Staying organized can be daunting when you’re an artist. Materials, receipts, emails, files – where should they all go, and how can you stay on top of them without letting it take over your life? In this workshop, attendees receive practical tips and strategies for organizing an art practice, from decluttering physical workspaces to organizing digital assets and more. Learn how to create efficient and realistic systems for managing inventory, storing artwork, and tracking expenses.

Time: 90 minutes

I’m a trained facilitator for Springboard for the Arts’s Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists program, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. Work of Art has been taught at arts organizations, arts councils, libraries and colleges across the United States. While I can deliver any course in the series, my specialties include Budgeting for Freelancers, Business Plan Essentials, Recordkeeping, and Time Management.

Time: 90-150 minutes

Rude. Picky. Condescending. Creepy. Whatever you call them, difficult customers can pose numerous problems, for individual booksellers and for bookstores generally. In this session, attendees learn tips for spotting the red flags of a difficult customer, staying calm in tense encounters, redirecting inappropriate conversations, and knowing when to call in reinforcements. Attendees will leave with sample conversation scripts as well as a blueprint for establishing a code of conduct for their store.

Time: 60 minutes

Handselling is the cornerstone of a successful bookstore. This workshop walks attendees through examples of handselling (including in-person interactions, store communications, and virtual merchandising), offering tips along the way to take their handselling from so-so to super. An optional role-playing exercise allows attendees to put their new handselling techniques into practice right away.

Time: 60-90 minutes

Many writers know the broad strokes of publishing: a manuscript goes in one end, some mysterious magic happens, and a paperback pops out on the other side. But how exactly does a work go from scribbled notes to a printed book in your hand? In this seminar, attendees get a whirlwind tour of traditional publishing, from the parts of a typical publishing house to the 5 levels of editing to the elements of an effective marketing mix and more. Along the way students complete short (fun!) exercises to practice some of the skills involved in bringing a manuscript to readers. Time is included for questions and discussion. 

Time: 60 minutes

While the writing community can be wonderfully helpful about sharing information, some questions might be harder to ask than others. Like how long should you leave a submission out before withdrawing it? How much can you expect to pay a freelancer to edit your novel? And do editors really mean it when they encourage you to submit more of your work in the future? Anyone with a burning question about editing or publishing they’ve been afraid to ask can bring it to this judgment-free event.

Time: 45-60 minutes

Macros are scripts that automate repetitive computer tasks. Using them can save editors and proofreaders untold hours of hassle while increasing productivity. So why don't more wordsmiths use them? Too often it boils down to one thing: intimidation. This workshop to demystifies macros in a fun, friendly manner, going over exactly what macros are, where to find them online, ways to integrate them into editorial workflows, and tips for troubleshooting when they go awry.

Time: 60 minutes

Public appearances -- whether they’re classroom visits, podcasts, panel discussions, or readings – are a great way for writers to share their work and knowledge and boost their profile. But how do you find these engagements, and what do you do once you’ve booked one? In this workshop, attendees receive tips for identifying and landing public speaking opportunities, developing presentations and talking points, speaking with confidence, and more.

Time: 45-60 minutes

Ever had the nagging feeling you don't really know your own business? Maybe you suspect you could be working smarter and making more money. Or perhaps your business is expanding, but you're not entirely in control. By tracking a few key indicators, solopreneuers can create metrics to measure the growth of their business and make informed choices about the work they take on. Workshop covers the basic business data every wordworker should track, the benefits of more detailed tracking, and how to use the data thus gleaned.

Time: 50-60 minutes