Our Past Events of 2010
Wonder what IWOSC has to offer you? Wonder what type of people come speak with us?
Here are some of our most recent meetings and events.
Past 2010 General Meetings
Writing Spiritual Topics – health and healing, self-awareness and empowerment, the essence of love, dealing with loss, and more
Monday, February 22, 2010
It’s an evolving trend – humankind’s search for fundamental truths by moving beyond conventional wisdom to ask the questions behind the questions, seeking the answers behind the answers. And consequently, as our personal quests draw more attention within the popular culture, an expanding group of smart thinkers are responding to our call by offering public lectures, structured lessons and a myriad of books. The more popular publications in this arena have risen to the top of the best-seller lists, such as: The “Chicken Soup” series, “A Course in Miracles,” “The Secret,” “The Last Lecture,” “The Power of Now,” “The Science of God,” “Life after Death,” “Healing through Faith,” “Law of Attraction,” and many more.
But how wide and differentiated IS the current market for New Age books and articles? If you choose to write about spiritual topics, what are the most constructive ways to focus your message and then stage yourself as an authority and lecturer? How do you define your platform and handle criticism of your message? And most important, why write a book of this nature to begin with?
Our panel will discuss these questions and more by expressing their reasons for tackling such a provocative literary journey and what they’ve learned along the way. Come and join this sharing of ideas and experience.
Our panelists:
DEE WALLACE has worked for over 100 film directors, including Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Wes Craven, Joe Dante, Stephen King, Rob Zombie, and Blake Edwards, and is notably remembered for her starring role in “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” Ms. Wallace appears in the new Harrison Ford film, “Extraordinary Measures.” Recent television credits include “Sons and Daughters,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Cold Case,” “Without a Trace,” and “Ghost Whisperer.”
Ms. Wallace has written three books devoted to the art of self-healing: “Conscious Creation,” “The Big E,” and “The Spiritual Lessons of An Actor’s Journey.” Her call-in radio shows air worldwide. She conducts teaching seminars through the United States, as well monthly workshops about the healing techniques outlined in her books. She also facilitates private healing sessions in the Los Angeles area.
Wallace’s Law of Attraction radio show is every other Thursday at loaradionetwork.com/dee-wallace.html. Also see officialdeewallace.com.
RICHARD JELUSICH, Ph.D., has been teaching, giving lectures, workshops, and private sessions for over 20 years. He served as Dean of Administration and Core Faculty at the California Institute for Human Science, and currently holds a chair on the Board of Directors, continuing as part of the core faculty. Having earned a Ph.D. in Human Science, Jelusich researches the properties of light and sound and the blending of metaphysics and science. He is also an “intuitive” and energy worker, able to perceive how “soul-quality” infuses itself into our waking personality. Dr. Jelusich’s goals are simple: to de-mystify metaphysics, and also to heal and help self-empower individuals on multiple levels.
TODD J. LYON, M. D., graduated from New York University School of Medicine and is a Board Certified Family Physician specializing in mind/body healing. Skilled in the use of hypnosis, Dr. Lyon helps his patients deal with chronic pain. He also leads workshops about physical/emotional state management, grieving, our body’s expression of internal/unconscious experiences, and therapeutic hypnosis. He has a particular interest in somatic awareness as a tool for healing and spiritual transformation. His book, “The Holding Sky of Awareness,” is a collection of essays and metaphors explaining how we can reach states of joy by tempering our egos.
MONY VITAL, Ph.D., is the director and creator of Vital Energetic Balancing, a program designed to raise life force, balance frequencies, and evaluate energy blockages within the physical matrix. Dr. Vital’s program combines the science of quantum mechanics with spiritual perspectives and insight. Using sound frequency technology, Vital Balancing provides in-home bio-energy balancing via one’s own personal computer. In addition, Mony Vital is author of “Ageless Living; Freedom from the Culture of Death.” Through his book and programs, Dr. Vital provides the information you need to create effective life changes.
GEMINI ADAMS has written three books, eight e-books and hundreds of articles for magazines such as: “Women's Health,” “Red,” and “Live It Natural.” As an Amazon bestselling author, Ms. Adams is also the recipient of the National Best Book Award 2009, and the Winston Churchill Fellowship 2006. Her books have been published worldwide by Duncan Baird and Sterling, and have been translated into Spanish by Random House. She has also self-published, self-publicized and gained coverage on 50+ radio and TV shows. In the role of Book Midwife, her mission is to help other budding authors get their work finished and published. She is also a member of the National Federation of Spiritual Healers.
