10 Months of Forward Mobility in Writing and Publishing
by Kathryn Ross, Book and Writing Shepherd
Register for this 10 month course designed for the novice Christian writer lay the foundation and framework for higher goals and mission in writing and publishing.
COURSE OUTLINE
by Kathryn Ross, Book and Writing Shepherd
Register for this 10 month course designed for the novice Christian writer lay the foundation and framework for higher goals and mission in writing and publishing.
COURSE OUTLINE
Month 1: Own a Writer’s Mission Statement
Explore the writer’s call. Determine purpose and mission for writing and publishing and formulate it into a one to two sentence statement of purpose. Choose a Scripture or quote as personal inspiration. Write an author's bio. Consider the responsibilities for day, week, month that advance the life of a writer: daily word count, manuscript/idea development, Choose two written pieces to develop to completion. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 2: Prayerful & Professional Goal Setting
Introduce worksheet to record efforts in significant areas: business set-up, daily devotional living and word count; manuscript/idea development, office space; professionalism; monthly writing resource read; self-instruction as needed in technical skills, computer; networking with other writers via group fellowship or on-line contacts. Create social media accounts and presence. Brainstorm blog/website plan and plan framework in notes. The 30 minute edit on recent work.
Month 3: Establish Online Territory
Review Goal Setting Worksheet and discuss how to build up any areas in disrepair. Complete website set-up. Upload images, bio, mission, and publish first two articles online. May require website fee. Share to social media presence. Plan blog content and schedule for development and publication. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 4: The Habit of Inspired Ideas for Content Creation
Be aware of and practice inspired, creative thinking in the mundane duties of everyday. Record ideas for user friendly and easy reference. Plan an article, devotional, poem, short story, or possible book around each idea. Give examples of how to expand on ideas through outlining and research. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 5: Expand Your Reach: Choose Target Markets
Consult the Writer’s Market Guide to find viable markets for possible articles, stories, etc. from the idea files. Prepare index cards of each viable market to target. Explore other writing resources such as magazines, internet, for possible markets. Learn how to distinguish a good market from a lesser one. Consider contests. What must be done in shaping ideas into articles to stay within writing guidelines of specific markets? Discuss rights, reprints, simultaneous submissions, and more. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 6: Pitch Like a Professional
Compose a Query Letter to chosen markets. Choose edited and polished articles to submit. Purpose of a book proposal and how to write it. Instruction in formatting for articles, books, proposals. Advise on little things to make queries, proposals, and manuscripts shimmer with professionalism. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 8: Manuscript Mileage: Make the Most of Your Efforts
Scan idea files for articles to expand in new markets. Think outside the box to recycle for reprint. The 30 minute edit on recent work.
Month 9: Recordkeeping, Inventory, and Organization
Organization of materials is a priority. Brainstorm ideas on customized recordkeeping and organization of files. Take inventory of work done, queries sent, manuscripts sent, acceptances, rejections, payments, and more.
Month 10: Review, Refresh, Retreat, Renew
End of course appraisal of goals accomplished, mission maintenance, and strategies for growth. Have you been a Writer on the Way? Have you made "forward mobility" in your writing and publishing? Determine next steps and GO FORTH!
NOTE: Elements of monthly sessions are customized to each writer's unique gifts and calling.
Explore the writer’s call. Determine purpose and mission for writing and publishing and formulate it into a one to two sentence statement of purpose. Choose a Scripture or quote as personal inspiration. Write an author's bio. Consider the responsibilities for day, week, month that advance the life of a writer: daily word count, manuscript/idea development, Choose two written pieces to develop to completion. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 2: Prayerful & Professional Goal Setting
Introduce worksheet to record efforts in significant areas: business set-up, daily devotional living and word count; manuscript/idea development, office space; professionalism; monthly writing resource read; self-instruction as needed in technical skills, computer; networking with other writers via group fellowship or on-line contacts. Create social media accounts and presence. Brainstorm blog/website plan and plan framework in notes. The 30 minute edit on recent work.
Month 3: Establish Online Territory
Review Goal Setting Worksheet and discuss how to build up any areas in disrepair. Complete website set-up. Upload images, bio, mission, and publish first two articles online. May require website fee. Share to social media presence. Plan blog content and schedule for development and publication. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 4: The Habit of Inspired Ideas for Content Creation
Be aware of and practice inspired, creative thinking in the mundane duties of everyday. Record ideas for user friendly and easy reference. Plan an article, devotional, poem, short story, or possible book around each idea. Give examples of how to expand on ideas through outlining and research. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 5: Expand Your Reach: Choose Target Markets
Consult the Writer’s Market Guide to find viable markets for possible articles, stories, etc. from the idea files. Prepare index cards of each viable market to target. Explore other writing resources such as magazines, internet, for possible markets. Learn how to distinguish a good market from a lesser one. Consider contests. What must be done in shaping ideas into articles to stay within writing guidelines of specific markets? Discuss rights, reprints, simultaneous submissions, and more. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 6: Pitch Like a Professional
Compose a Query Letter to chosen markets. Choose edited and polished articles to submit. Purpose of a book proposal and how to write it. Instruction in formatting for articles, books, proposals. Advise on little things to make queries, proposals, and manuscripts shimmer with professionalism. The 30-minute edit on recent work.
Month 8: Manuscript Mileage: Make the Most of Your Efforts
Scan idea files for articles to expand in new markets. Think outside the box to recycle for reprint. The 30 minute edit on recent work.
Month 9: Recordkeeping, Inventory, and Organization
Organization of materials is a priority. Brainstorm ideas on customized recordkeeping and organization of files. Take inventory of work done, queries sent, manuscripts sent, acceptances, rejections, payments, and more.
Month 10: Review, Refresh, Retreat, Renew
End of course appraisal of goals accomplished, mission maintenance, and strategies for growth. Have you been a Writer on the Way? Have you made "forward mobility" in your writing and publishing? Determine next steps and GO FORTH!
NOTE: Elements of monthly sessions are customized to each writer's unique gifts and calling.