Due to other commitments, I was unable to get to November’s conference in Chicago, so I did the next best thing and asked organizer Joanne Cleaver and attendee Nancy Peske to share their thoughts. By all accounts and with a total of nearly 200 participants, both days were a huge success.
As Nancy, who went to Friday’s “Spotlight on Ghostwriting” put it, “It was good to hear that other ghostwriters face the same dilemmas as I do and also to learn their different ways of dealing with common situations.” A ghostwriter, developmental editor, book publishing consultant, and author, she specializes in new age and self-help books, with clients ranging from spiritual teacher, author and lecturer Marianne Williamson to women’s health and wellness advocate Christine Northrup. Her blog has also been recognized by Feedspot as one of the top 40 ghostwriting blogs on the Internet. “For example, how do you handle clients who are constantly contacting you with minor revisions that can be easily managed during routine manuscript flow? How do you avoid project creep? How do you structure your deals and keep clients on track and on schedule?” While some of these issues may occur with all writers they are of particular concern to ghostwriters.
Also, she adds, “It was immensely helpful to learn that there are book packagers who are in need of and will pay good rates to ghostwriters.” Several were in attendance at the conference, including the Jenkins Group, Richter Publishing and, a relatively late addition, IngramSpark, the self-publishing platform of large book distributor Ingram. “A lot of time you feel like you’re in a bubble and if the work isn’t coming, you might think there’s nothing out there. But sometimes it’s [that] you’re just not connecting with the right people at the right place and time.” Always good to know and it can help keep you pitching despite any temporary and discouraging setbacks.
Additionally she was able to share her knowledge with colleagues about what works and what doesn’t in marketing. “A testimonials page is a huge selling point,” Nancy observes. Her page, for example, has not only blurbs from an impressive array of satisfied customers but also photos of the book covers. “A visual element is very important” when drawing traffic to your website. Another important consideration was “that it not just about a big advance, sometimes it’s more about exposure.” Clients who can parlay great book concepts into sequels, blogs, speeches and even movies “can be a constant and reliable source of income, especially if you are very familiar with their voice and platform.”
While the ghostwriting day mostly focused on those who have published at least one book, Saturday, “Boost Your Content IQ” was for all writers, from newbies to the experienced. “We extended our original mission by providing sessions for seasoned editorial freelancers on how to win more work, and more profitable work, from ongoing clients,” remarks Joanne, a full-time freelance business writer since 1981 and an ASJA member since 1994. She has authored seven books, including three on entrepreneurship and met her literary agent at an ASJA conference, winning her with a literal elevator pitch that took only four floors. “Our sponsors and members organized a unique slate of panels and sessions to help new freelancers gain traction with first clients.”
Along with the ever-popular and helpful pitch slam session in which participants were able to hone their querying skills in front of a panel of experienced writers and editors, tracks included how to break in, how to make more from the time and clients that you already have and how to market yourself to clients. Keynoter Monica Eng spoke on her pivot from print to multimedia and back, and the stellar lineup continued with Client Connections. Available to ASJA members only, the speed-dating type meetings with potential corporate clients and publications offered a pre-Thanksgiving bounty of Midwestern and national magazines and newspapers, content providers and literary agents.
Joanne is also quick to acknowledge the dedicated team that made Chicago such as success: “Erin O’Donnell and Jeanette Hurt, who graciously wrangled Client Connections on Saturday; Rosalind Cummings-Yeates, who smoothed the way with Columbia and extended a Chicago welcome through articles and onsite hospitality; and Debbie Carlson and Jera Brown, who rose to every social media opportunity with on-time, on-point messages that got the word out,” she says. And of course presenters, sponsors and “the patient, efficient Kellen staff, and Columbia College for hosting.”
Like me, Nancy appreciated the fact that regional conferences bring the benefits of ASJA closer to home. “It’s not only convenient but affordable,” she observes.
You don’t have to live nearby to attend Write in the Heart of Texas on Saturday, Feb. 3, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Joe C. Thompson Center, Austin. Hone your writing skills with sessions on interview techniques, content marketing, self-editing and landing your first national story. Boost your business savvy with panels on personal branding and money management for freelancers, handling sticky situations with editors and more. Click here to register. Interested in volunteering or discussing sponsorship opportunities? Email asjatx@gmail.com.