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Opening Doors and  Making Connections:  The Fiona McIntosh Masterclass Advantage

10/21/2019

5 Comments

 

​When Fiona Mcintosh https://www.fionamcintosh.com/books/encouraged me three years ago to come to her Masterclass the tipping point for me was that she would provide aftercare. In fact she she wrote “I have your back and will keep opening doors”.
Never were truer words said!

The Masterclass in itself was worth me stretching my (figuratively) short Scottish arms into my deep pockets but in terms of opening doors never could I have imagined the opportunities last weekend’s Masterclass National Conference would offer me.

Held at the spectacular O’leary Walker winery https://www.clarevalley.com.au/directory/oleary-walker-wines-restaurant-clare-valley 130 of us spent three days talking, sharing, laughing and pitching to 5 reps from the top publishing houses, two major book sellers, an expert in self-publishing and a social media guru.
Then when my dinner companions included acclaimed international best seller Michael Rowbotham http://www.michaelrobotham.com/index.asp?pagename=Books&site=1&siteid=9494
and our own local superstars Tricia Stringer https://www.triciastringer.com.au/books/and Meredith Appleyard https://meredithappleyard.com.au/ I thought I would lose my mind!

So what did I get out of it?  

Lets start with Fiona’s reminder: “No One Cares.” Brutal but true. As a writer we have to do much more that just write to be successful.
Writers need to write with such dedication and brilliance that we make publishers and then readers care about our characters and their plight. We need to get readers to be curious enough about us  and our books, through every means at hand, to get them away from Netflix and social media to go to their bookstore or on-line book seller to find my books. We need to be generous with our support of other writers, especially other debut writers, so that they care about our careers too. We need to care enough about ourselves to protect our writing time, even from those we love, and nurture our creative souls reading the wonderful words of those who have gone before us down the road of establishing themselves as an author.

What’s next ?
Polish, polish, polish my “Missing Pieces” (formerly Missing: A Hebridean Mystery) manuscript to take advantage of the amazing offer from two publishers to jump out of the massive whole of house slush pile into their  (very busy) emails.
Get on the road with “Vivaldi’s Lost Concerto”. I have two library visits -with 4 other amazing writers - locked in already. (I’ll send details to you closer to the time.) And I’m planning a 2020 Scottish launch and road show.)
Take up an opportunity to podcast with the delightful Claudine Tinellis at Talking Aussie Books https://www.claudinetinellis.com/podcast-1.
Work out how to better use my social media with a coffee catch up with the Lisa from award winning PR company Commshake.
Plus plus plus.
Anybody with any ideas about where and how I can connect with you and your community and tribes please let me know via comments the section or at  j.mackenziedunbar@gmail.com
​
5 Comments
Marilyn Cook
10/21/2019 07:19:55 pm

Wow what a great weekend you've had. Cant wait to catch up for a full run down of the weekend and also go through the chapters of the newly titled Missing Pieces. Library visits and a trip to Scotland in the offing -exciting. I may have to join you in Scotland 2020.

Reply
Lynnie
10/26/2019 07:20:36 am

Love love love the new title......."Missing pieces".

Reply
Jennifer Mackenzie Dunbar
10/26/2019 06:55:47 pm

Thanks Lynnie. Yes it is much sharper and goes straight to the heart of the novel.

Reply
best essays com link
11/30/2019 11:26:45 pm

How I wish you opened this one to the public! I am sure that a lot of people could be interested to be part of The Fiona McIntosh Masterclass Advantage. I have a lot of free time right now, that’s why I am in search of a class where I can learn new skills. Hopefully, you are going to open this one next year because I am pretty sure that a lot of people will sign up for your program. That is one thing I am sure of!

Reply
Edward Lewis link
10/18/2022 12:00:26 am

Six firm shake employee. Career leave happy good whole without.

Reply



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    Jennifer is a writer of short stories, novels and a family history.

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  • Books
    • Published Work
    • Short Stories
    • More About Jennifer
  • Events
  • Blog
  • RESEARCHING INFORMATION
    • Researching Vivaldi's Lost Concerto >
      • Newbattle Abbey
      • Venice
    • Research for Missing Pieces >
      • The Scottish Clearances
      • Kelp Production in the Hebrides.
      • Icelandic Sagas and Cape Breton
      • British Museum
      • Blackhouses
  • Dunbar Todd Ferguson Family History
    • Todds in Ayrshire
    • Todds in Galloway >
      • Abbey of Luce
    • Fergusssons , Dalmellington,
    • Fergusons Ayr >
      • Fergusons of Ayr- Photos
      • James Murray Ferguson
      • James, John Todd and William Ferguson
      • John and Grace Ferguson in Manchester
      • Gracie Craik Ferguson
    • Dunbars in Wigtownshire
    • Dunbars in Manchester
    • Creers
    • Falconers
    • GRACE DUNBAR AND JOHN FERGUSON IN MANCHESTER
    • Hugh F Dunbar
  • Contact