Was it your new year’s resolution to finally get that book written, but you never got around to it? Or maybe you got a good start, but then got stuck as you hit the middle. Did you hit your 50,000-word mark (or made a good start) during NaNoWriMo, but the words are still sitting on your computer? If so, you’re not alone. Writing a book is a daunting task. It takes discipline to write often enough that you finish the first draft. Plus almost everyone hits a slow spot or gets stuck toward the middle of a big project. And then there’s editing, proofreading, and publishing. Then when that’s done, you have to figure out how to get the book into readers’ hands.
We understand your anxiety and we’re here to help. MWC and the Wordsy Woman have partnered to offer the “Finish Your Book This Year” workshop series at the Rock Island Public Library, held every other Tuesday starting March 14, 2017, from 5:45 – 7:30 p.m., ending after six sessions on May 23rd with a 15-minute one-on-one meeting with the Wordsy Woman to talk about whatever you like. 
The cost to take the entire series is $120 for Members and $180 for Non-Members. (MWC Membership starts at $25 and you’re welcome to join when you register, which will get you discounts on other MWC events, too.)
If you are only interested in one, two, three, or four sessions (any more and paying for the whole series is more economical), you can register for individual sessions at a cost of $40 Members/$50 Non-Members each (tentative session descriptions below). Pay via PayPal below, call Ryan at 309-732-7330 to pay over the phone, or send a check with a note to Midwest Writing Center, c/o RIPL, 401 19th St., Rock Island, IL, 61201.
At the end of the 6-meeting workshop series, (if you do your homework) you will be well on your way to finishing your book, and have a good start at a publishing and marketing plan.
As part of the series, you will be invited to join our closed MWC Finish My Book this Year Facebook group open only to series attendees to share successes, challenges, and tips for as long as you like. At the end of course, you can opt to take the Wordsy Woman Book Marketing e-course for free, and you will be given access to her hour long unlisted YouTube video walk-though about publishing with Createspace (together, approximately $50 value). The tentative topic schedule is as follows (subject to change based on attendee interests and needs):
- Session #1, March 14: Getting into a regular writing practice, discipline & mindset, craft-based workshops, Q&A/discussion about craft
- Session #2, March 28: Editing, beta readers, and workshop-style feedback session
- Session #3, April 11: Publishing panel: self-published, small/indie press published, query/agent/traditional publishing
- Session #4, April 25: Book Marketing in Person 101 – appearances, getting books into local stores, giving readings
- Session #5, May 9: Book Marketing Online 101 – author website, reader magnet, reader subscriptions, giveaways, email marketing
- Session #6, May 23 (plus additional days to-be-determined depending on demand): One on one 15-minute Meetings
We may use excerpts from books, articles, YouTube videos, discussion and/or samples to cover these topics.
Instructor Bio:
Jodie Toohey, a/k/a the Wordsy Woman, helps people say what they want to say, including regarding their books. She is the author of three novels: Taming the Twisted (August, 2015), Melody Madson – May It Please the Court? (2014), Missing Emily: Croatian Life Letters (2012 & 2nd Ed., 2015), and two poetry collections: Crush and Other Love Poems for Girls (2008 & 2nd Ed, 2015) and The Other Side of Crazy (2013, 918studio). She holds a marketing certificate and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa emphasizing marketing and strategy. She’s taught several writing workshops including beginning creative writing, book marketing, and a workshop for our nation’s writing Veterans. She opened her Wordsy Woman Author Services division in early 2015 to help authors, soon-to-be authors, and want-to-be-authors from pre-idea reader to reader with craft resources, editing and proofreading services, and marketing planning services. You can learn more about her at wordsywomanforauthors.com.