Writers Meetup for Aspiring and Published Authors

If you aspire to write a book or you are a published author, then this meetup is for you.
Would you like to hang out with other writers to:

• Get to know other creative people
• Bounce back and forth ideas
• Ask questions or seek feedback
• Gain industry contacts such as quality editors, proofreaders, publishers, printing companies, marketers, bloggers, or media editors?

Benefits of meeting other writers include:

• Staying motivated to work on your project
• Learning strategies from more advanced writers and published authors
• Pairing up with authors from a similar genre and helping each other, for example, as beta readers
• Marketing cooperation, especially during a book launch

What we do:

• We begin with a round of introductions, where everybody briefly describes their project and may ask for any support they are looking for (e.g., a beta reader, contacts, etc.). If you have a published book, feel free to bring it along to show.
• If you offer services for writers, such as classes, proofreading, etc., you can mention it.
• We then vote on 1-2 main topics for discussion, for example:
  How to write effectively without numerous rewrites
  What to do with a manuscript
  Where to look for publishers
  How to address publishers efficiently
  How does self-publishing work
  How to prepare a book with graphical requirements for printing
  Technical requirements for illustrations
  Crowdfunding for a book
  Marketing and book launch
  What is better: direct sales or distribution network
  How to get your book into a bookstore
  Book translation and going international, etc.
• Writers who have experience with the chosen topics will share their perspective and answer the group's questions.

About the Organizer:
Michaela is a coach, therapist, and the author of a bestselling book in her home country, Slovakia, on the topic of self-confidence. She has figured out how to effectively approach the media, including Slovak national TV. One of her books was financed via a self managed crowdfunding campaign. In 2023, she ran a successful launch campaign in the Czech Republic with an extra challenge of being an unknown author without any audience there. In Belgium, she is starting and is looking to build a mutually supportive network of writers.

Practical Info:
The event is at a private home and is therefore limited to 10 people. In case you can no longer come, please update your RSVP promptly to keep the spot open for another participant.

There is sufficient free parking in front of the house or on the street. If you use public transportation, you can rent a Blue bike from the Lier train station. (You need to register for the Blue bike app in advance.)

If you want to be a featured speaker at a future event, please email me at info@michaelaray.com with your proposed topic or expert knowledge. (The topic should not be a promotion of your book but rather some insider info on how you wrote, published, and promoted your book or how you help other writers.)

What to Bring Along:
Business cards to exchange contacts, a pen and notebook to write notes, and optional snacks to share with the group. (Drinks are provided.) Looking forward to seeing you there. :-)