Writers Retreats 2009

NEW! Write Your Book Retreats


Write a Book Interactive Retreats:

Next Retreat - Scheduled for October 2009.

Is 2009 the year you finally get to that book you have always wanted to write?

I have always wanted to go to a writers' retreat where I could sit with a published author and coach in an idyllic setting and receive uninterrupted support for two or three days so that I could get off to a great start on writing my book.

That's what I had in mind when I saw the acre and ahalf retreat setting for my next workshop. I am pleased to announce my first book writing retreats that will really take your book authoring to a whole new level. You'll join just five other future authors and get a tailored, hands-on writing and learning experience to help you launch your best book possible. . Following is a quick overview of what you will receive at the retreat and after:

• a compelling title (titles are my specialty)
• a complete outline of your book
• a creative plan to develop copy that is engaging and builds your credibility as an expert on your subject
• a thorough understanding of self publishing versus traditional publishing
• two follow-up coaching sessions to further implement your plan
• an online support group and library continuously updated with the latest resources available.
  

I will also give you:

• my 10 top tips on online marketing (the secret to keeping your costs down but sales up
• three strategies for getting your book sold to publishers
• marketing strategies for getting book signings, speaking engagements and corporate consulting opportunities
• examples and case studies from the many students who have come through my prior workshops
• top agent connections if you want to explore the traditional book publishing route
• an comprehensive analysis of self-publishing versus traditional publishing
  

I will take you through the simple system I created to author 11 books and five booklets in the last twelve years. Authoring a book will help you:

• get new customers/clients faster
• get higher-paying clients/customers
• get more and higher-paying speaking engagements
• get more and better press for yourself
• get more and better press for your organization
• get appointments that used to be elusive

The best news for publishing today is that the price is so reasonable now to print a book for $5 or less (including shipping) with a requirement to print only 100 books at a time! This is called print on demand. There are also great distribution networks out there to help you look like you have all that any top author receives authoring a book.

This means that now, instead of paying $15,000 or more to print 1000 books and have them get stale in your garage, you can print 100 books and improve them with each printing! With more than four best-selling books, Myseventh co-authored book, Networlding, was #10 on Amazon for a year (in Chicago)and on the top ten list of books on the subject of alliances. Melissa will also show you how to get your book working for you as your best marketing tool ever.

Your Investment

A book is an investment for more than a lifetime as you own it just like a piece of real estate. Call us for more information at 312-421-4213.

Get started now creating the book you always had inside you.

Looking forward to helping you create that best-selling book.

A Day in the Life of a Book Coach

A day in my life of book coaching can look something like this. It's an image I identify with as I enjoy helping people author books so much I find that I often can't stop myself from taking on all kinds of potential authors--many of whom may not be best-selling authors but all who I treat equally imagining their greatest dreams realized.

So people ask me what do I offer as a coach and what kinds of people do I work with? First, I have my bi-annual group coaching classes. In my last class offered this past Friday I had the following types of people working on really great books:

1. A market research executive working on a book to help widows move through their grief following the death of their spouse.

2. An owner of a consulting service for CIO's. This author-to-be has relationships with over 200 CIO's in the Chicagoland area. He is a wonderful business leader and is working on a book for CIO's that will help them operate more effectively in their jobs.

3. A sales executive who is working on a book to help people achieve career success. After more than fifteen years in the corporate trenches she has created a number of tools to help professionals avoid the pitfalls of a poorly managed career path.

4. An investor who decided to work on a book providing would-be entrepreneurs twenty-four powerful and effective questions to ask themselves prior to going into business for themselves.

In upcoming blog entries I'll share more information on my clients so that you can get a better idea of how you too can start pulling out the book inside of you sooner rather than later.

Best to you,
Melissa Giovagnoli
Your virtual book coach and beyond

Contact me at melissa @networlding.com (note to take out the spaces when you email) and ask about my individual and group coaching sessions for your book project.

Why Should You Write a Book Now?

By the way it is the Information Age!

What do Christine Comaford Lynch who wrote "Rules for Renegades", Tim Ferris who wrote "The 4-Hour Work Week", and I who wrote "Networlding" have in common? At first glance, little or nothing. But look further and you will see that, besides making it to a best-seller list of some type, we all used our books to grow our businesses in ways that no other marketing or sales initiative can accomplish. Now you can achieve the same thing for your business by creating your own, unique book or booklet that sells you, helping you acquire new accounts, speaking engagements and even new market opportunities much faster.

Additionally, it is even more important in these uncertain times to have some kind of product to help you build new business opportunities while you may be working on current clients or customers. Further, for the first time, I am adding two additional coaching sessions, valued at $300 to my experiential writing workshop to help you get your book finished in the shortest time possible. Additionally, I am now able to offer an ongoing online circle of support exclusively for those who attend the workshop. You will also then be able to get peer support from others, like you, writing for the first time.

So how did I develop the workshop you will be taking? I studied the best-selling books out there over the last 15 years. I also analyzed the structure of best sellers and found there is a real pattern that best selling authors use to appeal to the largest group of potential and existing customers possible. Also, after eleven books (now working on number twelve), I have learned many important secrets to successful book writing. These include:

• you don't have to be on The New York Times bestseller list to be successful with your book.
• your book will be timely for years (trust me on this one) making it your best marketing investment.
• you can actually turn your book authoring into a profit rather than cost center.
• you will rise above your competition as a thought leader.
• your book will sell you even when you are not present.
• you don't have to write your book yourself. I'll share all ghostwriting "in's and out's."
• you will develop your industry credibility and showcase your capabilities more effectively.
• you will be able to grow a number of other products (I'll show you how) to make even more profit, - your book will make a difference in the lives of those who read it.

I coach because I love it. I continue the workshops because I keep getting requests to run them. This is not my core business--many think it should be. It's not easy to write a book, but I am able to make it much easier for you. I don't take a "smoke-and-mirrors approach". I share all my best strategies, tactics and writing, design and publishing resources. I also share the advantages and disadvantages of self publishing and what it takes to publish with the big publishers. I have published with five publishers. I also make introductions to agents I know when appropriate.

But there is more. Consider: