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The "I Have to Read That" Formula

Your Writing Workshop On Demand is now available.

"You have a book?" <— This is your chance to grab an open door and slam it in your own face or amaze people with your response.

Paying for travel and access to pitch conferences…

Amazon ads…

Paying for Goodreads giveaways and Bookbub promos…

Expensive press releases…

Maintaining 20 social network profiles…

Google search advertising to drive traffic to your site…

They all have one thing in common.

They show how hard is it to get somebody interested in your writing.

So when somebody does ask about your writing…do you really want to blow it?

Have you had one of these "yawn" moments?

You don't realize your dental hygienist's cousin is a TV executive desperate to fill production gaps with your type of narrative.

So, instead of taking her seriously, you spew a few random details.

Then you follow up with self-deprecating "humor."

Your dental hygienist pivots to talk about the weather instead. Cancel that student-debt-destroying check from Hollywood.

Your friend's follower on Twitter replies to a tweet by asking if your book is set in the Appalachian Mountains

This time you do take him seriously but ramble so much he's not only confused but bored.

Turns out he's the purchaser for booksellers who wanted local-interest fiction at locations throughout the Pittsburgh, Charleston, Chatanooga, and Knoxville metropolitan areas.

Notice that's "wanted" in the past-tense.

You only have a split-second to stay in somebody's present-tense opportunity window, much less their future-tense.

 

Go from "Make it stop!" to "I want more!" with one easy technique.

You've spent $1,500 on the premier industry conference for your genre where you get to mix with agents, publishers, bestselling authors, producers, and more — all with the goal of having more of those awkward yawn moments, right?

Of course not. That's why we have perfected a formula you can apply:

  • in conversation

  • on your social media about section

  • in your author bio

  • as your pitch letter

  • saved as a quick reply template for online responses

  • in your eMail signature

  • or deploy it anywhere readers, editors, and reviews might find you

And you can master it all before that industry conference even starts with our easy step-by-step guide.

This writing workshop goes wherever you do.

I've spent years here at Broadkill Writers Resort giving authors and publishers strategies to get more readers and reviewers and build their own audience of raving fans.

I've done that by sharing all the details established publishing professionals typically keep to themselves.

From contracts to publicity, from self-publishing to major New York publishing, from behind-the-scenes scandals to financial planning to self-care for creatives, across all genres and niches.

Our primary tool has been the in-person workshop experience either at industry conferences or our beach house, but…

Changes in the world have thrown up barriers to your access. But in 2020 we can shift from empty seats to full screens!

Broadkill Writers Resort strives to innovate ways to bring you low-cost, high-impact products other experts have failed to. For that reason, we have launched the Writing Workshop On Demand, and our first on-demand series is ready for you.

Access anywhere, anytime, without cumbersome learning management systems.

No time for another long, involved training? Mix and match a choose-your-own course!

The words every author wants to hear from editors, reviewers, and readers are the same ones publishers also want to hear:

"I have to read that!"

We give you the formula to make it happen.

But maybe you don't want to spend months wading through lesson after lesson, eBook after eBook, video on top of video.

We get it. You're ready to go! And we'll help you get there with our chunking-down of an epic online learning experience.

Most writers and publishers have some know-how in one or two parts of making a great book, and just need to fill knowledge gaps…

…but without sitting through lectures covering familiar old topics yet again.

After working with thousands of writers, booksellers, editors, and reviewers over my 20 years of publishing I have distilled the core elements you need for accelerating your writing career down to the I Have to Read That series.

 

 

The I Have to Read That Plot Formula

Even the greatest idea must be shared well.

Otherwise, it won't seem great to other people.

As writers we tend to have a clearer idea of what happens in the story than we can put into words, but that shouldn't stop us from trying.

Or, more importantly, trying well. In the case of generating interest, that means filling out enough of the plot that you can structure it in a way that meets the 3 crucial plot needs even seasoned professionals overlook.

We break it down to a simple equation so you can sharpen your plot points to hook your target audience now, and at each of the 3 following stages in their journey toward becoming your raving fan.

I Have To Download That!

