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SOME BOOKS by
Julie H. Ferguson

and more...
 

Photos  by
Jerald Walliser
(unless otherwise
indicated)

***

 © Beacon Literary Services  1997-2010
All rights reserved

For information on reprinting material from this website, other than the free articles, contact
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Last updated on
Sunday June 20, 2010

"...an inspiration!"
"...heartily recommend"
"...thought-provoking and fun!"

Book Magic:
Turning Writers into Published Authors

 

...Next live workshop....

Books are magic! They turn unknown writers into authors and perhaps into household names. But publishing is a complex world, full of insider rules and financial constraints which, if not respected, cause good book ideas to vanish into thin air and writers to question their calling. Discover how the Canadian and American publishing scenes differ and how approachable Canadian publishers really are. Weave some uniquely Canadian spells that will boost your chances of getting published; explore the wizardry surrounding agents, query letters, phone calls to editors, trends, electronic publishing, and the North American market. Join Julie as she waves her magic wand and takes you from inspiration to publication!™

For Julie's bio, click here.

For my recommended resource list for unpublished authors, click here.
 

If you live far away, this presentation is also available as a paperback and e-book here 

HERE ARE SOME COMMENTS about Book Magic:

From delegates at the Write on Bowen festival, July 2010
Great info and delivery. Good pace
Good points, educational, positive aspects...
Excellent presenter. ...helpful and realistic
Very engaging speaker
Immensely impressive, informative, and heart-lifting. ...sensible.
Engaging and practical.

From students of Vancouver Community College, March 2009
"Julie is extremely knowledgeable."
"Very informative and valuable."

From students of Vancouver Community College, October 2009
"Very realistic and practical look at the publishing side of books."
"Terrifically helpful. Julie was encouraging and...knowledgeable."

From students of Vancouver Community College, February and May 2009
"Opened up a whole new world. Lots to learn."
"Julie's a great instructor. She covered everything and answered all my questions."
"Very insightful and supportive for writers who wish to be published."
"Most helpful in planning my future writing."

From students of  Vancouver Community College, May 2008 and Nov 2007
"I truly enjoyed Julie--very bright personality."
"Wonderful experience and entertaining."
"Thanks again for a great [presentation] full of energy and information. Truly, you were great. Keep it up."
"Thanks...for turning on so many lights."
"[Julie] was very approachable, knowledgeable, and friendly."

From participants attending this presentation (under a different name) at the Port Moody Public Library, Oct 2007
"I am a facilitator/trainer. You do a great job. You add value by engaging the group. Outstanding. Personal. Professional. Open, honest, and transparent."
"Superb presentation."
"...exceeded my expectations."
"...absolutely informative, very inspiring...."
"Her knowledge is really rich...."
"Encouraging+++."
"I left excited to get my pen to the paper."
"Excellent reference material provided."
The organizer wrote: "...a wonderful attendance. We received many complimentary remarks about the program...and I hope we can invite you to do another [presentation]." Barb Buxton, Head, Adult Services.

From a student of Vancouver Community College, June 2007
"Thank you so much for the information and your willingness to be of service. I thoroughly enjoyed the [course] and it has motivated me a great deal to take some action steps towards realizing my dream."

From participants of the Federation of BC Writers Master Class, Jan 2007
"Workshop gave [me] ideas for a path I could follow to get where I want to be."
"I have previously attended a W/S lead by Julie and found today's just as, if not more, valuable."
"A very practical and valuable workshop."

From the students of the Surrey Creative Writing Diploma Program, Oct 2006
"I really enjoyed Book Magic....  It's probably my most enjoyed class yet, and I've completed about 80 hours worth!"
"Thank you for helping me sort out the world of publishing. ...you have saved [me] months if not a year of self discovery.  I am amazed at your knowledge, the details of the processes, and most importantly, the integrity in your words. I would definitely recommend your workshop to any aspiring authors. 
[You're] the best around...! Your workshop was spectacular. I found it informative, well organized, professionally delivered and helpful. I was able to learn the jargon of the publishing industry, figure out the role of publishers, book agents, distributors and many other key issues that are involved in publishing a book. I was able to connect the dots and acquired a better understanding of the process of bringing a book to fruition."  Patricia Cooper

What impressed me most:
"The course content and the excellent presentation"
"...Julie knows her stuff."
"The quality and quantity of useful information in such an organized presentation with great handouts."

From students of Vancouver Community College 2006
October
"Excellent instructor"
"Very interesting class. So informative and fun and inspiring!"
"Very well-versed and informative"
"Experienced, published author who clearly had the tips we need as budding writers"
April
"Many thanks for a wonderful class and all your help last night."
"Very helpful in focusing/cutting through the myths."
"I was also inspired by your seminar to write non-fiction Chicklit...."

From the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers 2005
"Julie is very competent and passionate.... She is experienced and currently 'walking her talk." 
Lynn Fraser, CAPS Edmonton, September 2005
"Julie [was] extremely thorough, informative, thought-provoking, and fun."
Don Melnychuk, CAPS Edmonton, September 2005
"Julie is a highly skilled writer...and a great teacher. And as a published author, she practices what she preaches! She has helped me get a clear understanding of how to write and get books published, which is one reason I have asked her to present a 'getting published' workshop at a meeting of our Canadian Association of Professional Speakers Chapter in Edmonton."  
Noel McNaughton, CAPS Edmonton Program Chair, March 2005

From students of Vancouver Community
College 2004
"I loved the course."
"Very effective speaker. Knowledgeable and clear."
"Most informative, approachable..."

From the Surrey International Writers' Conference 2002
"Julie gathered her... experience on marketing and publishing both, and distilled it to its richest essence for us. She spoke with the assured fluency that only successful experience can bring, and carefully tended to the audience's questions. She opened my sight to the subtle, but simple, options I had for finding and approaching my target market -- lovers of Shakespeare and the Japanese community.  I have benefited greatly from the lessons...and would heartily recommend her seminars to aspiring...writers"
Matthew A. Klippenstein,  playwright, "The Middle Path"  2003 

"I had no idea how much easier it is to approach a publisher in Canada."

From Word on the Street 2000:
"...very well organized and encouraging."
"...helpful and inspiring."

From Women and Words 1999:
"You were an inspiration to the entire group."
"Very informative in a positive way."

 For more information, please contact
BEACON LITERARY SERVICES at:
(604)469-1319 or info@beaconlit.com

...from inspiration to publication!™