Michele Tracy Berger's Blog, page 2

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Enrolling for Chart Your Path to Publication 2024!

Hi creative peeps,

In case you aren’t on my newsletter list, I wanted to make sure you knew about the FABULOUS Early Bird Special  I’ve created for my Chart Your Path to Publication online course which starts in January 2024. I only open this course once a year.

My online course provides you a roadmap to expertly and joyously navigate your way through the ever-changing and volatile landscape of publishing.

This course will teach you strategies to beat the odds of rejection. You’ll learn how to select markets for your work, how to submit your work, track submissions, and find great resources. 

If you come to the end of every year wondering why you aren’t more widely published, this is the course for you!

The reason why I created this course is because a vacuum exists in the writing field with helping writers understand and manage one of the key components of creating a writing career—submitting one’s work. There’s not much about the submission process in writing craft books, except to “just do it”. But this declaration leaves out so much, including 1) how to build relationships with editors 2) how to find appropriate venues for one’s work 3) how to track one’ submissions and 4) how to cultivate a resilient author mindset, especially in dealing with rejection. 

I wanted to create a shortcut that would offer writers actionable information on how to navigate the volatile landscape of publishing.

I’ve added even more value to Chart Your Path to Publication:

-Bite-sized lessons 
-videos on  how to deal with inner critics and how to write better and faster
-2 Co-Writing Sessions in Jan 2024 (NEW!)
-a live Q&A Call

and a special VIP BONUS just for those who enroll by Dec 15!

-VIP BONUS: Goal Setting Workshop: How to Set Writing Goals that You Love (and can Accomplish) in 2024 and ENVISION Lab (NEW!)

Check out all the details HERE and get it by Dec 15 & make real progress on your writing goals in 2024.

Calling ALL Writers and Creative Entrepreneurs: Your Basic Building Block for Every Business Success

Hi creative peeps,

I’m super excited to tell you all about my number one resource for creating success & abundance in your business!

I’ve been a creativity coach and published writer for fifteen years and have had to learn a wide variety of skills besides writing to be successful. Let’s face it, most successful writers over time have to learn how to run a small  business. Many writers expand into providing services to other writers and creatives which requires adopting an entrepreneurial mindset. 

Most writers and creatives though feel underprepared in managing the business part of our lives. 

Help is here and it is called Leonie Dawson’s Brilliant Biz and Life Academy!

Leonie Dawson’s Brilliant Biz & Life Academy is absolutely packed full of courses, workshops, workbooks and MORE. There’s SO much goodness in there & SO many ways it can help you & your business (actual or aspirational) buuuut doors are closing verrrrry soon!

So if you’ve been thinking of joining THE essential program for peeps wanting to start or grow their business… you need to act QUICKLY.*

It’s genuinely the most affordable, comprehensive & deliciously useful invention around for entrepreneurs!

Who is Leonie Dawson and Why Do I Like Her So Much?

Leonie Dawson is an amazing artist and creator. In her early 20s Leonie was already being featured as a dynamic creative entrepreneur and winning awards for her art and business. I first learned of her work during the early 2000s, as she was featured in several books by my mentor Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy aka SARK. 

I’d been on her newsletter list for over a decade and always felt inspired by her work. During the pandemic, I signed up for several of her courses (40 Days to Create and Sell Your E-course, Money, Manifesting and Multiple Streams of Income, Marketing Without Social Media) learned TONS and have become a super fan. 

Her courses helped me to create and launch my Chart Your Path to Publication e-course that has been financially successful and a joy to administer. And, I have implemented ideas from her other courses that has made running my coaching practice a dream. 

The other thing I appreciate about learning from Leonie is that she makes learning about entrepreneurship FUN. She lives her values as a feminist, neurodivergent person, philanthropist, and champion of LGBT, diversity and inclusion issues. These values are reflected in what she teaches, how she teaches and the guest teachers she invites into her program.

