EFA - The Writer's Ally™

Ally Helps Editors to Help More Authors at EFA Conference – Aug. 21-23, 2019

The 2019 EFA Conference gathers freelance editors, writers, indexers, translators, and other editorial professionals to network with colleagues and develop professionally—a rare opportunity for those who work as solo entrepreneurs. The organizers expect to attract more than 200 editorial freelancers from across North America and abroad. This conference is happening on August 21-23, 2019 at the Swissôtel Chicago. Ally will be there to talk about From Shy to Sold: Querying, Proposing and Getting Published and Guiding Your Clients to Successfully Self-Publish.

The 60-minute session, “From Shy to Sold: Querying, Proposing, and Getting Published,” will take place on Thursday, August 22 from 10:00–11:00 a.m. in Room Zermatt/Gstaad

From Shy to Sold: Querying, Proposing: You’ve worked with your author clients to help them refine their craft and produce a quality piece of writing—but now what? If they want anyone to read their work outside of their immediate circle of family and friends, they’ll need to get published. Though self-publishing is always an option, this talk focuses on how writers generally approach the submission process. Find out who really decides what gets published, how your clients should approach them without getting the proverbial door slammed in their faces, and what these gatekeepers expect from writers besides their very best work. You’ll also get tips that will make your clients’ queries and proposals more effective for best results.

The 60-minute session, “Guiding Your Clients to Successfully Self-Publish,” will take place on Thursday, August 22 from 2:00–3:00 p.m. in Room Alpine 1

Getting Published and Guiding Your Clients to Successfully Self-Publish: With so many options available, it can be difficult for new authors to navigate their way to self-publishing success. If you want to help your clients enjoy great results, you must guide them to make better choices: They can’t just copy what the bestsellers are doing or upload their files to Amazon.com and hope for the best. You establish and enhance your value when you’re able to share with them the unique opportunities and limitations of the industry that many authors don’t discover until it’s too late. This presentation will provide you with crucial insight on how to succeed at self-publishing while teaching you to better attract and serve indie author clients.

To register, click here or you may contact the coordinators: Christina M. Frey, Tanya Gold, Bill Keenan at 2019EFAConference@the-efa.org

Visit the conference website for other helpful information, including discounted hotel room rates.

How Authors Go from Shy to Sold, A Webinar — April 11, 2018

One of the most common questions new writers ask is, “How do I get published?” But wow, there’s a lot to unpack from that one question! There are many routes to publication and a lot for the new author to navigate. If you’re seeking publication yourself or are an editorial professional who wants to better serve her clients, we hope you’ll join our very own Ally Machate and the Editorial Freelancers Association for a special webinar about “How Authors Go From Shy to Sold.”

You’ve experienced the satisfaction of working hard to learn a craft and producing a quality piece of writing but now what? If you ever want anyone to read your work outside of your immediate circle of family and friends, you’ll need to get published. And if you’re asking yourself, “How do I get published?” (or hearing that question from your author clients), this is the webinar for you.

Though self-publishing is always an option, this talk focuses on how writers generally approach the submission process in what many call the “traditional” or “legacy” route to publication. Find out who really decides what gets published, how to approach them without getting the proverbial door slammed in your face, and what these gatekeepers expect from you besides your very best work. You’ll also get tips that will make your queries and proposals more effective for best results.

The webinar will be on April 11, 2018 at 7-8PM EST. If you can’t attend live, don’t worry! The recording will be made available to all registrants, and Ally is always happy to answer questions if you just email her.

“Your presentation was, by far, one of the most helpful, well-organized, insightful, and honest presentations I have heard on the topic of preparing and submitting my work. The examples of queries you spoke of from your experience, and the references you provided during the meeting and just the overall thoroughness of your whole presentation combined to make a motivating and positive experience. Thank you so much for all of your help!” —Mike Crowl

For future events and webinars, you may contact Education Chair Jennifer Maybin by emailing her at education@the-efa.org.

