3 proposed programs for the annual WOTS conference

Oct. 7-9, 2022

1. Free Agent: The Key Succeeding in Self Publishing

lecture with media presentation

Leveraging your 'Free Agent' status.

What are the major keys to self-published success? Gain the insight and 'keys' of what it takes to unlock the doors and succeeding as an independent. It begins by understanding why self-publishing is actually an advantage. You will learn the keys from a 13+ year veteran in self-publishing to help you move forward and how to embrace your agency, Brian Schwartz.

Attendee Takeaways

The Merlin Principle: Writing a Proposal that Persuades

lecture with media presentation

Whether or not you are seeking a publisher or agent, a well-written book proposal is one of the 'major keys' to success. When you see your book like a business, the book proposal becomes your business plan. As a living document, it becomes a method to manifest your original vision. A well written book proposal becomes your marketing plan.

Attendee Takeaways

Expanded Overview

One of the keys to Amazon's high performance culture lies in the 6-page memo. The goal is to create a compelling call-to-action. It's a narrative that as an author, you have the skills to write.

To bring disparate ideas together, we must learn the craft of writing a narrative through a series of events, each impacting the next. The narrative becomes a container for what is happening and what might happen. It's a tool we can use to shape the future by enrolling our reader.

Until you able to persuade others to see your vision, you will struggle to fulfill it.

Too often, we fail to persuade because our thoughts are fragmented and missing vital connectors. It might make perfect sense to you, but until your reader sees the narrative the led you to your conclusion, they will undoubtedly miss the point.

A narrative structure is essential to drive your CTA (call-to-action). It can be broken down into 5 parts (each can be a single paragraph):

  1. The history (why this matters).
  2. Where we are (the current state).
  3. How I see it (how it can be different).
  4. The Call-to-Action (elicit change).
  5. The new & better future (possible outcomes).

Confidence is key! We'll work on crafting words to build confidence in both yourself and your reader. You've nailed it when the memo lights you up.

The Author One-sheet: Author Branding 101

lecture with media presentation

One of the keys to getting discovered is getting featured as an expert on blogs, podcasts, and as a speaker. What are the keys to getting booked? It begins with a compelling one-sheet. In this session, we'll walk through examples of the one-sheets and the scripts we've used to land authors in coveted guest slots.

Attendee Takeaways

Learn the keys to building your brand. We know the value of having a platform, but what comes before your platform? Learn why having a clear vision is essential and what it takes to establish your personal brand. What can we learn from successful brands beyond book publishing that we can adapt for ourselves?

Bio 2022

Brian Schwartz is a past presenter at WOTS and former president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. Working full-time in self-publishing since 2009, he has produced multiple bestsellers and worked with award winning authors. In 2022, Brian brings to WOTS his 13+ years of experience distilled in 'The Keys' to author success. Brian thrives at the opportunity to use his creative ideas, energy and enthusiasm to enhance the work of others.

Brian Schwartz is a past presenter at WOTS and former president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. After publishing his first book in 2009, he began working full-time in self-publishing and has produced over 100 bestsellers and worked with award winning authors. Today, he writes a column for a regional magazine (SLO Life) and is a sought after speaker with writing conferences. In 2022, Brian brings to WOTS his 13+ years of experience and shares his 'Keys' to author success. Brian thrives at the opportunity to use his creative ideas, energy and enthusiasm to enhance the work of others.

Oct. 5-7, 2018

Brian Schwartz

Self-Publishing Bootcamp

Format: Lecture with media presentation
In this intensive session (which may also be part of a pre-conference bootcamp), I cover everything an author needs to know before they self-publish. It is based on the self-publish pledge which touches on the key ideas I wish every author knew before they published. After nearly 10 years of experience working with more than 500 self-published authors, I aim to help authors avoid costly mistakes. It is modeled around the curriculum I have been teaching at Cal Poly since 2015 and contains 12 modules. Even if an author is seeking to get traditionally published, having knowledge of the publishing process will be to their advantage.

