Monthly Programs

There will be no Build Your Buzz program at BookPeople on September 16. Instead, please join us at Mercury Hall for

Literary Lone Stars

"Making Media Work for You: Video, YouTube, and the Importance of Media Training" with Sue Bilich and Weston Norton

Location: BookPeople, 603 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin

Sue Bilich has studied acting and singing in Austin and New York City. She has taken several master classes in acting and singing, and recently returned from a master's performance program, "The Cabaret Conference at Yale University," and was the only participant from Texas. Other performers were from the United States and Europe. The master teachers were working professionals from New York City, Los Angeles, and England. Sue appeared as Fraulein Schneider in the Theater at the "J's" production of “Cabaret.” She has also appeared in film, T.V. national and regional commercials, local theater and does voice-over work. She was one of several actors who recently narrated the audio book, Texas Wisewomen, Let Me Tell You What I've Learned by P. J. Pierce. She is a born storyteller and loves to narrate.

Weston Norton worked in the film and television industry for seven years in nearly every capacity of production: He’s shot film in Mexicali’s only active morgue and helped build a winter wonderland in 100-degree heat on Paramount Studios’ backlot. After earning his MBA from Acton Business School, he coupled his media production skills with a passion for social media to start helping small businesses better engage their customers through online social networking.

Recently, he has been working with Aldea Artisans, a fair trade apparel start-up. The DVD he produced to illustrate their mission generated sufficient buzz among Whole Foods’ buyers to secure west coast distribution with Whole Foods. Their site is still in development, but the video can now be seen online. Follow Weston on Twitter or visit him online.

Before the program, join us for Happy Hour at Shoal Creek Saloon, 900 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin. from 5 - 6:30 PM.

"Give Yourself a Longer Shelf Life: Marketing for the Long-Term" with Jay Ehret, Cynthia Leitich Smith & Dana Lynn Smith

Location: BookPeople, 603 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin

Jay Ehret is Chief Officer of Awesomeness for The Marketing Spot in Woodway, TX. A small business marketing coaching and consulting firm he founded in 2001. He is a marketing coach, consultant, speaker, and blog author. He helps entrepreneurs build marketing plans based on the four essential spots of marketing: Branding, Experience, Conversation, and Promotion. He empowers his clients with knowledge, giving them a course in marketing, transforming entrepreneurs into marketers. Jay authors The Marketing Spot small business marketing blog and hosts and produces the Power to the Small Business podcast. Jay is a frequent speaker at conferences and industry association events.

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times best-selling author of Eternal and its companions Tantalize and the forthcoming Blessed (January 2011). She also writes acclaimed books for children and looks forward to the release of Holler Loudly (November 2010). In addition, Cynthia is on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She makes her home in Austin, Texas, with her husband, author Greg Leitich Smith.

Dana Lynn Smith is a book marketing coach and author of The Savvy Book Marketer Guides. Drawing on her 15 years of publishing experience and degree in marketing, she specialize in developing marketing plans for non-fiction books and helping authors learn how to promote their books online.

Before the program, join us for Happy Hour at Shoal Creek Saloon, 900 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin. from 5 - 6:30 PM.