Week One: Why write? 

• Builds confidence

• Therapeutic

• Business tool

• Simply tell your story

• Personal development

 

Week Two: Getting clear on your idea 

• Pick something you enjoy

• Memoirs? What element of your life to focus on

• Write about what you know

• Pitch your idea to others

• Don’t be afraid to cover hot button issues

 

Week Three: Conduct Research

• Check out other books related to your topic

• See if your angle is over-saturated

• Be accurate in your descriptions

• To find your niche

• Mentorship/Influence

 

Week Four: Formulating a working outline

• Breaking your book down into 3 parts

• Then breaking it down further

• It’s a working outline so it will change

• Use as a guideline when you get stuck, it is your map

• Intro, middle and end

 

Week Five: Establishing a writing plan

• What is your plan when you are blocked?

• How many days of the week will you write?

• How many hours per day?

• What do you plan to do when you feel like throwing in the towel?

• What are you willing to sacrifice to get it done?

 

Week Six: Setting clear achievable goals 

• What total word count are you aiming for?

• When do you plan to be half done and completely done?

• Be specific.

• Get an accountability partner.

• Celebrate each milestone

 

Week Seven: Establishing a genre

• What genre will the book be? 

• What area of that genre will you focus on?

• What kind of energy will it generate?

• What will the mood be?

• How do you want your readers to react to your story?

 

Week Eight: Characters

• Who is your book about?

• What is their personality?

• Who are they connected to?

• What are the supporting character like?

• How do they interact?

 

Week Nine: Setting

• Detail

• Location

• Climate

• Time: of day, of year and era

• Atmosphere and Mood: Social, Political, and Cultural

 

Week Ten: Plot

• Five Parts: Introduction, rising, climax, falling, solution

• Pace

• Plot-driven or character-driven

• Major Events

• Entertaining

 

Week Eleven: Tone

• POV

• Diction (word choice)

• Attitude towards the subject or characters

• Syntax

• Vernacular

 

 

Week Twelve: Title

• Don’t get stuck (Save this for last)

• Easy to remember

• Intriguing/essence

• Brainstorm

• Like naming a child

 

Week Thirteen: Copyright

• What is a copyright?

• Before you send it anywhere/your protection

• Library of Congress process/cost

• Don’t use copyrighted material without permission

• Poetry

 

Week Fourteen: Editor

• Why you need one or two?

• Grammar and spelling

• Content vs grammar (continuity)

• How they charge (word count/passes/time)

• Where to find one/chemistry

• Read your book/Editors make mistakes

• Beta Reader

• Format for printing

• Format for ebook

 

 

Week Fifteen: Looking for an agent

• Writing an elevator pitch

• Writing a synopsis

• Do and don’ts (no cost)

• Where to find one/chemistry

• Match their format request (genre/layout)

• Read the contract thoroughly

• Check their online portfolio

• Face-to-face or over the phone

• Ask them their Intentions for your project, state yours (Oprah)

 

Week Sixteen: Cover design

• The first opportunity to WOW

• Captures the essence of the book

• Find a designer

• How they charge (high end vs low end)

• Sketch an idea (workbook)

• Research covers you like

• Be open

• Pick favorites and ask trusted friends

• Matte vs gloss

• Professional pics

• Back cover synopsis

• If you decide to design yourself (font, colors, size, picture, the back, leaving room for ISBN)

• Design with software or online

• Original vs Template

 

Week Seventeen: POD

• What is POD?

• How it benefits you?

• Who does POD?

• What is their commission?

• Know the length of shipping days.

• Proof (read it or beta reader)

• Other commercial outlets charge

• Ebooks

 

Week Eighteen: ISBN

• What is an ISBN?

• Why you need an ISBN.

• Options (Bowker or through publishers)

• Costs

• Cover design consideration

 

Week Nineteen: Proof/Read your book

• Submitting your files

• Digital/paper proof

• Inspection

• Read it

• Approve it

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Week Twenty: Decide on Selling and Marketing

• Choosing a market

• Choosing a price point

• Setup up a payment channel (Paypal, credit card or square)

• Selling on your website

• Marketing options (outsource/do-it-yourself)

• Promotions (types: blog, email, social media, fan page, book readings)

• Calculate marketing into sale price

 

Week Twenty-One: Closing remarks

• Congrats

• Motivational talk

• Use the workbook

• Take your time

• Go through workshop again

• Lifetime access

• Publishing bundle