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Julie is a former member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers

BOOKS by
Julie H. Ferguson

 

Book Magic (Beacon Publishing 2007)

Crafting Irresistible Query Letters (Beacon Publishing 2002)

Sing a New Song: Portraits of Canada's Crusading Bishops (Dundurn 2006)

and more...
 

Photos  by
Jerald Walliser
(unless otherwise
indicated)

***

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All rights reserved

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For information on reprinting material from this website, other than the free articles, contact
info@beaconlit.com

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Last updated on
 Wednesday March 19, 2008

               

 

 

"Your advice has been right on the money."
 "Julie has the skill and dexterity to coach...and she is a joy to work with."
 "Outstanding consulting and endless insights...."


...COACHING TOWARDS
 PUBLICATION...

 


 Publishing and promotion is a complex world, full of insider rules and financial constraints which, if not respected, cause good books to wither on many a hard-drive and writers/speakers to question their calling. Don't let it happen to you!

Beacon Literary Services believes writers and speakers need practical assistance, current information, and support throughout their journeys to success.

Julie H. Ferguson has been demystifying the publishing process for clients for nearly ten years and has enabled many (72.4% of BLS clients) to realize their dream of publication with publishers such as Penguin Canada, HarperCollins, and Whitecap, as well as successfully self-publishing their books. Her honest one-on-one coaching provides aspiring authors with all the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed with commercial publishers or to self-publish high quality books. Writer's coach, Julie Ferguson

BLS has also assisted speakers to create promotional material they are proud of, which has increased their bookings, often by more than 30%.
 

  1. Whether you simply want an objective eye on your query letter or you want a professional coach to walk beside you throughout the publishing journey, BLS can provide the expertise for....

  • deciding between commercial or self-publishing

  • finding your marketing slant

  • choosing whether or not to approach agents

  • researching potential publishers and acquisition editors

  • selecting one of the 3 methods of self-publishing

  • perfecting your query letter/proposal/synopsis/cover letters

  • formatting and submitting your ms

  • managing your submissions

  • applying for ISBNs, Canadian CIP data, and registering your copyright

  • the production phase

  • the promotional phase

  • and much, much more

  1. If you need help with your promotional material, BLS can help with this too:

  • Bios - long and short (for writers and speakers)

  • Publishers' catalogue blurbs

  • Press releases

  • Presentation/keynote descriptors (for speakers) and one sheets

  • Directory entries

  • Introductions

  • Book flyers

  • Mission and position statements (for speakers)

BLS offers you... an experienced expert on your team who
clarifies the process, reduces your anxiety, saves time, and
significantly ramps-up your chances of successful publication.
BLS clients have enjoyed a 72.4% success rate as of October 2006

To enquire about the BLS coaching service, click here
 


         ...BLS does not edit full manuscripts....
          For these, BLS recommends Joyce Gram.
     Joyce is absolutely the BEST - contact her here.
 




Julie co-judged the 2006  Surrey International Writers' Conference Nonfiction Contest.
She usually offers her personalized services every year in the Blue Pencil Cafe at the SiWC.
Here writers join Julie for a one-on-one insightful and encouraging discussion about their
writing careers and works-in-progress.


Satisfied client testimonials include:


"... it's great to finally be recognized as an author. Got my first royalty cheque today.... Very nice!! It all started with you."
 April 2008: Doug Matthews, on the publication of his two books (Elsevier 2007), Special Event Production: The Process and Special Event Production: The Resources.  (See also the testimonials below, Oct 2004  and December 2005)


"Thanks Julie.... You have no idea how much you've helped! I passed along the information to my group and we've gotten the wheels turning :)"    July 2007, medical student, UBC

"Two sets of eyes are always better than one -  that’s why I hire you. Consider yourself my other ‘eyes’ [and] very valuable ones at that; in fact, sometimes priceless."
 July 2007: Eileen Reppenhagen, CGA and professional speaker (www.taxdetective.ca)

"I'm a very fortunate person to have had your help...a great team effort"
March 11/07, Marja Bergen, author of Riding the Roller Coaster (Northstone Publishing, 1999) and A Firm Place to Stand (to appear)
 Being in the Present - How to Create the Blueprint of your Life
"[To] Julie H. Ferguson of Beacon Literary Services: for outstanding consulting and endless insight. Thank you for sharing your expertise with enthusiasm and passion during the crucial stages of this book."  Also, "I'm honoured to be your client."
And, "Thank you so much for the priceless gifts you give to authors like me."
 Jan 3 and Mar 6/07, Monica Magnetti, author of Being in the Present: How to Create the Blueprint of Your Life and Outsmart Stress, Portofino Press, 2007

"Thanks very much for taking the time to give me such well-thought out advice yesterday.... You really helped and I appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge."
 Nov 29/06, Leslie Gaudette 

"I'm about to sign --------whew! And yes, it is a great feeling! Thanks for being a part of it." 
Dec 27, 2005: Doug Matthews, on signing his first publishing contract (Elsevier) for two books, Special Event Production, Part One: The Process and Special Event Production, Part Two: The Resources--both due in 2007.  (See also the testimonial below, Oct 2004 )

"Your insights are invaluable..."
Nov 24, 2005: Geoffrey X. Lane, Lane Consulting, author (self-pub) and professional speaker.

