We're thrilled to offer workshops to support the writing community. We've rescheduled our next workshop day for Saturday, October 23, featuring:
Differently Abled: Using Tools Outside Your Genre to Break Through Blocks in Writing
10:30 a.m.–Noon
Instructor: Susan DeFreitas
Cost: $45*
Can the music of poetry inform the language of prose? Can fictive structures strengthen nonfictional narratives? Can the kind of character development normally associated with prose create stronger, more striking poems?
Yes, yes, and yes! In this workshop, we’ll examine ways that tools and techniques common to fiction, nonfiction, and poetry can work together to inform and strengthen one another.
Open to any and all writers, this workshop is likely to prove especially useful to those who already work in more than one genre. Come with pen and paper, and/or your laptop—leave with new insights, new writing, and new tools.
Susan DeFreitas is a writer whose work encompasses multiple genres and mediums. Her nonfiction has been published in Yes! Magazine; Natural Home; E, the Environmental Magazine; and The Utne Reader. Her poetry has appeared in The Bear Deluxe, Third Wednesday, and Southwestern American Literature, and her Web site of hypertext poetry and fiction, www.hypertextmeditations.com, went online in June of 2010. She is a recent transplant to Portland from Northern Arizona, where she served as an associate editor and monthly columnist for The Noise. Currently, she blogs on green technology for www.earthtechling.com and is enrolled in the MFA in Writing program at Pacific University.
The Power Couples of Great Readings
1:00–2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Kristin Thiel
Cost: $45*
The age of the quiet writer is over, now that technology has shrunk our world and the economy has tightened the wallets of publishers and readers. And now that hermit heroes J. D. Salinger and Hunter S. Thompson have left the building. Authors need to be a part of public readings and other events—and that one you gave at the last campfire doesn’t count. Practice planning a great reading and then reading great with our strategies that are broken into three helpful power couples: Short and Sweet (or Sour); Free and Clear; and Bold and Bright. No one has reason to stand before potential book buyers grumbling, mumbling, or at a loss for words.
Kristin Thiel lives solidly in the introvert camp, but she loves giving successful readings and continues to be asked to the stage. She’s read on KBOO radio and in bookstores, at Multnomah County’s Central Library and at wine shops.
How to Make Your Book a Head Turner
2:40–4:10 p.m.
Instructor: Ali McCart
Cost: $45*
The key to publishing a book successfully is to make an impression. Every person involved in the process of publishing your book—agent, editor, publicist, reviewer, bookseller, and consumer—must be impressed with your words and your approach. This workshop will teach you tips on researching your book’s place in the market and tricks for making it stand out. We’ll include time to evaluate your current approach and to provide feedback on developing a book that will turn heads and open wallets.
Ali McCart has been evaluating authors’ methods since before she understood the term literary criticism. She has helped dozens of writers transform their books from wallflowers to knockouts—or, put in book terms, from spine-outs to face-outs—with simple accentuating techniques.
*Attend all three workshops for just $100. Each class is limited to nine students. All classes will be held at the Indigo office, 519 SW 3rd Ave., 5th floor conference room, Portland, Oregon.
Take advantage of these great prices to add to your knowledge base and to get to know our editors! E-mail workshops@indigoediting.com to register.
Writing and Editing Workshops
Brown Bag Seminar Series
Even if a self-employed person has dedicated office space, a current client with an extra desk, or even a regular spot at a favorite coffee shop, regular professional discussion usually happens online, if at all. That's why Indigo, a company of contractors and interns, launched our monthly Brown Bag Seminar Series in February 2008.
Often led by us and for us, we've started inviting other professionals to join us and asking outside experts to facilitate our discussions. Among these people have been a bookstore owner, who spoke on her joys and challenges in the publishing business; a tax professional, who shared guidance for contractors; a lawyer, who discussed copyright; another professional writer/editor, who discussed the topic of setting boundaries; and a painter, who discussed setting and reaching monetary and marketing goals.
Our Brown Bags are informal and often Q&A/open discussion, though certainly the facilitator is welcome to begin with a brief talk or to engage the group in a short activity, etc.