Editors: Are You Working with Indie Authors Yet? EFA Webinar — March 29, 2018

The Editorial Freelancers Association will once again host my webinar, “Successful Self-Publishing from Both Sides.” There’s still time to register if you act fast! All registrants will receive access to the webinar’s recording, so if you can’t make it live, don’t let that stop you from upping your game if you’re working with indie authors already or just thinking about how you can serve a wider variety of clients in the digital age. And don’t worry, I’m happy to respond to your questions via email after you’ve listened 😉

With so many options available, it can be difficult to navigate your way to successful self-publishing. But if you want great results, you need to get real. You cannot just copy what the bestsellers are doing or upload your files and hope for the best—if you want to sell more than the 100-200 copy average where most indie books cap out, you need a plan designed for your type of book and your particular situation. You need to know about the unique opportunities and limitations of the industry that many indie authors don’t discover until it’s too late.

The presentation will address how editorial professionals can start working with indie authors and better serve self-publishing clients. I’ll also devote half the presentation (the other side of “both sides”) to how they can publish their own digital and print books to boost their freelance business or to launch a writing career. Come discover why so many people have thoroughly enjoyed this unique presentation and why the EFA keeps inviting me back to teach it again and again!

This special two-hour webinar is happening on March 29, 2018 at 3-5pm EST. Please register here.

For more details, you may contact Jennifer Maybin by emailing her: education@the-efa.org.

Serve Self-Publishing Clients! Learn How in this EFA Webinar – December 2016

Due to popular demand, I am thrilled the Editorial Freelancers Association is hosting me once more in presenting “Successful Self-Publishing from Both Sides.” The presentation will address how editorial professionals can better attract and serve self-publishing clients and also how they can publish their own digital and print books to boost their freelance business or to launch a writing career.

With so many options available, it can be difficult to navigate your way to successful self-publishing. But if you want great results, you need to get real. You can’t just copy what the bestsellers are doing or upload your files and hope for the best—if you want to sell more than the 100-200 copy average where most indie books cap out, you need a plan designed for your type of book and your particular situation. You need to know about the unique opportunities and limitations of the industry that many indie authors don’t discover until it’s too late.

There’s still time to register if you act fast!

Come discover why so many people have thoroughly enjoyed this unique presentation and why the EFA keeps inviting me back to teach it again!

This special two-hour webinar is happening on December 8, 2016 at 3-5pm EST. Please register here.

For more details, you may contact Education Chair Jennifer Maybin by emailing her at education@the-efa.org.

Founder of The Writer’s Ally, Ally E. Machate is a bestselling book collaborator, award-winning editor, and expert publishing consultant who loves using her insider knowledge and experience with the publishing industry to lead serious authors toward success. She and her team live to help make great books happen, whether that means showing a writer how to improve a manuscript, get an agent, or self-publish; or coaching an author on growing her platform to sell more books. Since 1999, she has supported hundreds of authors on their publishing journey and takes pride in serving as their books’ best ally.

How to Write a Winning Book Proposal – November 2016

Wondering how to write a book proposal? Please join me and the Editorial Freelancers Association on November 15, 2016, and then you’ll know “How to Write (or Edit) a Winning Book Proposal.” This is a live webinar. Here’s the description:

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. Do you know how to write a book proposal that will get you that agent or book deal? Learn how editors and agents evaluate potential acquisitions and what your proposal must contain to get the coveted attention of these publishing professionals. This webinar 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.

This presentation will teach you:

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).

“Ally shared some powerful tips during her workshop, ‘How to Write a Winning Book Proposal.’ She reminded me of many facts I had learned through the years and she taught me additional useful information for me to put forth immediately in my writing career. We discussed a plan of action. She provided vital information, encouragement, and motivation for me to treat my work as a priority. I have much to learn and do. I look forward to working with her in the near future.”–Georgette Beck, relationship coaching and ministry,www.BellaHealingHearts.com

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