Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by 1st Turning Point, a fun place for writers to teach, share, and learn about that first turning point in your career—self-promotion and marketing. The story of your career opens with the decision to write a book, the inciting incident is learning the craft and writing that first piece. But what comes next is just as important if you plan to become a career novelist. It’s your first turning point. These days, we need to begin building an ‘author presence’ before signing that first contract if we want to sell enough books to win another contract. No longer can we wait to start selling ourselves until we have a book coming out. We have to start while we have the time to prepare physically and financially for the promotional marathon to come. 1st Turning Point is a home for all writers, but especially those who are unpublished, newly published, self-published, e-published, orphaned, small-press published, etc. Whether you write novels, short stories, lyrics, or poetry, we’re here for you. Come inside and take a look around, read some of the helpful articles, see what online and live classes/workshops are coming your way soon, check out the beneficial list of resources, and share some of your own experiences and wisdom with others.

1st Turning Point is a place for one and all! Make yourself comfortable.

1st Turning Point was born when three long-time friends/authors (Jacquie, Ann, and Wendy) spent an afternoon bemoaning about the publishing industry and how tough it is for unpublished and small-press published authors to get their foot in the door these days. Each had spent way too much time combing the internet and scanning books, searching for information on what an author without a New York publisher contract could do to get her or his name known by their peers and potential readers. The result of this afternoon (besides a lot of hot air) is 1st Turning Point, a place where authors without promotional knowledge (or even a published book) can come to find help and support on the road to successful publication.

We’re hoping this will be a pay-it-forward site,

where those who learn today will teach tomorrow.

Co-Captains

Ann Charles

Ann Charles writes mysteries full of mayhem, fun, and romance. She has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. A former Golden Heart and Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest finalist, she has been a member of the Greater Seattle RWA chapter, SinC, and the Guppies for many moons. Ann has written several contemporary novels and is currently toiling away on her next while her agent works on selling her manuscripts. When she’s not dabbling in fiction, she’s penning writing-related articles or standing on her workshop soapbox, sharing what she’s learned over the years about craft and self-promotion.Visit her online at: http://www.anncharles.com.

Jacquie Rogers

Jacquie Rogers is a former software designer, campaign manager, deli clerk, and cow milker. Her current release is a short contemporary novel, Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues, which has earned two Top Picks, Two Keepers, and several 5-heart reviews. Her previous release, Faery Special Romances, won the Fall NOR Award for Best Print Sci-fi/Fantasy Romance. By trial and error, emphasis on trial, she has developed a strong internet presence and marketing strategy. Visit her website: http://www.jacquierogers.com.  You can also find her at Myspace, Twitter, and Facebook.

Quartermaster

Wendy Delaney

Wendy Delaney writes fun-filled romantic mysteries. A former Golden Heart Finalist and long-time member of Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she has chaired writers conferences, authored several newsletter articles, and regularly partners with Ann Charles to present writing workshops. Wendy makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and has two grown sons.

First Mate

Amber Scott

Amber Scott began writing novels five years ago during her first born’s naptime. After reading No Plot, No Problem by Chris Baty, she decided to turn her childhood dream into a reality. ‘Butt in chair, hands on keyboard’ became her mantra, and after many a growing pain, she saw her first erotica novella, The Best Revenge, published with Liquid Silver Books. Several manuscripts and four more electronically published novels later, she read Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Her whole perspective as a writer shifted. As did her goals. She decided to start over. She took down her old website, set aside her recently completed manuscript and went back to the beginning. Back to learning the craft and falling in love with the process. Amber loves self-help books, books on writing, and historical romance novels. She lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her two young children and husband. When she isn’t trying to sneak to the laptop to squeeze in another paragraph, she’s meditating, crafting with the kids, or painting her toenails blue. Amber is also a screenwriter and is a member of the Desert Rose chapter of RWA. Visit her website at: http://amberscottproject.com.

Cabin Girl

Chassily Wakefield

Chassily Wakefield writes romantic fantasy and is currently hard at work on the first novel of a series spanning 1000 years. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing with an emphasis on English Literature from the University of California at Riverside and has been writing stories since she could hold a pencil. Chassily is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and Romance Writers of America, including the Olympia and Greater Seattle Chapters, as well as several online chapters: Celtic Hearts, Hearts Through History, Elements and YARWA. When she’s not writing, Chassily enjoys volunteering within her chapters in an attempt to give back a little of the support that flows so freely from the wonderful writers in those communities. Visit her online at: http://www.ChassilyWakefield.com

Rigger

Kate Diamond

Kate Diamond writes contemporary romance full of sass and sizzle. She holds a B.A. from Brown University with a double major in English and history. As a high school teacher, Kate works hard to balance her day job responsibilities with her writing aspirations-and enjoys RWA meetings much more than grading essays. She lives with her husband in the Pacific Northwest. Visit Kate online at: http://dscribwomen.blogspot.com/.