Sam Horn’s Book Camp 

 (West Coast) -  Sept.  2010         

 

Are you thinking about writing a book – and just don’t know how or where to start?

Are you almost finished with your book and want to increase its chances of breaking out?

Do you want to put together a brilliant book proposal that gets interest from agents and editors?

If so, you’ll want to sign up for this intensive weekend in which Sam will coach you on how to create a one-of-a-kind book that gets noticed and bought.

Why Should I Write a Book?

“It’s not enough to be the best at what you do, you must be perceived as the only one who does what you do.”  - Jerry Garcia

One of the most important things I’ve learned in 15 years with the Maui Writers Conference and as a published author of books that have been sold around the world is that books aren’t just pieces of paper with words on them.  They’re catalysts.

Catalysts for connections and career/income opportunities that will exceed your wildest dreams.

They’re catalysts for positioning you as the go-to resource on your topic, for attracting media attention, raising your speaking/consulting fee, increasing your name recognition and perceived value, and for attracting clients who want to work with the best.

Instead of being one of many people who claim to be knowledgeable about a topic, your book proves your expertise.  It acts as an impressive business card that demonstrates to potential clients that you know what you’re talking about.

I have had the privilege of helping hundreds of people get their book out of their head and into the world where they’re making a positive difference for others and a profitable living for the authors.

In all that time, I have never met anyone who was sorry s/he wrote their book; I have only met people who were sorry they didn’t write it . . . sooner.

The premise of my Book Camp is that books in your head help no one.

If you’re ready to catapult your professional effectiveness, if you want to become known as THE preferred resource in your area of expertise, sign up for this hands-on weekend designed to help you turn your book idea into a reality.

What Can I Accomplish in a Two Day Book Camp?

“Organization is what you do before you do it so when you do it,

 it’s not all messed up.”  - Winnie the Pooh

If you’re like many would-be authors, you’ve started, stopped, and re-started your book many times. You may even have a drawer or computer file filled with clipped-out articles, scribbled notes, and random observations you’ve accumulated over the years.

What I’ve found is that collection of material is actually blocking your progress.  It would take so long to organize all that stuff that just thinking about it drains your energy and keeps you locked in inertia.

My premise is that to move forward – to get to the place where the words are flowing out of your head so fast your fingers can hardly keep up – you need to get clarity.  Clarity about your topic. premise and point of view. Clarity about your strategic purpose – the compelling reason(s) you want to write this book.

I have a series of thought-provoking questions that help you crystallize why your approach to this topic is needed, why you feel passionately about it, and how it is different from what’s already available.

Our goal during this portion of the retreat is to make sure your book meets The Three C’s of a Successful Book.  It’s got to be:   

• Congruent: Your title, topic, and approach must be in alignment with your voice, values, and vision.  Ultimately, this has to be something you’re excited about – something you want to spend the next few months (years!) producing and promoting.  
• Compelling: It’s not enough for you to care about this subject.  Why will busy people find it interesting? How does your message stop people in their tracks and capture their attention?
• Commercially Viable: Before investing time, money, and effort into writing a book, it’s important to clarify there’s a sufficient need for it.  Why will your book break out and get bought in a crowded marketplace?  What results will it produce that make it a worthwhile, High ROI endeavor for you?

Will I Finish My Book in Sam’s Book Camp?

“I think I did pretty good, considering I started with nothing but a bunch of blank paper.”  - Steve Martin

I do not promise you will finish your book in our weekend together.  In my opinion, it’s not possible to produce a quality book in 2 1/2 days.

I do promise you will crystallize a one-of-a-kind book project that will drive your career and produce tangible benefits for you and readers.

I do promise a rewarding weekend in which you’ll immerse yourself in your book and learn how to expedite its completion. 

As a bonus, you will produce a succinct, two-page proposal you can use to pitch your project to agents and editors. That alone makes the weekend worthwhile as consulting clients often pay Sam $5000 + to produce a proposal for them, using her proprietary template that condenses a 60 page proposal into a succinct sales pitch.

And yes, you’ll learn how to obtain big-name endorsements and market your book to increase its visibility, sales, and rankings.

As Wallis Zbitnew, a participant in another of Sam’s weekend programs said, “Was it a worthwhile weekend? Was it a worthwhile weekend!!! Sam, you are truly the eighth wonder of the world. You are true, you are real, and you are as kind as you are generous with your expertise.”

 

Will I Spend Time Writing?

“Inspiration usually comes during work, not before it.”  - Madelaine L’Engle

Yes, you’ll have several opportunities throughout the weekend to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys.) Feel free to bring your laptop if that’s how you prefer to take notes and compose. There’s no substitute for the real thing.  You’ll have a chance to draft copy, read it to others and hear constructive feedback.

You’ll develop your Table of Contents and start filling it in with insightful anecdotes, specific how-to’s, and provocative insights appropriate to each chapter. 

If you already have a draft of your manuscript and/or proposal, you’ll receive specific suggestions on how to turn your content into page-turning prose.

Will We Talk About Agents and Editors and Self-Publishing?

“If you wait to write a book, you’re not a writer, you’re a waiter.”  - Dan Poynter

You will work through a decision matrix that can help you decide whether it’s in your best interest to self-publish or to try to get a deal with an agent and major publisher. 

I will help you develop a two page ATM proposal you can use to pitch to agents and editors.  What’s an ATM proposal? A proprietary document I’ve developed during 15 years of working with some of the top agents and editors in the world and learning what works and what doesn’t when pitching a project.

What If I’m Not Sure About my Title or Topic?

