing really needs to shine here, now is not the time
to be dull and professorial. Really
sell someone on why this book idea is tremendous.
Once you’ve written a few good pages about the idea, you’ll
need to include a sample table of contents --with very detailed chapter
descriptions – and the best sample chapter you can supply.
Step
Three: The Market Minimum two pages, maximum four pages Okay,
now get to work convincing the editor that millions of people will buy
your book. You will have
touched on the market in your earlier section, but here you really pull
out all the stops. Show facts, figures, and trends to support the fact
that these folks exist and have a compelling reason to buy. Step
Four: The Competition Minimum one page, maximum three pages Head
out to the bookstore for this one.
Online research is also valuable, but be sure to address what
competing books are actually on the shelves in major bookstores.
Remember not to take swipes at competing books, but rather to
point out areas in which your book will be stronger, fresher, and more
up-to-date. Step
Five: Publicity and Promotion Minimum three pages, maximum twelve Twelve
pages of publicity and promotion stuff?
You betcha. Editors
read this section carefully, as do other members of the pub board.
Don’t BS here, be realistic about what shows, magazines,
and newspapers will cover your topic.
Give yourself extra points if you leave Oprah out of it.
Step
Six: About the Author Minimum one page, maximum five It
is time for you to shine as the author.
Every credential you have, every award you have received, every
professional accomplishment that is relevant to your book and its topic
needs to be described here. You
should be able to talk about yourself as a potential media guest as
well, list training and appearances.
December meeting: Thanks for all the great fun at our annual party.November MeetingThe Q Continuum: Writing queries at warp speed.
Don Lipper showed the seven paragraphs that make a successful query and how to find each magazine's formula for articles. Also during the meeting members voted to become a non-profit. Members volunteered to become officers and the paperwork is beginning. (More later.)
October MeetingBOOK 'EM: TURNING YOUR EXPERTISE INTO ONGOING REVENUE WITH SELF-PUBLISHING
Alton Pryor is president of Stage Coach Publishing. The sales of his first book, now in its 10th printing, is approaching 60,000 copies. Learn how he gets a bigger cut of the profits than the standard royalty deal. Pryor has been a writer for magazines, newspapers, and wire services for fifty years. He worked for United Press International in their Sacramento Bureau, handling both printed press as well as radio news. He is now the author of twelve books, “Little Known Tales in California History,” “Classic Tales in California History,” “Those Wild and Lusty Gold Camps,” “California’s Hidden Gold,” “Outlaws and Gunslingers,” “Historic California, It’s Colorful Names and How It Got Them,” “Jonathan’s Red Apple Tree,” a children’s book, , “Publish It Yourself: Five Easy Steps to Getting Your Book into Print,” “Little Known Tales in Nevada History,” and his newest book, “Little Known Tales in Hawaii History.”
September meeting:GOALS: CRAFTING A WRITING CAREER THAT IS A BEST SELLER.
Detailed meeting notes will be posted here. JULY MEETINGGETTING MONEY FROM THE ALMA MATER: Alumni association magazines. Often overlooked, the alumni market can be very lucrative with thousands of outlets. Editors at the University of California, Davis will educate us on how to get checks from colleges instead of giving them. Teri Bachman editor of UC Davis Magazine, and Martha Alcott the creative services manager spoke about the opportunities to write for UCD publications such as UC Davis Cancer Center's biannual magazine Synthesis. Detailed meeting notes will be posted here. JUNE MEETING:Writing/Pitching to the new Comstock's Magazine Assistant Editor Juno DeMelo gave writers guidelines on how to pitch to the new Comstock's magazine. Handouts were given. MAY MEETINGProfit By Association Sacramento is the third largest home for associations (behind Washington D.C. and New York City). Getting writing work from these trade and non-profits groups is often a matter of one-on-one marketing. Our two speakers showed how you often have to give in order to grow your writing business. MEETING NOTES BY RUSS STEELE: Our guest speakers were Judy Mikalonis and Rebekah Donaldson, who shared their knowledge on How to Network into Associations. This is part of our series on writing for associations. Both Judy and Rebekah have bios on the CRWB web site at: http://www.writersbloc.org/ Judy opened with some quotes by David Heller's, Growing Up Isn't Hard to Do If You Start Out As a Kid : Children's Candid Views of Everyday Life. She explained branding as a market strategy, and how customer bonding is vital to becoming engaged in a non-profit association. Association settings are multi-dimensional, both business and pleasure, fast paced; yet a bit like a high school Jr. Prom. You have to fit in. You need to establish yourself with the leadership and members. Her recommendation is to become involved in the organization's mission by volunteering to help the association meet their objectives. Some tips:
