by Theresa Garee | Aug 3, 2020 | Blog, Write Now Columbus Essay Archives
Write Now Columbus – August 2020
Still here, still in the middle of the pandemic, still writing. Most things are virtual, while zoom fatigue is very real. Harvard Business Review offers some tips. Who knew we would learn to love plain old phone calls again?
One of my sanity techniques is to change things up.
On Bum Glue Blog, I’ve begun two new post series.
For the first, Mango Publishing’s lovely and talented intern, Ashlee, created some fabulous graphics using excerpts from You Should Be Writing, the writing journal I co-authored with Associate Publisher, and award-winning author, Brenda Knight. In the first series of new posts, I riff about what each excerpt brings to mind. Here’s a sample.
In the second series, I interview authors. I’m fascinated by each author’s process and hope the answers inform your work or at least entertain.
As for my zooming, my next Writing from the Inside Out class will be on zoom this Sunday. Two weeks later I’ll be zooming to talk about Depression Hates a Moving Target at the Run Pain Free Marathon Training Summit. It’s a star-studded lineup and I’m so honored to be included. I’ll round out the month with our very own Ohioana Book Festival, another huge honor.
Did I mention zoom fatigue? No complaints here.
So far, there are 16 writing-related events on the Write Now Columbus – August 2020 calendar. With increased competition now that everything has gone virtual, I hope you will continue to support our local bookstores, groups, and agencies with your attention and dollars. They continue to provide so much for our vibrant writing community.
As always, if you hear of events, groups, workshops, please let me know. I appreciate your help!
Thank you and may you and yours be well.
![Bum Glue Has Moved!]()
by Theresa Garee | Apr 19, 2019 | Blog
Bum Glue has migrated to my new website.
Please head over there!
by Theresa Garee | Aug 16, 2018 | Blog
Platform. Platform. Platform.
It is not news that editors and agents want a writer to have a following. And it shouldn’t be news that they expect that writer to have those potential readers in place BEFORE the book is published. But I’m often late to the party.
Oh, I’ve had a platform for years. I’ve been publishing Write Now Newsletter, my monthly writing email, since 2003. I’ve been writing this blog for nearly that long. You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn. But in the current market, publishers favor authors who have a platform ON STEROIDS!
When I received a reminder of this truth, I did what I always do. I went to the library. The stack of books in the photo is just the beginning of my research. And, honestly, I already know much of what they are suggesting.
I also asked my friends, especially the younger ones, for advice. Last night, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to post something on Instagram. A friend sent this helpful photo:
Literally, I just didn’t know what button to push!
But once I’ve figured out the mechanics of these sites, there are bigger challenges. Yes I had a presence on these platforms, but I wasn’t engaging on social media often enough and I wasn’t doing it the most effective way. I’m still reading and consulting friends, but as I make changes, my numbers are climbing.
Stay tuned. Give me a few more weeks and I’ll write about what I’ve learned.
by Theresa Garee | Jul 16, 2018 | Blog
And that’s why I named this blog, Bum Glue!
by Theresa Garee | Jun 3, 2016 | Blog
“I’m a hustler, baby; I sell water to a well!” ― Jay-Z
In real estate, it’s “location, location, location.” These days, in writing, it’s “platform, platform, platform.” Before the sales pitch must come a well-written book of course. But if an agent has to decide between two well-written books, she’ll choose the one written by an author with a platform. At least that’s what I’m learning in my research to find an agent for my memoir, Twenty-Six Point Freaking Two.
I’m fortunate to have had the chance to create Write Now Newsletter from a mailing list gifted to me by Shannon Jackson Arnold thirteen years ago. With it and my blog, Bum Glue, I’ve built a small, but growing group of readers and subscribers, aka, a platform.
These days, however, Facebook and Twitter are the go to outlets for information. We writers need to have a presence on at least a few of those social media outlets. I’ve been on Twitter for several years. You can follow me there.
Recently, I created a Facebook author page. I’d love for you to follow that page as well. My author page will include updates about my writing process, more general writing information, and central Ohio writing events that were sent too late for the once-a-month newsletter. I hope you’ll join the conversation and invite your friends too.
Are you doing anything to create a platform? I’d love to hear about it.
