Here are the 2013 Offerings. The auction is now closed. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
1. Half Hour Consultation with Mark Coker
Half-hour consultation with Smashwords founder Mark Coker at the San Francisco Writers Conference, February 14-20, 2013, at The Mark Hopkins Hotel. Ever wanted to ask the founder of Smashwords how to make an ebook? Or how to get your particular eBook on the premium distribution list? Or what he sees as the future of digital publishing? Well, if you win this auction you can ask Mark Coker anything about eBooks…he literally wrote the book! If you live in the San Francisco Bay area or are coming to the annual San Francisco Writers Conference, bid on a meeting with ‘Mark at the Mark’. Remember, it’s all for charity!
2. Half Hour Consultation with Laurie McLean
Half-hour consultation with literary agent Laurie McLean (at the San Francisco Writers Conference or via telephone) You can win a guaranteed 30-minute one-on-one consultation with literary agent Laurie McLean of Larsen Pomada Literary Agents either in person during the San Francisco Writers Conference at the Mark Hopkins Hotel February 14-20, or via telephone. Laurie specializes in adult genre fiction (romance, fantasy, science fiction, mysteries, thrillers, horror) as well as middle grade and young adult children’s books. Laurie just sold a 7-figure multi-book deal for her YA client Julie Kagawa. Don’t you wonder what she could do for you? And all the money goes to support the San Francisco Writers Conference charitable works.
3. Half Hour Consultation with Jill Schwartzman
Half-hour consultation with Dutton editor Jill Schwartzman (at SFWC or via telephone) What does New York Big Six editor Jill Schwartzman look for in a book? What exactly is “voice” and how does she know it when she reads it. If you win this auction, you can ask her…or anything else you want to know from one of the most savvy editors out there. At the Dutton imprint of Penguin Publishers, she acquires platform, publicity, and voice-driven nonfiction, with a focus on pop culture, memoir, humor, music, biography, and narrative non-fiction. Jill’s forthcoming titles include Data, A Love Story, Amy Webb’s humorous memoir about “gaming” online dating; the UK bestseller Mum’s List; and a memoir from former Fox News Insider Joe Muto titled An Atheist in the Foxhole.
4. Half Hour One-on-One with Annette Pollert
Half-hour one-on-one conversation with Simon Pulse editor Annette Pollert (at SFWC or via telephone) Here’s an item you can’t buy for love or money. But you can win it with the highest bid. How would you like to spend 30 minutes one-on-one with one of the most respected editors in young adult literature? Find out why Simon Pulse is such a successful imprint. And why Annette Pollert is such a sought after editor. (Plus, you can pitch your book to her and see if she’s interested!)
5. Half Hour One-on-One with Andrea Brown
Half-hour one-on-one conversation with children’s literary agent Andrea Brown (at SFWC or via telephone) An icon in children’s literature, Andrea Brown runs one of the most successful literary agencies in the business, consistently ranked #1 in juvenile sales by Publishers Marketplace. Her agency has sold over 2,000 books to just about every publisher, from toddler board books to serious, award-winning young adult fiction. She knows it all and you can pick her brain to learn the secrets of success in children’s publishing.
6. Half Hour Online Brand Audit With Rusty Shelton
Half-hour one-on-one online brand audit with marketing guru Rusty Shelton at the San Francisco Writers Conference, February 14-20, 2013 at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. You’ve heard that you need to market your work regardless of whether you’re self-published or traditionally published…or both! But how do you do it? What is your online “brand” and how can you make your online persona more powerful so you can sell more books and build your author career. Rusty Shelton, founcer and president of Shelton Interactive, knows the answers to these questions and more. Since launching his company in 2010, Randy has helped many big name brands with their online image, including Chicken Soup for the Soul, Cave Henricks Communications (the country’s top business book PR firm), Harvard Health Publications and others.
If you’re ready to supercharge your online image, then this auction item is for you. And it’s all for charity. Meet Rusty at the Mark Hopkins Hotel during the San Francisco Writers Conference February 14-18 and pick his brain.
7. Twenty Minute Phone Consultation with Chuck Sambuchino
Twenty minute one-on-one phone conversation with Writers Digest editor Chuck Sambuchino plus a critique of your query. Chuck Sambuchino is wise in the ways of platform building, social media marketing, how to get an agent, humor writing, and so many other things. Twenty minutes on the phone with him will certainly help your writing career. He works for Writer’s Digest Books and edits the Guide to Literary Agents as well as the Children’s Writers & Illustrators Market. His Guide to Literary Agents Blog is one of the biggest blogs in publishing, and he also blogs for WriterUnboxed.com. You get 20 minutes of his time, plus he’ll critique your query. What’s not to like? And it all goes to support literacy and writing charities.
8. Half Hour One-on-One Pitch with Katharine Sands
Half-hour one-on-one pitch analysis with agent Katharine Sands (at SFWC or via telephone) She’s been called “incomparable”, “amazing”, and “one of a kind”. Katharine Sands is the author of Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent’s Eye, and one great literary agent. Bring her your pitch. During your thirty minutes with her you will be laughing out loud while you learn how to perfect your pitch. She’s irresistible as well as one of the smartest agents around. Plus all the money goes to charity! How can you resist?