I also value the community that she creates to support creative entrepreneurs. 

Currently it’s ONLY NINETY-NINE BUCKS per year… for over $5,000+ of Leonie’s powerful, proven & popular business, marketing & creativity programs.

So… What do you get? Honestly it’s probably easier to ask what DON’T you get, because Leonie has you totally covered!

You see what I mean about generous?

 

And there’s MORE:

She’s got programs on money, burnout, decluttering, how to sell (her Sales Star is one of the best programs ever, especially for folks who think they hate selling).

Need to finish that book or e-course that you’ve been wanting to do forever?
No problem-she’s got you covered!

And these aren’t quick & dirty programs haphazardly put together for the sake of looking like the Academy is full. No no no. Leonie has been creating these courses since 2018 (and creating courses in general since 2008 – she is the eCourse Goddess!!!) and they’ve been bought by literally THOUSANDS of happy customers. You can read some of their words here!

These are powerful, proven and popular programs that are incredibly comprehensive, all for $99US a year. As sooo many of Leonie’s students (including me!) say: These give just as much & even more value than $2,000 programs! So please don’t miss out on joining, because you’ll be missing out on SO much more than just a membership. You’ll miss out on connection, accountability, fast-tracked growth, business success and some of the deepest belly laughs you’ve ever had.

In three words? Totally worth it.

It’s time we make miracles happen!

*You have until November 30th before her prices rise.

5 life-changing money books for writers and creatives!

Hi Creatives,

Let’s talk life-changing money books for writers and creatives.

I love books that help me cultivate a more abundant perspective.

I haven’t met an aspiring or established creative professional that couldn’t benefit from looking at beliefs and actions around money, creativity and commerce.

As the amazing visual artist Beverly McIver says, “feeling worthy is a learned behavior.” And, many of us don’t feel worthy of a creative life let alone one that brings us multiple kinds of success.

There are lots of things I can’t control in the pursuit of a writing and creative life, especially as an African American woman. But, I definitely can control how I value myself and how I cultivate my mindset about art, creativity and abundance. That inner work creates tangible results.

I’m sharing some of my favorite books that intersect with money and writing, commerce and creativity. These have made a big difference in my life and they keep me inspired.*

1) Prosperity for Writers: A Writer’s Guide to Creating Abundance

I have read many books on writing mindset and also many books on holistic approaches to money. It is rare, however, to read a book that combines the two in a wonderfully accessible way.

Honoree’s writing is clear, compelling and motivating. She draws on her long-standing experience as a writer and coach as well as interviews with other successful writers to provide practical tips and tools to explore our beliefs about prosperity and writing. The unique exercises are fun and if you work them, they work! They may push you out of your comfort zone but the rewards are worth it.

Buy the book or audiobook

2) Write to Riches: 7 Practical Steps to Manifesting Abundance from Your Books

Renee Rose is passionate about helping other authors find and maintain an abundance mindset to catapult their careers and create their best future. She shares her journey to being an 11-time USA Today bestselling romance author and her ups and downs along the way. Her exercises bring in the body and our emotions as it relates to expanding our ideas of abundance-this approach is a standout.

Buy the book or audiobook

3) Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living

This thought-provoking collection of essays has an all star line-up of prominent writers including Cheryl Strayed, Jennifer Weiner and Jonathan Franzen. This is less of a money mindset book but more a look at the ways in which working writers make money, manage money (or don’t), and the ups and downs of a creative career. I appreciated that the collection includes a range of writers who have worked as freelancers, copyeditors, scriptwriters and as ghost writers.

Buy the book or audiobook

4) Prosperity Pie: How to Relax About Money and Everything Else

This is one of my all-time favorite books about money and the creative life. Written by writer, artist and all around creative genius Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy, aka SARK. This was the first book that made looking at one’s money beliefs and creativity feel safe and fun! She tackles the question: How can we feel prosperous (and creative) “no matter how much we have or do.”

