Greetings from Cape Town

Hi Community!
I am new here and excited to meet you! I am a journalist and magazine editor with a long history in the corporate communications world, so I am interested in exploring my creative writing side.To date I have edited two books (both memoirs) and am hoping to start writing my first book.... but the title eludes me!
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RJ Garside
RJ Garside
Hi @CreativeMercedes!

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Welcome to SavvyAuthors! Titles are always so hard. They are the bane of my existence. I'd rather go through rounds of editing than figure out a title. It always seems just when I find a title I like when I google it there are a thousand books with the same title. I wish you luck!

I love learning about author's backgrounds. There seem to be a lot of authors that come from a journalist background.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We are thrilled to have you join us.

RJ
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Request for Proposals for 2021 SavvyAuthors WriterCon!

2021 WRITERCON- banner.jpg
It’s the most wonderful time of the year...or we at least think so! Our SavvyWriterCon online conference is fast approaching, and we need YOUR help to put on the best online conference yet!

This year, SavvyWriterCon will be held September 10-September 12th. We are on the lookout for bite-sized two-day intensives that will run Friday until Sunday.

New! We are also taking applications for live webinars. Please note our webinars will be scheduled EDT.

What are we looking for?
We want topics that presenters felt were fundamental in their success. It could be a technique or craft related such as plotting a page turner, crafting your writing voice to stand out from the crowd; the writing process, such as making yourself write, etc.; the publishing industry, self-publishing industry, genre-specific, or other ideas are welcome. Our goal is to help our members get published and stay published.

* All topics should be actionable with something registrants can take and apply to their own writing careers.

About SavvyWriterCon
SavvyWriterCon is an online conference for writers at all levels and is one of the ways throughout the year that SavvyAuthors exemplifies by action the principles inherent in our motto - Writers Helping Writers.
Register Now!

What do you get for hosting a Learning Intensive or live webinar?
  • Networking opportunities! This online con is full of aspiring authors, self-published, and traditionally published authors, publishing editors, literary agents, and more.
  • Promotion! We promote the SavvyWriterCon event across our social media accounts, and to our newsletter list of over 6,000 subscribers.
  • One FREE Premium Membership! for one year to SavvyAuthors.com, valued at $40. We want you to come back and continue to participate after SavvyWriterCon!
  • Advertisement! SavvyAuthors will provide at no cost, advertisement space on our website for 30 days for one book or series.
So what is expected from you?

Learning Intensives
These are held in our SavvyAuthors forums and do not require you to be present at a specific time. Our members are in time zones across the world!

The learning intensives should consist of an introduction/bio and mini-lesson, a more meaty lecture/lesson, discussion, and wrap-up A lecture/lesson could also include a short assignment that initiates discussions. We are looking for streamlined topics and lessons.

Introduction/background/bio and short lesson or spark for discussion is to be posted as early as possible EST on 9/10, a lesson/lecture posted on 9/11, and wrap-up on 9/12. A moderator will be assigned to assist with any issues or technical difficulties.

Live Webinar
Live webinars will be scheduled during the evening of 9/10, during the day of 9/11 and 9/12. A moderator will be present to record the webinar and provide any support needed by registrants. We also strongly recommend a dry-run to test audio during the week before.



Want to submit a proposal? Please send HERE.
Need to register for the Con? Register here!

Have questions? Email RJ Garside

Thanks for your help! We'd never be able to bring these awesome events to our members without help from our writing community! We appreciate you!

Thanks,

RJ
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Champagne Book Group?

Hello, I submitted a pitch last year to Cassie (Cassiel) Knight, Publisher at Champagne Book Group, during a Savvy Authors pitch event. She requested more chapters, which I submitted, but never heard back (six months ago). I sent off an email to her last month but didn't hear back from that either. Does anyone now if they are still in business? I'm more worried about Cassie than I am about my submission.
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Savvy is looking for instructors!

Hi all
We just sent out our 2021/22 Request for Proposals! So if you have a mad skill that other authors can use, read on!

Teach at SavvyAuthors!
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As an author, we know you have a lot on your plate. So, why not make some extra cash with all the great information and hard lessons you’ve learned? You paid in sweat and coffee, now let that knowledge make extra cash for you by teaching at SavvyAuthors!

We provide the classroom infrastructure, an online moderator, promotion through our newsletter and social media channels, and all the administrative work. All you have to do is provide and post the content!

We are currently accepting workshop proposals for the end of June 2021 and into 2022.

We are on the lookout for craft workshops with clearly actionable content such as:

  • Plotting especially beat sheets and fast drafting. Also interested in easy guides to character arcs or new takes on story structure.
  • Adopting or strengthening the use of GMC, creating tension, character creation and layers, internal wounds.
  • Writing elements, especially scene and sequel, filtering description, showing versus telling, deeper point of view, how to make characters unique and different through their point of view.
  • Self-editing best practices and processes such as writing to market and working on a rapid release schedule. Think of ways to polish the first five or ten pages to get past the slush pile.
  • Writing business materials such as crafting a blurb, query letter, or synopsis.
We are less interested in general interest, marketing, and business workshops.