9. Half-hour consultation with Martha Alderson
Half-hour plot consultation via telephone with The Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson. You spend most of your time working at the word and scene level of your story. Martha Alderson, aka the Plot Whisperer, supports writers in pushing aside the words to view your novel, memoir or screenplay as a whole. Minus the luster of words and phrases is the structure or form of your expression. Focus exclusively on the action, character and thematic plot lines (and when applicable, the historical, romance, and/or mystery plotlines, too). Mysteries and depth are hiding in your stories right now. It is in the interlocking plotlines that they reveal themselves. This plot phone consultation can take place before you even begin your writing project and just have ideas; during the writing process; or as a final check before sending out the manuscript. Plot consultations in the U.S. are conducted over the telephone while international calls occur via Skype. Speak one-on-one with Martha from wherever you are.
10. Half Hour Consultation with Michael Larsen
Half-hour consultation with nonfiction literary agent Michael Larsen. San Francisco Writers Conference co-director Mike Larsen literally wrote the books on literary agents and non-fiction book proposals. As the co-founder of Larsen Pomada Literary Agents he is eager to find nonfiction books that will excite big and midsize houses: how-to’s, self-help, business, personal finance, popular culture, biography, current affairs, history, medicine, spirituality, inspirational books, trends, technology, the future, and other books with practical, social, or literary value. He is also the author of How to Write a Book Proposal and How to Get a Literary Agent, and co-author of Guerrilla Marketing for Writers: 100 Weapons for Selling Your Work. So if you’ve got a non-fiction book inside you hoping to break free, you could reap enormous benefits from a half-hour one-on-one onsite at the San Francisco Writers Conference at the Mark Hopkins InterContinental hotel.
11. Dinner at LUCE at the SF InterContinental Hotel
Dinner at Luce at the SF InterContinental Hotel. Tasting Menu for Two with Wine Pairing at Luce at the SF InterContinental Hotel. Michelin-starred Luce, located at the San Francisco InterContinental hotel downtown, is a magical experience whether you’re from out of town or live in The City. This amazing auction item is good for two people to enjoy the wonderful tasting menu at Luce, accompanied by wine pairing (tax and gratuity are not included).
Luce offers a dining experience that is the perfect marriage of local flavors and global inspiration focusing on modern American cuisine. Chef de Cuisine Daniel Corey’s approachable menu reflects the surrounding farms of San Francisco and changes according to freshness and seasonality. Pastas and all desserts are made in-house allowing for a truly distinctive dining experience. Luce has been recognized with a Michelin star since 2009.
Here’s an example of the Tasting Menu (value $150):
Amuse Bouche
Chilled Maine Lobster
Celeriac, Persimmon & Fennel Flowers
Fall Vegetable “Consommé”
Chanterelle Mushroom, Pomegranate, Brown Butter
Crispy Sweetbreads & Quail Egg
New Potato, Mustard, Truffle
Pink Pearl Sorbet, Lavender Sable
Abalaone & Calamari
Romanesco, Radish, Lardo
Roasted Squab Breast, Leg Confit
Burnt Onion, Medjool Date, Cauliflower Pear & Ginger Float
Opera Cake, Infused with Maple Syrup Candied Hazelnuts, Candy Cap Ice Cream
Mignardises
One word: AMAZING!
The certificate is valid until 09/05/2013, but why not book a table while you’re at the San Francisco Writers Conference February 14-18 and make your conference experience a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
12. Half Hour Conversation with Charles Spicer
Half-hour private conversation with St. Martins Press Executive Editor Charlie Spicer (not for pitching your work) St. Martins Press Executive Editor Charlie Spicer is one of the top editors in the publishing business and you can learn a lot from your half hour with him onsite at the Mark Hopkins Hotel during the San Francisco Writers Conference. He’s been called America’s most savvy true crime editor, but he is so much more than that. He has edited award-winning and bestselling historical fiction, memoir, biographies, etc.This is a rare opportunity that will not come along again soon, so don’t miss your chance. Please do not use this meeting to pitch Mr. Spicer on your novel (unless he asks). Bid on this if you want to sit at the feet of (or in the chair across from) a master and listen to his words of wisdom to learn and grown as a writer. A priceless 30-minute private consultation.
13. Manuscript Critique by Donna Levin
3-chapter manuscript critique by Donna Levin. Donna is a well-respected author, editor and writing teacher. She’s an expert at figuring out how to make your novel better. And if you win this auction, she’ll look over your first three chapters and do just that. She’s written two books on writing, Get That Novel Started and Get That Novel Written, both published by Writers Digest Books. Supercharge your manuscript with a critique by this amazing editor.
14. 3 Chapter Children’s Manuscript Critique by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg
3-chapter children’s manuscript critique by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg. Bookalicious Pam is a tour de force among middle grade and young adult authors and publishers. Literary Agent by day, blogger extraordinaire by night, she has become well-known for being able to identify what’s hot, what’s not and what can make your book sell. Let Pam critique your first three chapters and you’re bound to learn how to make your book better.
15. Dramatica Pro Software for Mac and Windows
Dramatica Pro software for Mac or Windows Got a great story but don’t know where to start? Dramatica Pro software is your creative writing partner. Create great characters. Plan your plot from start to finish. Dramatica Pro blasts away those writer’s blocks. Dramatica Pro is the only story development software to receive four stars from Writer’s Digest magazine. Here are some additional details:
Structure your plot
Answer Dramatica’s questions about your characters and plot. This narrows down the possible ways of telling your story to the one that best expresses your vision.
Illustrate your story
Use your story to write specific examples of character arc, story goal, plot points, theme, and conflict. At the click of a button, see how your story’s scenes compare to examples of history’s greatest writers. Create Scenes Weave together all the parts of your story. Determine how elements of character, plot, and theme will be revealed to your audience. Place your examples into specific Acts, Scenes, or Chapters. Use this plot outline to write a killer first draft.
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