The I Have to Read That Title Formula

Some say ideas are a dime a dozen in the book world because they can be buried by poor execution.

And we're not even talking about competence in storytelling craft.

It's everything else that goes into building your product.

Your writing isn't just "some product" to you, but from the point of view the end-user your work is another in thousands of products they get targeted by each day.

Your title cuts through all that noise by providing insight to your writing's message while showing intent and skill beyond that of the 95% of writers.

With this tool we show you how they fall into that trap, and how to avoid it yourself.

I Have To Download That!

The I Have to Read That Description Formula

Did you know professional back cover writers get $500 per book?

Save yourself some cash and learn how to make your book description irresistible.

The title makes people examine your book more closely, or in the case of a finished product, the title works in combination with cover art to make them pick up your book.

The back cover description will seal the deal, or break it, and it does that in just seconds.

In your pitch letter, drawn at random from 374 submissions by a hungry, sleep-deprived intern? That description better make them not just forget their misery, but come alive with curiosity and joy.

I Have To Download That!

The I Have to Read That First Page Formula

You've convinced somebody to stop, pick up your work, make it past the description, and actually…start reading the first page?

Yes, according to research conducted by the big New York City publishers this is the traditional customer journey in a bookstore.

Yes, your first page is the last stop on the buy-or-die flowchart.

Likewise, when an editor or agent doesn't reject you based on your pitch, title, or description, you only have a single paragraph until they've decided whether they're going to read the entire writing sample before judging you.

This is where almost every writer fumbles. We show you how to stand out with your first page instead of sinking with the rest.

I Have To Download That!

Do You Have An "I Have To Read That" Proposition?

Your "I have to read that" proposition lets people know what you've written, who it's for, why they need it, and it accomplishes this in seconds. Your target audience then tells themselves and others: I HAVE TO READ THAT!

Manufacture Instant Excitement

Build your marketing campaign from the ground up before you even commit your first word to paper.

That does not mean "selling out" and chasing after what you think the next consumer trend is.

What it means is understanding what information people need to get before they will invest in your work.

When you understand the formula behind this need you'll be able to write the stories you want, but presented in a way that finally makes it clear to others why they should want to read it too.

Distinction

The reading audience and industry professionals will know right away that you are operating on a different level than the standard fare.

Attraction

Your book info is supposed to work for you when it's plastered everywhere, and now it will by drawing the right customers and connections while you're busy doing other things.

Valued

Get more sales, and get them at higher price points, leading to even more sales and the cycle perpetuating itself.

Leadership

Create instant authority with clear "interest-fluency" and rapidly stack successes to be seen as a thought leader.

Cool story bro, but who are you?

John Edward Lawson, author of 16 books with over 500 articles, poems, and short stories published worldwide. I've done readings and book signings all over the United States. Of my 16 books 12 have made it onto bestseller lists at one time or another.

Outside my work as an author I've been editor-in-chief of a literary journal, editor of 6 fiction anthologies, and co-founder of a publishing company working with authors around the globe. Some of those have been first-time, unknown authors while others are more established, like Till Lindemann who had 8 million fans on Facebook last time I checked.

When I'm not doing that I'm judging writing contests for writers organizations, speaking at universities and conventions, leading workshops, or mentoring authors, editors, and newer publishers.

If any of the above sounds like something you'd like to be able to say about your career then join the program and let me help you get there.

This picture of me below, with the group of award-winners? That's from the international industry conference for horror publishing professionals, StokerCon, organized by the Horror Writers Association. Keep reading to find out about that.

Don't just take my word for it

So in this group photo I had just been awarded the HWA Specialty Press Award. I've looked into it and it's one of the only awards for publishing companies who maintain a standard of excellence, as opposed to awards for individual books — like those awards given to other winners pictured with me (some great authors whose stories, nonfiction, and poetry I recommend you read!).

My fiction has received nominations for the Pushcart Prize, for the Wonderland Award, and won many contests and competitions, including the Fiction International Emerging Writers Competition.

My poetry has been nominated for the Rhysling Award twice, for the Dwarf Stars Award twice, and for the Stoker Award once.

