Writers’ Conferences
Jennifer loves to teach at writers’ conferences. Here are some of the classes she’s taught in the past:
10 Tips for Writing Articles that $ell
Is publishing just a crap-shoot or is there anything you can do to increase the odds that your article will sell? In this class, we’ll discuss tips to make your manuscripts more salable. Topics include why the angle is important, matching your topic to a magazines style, knowing which magazines are most receptive to which ideas and how specializing can help you become an expert. This class will emphasize practical things you can do today to increase your acceptances. Anyone can write an article, but smart writers write articles that sell.
Beyond the Book: Advanced Proposal Writing
You can learn to write a proposal by reading a book. But how do you go beyond the book to answer questions specific to your proposal? How do you find information on competitive books? What if there aren’t any competitive books? What goes into the marketing section that doesn’t go into the promotion section? How can a bio make or break your proposal? Bring your proposal related questions and a copy of your current work to this interactive session. As a class, we will work together to transform proposals that tell about the book, into proposals that sell the book.
Career Building Resources
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been writing for decades, this session will introduce you to some of the best writing-related resources out there including the resources for conducting interviews, software designed specifically for writers, reference books to have in your library, and websites that will save you time. In this interactive class each student will be asked to share the best resources they’ve discovered to help their writing career.
Collaborating for Fun and Profit
Sometimes it makes sense to work with someone else, but how do you know when it is helpful and when it’s just hell? In this session, we’ll discuss options for working with a partner including, ghostwriting and co-authoring. We’ll explore what collaborating is, and what it’s not. Included topics are what to look for in a collaborator, and ways to structure your working and personal relationships. Finally, we’ll look at how to prepare yourself mentally, legally, and financially before you co-sign with a collaborator.
Everything I Need to Get Published I Learned from a Magazine
In this interactive class, we’ll start at the very beginning of the writing process to show how you can go from reading a magazine to getting published in it. Using current magazines as examples, we’ll glean who you should contact and how, what ideas the magazine might be interested in, what departments are most open to freelances, what “evergreen,” topics are likely to sell, your chances of getting published, and how to match your style to the editor’s.
How to Pitch to a Publisher in Under Five Minutes
Condensing your pitch to less than five minutes will allow you to make more pitches to more editors and find one who is right for your project. In this session, you’ll learn why you should limit your pitch, what you should include (and what you shouldn’t), how to make the pitch, how to make a pitch on the run, and what you want to happen when the pitch is over.
“I Wish Someone Had Told Me That When I Started Out!”
Information on the craft of writing is available from an unlimited number of sources, but what do you do when you need information on how to live a writing life? In this class, the instructor will share her mistakes (and her successes) to help you make choices that will sustain your career as a writer, teach you what to do now to maximize your future success, and explain how the right reason to write influences how you should write. You will be challenged to think through your own writing life and walk away with your own steps to success.
It’s About Who You Know: Relationships Every Great Writer Should Have
You’ve heard the old saying, “Behind every great man is a great woman,” but what you need to know is, who’s behind a great writer? To have a long career in this industry there are relationships you should cultivate. From the practical (finding a critique group) to the inspirational (the number one connection you have to have) this session will identify relationships every writer should nurture. In this class, we’ll discuss who they are, how to get them, and how to maintain them.
Maximize Your Strengths, Minimize Your Weaknesses
So you’re not perfect. So what? Self-knowledge is the first step to getting better. How can you make the most out of your writing and non-writing strengths? How can you minimize your perceived weaknesses? And how can you package yourself to get the kind of writing projects you desire? Past participants have said this session changes the way they approach their writing life.’
No or Low Cost Marketing for Authors
There’s at least ten things you can do today that won’t cost you a lot of money and will help get word out about your new book. Some of them are old standbys, such as blogging or radio interviews, but we’ll cover them in-depth, from how you start, to how you make the most of your opportunity. We’ll also uncover some other inexpensive ways to get the name of your book in front of those who matter the most—readers.
Social Networking for Writers
What’s the difference between Facebook and MySpace? Should you list yourself on LinkedIn or Plaxo? Is LibraryThing better than Shelfari? And should you ShoutLife or Author Tour? If the new social networking sites have you confused this session will help you find out which sites are likely to tempt you into writing wall posts to high school buddies and which sites can actually help you connect with readers to reach your career goals.
Writing for the Future
There used to be some hard and fast rules of writing non-fiction; specific ways to organize your material, and deliberate use of anecdotes to make a point. But the success of Donald Miller’s book Blue Like Jazz changed the rules. Writing for the future means taking your readers on an experiential journey—not giving them a five-point plan. What are the new rules? How can you teach yourself to write for tomorrow’s readers? We’ll look at why the changing markets mean your writing needs to be different and then discuss practical ways to help you make the change.
Your Topic
With enough time and notice, Jennifer is willing to craft a topic specifically for your needs, whether it is an inspiring keynote to encourage new writers or a specific technical skill for advanced writers. Jennifer loves being a part of the conference setting and will work to make her workshop a time of inspiration and learning.
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For additional topics or to contact Jennifer about your event,
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What They’re Saying…
Jennifer has a heart for training writers and offers solid content to help them get published and market their messages. Her workshop on pitching editors is one of the most practical and popular topics I’ve had on my schedule.
-Lin Johnson, Director, Write-to-Publish Conference
Jennifer Schuchmann is an energetic and inspiring teacher who has served on my conference faculty twice, and I plan to have her back in the future. Every year I ask which faculty member made the greatest impact on the conferee and why. Many times Jennifer’s name is the one listed. Here’s what one conferee said, “Jennifer Schuchmann, by far. Not only were her classes excellent, but she also took time Friday evening to meet with me and help me brainstorm marketing ideas. The time with her was worth the price of the conference.” If you want a teacher for your conference who cares about helping writers, I highly recommend Jennifer Schuchmann.
- Twila Belk, Director, Quad-Cities Christian Writers Conference
You kept our attention and your words went home with us in a way that stirred our desire to be the best writers – and that is high on our list of priorities. Thank you for sharing your talent, time and being so personable to each one who approached you. It made their day and mine.
- Colleen Capes Jackson, Director, East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers
I attended your “It’s About Who You Know” class at QCCWC, and I just wanted to thank you for the time and effort you put into the informative class. I learned so much about networking, and I’ve already gained a critique partner from the class! I look forward to listening to the mp3s of your other classes.
I first heard Jennifer Schuchmann speak at the Write to Publish Conference. I took her class on using social networking to build a writing platform. Jennifer was witty, informative and inspirational. She engaged her audience from start to finish. I learned so much. It was the best take away of the whole conference!”
Jennifer Schuchmann has spoken to our writing group several times, and our writers always enjoy her. She presents valuable information in a lively, unforgettable way. I highly recommend her as a speaker.
- Cynthia L. Simmons, President, Christian Authors Guild
