Workshops

Author Cindy on February 27th, 2007

I believe that sharing our stories can be a tool for healing and self-discovery. My workshops provide a safe space in which students can rediscover their creative passions, record their own life stories, and learn how to get published. My mission is to celebrate the writer in everyone.”-- Cindy La Ferle

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Please join me at

The Fourth Annual

Rochester Writers’ Conference

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan

Self-publishing Panel Discussion

To self-publish or not to self-publish? It’s the question many aspiring authors are contemplating in today’s unpredictable market. As moderator of this candid panel discussion, I’ll field questions relating to the ins and outs of publishing our own books, from the process of editing first drafts to marketing books to the right audience. In addition to the questions you bring to the discussion, topics will include:

*New resources available to self-publishers
*How to promote yourself even if you’re an introvert
*Why it’s essential to hire a good editor and proofreader
*Why you need a creative marketing plan
*How to recover from mistakes and setbacks
*Distribution ideas you haven’t considered

The panel will include self-published fiction and non-fiction authors Gerry Boylan and Cindy Harrison. This is just one of several workshops and lectures offered at the Rochester Writers’ Conference this year. For more information and to register, visit www.rochesterwriters.com

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A brief bio on my writing and teaching experience

After earning my degree in English from Michigan State University in 1977, I tried on several editorial and literary hats. I worked as a research assistant for a reference book publisher, traveled miles of back roads as editor of a country inn magazine, reviewed books and plays, reported on everything from hamburger joints to circus performers for my local newspaper, and even published haiku in The Christian Science Monitor.

A freelance journalist since 1984, I’ve published award-winning essays and columns in more than 60 national magazines, newspapers, and anthologies, from The Detroit Free Press to Reader’s Digest. My essay collection, Writing Home, won several awards for creative nonfiction and is distributed to bookstores by Wayne State University Press. Writing Home includes 93 personal essays, many of which were previously published in national magazines, newspapers, and popular anthologies.

I’ve been a writing teacher nearly as long as I’ve been a writer. And I’m often invited to speak about the importance of writing our life experiences and sharing family stories. These talks can be tailored to a group of any size, and typically include readings from my book as well as “mini workshops” on writing memoirs and personal essays.

I’m also available to coach private writing workshops for small groups. (I do not list private events or appearances on this site.)

My teaching and speaking experience includes a variety of programs and lectures for William Beaumont Hospital, Meininger Senior Community Center (Royal Oak), the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Wayne State University, Detroit Working Writers, Royal Oak Continuing Education, the Oakland University and Rochester Writers’ Conferences, and numerous churches throughout Oakland County. As the first Writer-in-Residence for the Royal Oak Public Library, I developed many creative writing programs and events for Oakland County writers and journalists.

I’m currently on the faculty of the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, where I teach creative writing classes and occasionally show my artwork. I am a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Detroit Working Writers, and the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

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For more articles and blogs on writing-related topics, please visit the Just for Writers sectionof this Website. (Look under “Categories” on the main page.)