ELAINE WILKES, Ph.D., N.C., M.A., LEED, is the Hay House author of the book, “Nature’s Secret Messages: Hidden in Plain Sight.” It was awarded a rare star of recommendation from Publisher’s Weekly. She will share her experience of working with Hay House publishers. Wilkes combines her Ph.D. in naturopathy, a master’s degree in psychology, her nutrition degree, and a LEED™ accreditation. She writes and speaks on how nature has the answers to the issues that you and society are facing. She has a private practice as a wellness counselor/motivator, and teaches a method for passing the LEED™ exam. See ElaineWilkes.com.
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Writing 2.0: Electronic, POD, and Social Media
Monday, January 25, 2010
Now that you have so many options for the dissemination of your writing, as well as the promotion of your book and/or services, the choices can be daunting -- if you look at it as one package. However, when you break down the components, each one can serve to enhance all the aspects of your work … without making you crazy.
Our expert panel will explain the new methods offered today, and show you how to integrate these new tools and shortcuts to promote your work.
Our panel includes:
ANNETTE FIX is the author of “The Break-Up Diet: A Memoir,” a finalist in the memoir category for ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year. Her memoir was recently optioned for development as a cable television series (the direct result of her social networking on Twitter).
Annette speaks at national writers’ conferences and hosts online and in-person workshops: “Online Author and Book Promotion,” “How to Get the Right Agent for Your Manuscript,” and “Memoir 101: Drawing from Your Life to Create Your Story.” Annette blogs about writing and book marketing at AnnetteFix.com. She provides freelance services that include comprehensive manuscript analysis and publishing consulting. Annette is the former Senior Editor of WOW! WomenOnWriting.com, an online magazine written by, for, and about women in the publishing industry. Under her editorship, the site celebrated its second year on the list of the Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers.
PENNY C. SANSEVIERI, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., is a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed many innovative Internet book marketing campaigns. She is the author of five books, including “Red Hot Internet Publicity” which has been called the "leading guide to everything Internet." AME is the first marketing and publicity firm to use Internet promotion to its full impact through The Virtual Author Tour™, which strategically works with social networking sites, micro-blogs, blogs, book videos, and relevant sites to push an author’s message into the virtual community and connect with sites related to the book's topic, positioning the author in his or her market. AME has had ten recent books top such bestseller lists as the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal. To learn more, go to Amarketingexpert.com.
ELLEN REID is one of the industry’s premier book shepherds. For over ten years she has been helping authors and independent publishers produce books that win awards and, more importantly, stand tall to compete in a rapidly changing book market. She brings to her clients a uniquely diverse background in advertising, marketing, and sales, so the books she shepherds are all branded and positioned to SELL. Her mantra is that there are only three things that matter when it comes to books: quality, quality, quality. Her new book, “Putting Your Best Book Forward,” will be published this month. Smarketing.com.
JULIE SPIRA is a best-selling author and social media expert. She is the founder of Social Media and More, a social media marketing company that helps authors, businesses, and individuals create personalities and brands on the Web. She utilized her social media marketing expertise in making her book, “The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online,” a bestseller. Through her social media expertise, she launched her site which is consistently ranked in the top 2-2.5% in websites worldwide, according to Alexa. Spira has appeared on numerous media outlets for her expertise in social media and was recently named the Newsmaker of the Week by the Los Angeles Business Journal. She also holds the position of Executive VP/Social Media for Brandloft. Visit her at SocialMediaMore.com.
~~~~~~~ Past 2010 Seminars ~~~~~~~
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Seminar:
Grammar for Grownups: Painless Grammar and Punctuation Review for Writers
Back by popular demand is "Grammar for Grownups: A Painless Grammar and Punctuation Review for Writers," offered by Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). Presenter is Flo Selfman, public relations consultant, proofreader/copyeditor and sixth-year IWOSC president.
Has the lazy language of email and texting made your professional communications sloppy? Do you agonize every time you prepare an article or a query letter because you're afraid it contains grammar and punctuation errors? Are your skills a little rusty?
Seminar participants will gain grammar confidence in a review of few simple rules that can correct dozens of the most commonly made errors in written and spoken communication. Topics to be covered include:
· 10 common grammar and punctuation errors to avoid
· How to error-proof a manuscript
· Why spell-check isn't enough (or, when is a rose not a rose?)