Buy the book

5) Get Rich, Lucky B*itch: Release Your Money Blocks and Live a First-Class Life

Yes, this book has got a naughty title but it’s been a game changer for me and for a lot of women.

Denise Duffield-Thomas is a podcaster, author and entrepreneur. She began her business writing on her blog and turned that into an enterprise that has earned over 30 million dollars. Her book explores the often negative social and cultural messages women receive about money due to gender socialization. She highlights common ‘money blocks’ for many women and how to overcome them so that you can create a life that you love.

Buy the book or audiobook

*links to books are affiliates. I may earn a small amount at no additional cost to you. TY!

Kickstarter for Nevermore: An Anthology Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe!

Edgar Allen Poe fans, my publisher Falstaff Books is putting together an anthology of stories inspired by EAP called ‘Nevermore’. I’ll have a new story in it with the title, “And They Will Rise from The Ocean”! They created a Kickstarter about a month ago to help launch it.

We’re about 3/4 of the way there for funding on Nevermore. If you like creepy stories written by people like Alexander G. R. Gideon, Jason Gilbert, John Hartness, Leslie Gould, Carol Gyzander, Nicole Givens Kurtz, ME and many more – please consider backing this project and/or sharing it with people in your community who might love this kind of work.

Your support will allow Falstaff Books to pay the authors $.05/word for their stories, significantly more than the $100 per story we are currently contracted for, and even more than that with stretch goals. In return for your preorder and support, you get mentioned in the book and can get rewards ranging from ebooks, paperbacks, hardcovers, or even your name in the book as a character.

AND for writers several AMAZING editors have rewards that will give you a critique of a query letter or manuscript for an unbelievable price.

Cool video and all details here: http://kck.st/42jY3BN

So if you love creepy stuff, and amazing books, you owe it to yourself to get on over to Kickstarter and back this awesome project! Feel free to share! TY!

Photo credit: Smithsonian Magazine

Spring Cleaning for Creative People Replay + Decluttering Challenge

Hi Creatives,

In case you missed it, here is the replay of my YouTube Live “Spring Cleaning for Creative People: 3 Steps to Transformation”. In it I share my 3-step process that reduces overwhelm, gives you clarity about your core commitments and honors your creative path.

I also give some hints about my upcoming  27 Things/9 Days Decluttering for Creative People challenge! It’s going to be fun and like no other decluttering challenge.

Why might you as a creative person want to undertake a decluttering challenge? You may:

Struggle with different types of clutter (physical, mental, emotional)Feel stuck or stagnant in your creative lifeNothing seems to be popping in your creative life no matter what you doBecause of ALL the THINGS, decluttering never gets to the top of your ALL TOO FULL TO- DO LIST!

Find out about the challenge and claim your free ‘Spring Cleaning for Your Creative Life: A 3-Step Decluttering Guide’ here

 

 

 

Join Me 5/14 ON YouTube Livestream-Spring Cleaning for Creative People: 3-Steps to Transformation

Hi creative peeps!

Since it’s spring, it’s a natural time to tackle decluttering. Did you know that I consider decluttering a *transformational practice* for creatives? Decluttering includes examining our space, schedule and patterns of mind.

I’ll be talking about the whys and hows of spring cleaning for creative people at a Youtube Live event on Sunday, May 14, 3pm EST. It will be my first livestream event and I think it will be a blast!

Come join me, ask questions and let’s talk about the joys and challenges of decluttering. At the end I’ll do Q&A and take your writing questions.

Bookmark this page (my Youtube Channel is ‘The Creative Tickle’).

Also, during that time, you’ll be able to receive my new Spring Cleaning for Creative People: A 3-Step Decluttering Guide.

Are You Courting Your Creative Self This Valentine’s Day?

How come pleasure never makes it on to…a dutiful list of dos and don’ts?
Doesn’t joy also get soft and flabby if you neglect to exercise it?

