What we’re about
As a Literary Agent with over 40 years of experience working for 10 major NYC book publishers, I wish to share my experience and knowledge to help writers get published.
The purpose is to read the first 10 pages of your manuscript to the group (print out copies for everyone) and then we make honest comments to help writers.
Jan L. Kardys’ diverse book publishing career includes executive positions at ten of the major book publishers – Doubleday, St. Martin’s Press, Scholastic, Macmillan, Charles Scribner’s, Little, Brown & Company, Warner Books, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Lippincott & Crowell, Publishers, Simon & Schuster/Prentice Hall and Condé Nast Publications. Her experience and know-how are in editorial, art/production, subsidiary rights, contracts, copyrights, permissions, book agenting, editing, writer’s conferences, publishing consulting, and freelance editing. Jan worked for Google for three years where she added Internet sales and marketing to her already extensive expertise. See her websites: JanKardys.com, http://www unicornforwriters.com, and http://www.unicornwritersconference.com.
This group offers a forum for writers to learn and exchange practical information they need to get published. Members gather to ask questions and give advice about every stage of the publishing process, from writing a manuscript to querying an agent to negotiating a contract. While there are many groups for writers out there, most focus exclusively on the craft of writing, while failing to address the practical information that publishers really care about and that can make or break a book deal. Writers seeking to empower themselves with this information should join this group. Whether you are an aspiring writer looking for concrete instructions on how to launch your career, or a published author trying to sell more of your books, this is the group for you! We cover the various departments within a publishing company, and class description for future MEETUP sessions:on such topics as developing a concept, writing and formatting a manuscript, editing, finding a good literary agent, query letters, submission guidelines, all the departments within a publishing company, subsidiary rights, foreign rights sales, special sales, marketing, details on self publishing vs traditional publishing, utilizing the most cutting-edge technologies as social media services to increase visibility to literary agents, publishers and readers alike. A Powerpoint Presentation is presented. The workshop also includes printed Handouts for each attendee (22 pages each) : How to Research Your Competition, How To Write A Query Letter, How to Find the Right Literary Agent, How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal. The Story Plan Checklist, Editing Tips, Permissions & Releases, Sample Permissions License, Checklist for Submission Black Hawk Literary Agency, Deal Memo/Working Checklist, 45 words, Components of a Novel, and Market Share of Top Trade Publishers.
As a Literary Agent with over 40 years of experience working for 10 major NYC book publishers, I wish to share my experience and knowledge to help writers get published.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- YOU WROTE A BOOK, NOW WHAT? Writing & Book Publishing, 5/4-6/1/24 Sat. 1-3 pmNeeds location
5 sessions, May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1, 2024, Saturday, 1-3 pm, First Congregational Church, 46 Main Street, Bethel, CT 06801 FEE: $250
Write to Jan.Kardys@gmail.com for registration form, Payment via Venmo, Cash App, Personal Check.PART I (First hour) Gain an insider's view of book publishing at this program with literary agent Jan Kardys/Black Hawk Literary Agency, Chairman of Unicorn Writers' Conference and (President) Unicorn for Writers. Jan will share her 40 years of experience inside 10 major NYC book publishers on such topics as developing a concept, writing a manuscript, editing, finding a literary agent, query letters, book proposals, how to get the attention of a literary agent, publishing agreements, opening first pages, components of a novel, getting known before the book deal, various departments within a publishing company, self publishing vs. traditional book publishing, subsidiary rights, marketing, utilizing the most cutting-edge technologies and social media services to increase visibility to literary agents, publishers and readers alike.
PART II (Second hour) Second hour involves you reading your first 5 - 10 pages of your manuscript and making enough copies for each member of the group. With kindness and gentleness, we discuss the strong points of your writing piece, and offer suggestions and comments to help improve your manuscript. Additional writing assignments,
## Elevate Your Manuscript: Workshops for Fiction and Nonfiction Writers
Ready to take your writing to the next level? Our workshops offer a supportive and inspiring environment for both fiction and nonfiction writers to hone their craft and transform their manuscripts.
For Fiction Writers:- Plot & Pacing Masterclass: Learn to build a captivating plot with strong structure, suspenseful pacing, and unforgettable character arcs.
- Dialogue that Sizzles: Craft natural-sounding dialogue that reveals character personalities and drives your story forward.
- Description that Dazzles: Master the art of evocative description to immerse your readers in your fictional world.
- From Spark to Novel: Develop your initial story idea into a compelling and well-structured novel.
- Character Development Deep Dive: Create characters that leap off the page with depth, complexity, and believable motivations.
For Nonfiction Writers:
- The Art of Storytelling in Nonfiction: Learn how to weave narrative elements into factual content to engage your readers and make your message memorable.
- Structure & Organization for Clarity: Organize your nonfiction manuscript for maximum impact, leading your readers through logical steps and arguments.
- Research & Fact-Checking Fundamentals: Develop strong research skills and learn effective fact-checking techniques to ensure your writing is accurate and credible.
- Finding Your Authorial Voice: Discover and refine your unique voice to establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field.
- Crafting a Compelling Book Proposal: Learn the essential elements of a winning book proposal to attract the attention of agents and publishers.
All Workshops Include:
- Expert Instruction: Led by experienced writing professionals offering insights and guidance.
- Interactive Exercises: Put your learning into practice with targeted exercises and activities.
- Personalized Feedback: Receive valuable feedback on your work in a supportive workshop environment.
- Community Building: Connect with other writers and share your writing journey.
Invest in your writing success! Join our workshop and take your manuscript from promising to published.
Jan L. Kardys’ diverse book publishing career includes executive positions at ten of the major book publishers – Doubleday, St. Martin’s Press, Scholastic, Macmillan, Scribner’s, Little, Brown & Company, Warner Books, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Lippincott & Crowell, Publishers, Simon & Schuster/Prentice Hall and Condé Nast Publications. Her experience and know-how are in editorial, art/production, subsidiary rights, contracts, copyrights, permissions, book agenting, editing, writer’s conferences, publishing consulting, and freelance editing. Jan worked for Google for three years where she added Internet sales and marketing to her already extensive expertise. 50 pages --handouts for each attendee and PowerPoint Presentation.
- YOU WROTE A BOOK, NOW WHAT? Getting publishing & Writing WorkshopNeeds location
Latest event for writers - see link below:
I'm a literary agent who has worked for 10 major book publishers and Google for 3 years. I created Unicorn Writers Conference, Unicorn for Writers, and Black Hawk Literary Agency. I love to teach! I do various library events and will do Trumbull Continuing Education and Greenwich Continuing Education in the fall. https://blackhawkliteraryagency.com/events/ and here is an article written about me recently in the Redding newspaper.
https://mcusercontent.com/0d2a29a4c94a2e420d6c645c0/files/827b5e7f-ba40-1ce5-2838-dcefe7e2b809/Redding_Sentinel_proof_2024.04.18.pdf Can I have your regular email address? Thank you in advance. Jan Kardys