Sweeter than Candy for Writers on St. Valentine’s Day: A Sample of Dianna Graveman’s Marketing Seminar

Since I can’t afford to give all my readers flowers or chocolate for St. Valentine’s Day—and to avoid tempting those of us who gave up candy for Lent—I decided to do something a bit different in today's post.

How about a sweet treat for writers who crave to learn more about the business-end of our craft? Sound tasty? I thought so too. Today’s post is healthier and less fattening, but more filling than chocolate! So, here’s the “skinny.”

Earlier this month, I received a message from Dianna Graveman of 2Rivers Communications and Design that she was giving a seminar on Advanced Marketing. I have known Dianna for several years, and I know how strong and current her background is in writing, editing, teaching, social media, and marketing. After checking my calendar, I decided to attend her seminar, and I’m glad that I did.

At $15, Dianna’s presentation at All On the Same Page Book Store in Creve Coeur, MO, was a bargain. The night of the event, Dennis and Robin Tidwell had to scramble to find extra chairs to accommodate the dozen or so writers who showed up at their cozy store.  

During her presentation, Dianna gave a preview of an article on Indy Publishing that she’s been assigned to write for the 2014 Writer’s Market. 

Not wanting to steal any thunder before her article is published, I asked Dianna if she’d mind if I blogged about her presentation. Dianna said she’d be delighted.

Here are some highlights from my notes:

Writers need to think like business people.

Speaking to groups sells more books than just signings.

Think beyond speaking to just writing groups.

Target your audience.

Offer value by speaking on a topic of interest.

Learn how to write a press release.

Join groups that promote events.

Send your host a jpg headshot and bio in advance.

Start local and expand.

Become familiar with social media tools.

Create a Facebook Event and invite contacts (That’s how I learned about Dianna’s seminar).

Follow-up with an e-mail (That’s how I remembered the date).

Don’t hard sell.

Send your host a thank you after the event.

Offer to write a blurb about the event.

Pass out business cards.

I hope my fat-and-sugar-free sampler of what Dianna talked about has whet your appetite and given you some food for thought about marketing. 

If you want to learn more about Dianna's upcoming presentations, click on this link.  

For this Writer, 2011 Has Been a Good Year

It's hard to believe 2011 has come to an end. In my little writing world, 2011 has been a good year, but the year hasn't been so great for some of my writing friends.

My heart goes out to the people from Joplin who were affected by the tornado last May. But out of the tragedy, hope arose. It was gratifying to see how many members of the writing community rolled up their sleeves and uncapped their pens to help.

After the tornado, Claudia Mundell, president of the Joplin Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild, came up with the idea for an anthology as a way that writers could help our Joplin neighbors. Thus, the Storm Country Anthology was born, under the leadership of  Deb Marshall and Kelli Allen of the Missouri Writers Guild, published and copyedited by Linda Fisher from Mozark Press, with special guest editor Dianna Graveman from 2 Riverscommunications.

I was fortunate to have my short story "Golden Lilacs Under the Worm Moon" included in Storm Country anthology, and I got to attend the book launch in November, where I was able to read and hear several of my writing friends read their works included in the anthology.

In addition to Storm Country, my work also appeared this year in the following anthologies:

    "Read Away Vacation" in Flashlight Memories  from Silver Boomer Books
    "The Night the Circus Came to Town" in Mysteries of the Ozarks IV from Ozark Writers
    "Look Back, But Don't Stare" in A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl from Mozark Press
    "Bridie O'Shea's Golden Haired Visitor" in Cactus Country from High Hill Press
    "Under Grandma's Bottle Tree" in Voices IV from High Hill Press

In 2011, my work was recognized for some awards:

   * Short story  "Criminal Minds" received First Place in the MWG President's Award for Short Stories
   * Limerick "Summer Help Wanted" awarded Honorable Mention in the Summer Poetry Contest by the Missouri State Poetry Society
    * Personal essay "Sweet Memories" received First Place in the Dan Saults Awards Category from the Ozarks Writers League
    *Short story "The Window Washer" received Third Place in the Dr. Doris Mueller Poetry and Fiction Contest

Two of my short stories have been nominated for awards:

    * My short story "Bridie O'Shea's Golden Haired Visitor" has been nominated for a Spur Award
    * My short story "Under Grandma's Bottle Tree" has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize

In 2011 I reviewed almost 40 books and wrote interview questions for more than half-a-dozen writers for the Bookreporter network.

In addition to my acceptances and wins, I received my share of rejections and non-responses to submissions, and I didn't win anything in several contests I entered. But rejections and near misses are part of being a writer.

This year I've had several new followers on my blog, had numerous giveaways, and a few special guests. Those feats are something I hope will continue in 2012.

All-in-all, 2011 was a good year, and I'm hoping 2012 will be good for me --- and for you!

Happy writing and reading--and I hope to hear from you next year!

Spotlight On - Dianna Graveman and 2 Rivers Communications and Design

As a freelance writer, I'm happy when I am given assignments and get paid for what I love to do -- write. And I'm inspired when I hear about other freelancers who make the most of their writing gifts. 

Dianna Graveman is a dynamic writer and friend who has done just that. Her talent, enthusiasm, and energy are inspiring.

Dianna Graveman is a freelance writer, a teacher, a speaker, and an editor who recently established her own communications business: 2 Rivers Communications & Design. 

I've known Dianna for almost ten years through Saturday Writers, and for about eight years through the Missouri Writers' Guild. Over the past year we have become even better friends through In Vino Veritas (in wine there is truth), a small group of writing friends who get together each month. At IVV we exchange ideas, discuss writing, share stories, and talk about whatever else comes to mind --- oh, and we also toast our accomplishments with a glass of wine.

During a recent IVV dinner I was excited to learn about Dianna's latest venture: 2 Rivers Communications & Design. Her new enterprise specializes in offering business communications and editorial services for any size project. With Dianna's experience in writing, publishing, teaching, marketing, and corporate communications, she delivers high quality products and services.

What's so impressive to me is the wide-range of services Dianna provides from editing manuscripts, writing newsletters, producing brochures, speaking, even designing business cards and menus.

And I know from experience the quality of Dianna's services and her reliability to deliver more than what is expected.

Several years ago when I was President of the Missouri Writers' Guild and looking for a contest judge, I asked Dianna if she would help out. She did not hesitate and got her results to me earlier than the deadline. When I needed a speaker for Saturday Writers, Dianna and her husband Don talked to our group about the historic books they co-wrote. When I wanted to interview a published writer on my blog, she agreed and also has donated copies of her books as giveaways. I know for a fact that she has done the same to help other writers.

Dianna is the current editor for the Missouri Writers' Guild newsletter, and she has done a remarkable job with the design and content of the newsletter and has testimonials to prove it!

So, if you're looking for a talented writer to edit your manuscript, need a creative mind to design your blog or develop Power Point charts for a business presentation, or if you need help with any writing project, I highly recommend Dianna Graveman. She is a gifted writer with lots of creative ideas who delivers a quality product on time. If you'd like more info about Dianna or 2 Rivers Communications and Design, visit her website.