  1. Editing Phase (tips, tricks, and resources)
  2. Interior Formatting (for Kindle & print-on-demand)
  3. Cover design tips, tricks, and resources
  4. Marketplace Setup and Optimization
  5. Advance Reader Campaigns
  6. Building an Author Website
  7. Create & grow online profiles & presence (social media)
  8. Agent queries
  9. Getting book reviews
  10. Becoming an Amazon bestseller
  11. Amazon Optimization
  12. Book Marketing (strategic planning)

The framework is modeled around the same process traditional publishers follow when publishing a new title.

Attendee Takeaways

The Hot Seat

Format: Keynote (Interactive Panel)
In this unique and original session, I will facilitate a highly interactive Q&A with a highly successful author (VIP) (perhaps Rick Steves?). Piloted through my local writers group in 2017, it was the most popular event of the year. If you want to do this, I can reach out to my contacts at Amazon to see if they can reach out to bestselling author in the area. Format: Keynote (Interactive Panel)

Attendee Takeaways

Feedback

You can read more about the popular Hot Seat format (and listen to a past event) here.

The Uberization of Publishing

Format: Lecture with media presentation
Learn to build and manage an on-demand workforce. With the ebb and flow of publishing, comes the need to have skilled partners on deck. Learn how to effectively execute a complex production with fewer people in less time. Learn why adopting an agile framework can lead to increased opportunities, streamline processes and increased profits. Attendees will see first hand how I've managed a dispersed team to grow my own publishing business over the past 8 years.

Attendee Takeaways

Tapping AMS (Amazon Marketing Services)

Format: Panel Discussion
In this format, I will facilitate a candid discussion (not a sales pitch) with representative(s) from Amazon and reveal how best selling authors are using promotional tools from Amazon to promote their Kindle books and grow their audience.

Attendee Takeaways

Bio

Brian Schwartz is a past presenter at WOTS and former president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. In 2009, he launched 50 Interviews and adapted his publishing company to provide a full range of consulting, publishing, and marketing services to over than 500 authors. He is the CEO of SelfPublish.org, and currently teaches a publishing course in the writers program at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He is the author of two books, his Kindle Expert YouTube channel has over 100,000 views, and he was featured in Wild Ink: Successful Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market (Prufrock Press). He is a past columnist for the Northern Colorado Business Report.

Past Conferences & Events (Resume / Credentials)

Endorsements

"The book business is changing dramatically and exponentially and Brian is ahead of the curve. He was very generous in sharing his expertise and he alerted us about pitfalls to avoid. As an author and publisher he is a shining example of someone who knew what he wanted to do and then did it, expeditiously, successfully and efficiently." ~ Nancy Mills, Past President, Colorado Independent Publishers Association

"I received very positive feedback from all who attended Brian's Indie Publishing workshop at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. I look forward to having him join us again at an upcoming conference.. to further arm attendees with the latest technology related to independent and eBook publishing. The face of publishing is rapidly shifting and we need more experts like Brian to lead authors safely down the ever changing path... to avoid the many minefields and arrive successfully." - Marlene Bagnull, Litt.D. - Director of Colorado & Greater Philly Christian Writers Conferences

"Based on the overwhelming popularity of the topic of eBooks, and given the fact Brian delivered a solid program for us last year, we are glad to welcome Brian back for a second year at the 51st annual Cape Cod Writers Conference. I would highly recommend Brian to other writer's conferences seeking to add an element of independent publishing to their curriculum." - Nancy Rubin Stuart, Executive Director, Cape Cod Writers Center

Testimonials from Clients

Professional References

  1. Judy Salamacha - Former chair of the Central Coast Writers Conference judysalamacha@gmail.com
  2. Janice Konstantinidis - President of SLO Nightwriters jkon50@gmail.com
  3. Wes Martin - Cuesta College Community Programs phillip_martin@cuesta.edu

Programs in development (2022)

Want to book Brian for your next event?

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