Award-winning author of Perfect on Paper, It’s a Waverly Life, and Honey on Your Mind (coming July 24!)

Learn from Maria

 

Smart, practical advice on book publishing and marketing

Whatever your reason for wanting to become a published author, there’s nothing quite like holding a copy of a book you wrote in your hands. The process may seem daunting, but I promise it’s not as complicated as you may think. Given everything I’ve learned about writing, publishing, and marketing through my own experiences as both a self-published and traditionally published (and award-winning) author, I’m excited to offer author consulting services to help you learn from my successes—and my mistakes.

Whether you need tips for completing that first manuscript, have no idea where to find a literary agent, or are an entrepreneur wondering how to promote your new book (and your business!) without spending a lot of money, I can help you. Every tip, suggestion or warning I share will be based on my first-hand experience, so you can trust that you’ll be getting good advice, no matter where you are in the process.

Following are a few ways to work with me. If you have questions about which package/program is right for you, or how I can best help you, please click here to set up a free 15-minute consultation.

  • Private workshops (in person or via phone, see below)

  • Group workshops (in person or via phone, see below)

  • Hourly advice (in person or via phone, see below)

  • Recorded webinars

  • Business writing

Private workshops

In these one-on-one sessions, I’ll provide you with a working knowledge of both traditional and self-publishing so you can decide which route is best for you. I’ll also explain how to avoid mistakes I made that cost me a LOT of money, and I’ll teach you how to spot scamsters looking to take advantage of unsuspecting authors.

If you’ve already got a book in your hand, I’ll show you how to create a targeted, grassroots marketing campaign!

Step by step we’ll go through the content at a pace that makes sense for you, and you’ll walk away feeling confident that you can put a solid plan in place, whether it’s for getting your manuscript completed and published, or for putting your book into the hands of the right audience.

Topic: I want to get published. Where do I begin?
Length: approximately 1.5 hours
Price: $200

This option is a good fit for you if:

  • You’ve written a manuscript but have no idea what to do with it
  • You’re a small-business owner and know a book will help build your platform
  • You’ve self-published a book but have no idea how to get the word out
  • You have a publisher but not a lot of marketing support

What you will get out of it:

  • Working knowledge of both traditional and self-publishing
  • Confidence to choose the right route for you
  • Action plan for the next steps
  • Tips for saving time, energy and money

Topic: I need help with book marketing!
Length: approximately 1.5 hours
Price: $200

What you will get out of it:

  • An understanding of how to build a foundation for your campaign
  • Creative ideas for how target and reach the right audience—even for self-published books
  • The confidence that you CAN do it if you put in the effort
  • Tips for avoiding mistakes that will cost you time, money and readers

Click here to schedule a private phone workshop.

Group workshops

In these group workshops (minimum 8 attendees where you provide the venue for your group/organization), we’ll focus on publishing or marketing, depending on the needs of the audience. For aspiring authors, I’ll cover the ins and outs of both traditional and self-publishing and provide you with all the tools you need to get your manuscript in print. I’ll also explain how to avoid expensive mistakes and how to spot scamsters looking to take advantage of unsuspecting authors.

For attendees who already have a published book, we’ll discuss how to put together a creative, targeted, grassroots campaign to get the word out!

Topic: I want to get published. Where do I begin?
Length: approximately 1.5-2 hours
Price: $75 per person

What you will get out of it:

  • Working knowledge of both traditional and self-publishing
  • Action plan for the route most appropriate for your individual goals as an author
  • Tips for saving time, energy and money

Topic: I need help with book marketing!
Length: approximately 1.5-2 hours
Price: $75 per person

What you will get out of it:

  • An understanding of how to build a foundation for your campaign
  • Creative ideas for how target and reach the right audience—even for self-published books
  • The confidence that you CAN do it if you put in the effort

Click here to schedule a group workshop.

Hourly advice

Pick my brain on anything regarding book writing, publishing or marketing! Whether you’re struggling with writer’s block, have no idea how to find a literary agent, or want to know exactly how to set up speaking engagements to promote your self-published book, I’ll answer as many of your questions as we can fit in.

*90-minute call: $200

*60-minute call: $150

Click here to schedule a phone consultation.

Recorded webinars (on-demand)

Webinar: Want to become a published author? Learn the secrets to getting your book into print…and mistakes to avoid along the way

This on-demand course will teach you:

  • The difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing for fiction and non-fiction
  • The benefits and drawbacks of each route
  • What to expect along the way
  • How to avoid mistakes that can cost you time, money and readers

Length: 70 minutes
Cost: $49
Click here to view the first few minutes, read customer testimonials, or buy this webinar.

Webinar: Grassroots book marketing: smart, creative tips for getting the word to the right ears

This on-demand course will teach you:

  • How to build a foundation for your marketing campaign
  • How to tap existing and new networks to build credibility and a fan base
  • How to spread the word to a larger audience
  • How to avoid mistakes that will cost you time, money and readers

Length: 80 minutes
Cost: $49
Click here to view the first few minutes, read customer testimonials, or buy this webinar.

Business writing

Before I became a novelist I spent several years in PR, and now I work with clients across all industries to create materials such as:

  • Press releases
  • Case studies
  • Speeches
  • Contributed articles/bylined articles
  • Key message documents (for start-ups)
  • Corporate backgrounders/”about us” documents
  • Website copy
  • Executive bios
  • Whitepapers
  • Presentations for analysts, press, etc.
  • Survey reports

My current and former clients include Facebook, McAfee, NetSpend, Stanford University, Antidote Chocolate and Urban Girl Squad, among many others. For more information or to read client testimonials, click here. If you’re interested in hiring me for this type of work, please click here and send me a note. (Rates vary.)

I look forward to working with you!