June 24, 2007

"Marketing is Not a Dirty Word"

"If you are a writer, you are a storyteller. If you are a storyteller, you can be a marketing expert."

Long before papyrus and ink, Mac and pc, movies and TV—storytellers stood beside the evening fires weaving words into tales with only voice and hands. The innovative mind of man invented writing and shaped a new storyteller - one who could create their powerful stories in private. Poems and novels and stories lived safely on the page. The publishing industry was born and agents and editors and people who loved the written word helped the storyteller/writers take their stories out into the world inspiring millions of readers over the centuries. It has all changed—publishing is unrecognizable from just twenty years ago—but one thing is constant—you are still a writer and a storyteller.

And as a writer in the year 2007 you are now being required to write your story, sell your story and market your story. When does an agent make sense for you? When does a large publishing house make sense? What kind of publisher should publish you? Should you self publish? Do you need to hire your own editor? These and many other questions are on the minds of today’s writers and we will discuss your options and the way the shifting paradigm of publishing can be empowering to you as the writer.

Robin Carpenter is the Scholarship Director for the SF Writers Conference, a staff writer for Edible San Francisco Magazine as well as a personal consultant and story coach. Growing up on the Gulf Coast she learned the finer points of storytelling and food in a land rich with rituals, myths and well-marbled alligators. She has a BA in Creative Writing and Philosophy from the University of South Alabama. She spent over 20 years as a marketing consultant in advertising and media successfully identifying and conveying the stories of her clients. Her passion for the power of personal story inspired her studies of hypnotherapy, shamanism and Jungian archetypal astrology and mythology. In her work, Robin saw the innate craving of people to express their personal stories. This led to the creation of Resonance Resources where she helps others develop stories, rituals and celebrations honoring their lives.