The Writer's Room

All writers will, at one time or another, take advantage of the almost unlimited bounty of information to be found by surfing the “Web”. Some sites, such as Writers Digest, come to any aspiring author’s mind automatically. Google, Yahoo, and the various search engines almost overwhelm with places to go and sites to see. I’m highlighting the following people because all were presenters at Infinity Publishing’s “Express Yourself” Writers Conference held in the Valley Forge Resort outside of Philadelphia the last weekend in September. For four days the air literally crackled with excitement as authors and celebrities mingled in their common love for books and writing!

If there is a ‘one’ place to go for all your marketing, it’s not Walmart. It’s the multiple-faceted site of marketing guru, John Kremer. He has literally made his personal Rol-o-dex file public. If what you’re looking for isn’t to be found directly on his site, the link to it probably is. It was Mr. Kremer’s site that led me to the FWA. Get ready to explore and go to: Bookmarket.com.

Another marketing and publishing guru who’s free newsletter actually posts requests for submissions to ‘work in progress’ books and articles is Dan Poynter’s Para-Publishing. Dan is a dynamic speaker at many Seminars and Conferences and I look forward to hearing him again at the FWA Conference in Orlando, November 10-12. For a wealth of tips and ideas, and to find out if “you have a book inside you” visit: ParaPublishing.com.

Paul Krupin, founder of Direct Contact PR, literally entertained the audience with true stories of how the right, often unexpected, publicity catapulted unknowns to celebrity status. His own personal fight for cleaning up water in the Northwest positively affected the lives of millions of people. He is now one of the leading Publicists in the business. The stories are too lengthy to share here, but for an evening’s entertainment and a wealth of ideas visit Paul at: DirectContactPR.com.

Jerry Simmons takes us ‘inside’ the business of publishing. He was a top Vice President for Time-Warner Books for twenty years. His seminar on Publishing: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is a gem loaded with information that every author considering publishing their work should and must know. His almost uncanny likeness to President Bill Clinton, serves to add to the interest of his talks. You can meet and visit with Jerry at: WritersReaders.com.

Brian Jud’s seminar offered a detailed plan for ‘mapping out’ how to put all the information garnered at a Conference this size into a ‘working’ plan. Brian, too, is about author motivation. For an overview of tips and services, visit: bookmarketingworks.com.

We’ve all been bombarded with the nonstop growth of Internet power in the world of communication and media. If you want to be successful these days, a website is no longer an option. It’s a necessity. Your website is an expression of you and what you stand for. Jeniffer and Chad Thompson of MonkeyCMedia, are a rising star in the building of websites, screen savers, and the hot new ‘gotta have’ trailers! In addition, they work with their clients on press releases, brochures and any manner of ‘presenting you to the public’. I’m fortunate to soon be adding their pro photo of me on the back cover of my book. For a sample of their great media work, visit: MonkeyCMedia.com and be prepared to enjoy!

Penny Sansevieri, in addition to being a dynamic speaker and marketing planner, is also a successful novelist in her own right. She takes a real interest in helping fiction writers. She freely gave of herself at the conference, not only holding free one-on-one interviews as did all the presenters, but mingling and becoming one of the group. For more about Penny, who also offers a free newsletter chock full of leads and contacts, visit her site at: amarketingexpert.com.

Melanie Rigney is my ‘saving the best for last’ addition here. Melanie is an absolutely fantastic woman with the biggest heart! Everyone, attendees and presenters alike, loved her. She has twenty-five years of experience in the world of editing and was the editor for Writer’s Digest for five of those years. Her other credentials are simply too numerous to list. I was blessed to share her company at the Conference and overwhelmed when she took to my work. If anyone is in need of an editor, one site you cannot pass up is Melanie Rigney’s: editorforyou.com.

In addition to the major presenters, Infinity brought Dr. Leander Ellis, MD and Judith Trustone to speak on the importance of nutrition, yes nutrition, and mood. It was most enlightening! Sheree Bykofsky, a NYC agent gave tips on how to choose and approach an agent. Tonya Evans, an attorney, on contracts. Chris Master, Infinity’s designer gave tips on cover design. Dan Albohn, a representative of Sony gave a presentation on the new Sony ebook reader. The time has come when all books will have to be offered in visual and audio format as well as the kind you hold in your hands curled by a fire.

The Conference concluded with a panel consisting of ALL the presenters. They opened themselves up to a barrage of any unanswered questions the attendees still had. It was a finale that had everyone sad to leave, sad that the experience was over. New friends were made, new connections and new directions opened up new paths. A true experience in the Power of Networking.

Infinity Publishing and staff deserve kudos for hosting a National Conference of this caliber. The “Express Yourself” Conference brought together the finest in presenters and programs at a reasonable cost. I’m already making my plans to attend next September. Thank you, Infinity. Infinitypublishing.com.

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