GatherInsight Messenger:
Ja-lene Clark and Jo Ann Deck

Four years have passed since Ja-lene Clark left traditional publishing, created Shift Insight and began to experiment with utilizing existing traditional platforms of publishing as a transition zone for creating something new.

In 2009 Ja-lene Clark and Jo Ann Deck formed a partnership to evolve Shift Insight to Gather Insight.

Ja-lene Clark has an extensive background in traditional publishing and to date has produced over 140 titles. In 2006 Ja-lene left her post as associate publisher of Council Oak Books and founded Shift Insight to follow her personal vision of empowering authors and media makers with her guidance. Utilizing her wealth of experience she served clients as collaborator to facilitate the development of book concepts, editing, packaging, production, marketing and distribution of multimedia content through the use of new emerging technologies, traditional outlets and alternative resources. The Writer's Immersion (a one-on-one boot camp to get your book done) is the signature service offering of Shift Insight, setting it light-years ahead of what is offered through traditional editing services. Since 2006 Ja-lene has successfully completed many projects using the Immersion process.

With more than twenty years in sales and acquisitions at one of the country's finest independent publishers, Jo Ann Deck brings a unique perspective to the world of books. She has bought and sold cookbooks, health books, metaphysical books, self-help and career books and gift and humor books). She has presented and sold books at over 100 conventions focused on special markets and has attended more than twenty five of the last twenty six annual book trade conventions sponsored by the American Book Association (ABA) and Book Expo America (BEA). From the glory days of a vibrant book business in the 1980s and early 1990s to the struggles of today, Jo Ann Deck has helped authors sell more books and reach a wider audience with their works.

Want to Learn About Publishing?

For $129 in five audio classes you can receive so much knowledge!

The classes are for:
•    Any writer who wants to TRULY get his or her message out into the world.
•    Anyone interested in the current state of the publishing industry.
•    Any published author who is frustrated with the current publishing conditions.
•    Any author who wants to sell more books.
•    Anyone who wants more success with his or her next book.

You will learn the answers to:
•    How do publishers decide what to publish?
•    Are publishers still seeking new authors?
•    Do I need an agent?
•    Are publishers still acquiring manuscripts?
•    Should I publish my book as an e-book so I can get it out there right now?
•    Should you self-publish? How much does it cost? How do people that self-publish get their books distributed?

You also quickly learn:
•    The current state of the publishing industry.
•    The NEW dos and don'ts of traditional publishing.
•    Three reasons certain books don't sell more.
•    How the new technology offers you more options than ever before to help change the world.
•    Speedbumps to avoid in the life of a happy author.
•    How a company such as Amazon can offer you both success and failure.
•    The profile of a successful traditional author.
•    The profile of a successful author using the new technology.
•    How to start to sell more books!

Jo Ann Deck and Ja-lene Clark each offer diverse perspectives on the rapidly changing world of publishing. These teleclasses are designed to benefit both first-time and seasoned authors by:
•    Providing the inside scoop on choices for publishing your book.
•    Helping to identify the publishing programs best suited for YOUR work.
•    Teaching you how to avoid making common self-publishing errors that can haunt an author for years and can keep them from ever being published via traditional publishing!

After attending five teleclasses, participants will have a firm knowledge-base of the current industry that will save them time, money, effort and aggravation.  Jo Ann and Ja-lene will share what the publishing books that were written even a year ago can’t tell you about the industry right now. The practical tips they offer will help you avoid falling into traps that could have a long-term impact on your writing career. During these classes you will be led through the minefield of publishing and have a firm grasp on the specific tasks necessary for both the author and the work to be enticing and irresistible so that a publisher is willing to invest their dollars publishing the work.  Plus you will know how to answer objections in your book proposals before they are asked. And you will be well-informed about all options for publishing your work.

