May Mini-Edition: A new workshop! + my favorite things
What's getting me through this pandemic? Recipes, tea, books, and other small joys
Greetings writers & readers,
As many of you know, I was due to present at Grub Street Inc.’s The Muse & the Marketplace Conference back in April. I’ve attended and/or presented at this conference for several years now and it’s made a huge impact on my goal setting and confidence when it comes to my work, both as a writer and a marketing coach. I was crushed when the conference, along with everything else, was cancelled as we entered The Great Pause.
So I am thrilled to announce that the #Muse20 magic is going virtual! My amazing co-presenter Leah DeCesare (author of Forks, Knives, and Spoons) and I will be kicking off Grub Street’s Muse 2020 Seminar Series with our session and Q&A: “What Booksellers Want Writers to Know” on June 2nd at 7pm via Zoom. We’ll be talking about marketing, bookselling, supporting bookstores, events (IRL and virtual), and much more.
The best part? Registration is not limited to original Muse attendees and the seminars are a la carte, so pick the ones that inspire you the most! More will be scheduled throughout the summer months.
We’re all trying to find ways to make the best of this time. In that spirit, below are some of my favorite distractions right now. Please share your own faves in the comments!
Upcoming Workshops:
June 2 (7pm): What Booksellers Want Writers to Know via Zoom! - reg. required
June 11 (10am): Speculative Fiction Variety Hour* now via Zoom! - FREE!
*actually 90 minutes of exploring topics in speculative fiction, genre, and writing
**JUST ADDED!**
June 13 (10:30): Marketing & Platform Building for Writers — Whether You’re Published or Not via Zoom! - reg. required
Need some one-on-one marketing a/o manuscript attention? I’m still doing consults!
ICYMI: Recent Newsletters / Threads
A few of my favorite things: Coronavirus Edition
Sitting (alone!) on my deck in the coolness of dusk with tea and writing
Blood Orange Hibiscus iced tea from MEM Tea
Revitalize tea (hot or iced!) from Pukka
Connecting with friends, family, and fellow writers on a daily basis
These Sour Cream and Onion Biscuits from Bon Appetit
Salted-Caramel Pretzel Crunch Bars from Sally’s Baking Addiction aka “Caramel Snacky Things” aka the only dessert I want right now.
Ok, I will also eat these Double-Chocolate Macaroons from Saveur (gluten-free!)
The Adventure Zone podcast (yes, I have finally started listening!)
Playing Dominion Online and other online games to stay connected with friends
Finally reading Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Finally reading The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders
Re-watching Psych with my high school BFF
Re-watching The Expanse based on one of my favorite sci-fi book series
Filling garden beds and pots with vegetable seeds, seedlings, herbs, and flowers
And honestly, putting together this newsletter
Keep reaching out and helping one another. Let me know about any marketing campaigns, resources, or new books so I can signal boost!
All the best,
~Allison
Writer & Marketing Coach
Keep Writing, Keep Connecting! Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter | Website
Allison has happily made books her life’s work. She spent four years marketing and publicizing academic titles at The MIT Press before she went to work for Wellesley Books as a children’s bookseller and event coordinator. She is now living her dream: putting her B.A. in Creative Writing to good use as a novelist and as a writing/marketing coach for authors. She enjoys science fiction, cupcakes, and a hot cup of tea.