Meet Julie:
Bio
Info for clients
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and
promotional writing
Publication list
Coaching
toward
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2012
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Books and
mini-guides
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Beacon
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My
History titles
Photography:
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One of my
favourite travel sites is
GoNOMAD
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Beacon Literary Services
1997-2012
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***
Last updated
on
Tuesday January 24, 2012
Julie H. Ferguson
For thirty-eight of my forty-five year working life, I had a day job. I juggled a career, family life, and my writing passion; the juggle was neither easy nor fully satisfying. In 2004, having launched my daughter and published three major works and countless articles, I decided to retire from physiotherapy. Two more nonfiction books quickly followed and Beacon Literary Services, established in 1997 to help others get published, took on a greater role offering coaching towards publication and more services for writers of all levels and genres.I believe writers need practical assistance, current information, and support from published authors throughout their journeys to publication.
I am the author of books for writers, including Book Magic: Turning Writers into Published Authors and Crafting Irresistible Query Letters that Result in Publication, and ten other nonfiction books. My articles have appeared in international, national, and regional publications, as well as online. Now I'm also a contributor to the blog of the Encyclopedia of British Columbia and a reviewer for the Canadian Book Review Annual Online.
I have experienced every aspect of Canadian publishing -- commercial and self-publication, print and electronic publishing, as well as print-on-demand. My first non-fiction book, Through a Canadian Periscope; the Story of the Canadian Submarine Service (Dundurn) appeared in 1995. My second, Deeply Canadian: New Submarines for a New Millennium (Beacon Publishing), was released in the fall of 2000 electronically (commercial) and in print. Sing a New Song: Portraits of Canada’s Crusading Bishops, followed in 2006, also from Dundurn. James Douglas: the Father of BC is my first young adult biography and latest book, again from Dundurn (2009), and my second to be selected for Books for Everybody.
Since early 2001, I have chosen to self-publish (Beacon Publishing) some of my other books using print-on-demand but only once, a short-run printer, an online service (Blurb.com), and in-house. This has resulted in two books and five mini-guides for writers, speakers, and teachers, one for a health authority, one travel memoir, three family legacy books, and three photo portfolios.
I'm not only a successful author, but also an accomplished professional speaker and trainer who instructed for Vancouver Community College and the Surrey Writers' School. I have also spoken at writers' and teachers' conferences throughout western Canada, including the Surrey International Writers’ Conference nine years running. My many presentations include Pitching Magazine Articles in the 21st Century, Crafting Irresistible Query Letters that Result in Publication and Writing with Power!, and Book Magic: Turning Writers into Published Authors.
In June 2010, I decided to retire from speaking in the education sector to concentrate on writing more books, travel articles, and my photography. I continue to enjoy my coaching practice and also facilitate the new evening group of the acclaimed Port Moody Writers' Workshop, of which I have have been a member for over 20 years. Periodically I speak for writing events, though not as many as I once did.
Currently, I am a proud member of the Federation of BC Writers, the Travel Media Association of Canada, The Travel Blog Exchange, The Burnaby Writers’ Society, and Photoclub Vancouver. I have also belonged to the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, Professional Writers' Association of Canada, and the Plain Language Association International.
Download a printable version of my bio here.
...from inspiration to publication!™
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