“It don’t mean a thing if it don’t got that swing.”  - Duke Ellington

Many of you already know about my POP! Stand Out in Any Crowd book that’s been endorsed by best-selling authors Ken Blanchard, Jeffrey Gitomer, Mark Sanborn, and Seth Godin who said, “A third of the way through this book, you’ll be begging to hire Sam Horn as your consultant.”

In addition to helping people crystallize and craft projects that fulfill The Three C’s of a Successful Book, I specialize in helping people come up with one-of-a-kind titles and topics that help their projects break out.  I seem to have a gift (and believe me, I’m grateful for it) to help people come up with just the right title that helps their book POP! off the shelf.

For example, Julie Jansen, career counselor and author of “I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know It’s Now This!” said, “Sam Horn is a creative genius with words, phrases, and titles. She also knows what grabs people and what sells! Sam is a must for any author who needs an inventive breath of fresh air.”

What Do Other People Say About Sam’s Ability to Help Me Write A Successful Book?

"I was truly impressed by watching you at work – you have more great ideas in a one–hour period than most people have in a year. Great titles, sub-titles, ways to hone your message, ways to make your idea more saleable. Amazing.

 

 The weekend was WELL worth the time/money (!) and I just know that the ideas/information/worksheets/question lists are going to push me along and make this movie project a truly likely possibility instead of a never-get-done project. I may be the first person to attend a Book Camp to work on a movie project – but I’m guessing there are others out there who should jump on this opportunity as there is a great deal of overlap in the two worlds.

 

 The participants in this weekend were great. All at the top of their game with incredible backgrounds, knowledge, passion and smarts. I was privileged to be among them and I’m really looking forward to their on-going support."  -  Denise Brosseau, President, Invent Your Future http://www.inventyourfuture.com

Kay Cannon, 2007 International Coach Federation President, says, “When it comes to working with people, I’m tough to please. Sam has the rare ability to help you find the hidden genius buried within your thoughts, shape this into a compelling message and deliver it in an eye-catching package. Working with Sam dramatically expanded the focus and purpose of my work.”

“I had been struggling with my conclusion for three days, and you looked at it and solved everything in two minutes. The lights came on the band started playing.  Your ability to see a problem and fix it is far keener than any editor I’ve ever seen.  You are brilliant.” - 4 time Pulitzer nominee, Fawn Germer, Hard Won Wisdom

 “My deepest thanks to my writing mentor, editor, and constant cheerleader. Sam Horn is an author’s dream co-creator. Her hands, heart and voice permeate and enliven this book.”  - Doug Stevenson, creator of Story Theater and author of Never Be Boring Again

“You have played a huge part in what is happening with Why Cafe.  Three more

international deals have closed in the past two weeks.  In Holland and the UK, we had the largest publishers in those countries bidding against others for the rights.  That means, as of now, Why Cafe will be appearing in at least 10 different languages across the globe with publishers in Japan, Korea, Germany, Brazil, Czech, Turkey, Taiwan, UK, and Holland, along with the domestic release.  All of this would not have been possible without your suggestions, guidance, and support.”  - John Strelecky, author of Why Café

 

“I thought I knew how to put together a great book; you taught me otherwise. You offer real life examples and useable techniques that are sure to improve anyone's writing project."  - Carlos A. Sanchez, PRESIDENT, Leaders Without Borders

Are you ready to get that book out of your head and into the world? Are you ready to finally take action on your dream of becoming a published author? 

Are you ready to get your book published so it can catapult your career and help position you as a nationally known expert on your topic?

If so, click here to register for Sam Horn’s Sept. , 2010 Book Camp in San Francisco, CA. 

You are welcome to print out the application page below and FAX it to Cheri Grimm, (Sam Horn’s Business Manager) at 1 (805) 528-2581. 

Recommended assignments will be given in advance. Please note: these are not mandatory, however answering these questions in advance and completing this preparatory work beforehand will help you make the most of our time together.

Questions? Call Cheri Grimm at 1 800 SAM-3455. A complete agenda of the Book Camp with detailed logistics including directions will be sent upon registration. 

Early-Bird Rate:  $995.  Registration and payment due by Sept. , 2010.

 

Regular Fee:  $1495 between Sept.  and Sept.  (on a space available basis.)

 

Payment Option for Regular Fee:  For those who prefer to pay over a period of 3 or 6

months via an automatic charge on their credit card, there is a handling fee of $20 per month.

 

Payment Option 1:  I am paying the Early-Bird Rate in full.  My check for $995 is enclosed _____ or please charge my credit card for the amount of $995. _____

 

Payment Option 2:  I am paying the Regular Fee.  My check for $1495 is enclosed _____ or please charge my credit card for the amount of $1495.  _____

 

Payment Option 3:  I am paying the Regular Fee with a 3 month payment plan. Please charge my credit card in 3 monthly payments of $520 _______

 

Payment Option 4:  I am paying the Regular Fee with a 6 month payment plan.

Please charge my credit card in 6 monthly payments of $270.  _______

Questions?  Prefer to register by phone?  Call Cheri Grimm (Sam Horn's Business Manager in the California office) at 805 528-4351 with your questions and to sign up on the spot.

Or, complete this registration form and mail it with your check to

PO Box 6810, Los Osos, CA 93412 or fax with your credit card information to 805-528-2581.

  

 If paying by check, please make it payable to Sam Horn.

 

If paying by credit card, please provide following information.

 

Credit Card #_______________________________   Exp. Date ____________

 

Name on card: (Please print) _________________________________________

Please note:  In case of an emergency, please make your refund request in writing.  We will be glad to give a refund (minus a $100 processing fee), up to one week before the Book Camp. After that time, a credit will be issued for the for the amount paid which can be used towards any of Sam Horns programs or products for up to 18 months.

Questions?

Call Cheri at our toll free number 800- SAM-3455 or email

info@samhorn.com