Start Your New Year Writing! |
March retreat SOLD OUT! Happy New Year! |
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Check out our retreat house, overlooking the glorious Pacific! Can you stand it? Every room of this 3-story house is more beautiful than the last! |
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Why a retreat? Where else in life is your focus totally on YOU and YOUR creativity? Where else can you go without kids, spouses, dogs, chores... to champion your dreams, with writing buddies working as a force to catapult them with you? Creativity is heightened when you get away for this kind of celebratory radical self-love! And, in brainstorming for others (and hearing feedback on their projects), you not only discover infinitely more about your own work, but having intuitive minds clamoring to contribute their insight and creative chops to your project is invaluable.
We're here to make it happen for you. I've written book proposals for clients that have garnered 6- & 7-figure book deals, and have written for many of the major publishers. In the last two years, aside from championing/coaching nearly 100 writers, both individually and in groups, I co-authored two books (Harmonic Wealth, Hyperion, and Generation Green, Simon & Schuster) that have won awards and hit the bestseller lists. I'd love nothing better than to also help you score a major book deal. In these competitive times, a book with your name on it increases your market value, your credibility, your opportunities, and your professional profile in every way. Not to mention, it’s a BLAST. Your world will never be the same. But you know that already, or you wouldn’t be here right now.
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The great news is that you don't have to write your book to get a non-fiction publishing deal. In fact, literary agents and publishers don't want you to. All you need is a unique concept, backed by a winning book proposal, with a few beautifully written sample chapters! During this retreat, you'll tap into your inner muse, and rock your book's casbah once and for all! Hasn't that idea been rolling around in your brain long enough? We keep these writing retreats intimate (6 people only!), so that everyone gets maximum value. So, if you're interested, contact us right away at (323) 769-5153 or email Natalie (my heavenly writing assistant) at natalie@winningbookproposals.com.
Where: Our gorgeous sprawling tree house of a lodge in Carmel, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. (Our morning walks on the beach or in the mountains outside our back door, are breathtaking… for those who want to get the blood pumping early.)
When: The week of March 8th. Participants drive, if convenient, or fly into the beautiful Monterey Peninsula Airport on Monday, flying out that Friday—unless you want to stay the weekend in the historic, picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. (Ah, duh! I recommend the Cypress Inn Bed & Breakfast, Doris Day’s Hotel... my home away from home, where I stayed for ELEVEN days while finishing up Generation Green. Can you say a writer’s fantasy?)
What: Dinner just off Ocean Ave., at my favorite eatery, Piatti Ristorante, when we gather to get to know each other and share our dreams and intentions. Followed by three full days of private consulting/writing/editing sessions with me (Linda), hours of peaceful writing time, and energizing reading/brainstorming sessions with the group, which is AWESOME. Great walks, delicious meals, amazing conversation/bonding time, and more laughter (and perhaps tears) than you've had in years! You'll arrive as strangers and depart as lifelong friends. Writing buddies:)
Price: Our fee is $5,000 for the week: $2,500 due upon sign-up (to hold your spot) & $2,500 due 30 days before departure. This covers your lodging, breakfasts, and catered lunches, and all instruction. Plus, a private two-hour editorial session with me when you’re ready, after we return. My goal is to help make you agent ready, and to facilitate those introductions when you are! Please call us right away if you have any questions, as spaces fill up quickly. |
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And, if you haven't yet taken my book proposal teleseminar, or purchased my 3-week "Write Your Winning Book Proposal & Land Your Publishing Deal" program, it will be my FREE GIFT to you immediately upon signing up for the retreat, to give you a head start. You can read all about this program (and see examples of many of the many books I've worked on) at www.WinningBookProposals.com (This gift normally sells for $485.)
| This program includes (if you're working on a proposal, I recommend listening to this course and going through the material downloads before the retreat): *5 hours of audio, covering three weeks of instruction on every aspect of writing a winning book proposal (with follow-along downloads), and two lengthy question-and-answer periods. *Over 200 pages of examples from winning proposals and entertaining, creative, and fun soup-to-nuts instruction about each section—the do's, the don'ts, and the why-not-try's! *2.5 additional hours of audio from candid insider interviews that I recorded with some of my favorite people in the publishing world—a former leading agent/publicist-turned bestselling author who now uses the strategies she created for her bestselling clients on herself; a wildly successful NYT bestselling author (and seminar/media darling, who has published millions of books in 28 languages), and a top NY publishing editor who has personally fought for and bought HUNDREDS of proposals (for houses like Crown and Scribners, and tells you what they're looking for). *My entire proposal for my first book, Lives Charmed: Intimate Conversations with Extraordinary People, purchased after a unanimous vote at one of the largest paperback publishers in the world (the book then went on to become an award-winning bestseller). This is a perfect tutorial for unknown authors, and includes innovative marketing suggestions that inspired great confidence from my publisher. It still stands today as a clean, tight, entertaining, innovative, and well-structured proposal and will be a valuable reference for you as you craft your own masterpiece. *A proposal template with my favorite headings and subheadings, so that you can listen to the course and fill in the blanks as you go. |
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I’m looking forward to helping you craft your masterpiece!
And, if you know you’re meant to write something, but you’re not yet sure what that is (and still feel pulled to come and nurture the whisperings of your soul just the same), you might just leave with a BIG idea…
“We call Linda the ‘Author Whisperer’ because of her seemingly magical ability to uncover the book in a person that wants to be written–often before they've even seen it. Like a midwife, she delivers a writer's core message and brilliance onto the page, in the style agents, editors, and readers are searching for. I have witnessed Linda work her Author-Whisperer magic for years. There are very few people who can do what she does, and we're always elated with her results!”
