Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to someone who has been instrumental in helping me up my speaking game. Whether you’ve been hearing me speak on this podcast or have seen me speak on stage, this person has had a tremendous impact in helping me become the speaker that I am.

This person is Alexia Vernon.

Alexia has been branded a “Moxie Maven” by the White House Office of Public Engagement because of her unique and effective approach to developing female leaders, for a decade she has been a go-to speaking coach to CEOs, New York Times bestselling authors, media personalities, and scores of visionary entrepreneurs and change-makers who are ready to go from best-kept secrets to hotshot, transformational speakers.  

Her unique background as a former Miss Junior America, public speaker, professor, actor, dancer, TEDx organizer, and corporate trainer has enabled Alexia to speak on stages such as the United Nations during the Commission on the Status of Women, INBOUND, and the Association of Talent Development (ATD). She has appeared on major media outlets like CNN, NBC, Inc., and Women’s Health Magazine.

Her clients have spoken on stages like the World Domination Summit, Transformational Leadership Council, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Off the Charts Live, and at TEDx’s around the world, not to mention scoring some amazing media coverage in publications like The New York Times, TIME, and Vanity Fair, and networks like OWN and Good Morning America.

In this episode Alexia and I discuss:

• The importance of public speaking for authors
• Finding your voice as a speaker
• How speaking can help you hone your ideas

Plus, her #1 tip for writers.

About Alexia Vernon

Branded a “Moxie Maven” by the White House Office of Public Engagement for her unique and effective approach to developing female leaders, for a decade she has been a go-to speaking coach to CEOs, New York Times bestselling authors, media personalities, and scores of visionary entrepreneurs and change-makers who are ready to go from best-kept secrets to hotshot, transformational speakers.

Her unique background as a former Miss Junior America, public speaker, professor, actor, dancer, TEDx organizer, and corporate trainer has enabled Alexia to speak on stages such as the United Nations during the Commission on the Status of Women, INBOUND, and the Association of Talent Development (ATD). She has appeared on major media outlets like CNN, NBC, Inc., and Women’s Health Magazine.

Her clients have spoken on stages like the World Domination Summit, Transformational Leadership Council, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Off the Charts Live, and at TEDx’s around the world, not to mention scoring some amazing media coverage in publications like The New York Times, TIME, and Vanity Fair, and networks like OWN and Good Morning America.

Find her on social media:

• https://www.facebook.com/AlexiaVernonEmpowerment/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/spotlightspeakerssalon/
• Twitter and Instagram as @AlexiaVernon

Spotlight MasterTreat

In this interview, we talk about Alexia’s amazing Spotlight MasterTreat, which she runs each year. While the specific event referenced in this interview has long since passed, you can learn more about Alexia’s upcoming events by visiting her links above.

Also, want an inside look at the Spotlight MasterTreat shared by a fellow word nerd? Check out this fabulous essay by Laura Highcove who attended the retreat in 2017.

Link to Episode 128

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available. Also, if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please share!

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 128: From Page to Stage — Interview with Alexia Vernon appeared first on DIY MFA.

This is one of the best conferences around, and I’ve been to A LOT of conferences so that’s saying something. To give you an idea of how much I love this event, in 2012 I braved the January snow to go to this conference while *ahem* 9 months pregnant. In all fairness I live in NYC so all it meant was taking a cab crosstown, but still that’s how badly I wanted to go.

What I love about Writer’s Digest is that it inspires action. Every time I leave this conference I’m pumped and motivated to get to work on my writing. I always get tons of practical advice and actionable tips, but also just enough inspiration to push me to follow through. In a way, you could say I’m the poster child of what a writer can achieve through this event. After all, it was at Writer’s Digest 2011 where I met one of my mentors and got that first push I needed to start DIY MFA.

Why Attend a Conference?

Time and money are invaluable to everyone, but most especially to writers. So many of us struggle to fit writing around day-jobs as well as family, friends and other obligations. Even full-time writers find it’s a tug-of-war to get words on the page. This is one of the reasons I founded DIY MFA–as a way to make writing work on your time and budget, because not everyone can take out two years to attend an MFA program.

Still, there’s one thing that MFA programs still have going for them and that’s the community aspect. As writers on the do-it-yourself track, it can be hard to find like-minded friends who understand what this writing life is all about. It’s also a challenge to meet people in the book industry like agents, editors and industry pros who can help you make that publishing dream a reality.

Conferences are a great way to supplement your writing life and help you make those important connections. Here’s a few reasons why:

1. Meet other writers — Conferences usually draw people from all over the United States and, indeed, the world. You’ll find other writers in your genre, at your level, and from your area. It’s a great way to swap stories, exchange advice and maybe meet your next critique partner! I myself have met several writers at the Writer’s Digest Conference who have become trusted colleagues and close friends.
2. Meet professionals — At writing conferences, agents, editors and writing experts teach the classes so you can hear straight from the experts. The speakers also mingle with writers at lunch and in-between sessions. Conferences are a great way to meet the speakers and make connections, whether you’re just starting out, looking for an agent or marketing your published book.
3. Learn — Conferences have so many classes to choose from and Writer’s Digest is no exception! Many conferences have different tracks, for fiction writers, non-fiction writers, new writers, experienced authors and everyone in-between. You can craft the perfect learning experience and focus on only the topics that apply to you.
4. Be Inspired — We are often toiling alone at our desks. Writing conferences are a great way to step away, draw inspiration from other writers, and refuel. You’ll leave bursting with new ideas and a new drive to write.

