Lisa Tener's Blog: Lisa Tener's Writing/Publishing Blog, page 44

Meet Me in New England: Join Me for a Short Workshop or Two!

I love teaching in-person workshops–there’s a chemistry that happens when we get together in the flesh and connect as writers.  And I so enjoy the opportunity to meet people from my blog and newsletter community in person. As a book writing teacher, I know that sometimes people aren’t quite ready for an 8 week book writing course, but it may be perfect timing for an inexpensive shorter  immersion in writing. I love to help these writers, too, and this spring I have several ways you can get a taste for what I do and put a toe in the water[...]

Who are the Women You Celebrate and Thank on International Women’s Day?

Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day, a day to reflect and admire the women who came before us and how they helped shape the world around them. To celebrate just a handful of the great women who have influenced and inspired me, I thought I’d put together this post in their honor. If you’d like to learn more about this day, please visit the official website. E. L. Konigsburg:  The most memorable book of my elementary years was From the Mixed From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil L Frankweiler up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  I loved the[...]

Publishing Beyond Your Wildest Dreams: An Interview with Carrie Barron

As we near the date of Harvard Medical School’s CME Publishing Course (March 14 – 16), I’m excited about seeing colleagues again and even meeting some of my current clients whom I have not yet met in person. I recommend the course to almost anyone writing a book about health or well being—it’s a fabulous place to meet agents and publishers—and to learn so much about the publishing industry in a short period of time. Authors get feedback about their book ideas—and often end up with a much better sense of both what their  book is (what I call the[...]

Publishing Tips from a Top Literary Agent: An Interview with Regina Brooks

Not long ago, participants in my Bring Your Book to Life Program had the opportunity to ask questions and get answers from a wonderful literary agent and author, my friend, Regina Brooks. Not only did Regina provide insight and insider information about the publishing industry, but she gave special insights into writing and publishing a memoir. As co-author of You Should Really Write a Book: How to Write, Sell and Market Your Memoir, Regina provided advice that I know you’ll want to hear. Rachel Horwitz has generously transcribed our class and picked some of the most powerful nuggets for this[...]

Happy Spilled Milk Day?

There’s Earth Day, Grandparents Day, National Pancake Day—but did you know that today happens to be National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day? What does this have to do with writing a book? Spilled milk:  accidents happen—no need to stress. And as a writer, I’m sure you have your share of days where you feel you’ve made writing mistakes: My editor told me I have the wrong target audience…” My outline is too short… My book has already been written… I wrote the wrong book… After all that polishing, this chapter doesn’t fit in the book anymore… The good news[...]

Creating Your Feel Good Writing Space: Virtual Book Tour Interview and Video

Sherry Burton used my Inspiration to Author 8 week program to write her fabulous new book: Feel Good Spaces A Guide To Decorating Your Home For Body, Mind, & Spirit.  When her publicist, Carol Lawrence, asked if I’d host a stop on Sherry’s blog tour, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to introduce my readers to virtual book tours AND interview Sherry for some advice on creating a feel good writing space. From February 1st – February 12th Sherry is visiting 12 blogs on her virtual book tour. You are invited to follow the tour, visit a new blog each day,[...]

5 Lessons Learned after Publishing Online

I received a wonderful e-mail this morning from Bring Your Book to Life Program graduate, Stephanie Hrehirchuk and thought you might find a few good lessons in it. Stephanie wrote: “Funny story: I was surfing around at links connected to my name. I saw a strange picture that linked me to a health magazine I know. I submitted 2 articles to the magazine early last fall…to put myself out there and exercise some courage in exposing myself and my writing. “So…they published one of the pieces in January. As I read it, I wanted to delete it from their site![...]

Tap into Creativity: An Interview with Dylan Klempner

I love my work as a book writing and publishing coach. Inevitably I meet people who are up to such interesting things–so I’m always learning from them. Sometimes, what they have to teach is particularly relevant to someone writing a book, as is the case with Dylan Klempner who is an artist in residence at Shands Hospital’s Arts in Medicine Program and has just launched the program 31 Days to a More Creative You. Here I interview Dylan more about the benefits of creativity–for anyone and for writers, in particular. Dylan shares his expertise, insights and tips. Lisa: Let’s start[...]

“Take out the Affirmations,” said the Editor…

I recently read an article by my colleague Chellie Campbell on the Wealthy Spirit Blog.   I just loved her story and had to share it, so here’s my interview of Chellie about that defining moment when a publisher told her she liked her book but, “Take out the affirmations.” Lisa: So, Chellie, can you give us a little background? Chellie:  Lisa Hagen, my agent, and I had been working together to find a publisher for my book, The Wealthy Spirit, for over a year, through endless rounds of interest, rejections, almost-deals, and deals that fell through. So when an editor wanted[...]

Make it a TEDx Weekend in Providence

It’s been said that “You don’t know what you don’t know.” What you can know, is that if your 2013 is starting to look mighty similar to your 2012 — and your 2011 — not much is going to change without an infusion of new energy and ideas. What might your business, career or life look like if you opened up to new perspectives, spent time in the company of luminaries, let your mind wander to ask a new question (instead of the same old problems you may repeat in your head day after day)? Enter TED, the inspiring talks[...]