First Friday — Amy Rogers — Pre-launch Book Marketing

“Tips & Tricks for Pre-Launch Marketing of Your Book”

Friday, September 1, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

with

Amy Rogers

Inside Publications Columnist, Novelist, Blogger, and and Science-Thrillers Publisher

Building a marketing buzz around your book should begin long before release day. Indie publisher Amy Rogers of ScienceThrillers Media will share tips and checklists to guide your launch preparation whether you have 12 months, 12 weeks, or 12 days until your book is published.

Amy Rogers, MD, PhD, is a Harvard-educated scientist, novelist, journalist, educator, critic, and publisher who specializes in all things science-y. Her novels Petroplague, Reversion, and The Han Agent (release date: September 5) use real science and medicine to create plausible, frightening scenarios in the style of Michael Crichton. Amy is the founder of ScienceThrillers Media publishing company and is an Active member of International Thriller Writers. Formerly a microbiology professor, she runs the ScienceThrillers.com book review website, named a “Best Book Blog of 2017” by Reedsy.com. She writes a monthly science column for Sacramento’s Inside Publications.

Amy also serves as Treasurer for Northern California Publishers and Authors.

The California Writers Club–Sacramento Branch Networking Meeting is held the first Friday of every month at Coco’s Restaurant, 7887 Madison Avenue, Citrus Heights, at the corner of Madison and Sunrise, starting at 9 a.m.. Meetings are free. Attendees pay for their own breakfast.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.

First Friday — Scott Evans — On Dialogue

“Dialogue That Advances Character & Plot”

Friday, August 4, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

with

Scott Evans

University Writing Teacher, Conference Director

Author of Short Stories and Mysteries

Good, crisp, clean dialogue allows a story or novel to flow smoothly and keep readers engaged. This workshop provides advice on ways to make your dialogue relevant to your plot and interesting to readers, while also fleshing out characterization. Tips on techniques to hide the mechanics of clear attributions and the conventions of dialogue will also be discussed, as well as some practice editing and revising dialogue.

Scott Evans has taught writing for over 25 years. The author of three “literary” murder mysteries titled Tragic Flaws, First Folio, and Sylvia’s Secret, as well as a collection of Hemingwayesque short stories, Green Seasons, and a coming-of-age novel, The Complex, Evans is also the Editor and Publisher of the Blue Moon Literary & Art Review. His newest novel, The Caribbean Prisoner, published by Clayborne Press, is available via Amazon. Please visit www.scottevansauthor.com to learn more.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.

First Friday — Bill Pieper

Doing it Backwards: How a Former Novelist’s Improved ‘Short Game’ Changed His Luck

Friday, June 2, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

with

Bill Pieper

Novelist, Turned Short-Story Writer

Bill Pieper has written four novels, two essentially self-published and two (Belonging and What You Wish For) published by small presses.

A prolific writer who started relatively late in life, Bill has written novellas and a collection of 12 short stories titled, Forgive Me, Father.

He will be our First-Friday speaker, at 9 a.m., June 2, when the branch moves its meetings to a new location, Coco’s Restaurant on the northwest corner of Sunrise and Madison, 7887 Madison Ave, Citrus Heights, in the Sunrise Village Shopping Center. Our former meeting location has closed its business.

More than 20 of Bill’s stories have been accepted by literary magazines in the US, Canada and the UK. Four pieces of work have been performed at local reading events such as Stories on Stage in Sacramento and Davis.

Bill was named by local media as “Best New Novelist in Sacramento,” but Bill now calls himself a “former novelist.”

Finding that many authors begin with shorter work and add page-length as their skills grow, he has taken an opposite route.

The big turn-around was attending the Squaw Valley Community of Writers which he attended in 2010, followed by enough success to make it all worthwhile.

The California Writers Club–Sacramento Branch Networking Meeting is held the first Friday of every month at the Coco’s Restaurant, 7887 Madison Ave, Citrus Heights, CA 95610, starting at 9 AM. Meetings are free. Attendees pay for their own breakfast.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.

First Friday — Andrew Benzie — Book Designer

Cover Design and Other Secrets of a Great Self-Published Book

Friday, May 5, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

with

Andrew Benzie

Publisher, Designer, Marketer, Andrew Benzie Books

A popular go-to publisher for writers with questions on publishing their own books, Bay Area native Andrew Benzie is returning is Sacramento to answer more questions about publishing!

A presenter full of ideas and solutions, Andrew promises to tell us the important elements of a good published book. His resume includes more than 25 years of experience in the design industry. He has worked for both corporate art departments and for himself as a freelance designer for Andrew Benzie Creative Design (ABCD). In 2010 he established his own publishing company, Andrew Benzie Books to help authors design, publish, and market their books in both softcover and eBook formats.

The California Writers Club–Sacramento Branch Networking Meeting is held the first Friday of every month at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), 2216 Sunrise Blvd., Rancho Cordova (just north of Highway 50) starting at 9 AM. Meetings are free. Attendees pay for their own breakfast. Get map.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.

First Friday — Dr. Marlena Uhrik, Author

10 Decisions You’ll Have to Make When Publishing and Marketing Your Work

Friday, April 7, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Dr. Marlena Uhrik’s most unique book, In Grandpa’s Hands, was written, sketched, and designed to honor her father for the important role he played in her family. This exquisite and unusual book won the Mom’s Choice Award. Marlena has also published Guidebook for Family Day Care Providers (McGraw Hill), used as a textbook in community colleges. Another book, My Family Matters to Me became an Amazon Best Seller. Marlena Uhrik

Based on Marlena’s experience publishing and marketing her books, she will share decisions she now knows are important to think about when publishing and marketing a book. A prominent children’s advocate, Marlena has received national and international recognition for the work she has done improving the lives of children and families. She is a recipient of the United States Presidential Award for Service.

Questions? Ask via our Contact page.