Read on for more about each class:

The Truth About How the Economic Environment is Transforming Publishing and the Secrets to Identifying the Hidden Opportunities.
Class One--Two hours You will learn:
•    The true purpose of every publishing company.
•    Why there are only three book buyers who matter.
•    How the dirty secret of “return privileges” hurts the author not once but twice.
•    What the latest statistics on book sales really mean.
•    What readers really demand from authors and their books.
•    Why books are still the highest form of technology.

Current Environment of Traditional Publishing--What the Insider Books are NOT Telling You.
(Class Two--Two hours) From the viewpoints of a publisher and a former publisher now development editor, strategist and agent, this class will share with you inside knowledge on what you need to know about navigating the rapidly changing environment of traditional publishing.

This class covers:
•    Specific information about the latest industry shakeups.
•    The three new secrets to effective query letters.
•    What credentials/talents/market must you have in place to attract a deal.
•    What a national platform really means.
•    How long it takes from deal to the bookstore to your first royalty check.
•    The truth about ageism in publishing.
•    The truth about who REALLY makes acquisition decisions.
•    How the Nielson rated Bookscan has changed the acquisition process.
•    Five common proposal mistakes.
•    Why writing a proposal is often harder than writing the book.
•    Who is the perfect first time author?     
•    Do publishers still pay advances?
•    Traditional publishing’s seven qualifications for a successful author.  Do you fit this profile?

You only get one chance to present your work to a handful of publishers…be as prepared as you can. All paid participants will receive handouts on The 15 Things You MUST have in Place to Approach a Traditional Publisher, plus The 10 Publishing Traps, 10 Reasons To Go Traditional Publishing, and The 10 Proposal Check-offs.

All About Electronic Publishing
(Class Three--Two hours) Even with the challenges in the current economy, in 2008 ebook sales increased 68 % to $113.2 million, representing 0.5% of total industry sales. Find out if ebooks are for you. In this class you will learn the differences between ebooks and traditional books and so much more including:
•    The surprising real definition of an ebook.
•    How long an ebook should be.
•    How to know when an ebook is appropriate OR inappropriate for you.
•    How to price ebooks.
•    How to deliver ebooks.
•    Identify if you should you sell your ebook on Amazon or other online venues.

In the appropriate situations an ebook can generate immediate income and help you in many ways. Participants will receive handouts 10 Reasons To and 10 Reason NOT to Create an Ebook, and 5 Best Ways to Market Ebooks.

Oh the Perils and Joys of Self-Publishing and Print On Demand!
(Class Four--Over two hours) You will learn how to avoid the long term ramifications and damages that can come if your self-published book does not make it. PLUS how to know when self-publishing is the PERFECT option for you.
•    How to know when selling on Amazon is a viable option for you and when it can be the kiss of death for your future as a writer.
•    Do you REALLY need to sell to bookstores?
•    How to budget.
•    How to establish retail price.
•    Where to find professional help.
•    Why you shouldn’t use your husband's or daughter's artwork for your cover.
•    The difference between copyright and ISBN.
•    Distribution: Using Print on Demand or packing your own books.
•    Protecting your title.
•    How to know when trademarking is necessary.
•    Should a traditional publisher or distributor help to distribute your self-published book or books?
•    Selling your successful self-published book to a publisher.
•    How the self-published WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? became an international bestseller with ten million copies in print.
•    How ANYBODY’S BIKE BOOK was self-published and Ten Speed eventually sold over a million copies.

After this class participants will have a firm knowledge base of self-publishing and can utilize the handout Am I Capable of Selling Enough Books to Make a Profit? The Budget Your Book Worksheet. Using this form you will know the expenses to expect for production and easily estimate how many copies you need to sell of your book to reach a profit.

Class Five--Two hours

Crafting Your Publishing Strategy
(Class Five--Two hours) This is a wrap-up of all five classes. Jo Ann and Ja-lene address real-world questions to assist you in determining what publishing program you should use.

For $129 in five audio classes you can receive so much knowledge! Questions?  Click here to email us and express interest in these classes!