Take Small Steps And Still Reach Your Goal

You don't have to drop everything to become a full-time student, full-time author, or full-time publisher.
It's easier than you think to integrate our Writing Workshop On Demand offerings with everything else in your life.
Here are some strategies for your progress even when commitments and hurdles are between you and your goals.

Turn work breaks into breakout sessions

Need to stimulate your mind while on the job? I know I always did back when I was in the service industry and working toward becoming a full-time creative.

A quiet spot, a book, and a bottle of tea would anchor me for the rest of the workday.

Turn that up to 11 by nurturing your passion for writing in those few little bits of time our busy daily schedules allow.

Want to make it fun, and increase your accountability? Share your screen with somebody else who's also got a spare minute.

No, we don't want you copying our materials and selling them or just giving them away — that's covered in our Terms & Conditions.

At the same time, we understand the economy is rocky and the buddy system works when you're learning something new. Heck, maybe you can get them to split the cost with you 50/50.

Just do us a favor and ask them to sign up for our newsletter. Thanks!

3 reasons your wallet will like us

  1. Each of our I Have to Read That Formulas is only $27. Not $500, not $1,000, but less than the cost of that hot new download for your game console. Why the low cost? Our Writing Workshop On Demand is condensed so it doesn't waste your time. By the same token, it saves us time since we get to zero in on a very narrow topic.

  2. It's called a Writing Workshop On Demand because writing workshops, as they existed pre-2020, were traditionally expensive, difficult to find, difficult to get into, difficult to physically reach, and did we mention expensive? On-demand services such as Netflix or Hulu are popular because you can be highly selective, find a very specific interest, and pay way less than traditional cable TV. We're bringing that model to our teaching methods.

  3. Our Money-Back Guarantee lasts for 30 days. You get a month to try each product out, and with that, you get peace of mind.

Maximize your time waiting on transportation

I grew up without access to a vehicle and had to get around on the somewhat spotty bus, rail, and taxi system offered by our suburbs.

Somebody else's 15-minute journey was a 2-hour odyssey for me.

Going to the doctor? A pain made even more inconvenient. Grocery shopping? Forget it.

If you're in the same boat you can easily use our training manual and single-serving onscreen presentation while in transit.

That's it: one book, one video, both light in size but MASSIVE in knowledge with 20 years of award-winning experience distilled into them.

Claim Your Future Success With These Options

FULL PAY OPTION

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FULL PAY OPTION

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$27

The I Have to Read That Plot Formula

  • Printable Workbook

  • Video Instruction

Add to Cart

Your purchase is fully protected.

$27

The I Have to Read That Title Formula

  • Plrintable template

  • Video instruction

Add to Cart

Your purchase is fully protected.

$27

The I Have to Read That Description Formula

  • Action Guide

  • Video Instruction

Add to Cart

Your purchase is fully protected.

$27

The I Have to Read That First Page Formula

  • Scene Breaking Tool

  • Video Instruction

Add to Cart

Your purchase is fully protected.

F.A.Q.

Common questions and concerns are addressed below.

I write shorter stuff. Is this for me?

The techniques discussed in these first 4 installments of Broadkill Writers Resort's Writing Workshop On Demand can be applied to blog posts, poetry, essays, short stories, and basically any other writing you intend to share or sell. So the answer is yes, this is for you!

I want more!

That's okay, we're working on giving you more! Expect new installments in our Writing Workshop On Demand soon when our break between seasons is over.

In the meantime you can let us know what else you'd like to see covered in these single-serving style learning experiences by contacing us. Thank you!

Does this stuff really work?

Included in each I Have to Read That Formula are real-world examples from books we have published, accepted for publication, or run publicity campaigns for. And not only do we show you what works, but we also show you what does not work in real-world applications. Not theory, actual results.

Do you really have a refund policy?

Yes. Check our Terms & Conditions and Refund Policy pages for more details.

BROADKILL WRITERS RESORT

You want to publish a bestseller, but might not know how to get there. We show you the way to get into stores and get reviews so you can grow an audience of raving fans, and we do it in just 30 days. 

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