  • We’re still looking for great workshops on these topics, but there will be a limited number of spots available.
  • All classes on these materials must provide practical information with a clear application to selling books.
  • Genre-specific classes around romance, mystery, and suspense are of interest this year. We would also like to add classes on other genres such as Young Adult, Middle Grade, Picture Book, and Nonfiction.
NEW This Year!

We are also on the lookout for classes that are well-suited to a video class. The video class will consist of three to five 20 minute recordings or shorter but no fewer than 60 minutes of recorded time.

We are looking for instructors with a strong registration background and the ability to produce and record professional videos. SavvyAuthors will provide video editing with presenters that are a good fit with our vision.

We are not currently accepting proposals for live webinars.

The fine print

We provide a class roster and detailed accounting. Our stipend is 50% of fees, plus a yearly premium membership valued at $40. If you are willing to teach the class for us only, we will happily pay you 60% and give you additional promotion and advertising. We prefer new or workshops that haven’t been presented online in the last 12 months.

Please do visit us at SavvyAuthors.

If you still have questions after reviewing Teach for SavvyAuthors, please shoot us an email!
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New member here!

Nice to be here! I came across this site completely by accident but I'm glad I did!
I'm in (what I hope to be) my final draft of my first novel. It's near-future sci fi at ~80k words. I'm in the process of going through beta reader feedback (22 betas, 9 responses) and hope to be done by the end of the month. Would love to join the crit group and I think I did (not sure - the page kept looping). Looking forward to meeting everyone!
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Dawn_McClure
Dawn_McClure
Hello! I just checked the backend, and yes, you are registered in the crit program. :) Welcome to Savvy!
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First Publishing needed

I"m looking to publish a short story or two. Suggestions? Thank you
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Mona
Mona
You just missed Hank Quense's class on self-publishing, and it was loaded with info. I don't have any personal experience, so I'm not much help. Maybe @Sahara Roberts can be more helpful.
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New Fantasy & Sci-Fi Writer

Hello! My name is Allie and I primarily write Fantasy and Science Fiction, and my current Work in Progress is a Young Adult (Epic) Fantasy. I'm hoping to find some critique partners and possibly beta readers both for this WIP and future projects. I am looking forward to making some great connections with fellow writers!
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Hello! New Fantasy Author Here

Hello,

I received an email from RJ Garside saying I should introduce myself. So, here I am, introducing myself.

I am new to the world of writing (nine years ago when I decided I wanted to write a book). My debut novel, Season of Sacrifice, the beginning to an epic fantasy series, is set to release less than a week from now, 3/20/21. I'm terrified, excited, and exhausted. I'm guessing this is normal right before a book release, but if not, please someone set me straight.

I learned about and joined Savvy Authors because my editor has a class I'm hoping to learn a thing or two from. And I'm hoping being here opens many more doors.

Cheers,
Jonathan Michael
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RJ Garside
RJ Garside
Hi, @Jonathan Michael,

Welcome to SavvyAuthors! Congratulations on your almost release! That is SO exciting! I'm pretty sure it's normal to be terrified, excited, and exhausted.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything!

RJ
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Introduction sort of

I'm new. I haven't completed my profile. YET. I've writing for years, but mostly for work or personal annoyance. I've written about paranormal and urban fantasy. Now I've signed up for the Cozy writing class. Clearly I have not settled on a genre. It's like my language skills. I've attempted five foreign languages, including English and have yet to master any of them.

So. Hello. I'm just so glad to be here.
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RJ Garside
RJ Garside
Hi, @meldridge15!

Welcome to SavvyAuthors. I apologize for the delay in my reply. I must have missed the notification of your post. I wouldn't worry about settling on a genre. Write what you love. :)

We are thrilled to have you join us. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

RJ
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Don't mind me...just a fantasy author sidlin' on in here...

Hello!

My name's Darek. I've been here since the October Pitchfest and figured it was time I introduced myself. I'm currently working on my manuscripts in the Science Fantasy genre; I found my perfect novel series to right and now just looking for my shot. When not imagining all the things that probably exist somewhere in the universe, I'm an English Instructor at a University, and I often contemplate the wild ride that's been my life thus far.

Feel free to ask why there's two of me in my photo (no, it's not a twin! XD).
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New Here! YA Adventure & A Fantasy Writer

I'm the founder of the Frolicking Raptors Writers Club, and joined SavvyAuthors to participate in the Sweetheart Pitchfest! I created a club where we can exchange submission materials with critique partners in order to get feedback, to give ourselves the best possible opportunities to streamline the process of finding the right agent to champion your book. I was inspired after the most recent PitchWars on Twitter.
I've got a complete A Fantasy novel I'm querying, and my current WIP is a tense YA Adventure, based off of true events.

-Rosie
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Newb (as they say in gamer talk) -- mom with kids ... not a gamer

Hello All!
I am very active on Instagram (@TheTenaciousFlower) and discovered this page from another author's story post. The Sweetheart Pitchfest was a definite enticement for me to come see what Savvy Authors was all about.

I am an elementary school librarian, with two young kiddos of my own. Writing has always been an interest of mine. A year ago, a seed was planted in my mind to pen a children's picture book. I am now sending my wishes off into the universe in the hopes that a publisher or agent will help me grow my manuscript into a gorgeous flourishing children's book.


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~* It Starts with a Wish *~

Emily Poletick Job
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