Why the Writer’s Digest Conference?

Writer’s Digest is a particularly fabulous conference for many reasons. Here’s three particular to this year:

1. Eight New York Times Bestselling authors — Harlan Coben, Kimberla Lawson Robey, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Dani Shapiro, Cheryl St. John, Dan Hampton, Barry Lyga and Hugh Howey will be speaking at the conference this year.
2. Four Different Tracks — There’s something for every writer. Getting Published, Platform and Promotion, Craft and Self-Publishing. You can plan your schedule to best suit your needs and only attend sessions that are relevant to you. At the same time, I strongly recommend going to one session in each track, to give yourself a well-rounded conference experience.
3. The Pitch Slam — This is Writer’s Digest’s signature event. More than 50 agents and editors are slated to be on hand scouting for new talent. This is chance for you to get face-time with an industry professional and talk about your book. Even if you’re not ready to be published, it’s a great chance to practice and hone your pitch.

On a personal note: I pitched the DIY MFA book concept at this conference in 2012 and it was the overwhelming response that gave me the confidence to approach my current agent with the proposal. Even if you don’t find your agent during the Pitch Slam, it’s a fantastic way to get fast feedback on your concept and get a sense of whether you’re going in the right direction.  It’s also great practice for talking about your book, which is something you’ll have to do a lot once you’re published.

If you’re going to the Writer’s Digest Conference, don’t miss my session on the Seven Steps to Stronger Middle Grade and YA Novels. Even if you don’t write children’s books or YA, the 7 Steps will totally apply. Also, leave a comment below letting me know you’ll be there so I can look for you. I LOVE meeting other writers!

Also, as a special bonus for DIY MFA readers, if you sign up using my code, WDSPEAKER when you register, you can save an extra $50.

Hope to see you there!

The post DIY MFA Will Be at the Writer’s Digest Conference appeared first on DIY MFA.

Under the pen name K. Bennett, he is also the author of the Mallory Caine zombie legal thriller series, which begins with Pay Me in Flesh. He served as the fiction columnist for Writer’s Digest magazine and has written highly popular craft books for Writer’s Digest Books, including: Revision & Self-Editing for Publication, The Art of War for Writers and Conflict & Suspense.  Look out for his last two thrillers: Don’t Leave Me and Blind Justice. You can find him on Twitter (@JamesScottBell), and on Facebook.

I first met James Scott Bell at a Writer’s Digest Conference, where he was speaking on the revision process. Aside from being a charismatic and engaging speaker (little surprise given that he almost pursued a career in theater), I was especially impressed with the volume of work he has produced. From suspense novels to novellas about vigilante nuns, from zombie legal thrillers to books about the craft of writing, it seems like Bell is not afraid to tackle almost any subject.

How does he do it? How does he hammer out all those words and stay motivated? Here’s a technique he shared. It might sound familiar because it’s what inspired the Ten Percent Rule in the HABITS method featured in a recent DIY MFA video. Bell says:

“Get a blank calendar and black out all time obligations. Choose your writing time and set a weekly quota of words you can comfortably manage, then up that by 10%. Make that your goal each week.”

Probably my favorite book by Bell is The Art of War for Writers, in which he takes inspiration from Sun Tzu and adapts it to the writing life. That book helped me get through the process of writing my thesis, and should be on every writer’s shelf of go-to books on craft. Full of clever pieces of advice that every writer could benefit from hearing, such as “Whining will not help you win the battle of publication”.

As for the books that inspired him, Bell was pulled into the world of suspense with the book The House on the Cliff, one of the Hardy Boys novels. Though he also enjoyed getting into the classics, through the classics illustrated graphic novels. These may have been his early inspirations, but since then he has widened his list of admired authors to include Stephen King, John D. MacDonald, and Evan Hunter, all prolific writers. For extra motivation while writing, he surrounds himself with pictures of these writers.

Prolific certainly describes Bell as well. This year alone he has published Don’t Leave Me and Blind Justice, two thrillers. Creating engaging thrillers and complex plots seems to come naturally to Bell. When I asked him for advice I could pass on to DIYMFA, Bell had this to say:

I am delighted to announce that James Scott Bell one of the speakers featured at DIY MFA’s Lit Loft 2013. He’ll be speaking on plot, but given the breadth of his expertise, I’m betting he’ll have tons of insights to share on other areas of writing as well. I am so pleased to be hosting him at Lit Loft this year and can’t wait to reveal the rest of the Lit Loft line-up these next few weeks.

James Scott Bell will be discussing Plot at Lit Loft.
Are you ready for Lit Loft? Register today!

The post What I Learned About Motivation from James Scott Bell appeared first on DIY MFA.