Books

 

Surviving Carmelita

Out now!

Purchase on Amazon.com

Signs in the Dark

Young adult fiction

Purchase on Amazon.com

Shards of Light

Young adult fiction

Purchase on Amazon.com

Healer

Young adult fiction

Purchase on Amazon.com

Pawprints in the Snow

Poems, colorful wildlife photos and animal fun-facts for ages 3 to 9

Purchase on Amazon.com

Falling in Love with You

Short story "The Perfect Crime"

The Spirit of Christmas

Short story "Christmas Rainbow"

Author Visits & Writing Workshops

Susan will visit libraries, schools, bookstores and other venues to discuss her books, offer writing and publishing tips, and answer questions.

Author Visits

Author Visits to Libraries & Schools

The Art of Imagery

Writing Seminar

Nail that Pitch

How to Talk to Agents & Editors

Query Letters that get Results

 

Dynamic Dialogue

 

Character Development Through Dialogue

 

Write What You Know (Teens)

 

The Allure of Foreign Settings

 




Travel Presentations & More

Please click on photos for details. Programs are 1 hour each, which includes a narrated Powerpoint presentation, snacks, recipe packets and several small prizes.

Florida Keys Journey

Sensational Sicily

Roaming the Midwest

Intriguing Italy

Greek Island Voyage



Explore the Smokies

Chocolate USA

Savor the '60s

 

Editing & Marketing

About Susan Miura: Susan is a former journalist and Chicago-area public relations professional with decades of experience writing press releases and articles, editing, and creating marketing materials. She is a speaker, writing coach, and author of four award-winning novels and a children's book.


FOR AUTHORS: The following services will help ensure your synopsis is polished and captures the essence of your story, your first chapter hooks readers, and your marketing materials are compelling and effective.


Services include:


Synopsis critique and edits (up to 700 words): $60
The synopsis is an overview of your novel, written concisely with the full plot divulged from beginning to end. It includes all the main characters, their growth, the main conflicts they encounter, and the resolution to those conflicts. You will need this for pitching to agents and editors, completing publisher proposals, and marketing materials. It differs from back cover copy or a "blurb" in that your back cover will just give highlights of the story and entice the reader to read more, without revealing the details or ending.


Full or Partial Manuscript Edits: $20 per 1,000 words
Editing includes content, grammar, punctuation and flow. Critiques include commentary on hooks, imagery, dialogue, pacing, voice, and style. You can have your entire manuscript edited, or choose a number of chapters and use the edits and critiques from those to improve the rest of your manuscript.


Press release (two versions) and 15 current newspaper email addresses: $75
After decades of writing press releases, Susan knows the exact wording and formatting necessary to ensure your book gets the attention you seek. Clean, crisp writing combined with essential information, well-placed quotes, and a hint of your book's plot and characters will communicate everything you want the public to know, without revealing any spoilers. The email addresses provided will go directly to the editors responsible for book news. One version of the press release will be tailored to local media (your current hometown and surrounding towns), while the other will be written for the general media.


Promotional flyers and 25 bookstore, library, or school mailing addresses: $75
Once your book has been released, you'll want bookstores, libraries, and schools (if it's for kids or teens) to know about it. Sending out a flyer with the appropriate information is a great way to do this. Your flyer will contain a photo of your book cover, a blurb about your book, awards (if any), a headshot (optional) and brief bio, snippets from reviews, and other details designed to entice purchases of your book. Flyers are professionally laid out in full color and provided to you in a pdf format, suitable for printing. See sample. Please note: Flyers are designed individually and will look slightly different for each book.


Tips for effectively using your marketing materials and addresses: FREE with all paid services.
What are the best ways to use your press release, flyer, and mailing lists? The tips provided will guide you in making the most of these marketing materials.


DISCOUNT: $10 off total cost when purchasing two or more services.


FOR JOB SEEKERS: If you're looking for a new job or career change, you want your resumé to shine and your cover letter to capture an employer's attention. Did you know there are key words and phrases that will make them stand out? Whether you just need proofreading and a little tweaking, or need both fully composed, Susan will ensure your resumé and cover letter are professionally written and provide the best chance for achieving success with your job search.


Resume and Cover Letter: $30 - $85, depending on amount of work required.
Price will be determined before work is done.


FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: A well-written college admissions essay can be key to getting into the college of your choice. Susan will provide constructive critique and edits without changing the voice or meaning of your original work.


College admissions essay critique and editing (up to 700 words): $60
Please provide the university's prompt and guidelines.


Payments can be made by check or through PayPal and must be received before services begin.

About

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Susan is an author, speaker, public relations professional and book reviewer. She grew up in a Chicago suburb (Berwyn) and graduated from NIU with a degree in journalism, then worked as a reporter for Suburban Life newspapers before moving to New Mexico. In Albuquerque, she worked at KOB-TV as a reporter and assignment editor for a couple of years before returning to Illinois. Her novels have won the Moonbeam, Illumination, Royal Dragonfly, and Readers Favorite book awards. Susan is president of the American Christian Fiction Writers Chicago Chapter, a member of SCBWI, and attends Willow Creek Community Church. She loves to travel and enjoys photography, reading, and baking.