~Arielle Ford, best-selling author of The Soulmate Secret (HarperOne, 2009), and former publicist—whose clients have included twelve #1 NYT bestsellers: Deepak Chopra, Gary Zukav, Neale Donald Walsch, Marianne Williamson, Debbie Ford, Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, etc.
A taste of what we want YOU to experience...
... from past retreat participants (color me lucky!)….
“I came to Colorado to commune with God, and to unearth my writing muse for my book on Healing. What I found was a woman of incredible depth and heart who allowed me in the safety of our intimate group, to find my voice. Linda, six lives have been forever changed by your passion for living and your love. As in your Teleseminar, you give and give and give. There is no doubt in my mind that you are one of the finest coaches and writers in the world today. What a mystical, creative web you weave. Thank you. You rock!”
~Lynda Filler, Whistler, Canada + Puerta Villarta, Mexico
“Linda created such a safe space at her wonderful writing retreat in Carmel to be real, truly drawing out everyone’s voice and personality in such a way that it inspired us to do the work that REALLY needed to be done. Linda edited and made suggestions in such a speedy, almost psychic way—as though seeing the finished product at its best. We were blown away by what we were able to achieve in her presence. We all thought we’d gotten our money’s worth by the end of the first day!”
~Carol Allen, Relationship Coach, Internet Marketer, and Author of Love is in the Stars, a bestselling ebook
“Linda, you shining beacon, you radiant light, you warrior goddess, you holy mirror, thank you for giving me the tools to bust out... To steal some famous words in Jerry MacQuire, you are my ambassador of Quan, baby. I asked for a mentor and I got a Guru. Writing, marketing, networking, believing, dreaming, connecting, eating, creating, living, loving and laughing you are the example of the deeply rich, multi-layered, successful, authentic life I was looking for. A thousand hugs and a thousand kisses I bestow upon you in honor of who you are... and who you dared me to become. Thank you.”
~Dana Ponte, Canada
“I cannot accurately call this a writing retreat, as it was a much more sacred experience for me. I was swept away and engulfed in a deeply spiritual space of creation—like church—where the forces bathed us all with the energy and assistance needed to write from our hearts in a most profound and powerful way. I wrote more efficiently and effectively in one day than I had in several years. Linda, you are beyond a wordsmith, and surpass the syntax of magic! I am still awed, speechless and deeply grateful for one of the most remarkable adventures of my lifetime. I used to think they were about exploring external spaces and places. Now I know, the truth. The greatest journey of them all is the one that takes us deeper into heart's core, and expressing its love. This week has been one of the most loving, profound experiences of my entire life. Thank you, my dear Linda for creating this most magnificent opportunity to grow more f ully nto myself as a writer, a woman and a human being!”
~Elaine R. Ferguson, MD, Valparaiso, Indiana, Author of Healing, Health and Transformation: New Frontiers in Medicine
“My experience at the Carmel writing retreat was just what I needed. I arrived with an idea and some journal entries. I left with a beginning, a voice, a style, and the enthusiasm to continue writing. The days seemed to fly by, as time does when you're enjoying what you're doing. As if no real work was taking place, but we were all busy and passionately working. The accommodations alone were inspiring, with views and sounds of the Pacific. Linda and the other writers infused me with their spirit, and motivated me to a higher level. The greatest benefit, however, is what I learned during my one-on-one sessions with Linda, and in the comments given by her during our group discussions—the positive affects of which are still being felt months later.”
~With love and gratitude, Donna Melanson, Asheville, NC
“Linda, I thank you from my entire heart and soul for helping me find the clarity and direction I needed regarding my writing project. I knew miracles would occur this week, but I had no idea how beautiful and powerful they would be for me and for everyone who was blessed enough to share in this experience. Thank you for accepting me and sharing in my journey back in time 22 years. I couldn't have picked a better coach, mentor (and now) special friend, and group of sisters to re-experience that time of my life with me. You and our blessed group have given me back a piece of my heart and soul that I didn't even know was missing and cracked. You have also given me the confidence and courage to continue down this new and divinely guided path that God has placed me on. Thank you, Linda, for your beauty, honesty, sincerity, direction, but most of all for following your heart and giving me the chance I needed. You are a gem! This week was heavenly and was one of the most miraculous weeks of my life. I can't thank you enough.”
~Debbie Heneghan, Sewickley, Pennsylvania
“I came to Carmel to find out if I could write. I found myself instead. Linda’s workshop was an amazing amalgamation of storytelling, soul searching, and writing. Along the way, each of us had epiphany upon epiphany—that sudden intuitive leap of understanding about one’s self and the essence I was trying to capture in my writing. I arrived a novice and I left knowing I would become a writer. Linda’s workshop changed me—forever.”
~Arlene Jordan-Levy, Novelist, Minden, Nevada
“...I am so incredibly grateful to you for your deep, generous heart, your mega-refined skills, and your luscious, juicy creativity!...”
~Teresa Callahan Allgaier, writer, Loveland, Ohio
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To learn more about my programs, clients, articles and/or books, please go to:www.WinningBookProposals.com/teleseminars & www.DreamItGreen.com.
We’re looking forward to meeting you for this magical five days, where it’s all about you, your voice, your book, and your legacy. We want this to be one of the best gifts you'll ever give yourself–truly the start of a blessed and creative new beginning!
Humbly Yours,
Linda Sivertsen
(323) 769-5153