· Why grammar and punctuation matter
· My computer has a dictionary; what else do I need?
· Coping with current trends in language
· And more!
The seminar incorporates class exercises and useful handouts, and the opportunity to have your grammar, syntax, and punctuation questions answered.
Seminar presenter FLO SELFMAN is a public relations consultant with more than twenty years experience creating and implementing PR campaigns for entertainment, literary and lifestyle clients. Her press kits have received awards. She is a consultant on all aspects of publishing, marketing and publicity for self-published authors and small publishing companies. Her new writing-editing service (with Roberta Edgar) is Words a la Mode.
A native of Ohio, Selfman has a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA, a California Secondary Teaching Credential, and the Instructor Development Certificate from UCLA Extension. This is her sixth year as president of IWOSC.
What they say about her workshops:
- “The grammar class was fabulous. Thanks for all the preparation!! Loved every bit of it!”
- “I thoroughly enjoyed your class. Please let me know when you have more”.
- “Excellent course. A wide array of topics. Well-presented. Answered a lot of questions.”
- “GREAT, FANTASTIC FUN!! Teaching with humor always gets the point across.”
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Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Seminar:
WEBSITES AND BLOGGING: The latest information and methods
Blogging and website creation can go hand-in-hand, one complementing the other, but the journey begins with a single step.
In this seminar, you'll discover how to:
- Define your website goals and objectives and then design your website to win.
- The ideal homepage structure that promotes your books and closes the sale.
- Strike the right balance between selling and information.
- Design your website that promotes your books, builds community, grows your email list, and moves visitors from surfer to buyer.
- Brand yourself and your books online.
- Craft your website to deliver what your target market seeks.
- Match your web site with your SEO strategy.
- Use a blog to bring your fans back to your site again and again.
- And much, much more.
Our expert will show, in layman’s language, what options exist and how to simplify the integration of the new technology into your work.
If you are a writer, you can greatly enhance your promotion and even your creative flow by having a website that addresses the new century and a blog that comments on it.
Spend a morning with us and take notes. It’s actually easier than it looks.
Returning to IWOSC following two dynamic presentations in 2009 is PENNY C. SANSEVIERI, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. She’s a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed many innovative Internet book marketing campaigns. Sansevieri is the author of five books, including “Red Hot Internet Publicity” which has been called the "leading guide to everything Internet." AME is the first marketing and publicity firm to use Internet promotion to its full impact through The Virtual Author Tour™, which strategically works with social networking sites, micro-blogs, blogs, book videos, and relevant sites to push an author’s message into the virtual community and connect with sites related to the book’s topic, positioning the author in his or her market. AME has had ten recent books top bestseller lists including New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal. To learn more about Penny’s books or her promotional services, go to amarketingexpert.com.
~~~~~~~ Past 2009 IWOSC Reads Its Own ~~~~~~~
Sunday, January 31, 2010
2:00 - 4 p.m.
Free
Twice a year IWOSC holds a special FREE event — IWOSC Reads Its Own — a spellbinding afternoon of eclectic, eccentric, and exemplary works — from poems to true stories to hilarious monologues and beyond, read aloud by distinguished IWOSC scribes.
Sixteen of IWOSC’s talented member writers will read short excerpts from their work. We’ll be regaled with their wit, have our emotions stirred, or be plunged into deep thought. First-time and return readers will share their work. Selections may be published, unpublished, or works in progress, several minutes in length.
We're pleased to announce another outing of IWOSC Reads Its Own at Barnes & Noble in The Grove
189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (map)
Come hear:
Ron Vazzano ("Shots from a Passing Car"),
Gary Young (“Loss and Found”),
Lisa-Catherine Cohen,
Robert Birchard (Cecil B. DeMille’s Hollywood”),
Marvin J. Wolf ("Where White Men Fear to Tread"),
Keith Adams (“Broken Whole”),
Kay Mouradian (“A Gift in the Sunlight: An Armenian Story”),
Michele Newman,
Todd Reimer,
Flo Selfman
Lisa Marguerite Mora,
Sue Paoletti,
Dave Henderson, and
Joe Wallenstein.
Reservation NOT Required
Location: Barnes & Noble at The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036
~~~~~~~ Past 2010 Parties ~~~~~~~
Each year we have a summer party and winter party. You'll always be able to learn about them here.