Rebekah demonstrated the link between volunteering and success. Between giving and growing as a professional. She indicated that non-profits need to be recognized in the community for their deeds and needs, especially with declining state and federal funding. She gave some excellent examples in her support for WEAVE. Some tips:
Both Judy and Rebecca illustrated how they achieved their success, giving examples of how giving relationships can produce paying assignments. If you would like more information: Judy has a blog at: http://verbulant.typepad.com/ Her e-mail is: judym@verbulant.com Rebekah 's web site is http://www.bizcomgrp.com/ Her e-mail: rd@bizcomgrp.com/
VERBULANT Creative has been imaginatively and intelligently serving clients in a wide variety of industries since 1986. While VERBULANT began as a virtual boutique agency predominantly focused on creative services, it has expanded in the past few years to include in-depth consulting services, workshops and content management for presentations. Rebekah Donaldson
APRIL MEETINGHow to capture more clients with your web site. Are you invisible to potential clients? Learn how to create a writer's portfolio web site on the cheap. Find out how to make your blog a moneymaker. Here's the full text (with links) of CRWB Co-chair Don Lipper's quick and dirty seminar.
MARCH MEETING
Publisher Wendy L. Sipple and Janna Marlies Santoro, managing editor of Sierra Style Publishing (www.SierraStyle.com), which puts out both Roseville Style and Folsom El Dorado Hills Style magazines discussed these new magazine's opportunities for freelancers. They even shared their full editorial calendar for the two magazines. (Major thanks to Susan Reid and Bill Romanelli for suggesting us to her!) FEBRUARY MEETINGTOPIC: Libel: How not to get sued.
JANUARY MEETING
DECEMBER MEETINGOur Potluck was a great success. Thanks to all who attended. Don Lipper has extra full versions of Microsoft OneNote to anyone who still needs a copy. NOVEMBER MEETING
When Editors Attack: We discussed a writer's response to sources requesting non-attribution be put in writing when speaking on background. Many interesting contributions by all attending the meeting, but no definitive conclusions, other than to be cautious when sources request to speak "off the record". To take, or not take, "off the record" comments depends on the situation, some speakers my have an agenda that puts the writer at a disadvantage. We decided to invite a libel attorney to speak at a future meeting. OCTOBER MEETINGFor those of you who missed the October meeting the topic was breaking into national magazines. Don Lipper gave away a "how to query" handout and full versions of Microsoft OneNote software for PC users to make their reporting more efficient. [Russ has found alternatives for Mac users.] There are still extra copies available. In addition to telling writers how to become full time freelancers for national magazines, Don also presented some ideas to help our members generate more queries to national magazines.
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Two
major trade publications are looking for writers in the Sacramento Region.
Quoting from the 
A
journalist since 1976, James Raia worked as a staff writer for
the Sacramento Bee, Monterey Herald and Contra Costa Times. A full-time
freelance writer since 1986, Raia is a veteran long-distance runner and
endurance sports enthusiast who contributes to numerous print and electronic
publications and news services, including Associated Press, The New York
Times, Dallas Morning News, Miami Herald, Sacramento Bee, Monterey Herald,
PGA Tour Partners Magazine and several inflight magazines. He also writes
the syndicated car review column, The Weekly Driver, he's co-author of
the book Tour de France For Dummies, and he publisher of the free electronic
newsletter, Tour de Sport. James also manages three web sites, 
Ed
Ring is the founder and editor of 
told the group how to choose conferences that fit your needs and how
to network at those events. (To find a complete list of writers conferences
go to 
Panelists
include: 
AG
Block: Director, Public-Affairs Journalism Program, UC Center Sacramento
How to streamline the query process and get that idea to the right editor
today! 
Learn
how to create a book franchise that will keep the revenue flowing and
the upsides and downsides of self-publishing. 
Creat
Business
Communications Group, LLC (
ideas of changes he wants to make at Comstock's Business, starting
in January 2005. Doug went over planned changes, to include more
news, more photo content and a broader focus on issues impacting
the region. We also thank Doug for sharing his insight into a writer's
responsibilities in a competitive market.