This Intensive workshop is open to any author or memoirist who has a manuscript ready for the publishing marketplace.

Authors attend online zoom Workshops on EIGHT consecutive evenings (6:30 to 8:30 pm).

We have not yet decided when we will be offering this workshop in 2024. Please let us know through the CONTACT form on this website if you would like to be notified when it is available.

This intensive workshop is designed for writers who feel their manuscripts are ready to present to PUBLISHERS and AGENTS and wish to develop confidence and acquire successful book promotion strategies.

Although we recommend that authors receive a SUBSTANTIVE EDIT or complete A NOVEL APPROACH SECOND DRAFT before signing up, we recognize that many authors possess the level of market experience and craft to derive value from this process because they believe their FINISHED MANUSCRIPT IS MARKET-READY .

WEEK 1: Meet & Greet & Share Objectives
Defending your book as a work of art.
Revisiting the synopsis as a selling tool. (Note: Authors prepare a working synopsis in Part 2)

WEEK 2: Essential Manuscript Talking Points
Does your synopsis inspire interest?
Would an agent or publisher want to know more about your story?
Revise and revise until it’s perfect.

WEEK 3: Learn to Be Quick on Your Feet: Preparing a Pitch and Log Line(s)
Last look at your synopsis as a selling tool.
Secrets for making perfect pitches.

WEEK 4: Confidence Building Exercises: Practicing Pitches Together
Finalizing the pitch and memorizing it.
Pitching each other in real life settings.

WEEK 5: Finding the Best Comparables & Strategizing Marketplace Approaches
Finding Where Your Book Belongs in a Bookstore – Investing in Research
How to find agents in your genre.
Finding acquisition Editors in your genre.
Finalizing the strategy that will place your book in the best places.
Why picking the right comparable is crucial.

WEEK 6: Querying with Focus: Finding the Best Agents and Publishers for your story
Analyzing successful queries by genre.
Focusing on what Agents and Editors want to see.

WEEK 7: First Page Essentials: Revisiting your Perfect Opening Paragraphs
Analyzing why the Five Essentials should appear in your first 500 words.
Defining the preferences that incite readers to turn the page.

WEEK 8: Finalizing Your Marketing & Self-Promotion Plan
You’re ready. Now what?
Accentuating your learned advantages at Pitch Conferences.
Putting together strategies that support a consistent approach going forward.

Note: The more James knows about your novel, the more value you will receive from this intensive workshop. Reading your manuscript in advance of the workshop and providing a KEY TALKING POINTS SUMMARY EDIT will ensure James is perfectly prepared to guide you towards publication.

Manuscripts must be received at least 1 month before the start date.

Cost: $499 + HST for workshop participants.

Any AUTHOR or MEMOIRIST who has completed a manuscript may sign up for this 8 week workshop.

Cost is $499 + HST for workshop participants.

We have not yet scheduled this workshop for January and February 2025. Please let us know through the CONTACT form on this website if you would like to be notified when it is available.