Ellen Goodman

It’s Valentine’s Day (in the U.S.)!

Many people are thinking about love in its various forms.

I’m thinking about your love relationship with your creative life. 

When was the last time you wooed your creative self?

Do I hear crickets in the background?

It’s mid-February and if you’re like me, you’ve experienced one or more of the following:

– the thrill of holiday overindulging has subsided (but the pounds still linger), leaving you with a general malaise.

–you can’t find the journal where you carefully scripted out New Year’s intentions.

–you’ve had to deal with an unexpected computer breakdown, home repair(s), lingering cold, sick child, etc.

So, for most of us, we’re back to reacting to the most immediate to-dos on our very long list.

As creative folk, sometimes we spend a lot of time focused on what we’d like to have more of in our lives: time, money, recognition, etc. A bit of griping and wishing is fine, but ultimately that kind of energy doesn’t get us in the mood to WOO anything (or anyone). By starting off with feelings of love and friendship for our long term creative projects, we may just find that we can muster up the energy to find out what we actually want to do next and how to get support for it.

Just like any other relationship that we value, we must make time for our creativity. And, just like any other relationship, feelings of pleasure, kindness and affection make us and others feel good. I suggest taking some time this Valentine’s Day to court your creative life. Is there a project that you need to seduce? Can you make time for a date with your creative work today or later this week? Have you told your creative self how much you value it?

Writing prompt: Try writing a love letter to your creative self or project. Extoll its virtues, ruminate on how it makes you feel (when the relationship is going well), and dream about the possibilities of love rekindled. Decorate the letter if you like and put in a place that you can see it and feel inspired when necessary.

Photo credit: Getty Images

P.S. Want more innovative ways to keep connected to your creative self during difficult times? Check out my free guide here

Finally Finish Writing Your Novel: Register for Be a Bestseller 4.0!

Hi creative peeps!

It’s not at all too late to join the coolest and most informative FREE masterclass series. It’s geared toward novelists but I think some of the craft and mindset tips can be applied to writing in general. This is really going to help those of us who struggle with bringing a story full circle, connect the dots and create a fantastic ending? And also for those writers who need more support in HOW to turn what seems like an excellent idea into a robust story.

Maybe you struggle with confidence and think you’re simply not good enough to be a writer (plot twist: you are good enough!)

Or is it just that old chestnut of never seeming to have enough time to sit down and write?

If ANY of the above speaks to you, Be A Bestseller 4.0: Write Your Novel With Confidence will make you realize writing your book and finding fans is well within your grasp.

My friend Emma Dhesi has you covered.

She has brought together 20+ experts to help you structure your novel for success so you can plot a story that flows and find a flood of new readers. And I’m also one of the speakers!

Be A Bestseller 4.0: Write Your Novel With Confidence runs from 16-27 January 2023 and it’s totally FREE!

To REGISTER GO HERE

A replay of all the interviews will be available!

Early Bird Special For Chart Your Path to Publication 2023 –You Don’t Want to Miss This!

Hi writers,

Ten years ago, around this time of year, I became a published (and paid) writer! My story, ‘Family Line’ was published in the Stories of You: Tales of the Second Person. That story has gone on to be widely anthologized in print and audio. I still get goosebumps thinking about that milestone.

“Family Line” appeared in this recent anthology

Let’s celebrate my win with something to support your writing life!

Here’s what I’m going to do:

I’ve created an early bird special for you to enroll in my Chart Your Path to Publication online course which starts in January 2023. I only open this course once a year.

I know that might be enough for you but I’m going to do something AWESOME here which is to include my very popular mini-training on Savvy Submission Strategies for Writers!

This mini-training helps you take the fear, overwhelm and confusion out of the submission process so you can be a more visible, successful and confident writer.

