Workshops for Writers
We offer the following workshops for writers all of experience levels. These workshops can be held in/at bookstores, writing conferences, professional conferences, book festivals, continuing education programs, writing groups, or in your very own home (with a minimum of 20 people)!
“Your presentation was ‘the absolute best’—the best planned, best organized and most effectively delivered presentation that I have ever attended. It was clear that you both put quality time and effort into giving us as much solid and useful information as possible in the time allotted…I got so much out of your presentation! I left there feeling so motivated…I sincerely hope it was fun for both of you because you were both so entertaining and informative for all of us.”
Marjorie Baker, Ph.D
Pitchapalooza
Five years ago, we created an event that has drawn thousands of people into bookstores, writing conferences and book festivals all over the country. It’s called Pitchapalooza, the American Idol for books (only without Simon) and it works like this: Anyone with an idea for a book has the chance to pitch it to a panel of judges. But they get only one minute.
Eckstut and Sterry team up with two guest industry insiders to form the judging panel. The Judges critique everything from idea to style to potential in the marketplace and much, much more. Whether potential authors pitch themselves, or simply listen to trained professionals critique each presentation, Pitchapaloozas are educational and entertaining for one and all. All attendees come away with concrete advice on how to improve their pitch as well as a greater understanding of the ins and outs of the publishing industry.
At the end of each Pitchapalooza, the judges come together to pick a winner. The winner receives an introduction by Eckstut and Sterry to an agent or publisher who is appropriate for their work. From Miami to Portland, from LA to NYC, and many stops along the way, Pitchapaloozas have consistently drawn standing-room-only crowds, press and blog coverage, and the kind of bookstore buzz reserved for celebrity authors.
Pitchapalooza Media Kit
Pitchapalooza can be combined with an hour version of our “How To Get Published Workshop.”
How To Get Published Successfully
It is the greatest time in history to be a writer. The barrier to publishing has been torn down and now anyone can get published. But to get published successfully is a whole other matter. Eckstut and Sterry take you through the entire publishing process. This step-by-step, soups-to-nuts workshop will remove the smoke and mirrors from the murky world of publishing and give writers a compass and map to a successfully published book. Topics covered include:
- Choosing the right idea
- Creating a blockbuster title
- Crafting an attention-getting pitch
- Putting together a selling proposal/manuscript
- Finding the right agent/publisher
- Self-publishing effectively with ebooks, print-on-demand or traditional printing
- Developing sales, marketing and publicity savvy
- Producing a video book trailer and helping it go viral
- Building a following through social media
- Perfecting Your Pitch
A great pitch is one of the most powerful and underestimated tools any writer can have in his/her quest to be published successfully. From landing an agent and a book deal, to self-publishing well, to getting traction online, to attracting media, to convincing booksellers that they must carry your book, to letting readers know why they should buy your book, the perfect pitch is the goose that will lay your golden publishing egg. Find out how to craft and dynamite pitch. And be sure to bring your pitch with you, even if it’s far from perfect!
The Art of the Memoir: Telling and Selling Your Life Story
Find out what it takes to write and sell your life story. We discuss the joys and the perils, the agony and the ecstasy of writing and selling your memoir. This workshop will show you how to:
- Make a narrative out of your particular story
- Deal with issues of privacy and the lunacy of family
- Figure out how to navigate the stormy seas of the publishing world
- A healthy Q&A session will follow the workshop. And all questions will be answered.