"...thank you again for the advice and insight you gave me at the recent Surrey International Writers' Conference. It's amazing how a ten minute...conversation [can] clarify the information-dump...about query letters."
Oct 22, 2005: K.C. Solano, delegate at SIWC 2005,

"You've consistently been such a help to me, and I really appreciate it. Thanks, once again, for your ongoing support. What a mentor"                  
August 2005: Ann Thompson, author of Winning Choice on Abortion (2004),  runner-up for the Vancity Book Prize 2005 (self-pub).

"[I] would like to thank...Julie Ferguson for the advice and priceless information regarding the political and modern life in London and elsewhere, as well as for the help in deciphering the incredible and ever-changing British slang."
June 2005: Dora Fejes, translator of Helen Fielding's novel, Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination  (Polirom, 2005), into Romanian

"Thank you! I don't think I could do it without you; you are truly wonderful!
May 2005: Eileen Reppenhagen, CGA and professional speaker

"Julie is that rare person - a successful writer who can teach others to write - and Julie accomplishes it with aplomb, flare, and insight - did I mention that Julie is truly a 'nice' person?" March 2005: Geoffrey X. Lane, Lane Consulting

"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...."
March 2005: Noel McNaughton, Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, Edmonton, AB

When the publisher at Borealis read my query on a Saturday last fall, he phoned me Saturday night and asked for my manuscript. A week later he called back and said that he and his partner had read it....  They really liked it, and he said he "loved' it..... I worked very hard over my manuscript and my query.  I attended two of your workshops, enjoyed several one-on-one coaching sessions, and also used your ebook, Crafting Irresistible Queries. I agree with you whole-heartedly...you can't spend too much time on your query. I found your workshops, coaching, and ebook very helpful.
Feb 2005: Shirley Walker, author of From Sailing Ships to Spitfires, Borealis Press (December 2005)     

Thank you for your recent work on our history for the day of the Heritage Society Tour...The combination of photographs and text is laid out in a very inviting way; in fact the whole document far exceeds the hopes and expectations I had.... I am deeply grateful for...the quality of the finished product and the prompt and timely response to my request.
Feb 2005: the Rev. Dr. Catherine Hall, Rector, St. John the Apostle Anglican Church, Port Moody, BC.

"...the tremendous support you have given me...in bringing  my first book project to fruition. Your advice has been right on the money. [My book] has gone through two reprints...has been well received in its market across Canada and is doing admirably well on Amazon. ...I thank you for your time, dedication and positive encouragement."
Oct 2004: Dough Matthews, author of How to Create Fantasies and Win Accolades: a Practical Guide to Planning Special Events (self-pub)

"I owe you a tremendous vote of thanks!  Not only have you encouraged me when no-one was doing so, but I used the people you referred me to, with great success!  Lee Fodi did a superb cover for the book, and I'm glad to have met him into the bargain.  Shirley Olson also designed the text and made the book as compact (that is to say, inexpensive) as possible.  It looks very good."
"You have indeed been a steadfast 'inspiration'" (June 2005)
Oct 2004: Ann Thompson, author of Winning Choice on Abortion (2004), runner-up for the Vancity Book Prize 2005 (self-pub)

"Julie has the skill and dexterity to coach promotional writing.  Her assistance has been invaluable, insightful and she is a joy to work with. ...The results were amazing. I now have a brochure I am proud to hand out..." 
June/August 2004: Eileen Reppenhagen, CGA and professional speaker.

"[Julie] 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.  Through all my dealings with her...Julie's professionalism has shone as brightly as her insight. I have benefited greatly from the lessons...and would heartily recommend [her coaching and] her seminars...to aspiring Canadian writers."
September 2003: Matthew A. Klippenstein,  playwright of  The Middle Path

"Julie helped me to understand my book contract and protect my interests without damaging my relationship with the publisher.  With the knowledge she gave me I was in control of my book.  It was a great experience!"
July 2002: Kathy Lynn, Parenting Today, author of Who's in Charge Anyway? and But Nobody Told Me I'd Ever Have to Leave Home (both Whitecap).

"Thank you so much for your help... I almost didn't go to the interview with the editor, but your comments helped me to brave it out."
 October 2000: Pat Koretchuk,  author of Chasing the Comet, Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2002
 

To enquire about the BLS coaching for aspiring authors, click here
 

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

...from inspiration to publication!™