To get you ready for 2023, I’ll send you the training (two videos) and then you can join me in an interactive live workshop via Zoom on Sunday, Dec 4, 2022, 4pm EST:

            “How to Navigate The Submission Stream”

During the workshop, I will be guiding you through exercises to help align your writing goals with easeful ways of getting more of your work into the “submission stream”, accepted, and published. We’ll have time for Q&A so you can get answers to some of your burning questions. 

*Delivered via Zoom. I’d love for you to be there live but if you can’t it’s no problem–it will be recorded!

Many of you have wanted to work with me and this course provides a great way to do so.

 

 Chart Your Path to Publication online course

Modules on how to submit your work, tools of the trade (how to write cover letters, bios, query letters, book proposals), how to find markets for your work, author mindset (how to navigate rejection) + MUCH MORE+ a Live Coaching Call

My online course provides you a roadmap to expertly and joyously navigate your way through the ever-changing and volatile landscape of publishing.

This course will teach you strategies to beat the odds of rejection. You’ll learn how to select markets for your work,  how to submit your work, track submissions, and find great resources.

If you come to the end of every year wondering why you aren’t more widely published, this is the course for you!

Let me support you to get published and experience confidence every step of the way.

My early bird special is pretty amazing. Those of you who know me know I like to “over deliver”.  

This offer is gone 11:59 pm Monday, Nov 28 (Pacific Standard Time)

Check out all the details for enrollment here. 

In a week or so I’ll be telling everyone outside this community about Chart Your Path to Publication and offering it at a higher price and without this bonus workshop. So, if this sounds good to you, I’d go here now .

Best,
Michele

PS, I should mention that this year’s cohort of writers I worked with in Chart Your Path to Publication had many writing successes including: 

-Earning their first publication credit!

-Getting more sales of their work!

-Establishing and refinement of their writing practices

-Upgraded mindset about what is possible for them

-Gained more confidence working with editors, agents and publishing professionals

-Negative writing habits dissolved, even after years of struggle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Zombies? Love Diverse Characters? Support Blackened Roots!

Hi creative community,Although Halloween is officially over, I’ve got something for you if you enjoy horror, stories about the undead and/or want to support diverse creators.I just contributed to the Indiegogo campaign for Blackened Roots: An Anthology of the Undead.

Blackened Roots is an anthology of stories written by Black writers from all over the world featuring tales of non-traditional zombies. Think The Girl With All The Gifts, not The Walking Dead.

The anthology is co-edited by Stoker-nominated and award-winning editor and writer Nicole Givens Kurtz at Mocha Memoirs Press, and award-winning producer and editor Tonia Ransom at NIGHTLIGHT. At least three stories from the anthology will air on the NIGHTLIGHT podcast.

Even if you can’t give at this time, would you do me a huge favor and share this campaign in your networks? TY!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/blackened-roots-an-anthology-of-the-undead–2#/

Nicole is an amazing author, a writing buddy of mine and also published one of my stories in the groundbreaking Slay: Stories of the Vampire Noire. And, I’ve been privileged to have one of my stories anthologized bu Nightlight. They are great team!I asked Nicole to share a few words about this project:1 . What makes your Indiegogo unique?Our Indiegogo is unique because it features all Black horror authors proving non-traditional zombie stories. Many of these authors are award-winners and we’re working with an award-winning podcast, NIGHTLIGHT.2 . Why should people support it?People should support diversity in speculative fiction because representation matters, not just for those represented, but for everyone. Members need to see other ethnicities and races in various roles beyond stereotypical ones. It affects how Black people are seen.3.  What’s the deadline?
The deadline for the Indiegogo is due November 25th.

4. Any other things about the indigogogo  you care to share.The table of contents for this volume of non-traditional zombie stories features Eden Royce, Sheree Renee Thomas, Brandon Massey, Craig Laurence Gidney, and so many more. Also, this is the first volume of its  kind.This anthology will be released during Black History month in 2023. Please share with your networks!https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/blackened-roots-an-anthology-of-the-undead–2#/