We ask for $5/person/Brown Bag to provide a small stipend for the facilitator, to offer some light brain snacks, and to help support Indigo. Though our intent is to grow the attendance, our group has been pretty small in the past, which means that, at this point, we can't promise snacks (BYO!) or anything for the facilitator—other than a warm welcome and grateful applause.
Each Brown Bag runs from 5:45–6:45 p.m. If you're not biking, walking, or taking public transportation, please keep in mind downtown traffic and parking; there is metered parking on our street.
We build our schedule throughout the year, so this list will continue to be updated. If you're interested in being considered to facilitate, an open month is an available month, so please be in touch. E-mail Kristin Thiel, kthiel@indigoediting.com, with interest in facilitating or to be added to our Brown Bag invitation list, which is only used once a month.
2010 Schedule
June 29: Ah, summer. Let's chill together in the AC, surrounded by zine-making supplies and good conversation about the book-, publication-, and Internet-publishing businesses.
July 27: Indigo's founder and senior editor, Ali McCart, talks about the publishing process and the roles of various professionals—both in and out of the industry—in making it a success.
August 31: A writer for the New York Times, About.com, and others, Kristen Hall-Geisler will talk about "how freelancing is like repeatedly flinging yourself off a cliff and hoping your chute opens." But don't worry—she's a strong guide for us. Of that metaphor, she says: "I like that feeling; a lot of people do not." Bring your Qs, and Kristen will offer her As in a casual brain-picking session.
September 28:
October 26:
November 30:
December: No Brown Bag—happy holidays, and we'll see you next year!
All Brown Bags will be held at the Indigo office, 519 SW 3rd Ave., Fifth-floor conference room, Portland, Oregon. Feel free to RSVP to Kristin in advance or to simply show up for Brown Bags.
Often led by us and for us, we've started inviting other professionals to join us and asking outside experts to facilitate our discussions. Among these people have been a bookstore owner, who spoke on her joys and challenges in the publishing business; a tax professional, who shared guidance for contractors; a lawyer, who discussed copyright; another professional writer/editor, who discussed the topic of setting boundaries; and a painter, who discussed setting and reaching monetary and marketing goals.
Our Brown Bags are informal and often Q&A/open discussion, though certainly the facilitator is welcome to begin with a brief talk or to engage the group in a short activity, etc.
We ask for $5/person/Brown Bag to provide a small stipend for the facilitator, to offer some light brain snacks, and to help support Indigo. Though our intent is to grow the attendance, our group has been pretty small in the past, which means that, at this point, we can't promise snacks (BYO!) or anything for the facilitator—other than a warm welcome and grateful applause.
Each Brown Bag runs from 5:45–6:45 p.m. If you're not biking, walking, or taking public transportation, please keep in mind downtown traffic and parking; there is metered parking on our street.
We build our schedule throughout the year, so this list will continue to be updated. If you're interested in being considered to facilitate, an open month is an available month, so please be in touch. E-mail Kristin Thiel, kthiel@indigoediting.com, with interest in facilitating or to be added to our Brown Bag invitation list, which is only used once a month.
2010 Schedule
June 29: Ah, summer. Let's chill together in the AC, surrounded by zine-making supplies and good conversation about the book-, publication-, and Internet-publishing businesses.
July 27: Indigo's founder and senior editor, Ali McCart, talks about the publishing process and the roles of various professionals—both in and out of the industry—in making it a success.
August 31: A writer for the New York Times, About.com, and others, Kristen Hall-Geisler will talk about "how freelancing is like repeatedly flinging yourself off a cliff and hoping your chute opens." But don't worry—she's a strong guide for us. Of that metaphor, she says: "I like that feeling; a lot of people do not." Bring your Qs, and Kristen will offer her As in a casual brain-picking session.
September 28:
October 26:
November 30:
December: No Brown Bag—happy holidays, and we'll see you next year!
All Brown Bags will be held at the Indigo office, 519 SW 3rd Ave., Fifth-floor conference room, Portland, Oregon. Feel free to RSVP to Kristin in advance or to simply show up for Brown Bags.