Articles - The Writer's Ally™

Self-Publishing Success with Ally Machate and the MWA North Baltimore Chapter – Aug. 24, 2024

With so many options, it can be difficult to navigate your way to self-publishing success. But if you want great results, you need to get real! Ally Machate joins the North Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland Writer’s Association on August 24th to present “5 Steps to Self-Publishing Success: Creating a Plan that’s Right for You” and she’d love for you to tune in!

This virtual presentation will give you a simple five-step roadmap while revealing crucial industry secrets to help you get past the 100-copy ceiling that disheartens so many self-publishers. Ally encourages an individualized approach to publishing: Just copying what the bestselling authors are doing may not work for you—you need a plan designed for your type of book and your particular situation. Ally hopes to set you up for success, and this presentation will offer a perfect starting point for your journey to self-publishing!

This virtual presentation is open to the public and free to MWA members, but you must register to attend. The webinar will begin at 11am Eastern time on Saturday, August 24.

Click here to view the event website and registration.

Writing the right book on “Gina Gardiner & Friends”

We spend a lot of our time at The Writer’s Ally helping others to tell their stories. Every so often, our Founder and CEO Ally Machate has an opportunity to share a bit of her own.

Ally recently had the pleasure of joining Gina Gardiner on her podcast Gina Gardiner & Friends for an honest and inspirational conversation. Now she would love to share the joy with all of you! Gina has made it her mission to positively impact the personal and professional growth of all. She’s created a welcoming and warm listening environment full of uplifting and motivational narratives.

In the course of their conversation about what it means to write the right book, Ally shares a bit of her own professional background and experience. She also discusses the changing landscape of the literary industry and delves into the various aspects of creating and growing a business around your book.

If you’re thinking about writing a book to help grow your business, follow this direct link to visit Gina’s website and give her podcast episode with Ally a listen. You can also access Gina Gardiner & Friends in the following manners:

For those who use IOS, you can already use Siri…”Hey Siri, play Brushwood Media Network”
For Apple CarPlay users, you can already hear the Brushwood Media Network via Apple Music and TuneIn. Once you select the App, Search for “Brushwood Media Network”
Brushwood Media Network is also available right now in the Alexa Skill store.
Use the link below to embed it on your website: Alexa Skill: Brushwood Media Network – Download: https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B0CFDTHGLS Add the skill to your Echo device by enabling it within your Alexa app or saying “Alexa, enable brushwood media network”.
UK listeners need to use an app called Online Radio Box. Once downloaded – search under Network for “AMFM247,” then save as a favorite.

Once you’ve successfully located Gina’s program, simply search for “Ally Machate” to retrieve their conversation. Hope you have a chance to listen in!

Sell More Books with Ally Machate and the MWA Cumberland Chapter – Sept. 20, 2023

Are you a motivated author struggling to expand your book sales? Do you have ideas that just don’t seem to reach your ideal audience or are you attempting to turn your audience into customers with frustratingly little success? Are you interested in learning how to market yourself and your work in a way that sells?

Join our own Ally Machate of The Writer’s Ally and the Cumberland Chapter of the Maryland Writers’ Association on September 20^th at 6:30 PM EDT for a virtual presentation on the “3 Best Ways to Sell More Books.”

Whether you’re just starting out as a writer or whether you can claim years of experience and a backlog of published works, learning the simplest and most effective ways of selling more books will help you to succeed as an author. When you have big dreams, the right plan is essential. You don’t want to just try every book marketing tactic you read about and “see what sticks.” You can’t copy other authors and expect the same results.

And if you don’t have the right pieces in place first—if you don’t have a strong “conversion funnel” turning browsers into buyers into subscribers who buy your future books—your promotional efforts will never create the results you desire, regardless.

This talk will reveal the 3 best ways to start selling more books, with steps you can take right away. It will also help you avoid the biggest mistakes that can keep book sales at a slow trickle, explain what an effective (and simple!) book marketing plan can look like, and offer tips on creating your immediate plan without overwhelm.

This talk is open to the public and free to MWA members.

Click here for the event website and registration.

3 Best Ways to Sell More Books
MWA, Cumberland Chapter

September 20^th, 6:30 PM EDT

Ally Helps you Flourish as an Editorial Entrepreneur at the 2023 EFA Conference!

Calling all freelance editorial professionals and entrepreneurs! The Editorial Freelancers Association Conference arrives in Washington, DC August 17th-19th, offering particpants an engaging assortment of experienced presenters and panelists and a unique opportunity for professional development. Solo presentations and discussions panels alike will cover a vast array of topic areas, and Ally Machate of The Writer’s Ally is pleased to participate in two sessions this year, both of which are open to all Conference attendees.

Friday, August 18, 2023 – 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Ally’s first presentation – “Guiding Your Clients to Successfully Self-Publish” – will offer knowledgeable counsel to those editorial professionals who provide support services for both aspiring and published writers. This presentation is brimming with valuable information for all, irrespective of professional background.

Friday, August 18, 2023 – 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

“Are Agencies For You?”: Ally will join other industry experts in a panel discussion, conversing on the merits and disadvantages of Literary Agencies and how to decide if working with an Agency will benefit your business.

Please click here to register your attendance at the 2023 EFA Conference or visit the event website to find more information about the Conference and to see the full schedule of presentations.

2023 EFA Conference

August 17-19, 2023

The Westin Alexandria Old Town, Alexandria, VA

How to Write a Winning Book Proposal with Ally Machate and MWA South Baltimore – Aug. 9, 2023

It has long been the case that nonfiction writers, instead of penning a complete manuscript, could sell their ideas based solely on well-developed book proposals. An extended marketing pitch, the book proposal is a unique document that any writer of nonfiction must master. Join Ally Machate and learn how editors and agents evaluate potential acquisitions and what your proposal must contain to get the coveted attention of these publishing professionals. This talk will teach you what goes into a contract-winning book proposal, where to find important information, and how to evaluate your own material to ensure you’re presenting your project—and yourself—in the best possible light

Intrigued? Here are three key elements this talk will cover:

What kind of information agents and publishers expect to see in your proposal and how to properly organize it for best effect.
How agents and publishers evaluate book proposals when considering acquisitions and what you can do to improve your chances of getting a book deal.
Why writing a book proposal will boost your book’s success even if you decide to self-publish (and top warning signs that your proposal can help bring to light).

Please join Ally and the South Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland Writers Association for a virtual presentation:

August 9, 2023 – 7:00PM to 8:30PM

More information about this event may be found on the MWA website or register by clicking here.

We hope to see you there!

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