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..jpg)
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.