Book Shepherd Ellen Reid Shares “Footsteps to Follow: How to go from Writer to Author” at VCWC September Meeting
The meeting will celebrate the club’s 80th anniversary. 

(Ventura, CA – September 3, 2013)  Ellen Reid has years of experience in assisting authors as they navigate the treacherous waters of self-publishing. At the Ventura County Writers Club meeting on September 10, 2013, she will give authors a clearer picture of the various options for getting a book into print. Ellen is fascinating and a gold mine of information that will put authors on the straight track to figuring out which self-publishing approach is best for them. The September 10th meeting will be at the Pleasant Valley Senior Center in Camarillo at 7:00 p.m.


Ellen brings her eclectic background to the task of assisting authors. She’s worked in the film industry, advertising, and in the intricacies of the ever-changing self-publishing business. It’s this combination of experiences that allows her to help produce books of outstanding quality, which is, she says, “a must in this age of ‘anyone-can-get-a-book-into-print.’”

As a “book shepherd” Ellen says she has “the unique ability to understand what the writer wants the book to do for them.” Branding is a big part of her business. Self-publishing “is more than hiring an editor, or book designer,” she says. “You need a book that is excellent in every way.” At the meeting she will elaborate on what those ways are.

She will also discuss her business philosophy. Ellen understands that “books are writers’ babies.” She says it’s important that she be “gentle and firm at the same time,” so that the author ends up with an “exceptional book whose cover copy, design and interior layout reflect the excellence of their message.”

Ellen became a book shepherd after attending Dan Poynter’s Self Publishing Manual seminars in Santa Barbara. She began studying with him in 1994, and attended his seminar as an expert in 1999.  She saw that many of the writers attending the seminars were excited about self-publishing, were good writers, but didn’t know much about the myriad details of book production and publishing. Poynter suggested she become a “book shepherd.” She did, and has been working with writers since 2000. Ellen happily affirms, “It is my honor and pleasure to bring indie books to life with excellence.”

Ellen has been named Beverly Hills Premier Book Publishing Consultant four years running. She is the author of the international award-winning book, “Putting Your Best Book Forward: A Book Shepherd’s Secrets to Producing Award-Winning Books that Sell.”

Chuck D. Martin, author of “Provocateur,” wrote to Ellen about his experience working with her: “Seriously, the launch of this book would have never happened without you guiding me all the way and your total commitment to excellence.”

Author Anne Lamont tells writers, “There is very little chance that you will get your memoir (or for that matter, your novel) published by a mainstream publisher.”

Those in attendance on September 10 will leave Ms. Reid’s talk knowing how to take the next steps toward self-publishing a book of excellent quality. The Ventura County Writers Club is honored to have Ellen Reid show us another path for our books’ publication.

Prior to Ms Reid’s speech, a special ceremony commemorating VCWC’s 80th anniversary will take place, recreating bits from the founding meetings of the club in Ojai. Club members Pat Caloia and Lee Wade have researched the archives of the Ojai Valley News to discover who the club’s founders were, and to unearth notes from their meetings.

Following Ms Reid, the celebration of the club’s anniversary will continue with deserts for everyone in attendance.

CALENDAR INFORMATION
 
September Meeting of the Ventura County Writers Club
September 10, 7PM
Pleasant Valley Senior Center
1605 Burnley St, Camarillo, CA
Topic: Footsteps to Follow: How to go from Writer to Author
Open to Members and non-members. No fee
 
For more information on the Ventura County Writers Club, visit:
http://www.venturacountywriters.com/

About Ventura County Writers Club

Since its formation in 1933 with four members in Ojai, the club has grown to more than 175 members and holds regular monthly general membership meetings. Members may attend, free of charge, a variety of Writers Workshops, groups that meet one or more times a month throughout the county to read and critique manuscripts and discuss many aspects of the business of writing. Monthly meetings are open to all interested writers and are held the second Tuesday of each month (except December).

For more information, contact:
Kathleen Kaiser, 805-524-6970, Kathleen@KathleenKaiser.com