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Hardcover Edition 
Now Available!
A Writing for Publication Guide
ISBN 0966516532, 
$39.95 ea.

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January 20, 1999 

Contact: 
Stacey Karr
Deadline Communications 
P.O. Box 9065 
Walled Lake, MI 48390 
Telephone: 248-624-5183 
E-mail: info@freelanceworkshop.com 
Website: www.freelanceworkshop.com 

Writing for Publication Workshop Now in 5th Year
At Ann Arbor Community Education and Recreation

"There is no doubt in my mind it was because of your workshop my article got published," said Todd Mercer, last May, regarding the Magazine Article Writing Workshop.  His manuscript about declining mountain biking trails was accepted and published later that summer in Michigan Cyclist.  The nine-hour, three week workshop, now in its 5th year at Ann Arbor Community Education and Recreation is the brainchild of Erik Bean. 

Bean began teaching it the fall of 1994 as a means of supplementing income to pay for his Master's degree at Michigan State University - a Master's degree in journalism. "Getting published is something no one can ever take away from you," Bean says.  "If I can succeed at it, so can most anyone!"  Articles ranging from marketing and tropical fish to healthcare and race relations, Bean has published them all.  He also currently teaches under-graduate writing courses at the University of Phoenix based in Southfield. 

Since May 1998 Mercer, a former Ann Arbor resident and unhappy computer programmer who was looking to switch careers, has been published three times with the state wide bicycle enthusiasts' magazine.  He recently relocated to Kansas City to switch careers as a columnist for Playground Magazine, a monthly 70 page glossy publication with a Midwest distribution of 25,000 copies says Mercer.  "I am now an aspiring assistant editor and I owe it all to Erik and his Workshop for helping me publish my first paid article." 

Several milestones have made Bean's Workshop a comprehensive educational and motivational publishing assistance tool over the years.  And each has helped to increase its popularity and boost student participation that Bean has now started one through Royal Oak and Troy Community Education. 

In April 1997 Bean took his getting published educational and motivational philosophy online at FreelanceWorkshop.com and renamed it The Online Magazine Article Writing Workshop.  In 1998 he released a two hour video entitled, "Writing for Publication," that features interviews with Csaba Csere, Car and Driver Magazine editor-in-chief, and Jim Detjen, an award winning environmental writer and Michigan State University professor, who assist Erik in explaining the necessary steps to getting a magazine article published.  "The video (ISBN 0966516508) is more than two years in the making and is so concise most every topic related to getting published is examined. There is not another video like it in the marketplace!" says Bean.   Portions of the video were recorded live at a fall 1997 Ann Arbor Community Education and Recreation Workshop. 

Bean wrote the video script, hosted it, and produced it through Deadline Communications, a publishing company he's owned since 1993.  This year, he released an 82-page paperback (ISBN 0966516524), a Website guide and transcript based on the video.  Each Ann Arbor participant will receive his or her choice of the video or book included in the $79 enrollment fee when the next Workshop gets underway March 3, 6:30 p.m., Huron High School.   The book was printed in Ann Arbor at Print-Tech located on Jackson Road. 

Ann Arbor resident Joann Gardner, a Corporate Training Professional, attended Bean's Workshop last November and used the video to help her writing.   "Erik Bean has created the most comprehensive, practical resource available today!   He provides a clear, step-by-step process for both the novice as well as published author to follow.   He takes the "mystique" out of writing for publication." continues Gardner.  "Erik is a real anomaly: he tells it all simply and practically...including how to discover your own subjects, the query letter, photography, attribution, and rejection letters - he covers it all!" 

The video or its guide book counterpart also were created for those who could not attend a local Workshop due their busy schedules says Bean.  Those who purchase either will receive a Website password and user I.D. allowing them access to the Website's Participant Lounge.  The lounge features writing samples, query, cover and follow-up letters, including one such article Bean published in a September 1994 Michigan Out-of-Doors magazine.  In addition, participants will find links to online dictionaries, encyclopedias, a thesaurus, U.S. copyright information, and other writing sites.  "This resource coupled with the Website, video and/or book will save participants valuable time.  No more searching The Net to find what they need to help them with their writing," Bean adds.  "It's all in the Lounge." 

Others like Bradley Wilson, Assistant Academic Director, University Interscholastic League, University of Texas at Austin agree the video and Website saves writers time.  "It sure would save a lot of people a lot of time and frustration if they would just pay attention to what Erik says in this video," Bradley published in his Amazon.com online review of Bean's work.  "In between the lessons on how to write a letter and some specifics about common grammar, spelling and style errors, is some good advice - like don't submit your queries to the largest national publications.  Look for niche publications and target them specifically. You're much more likely to be successful. Good advice."   Others have given the tape favorable review too. 

"I've been to workshops that cost hundreds of dollars, but didn't contain nearly as much useful information as this video. Two hours with "Writing for Publication" is worth a year in the School of Hard Knocks, but don't try to digest it all at one sitting. Take a break after each segment to let it all soak in," says Susan Molthop, host of Writers Exchange, a writing resource area within Miningco.com, a New York City based Net watcher Website. 

Among the advantages of getting published says Bean is building career credibility, earning extra money, and sharing your creativity. "Having a published credit on your resume can even improve your chances of getting into a better graduate school,"  Bean concludes. 

The VHS tape is divided into three segments and 22 sub-segments.  "Writing for Publication" retails for $29.95 and is available online at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and Borders.com or directly from Deadline Communications.  The book, also sold online, lists for $15.99.  Students wishing to sign-up for the March Ann Arbor Workshop (held Monday, March 3, 10, and 17, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.) can complete the application contained in the Winter 1999 Ann Arbor Community Education and Recreation brochure or they can call (734) 994-2300.