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Erika Liodice is a cross-genre hybrid author, content strategist, and founder of Dreamspire Press, where she is dedicated to teaching curious minds about unknown worlds through story.
In travel, her current project is Great Outdoors U.S.A.: 1,000 Adventures Across All 50 States, published by National Geographic. She also wrote a collection of travel essays for NatGeo’s adventure-packed travel guide 1000 Perfect Weekends: Great Getaways Around the Globe.
In writing advice, Erika is a contributor to Author in Progress (Writer’s Digest), an anthology of practical, candid essays from 50 novelists, editors, and agents to help aspiring writers reach the next run on the publishing ladder. She also provided advice on independent publishing and marketing for a decade on Writer Unboxed, which has earned a spot on Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers list every year since 2007.
In fiction, Erika is the author of Empty Arms: A Novel and the children’s chapter book series High Flyers.
“Take 5” Interview on Writer Unboxed
“Q&A with Bloggers Erika Liodice & Ashley Prince” on Write it Sideways
When I’m not blogging or working on my latest manuscript, you can find me writing for lifestyle, travel, and literary sites. Here are some of my recent clips:
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How (And Why) To Create an Author Mission Statement on Writer Unboxed
How Indie Authors Can Be of Service During the COVID-19 Crisis on Writer Unboxed
Overcome Fear to Unbox Your Best Writing on Writer Unboxed
The Juggling Act of Life on Mid Life Celebration
Use Your 5 Senses to Gauge Your Book’s Potential on Write It Sideways
I wanted to tell you how helpful your article, “How to find an Editor: Do your due diligence,” was for me as I begin my new career as a copy editor. Those are four great resources you listed! Every editor was impressive in his or her own right.
– Leigh Hogan
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I found your website via Reader Unboxed. I’ve spent the last 45 minutes on your website, reading your posts on writing. I just finished my first novel and am in the editing stage. Just wanted to say good luck on your journey.
– Terah Harris
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I recently read your article ‘Book Covers: How to Design Your Own’ about a week ago. I am making progress on my manuscript for (girl) middle age readers, but doggone it; I am having drams about the book cover! Your article and reading many other parts of your wonderful web site, are helping me make progress. I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you!
– Gezil Andrews
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Please e-mail me to discuss your speaker needs.
Book clubs
Book festivals
Book signings
Library events
Panel discussions
Industry roundtables
Private consulting for aspiring authors and independent publishers
Writing and publishing conferences
Virtual visits via Skype
School visits
Readings
Seminars
Workshops
My book subjects
Fiction writing
Character development
Independent Publishing
Marketing and Book Promotion
“I Finished My Book! Now What?”
“Selling Skills for Authors”
Barbara Morrison and I were at the Maryland Writers Association table on Sunday and developed a great style for engaging passersby. One or the other of us would ask passersby if we could tell them about our books. Getting a yes, she or I would talk about our books, then introduce the other one to talk about her books. Austin Camacho was with us too and he played the game too. Worked very well. In a 2-hour time slot, I sold 7 books. So Barbara said she’d been to a meeting where the speaker talked about how to increase sales at book shows by standing out in front and asking if we could tell the passerby about our books…I said I was at the same MBPA meeting! ‘Erika’, we said in one breath. So thanks, Erika, your talk was memorable and very useful.
– Eileen McIntire, author of Shadow of the Rock and The 90s Club series
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I was very discouraged before talking with you. I got the inspiration/direction I need to continue. I’m excited to see where it will lead. I’ll keep you posted. Huge thanks!
– aspiring children’s book writer
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Erika, you are such a treasure of a person – so willing to share what you probably spent endless hours finding out for yourself…Thank you for all this information and inspiring me to follow my dreams.
– aspiring picture book author
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Freelance writer and marketing consultant by day, I offer the following services to B2B companies:
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Ad development and copy
Article development and placement
Direct mail
Editing
Email marketing
Logo development
Newsletters
Marketing strategy
Media buying
Messaging
Press releases
Promotional videos
Search engine optimization
Social media strategy and management
Website layout and copy
Client Reviews
I absolutely love our website content! It is tied together beautifully…it’s tighter and more compelling — thank you, Erika!
– CEO of a higher education consulting firm
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Your performance leading up to and during the virtual Summer Institute program was nothing less than spectacular! I have the greatest confidence in you to do anything asked of you and I may sometimes go beyond your specific job responsibilities in requesting your support on one thing or another. The reason is simple: you are exceptional in everything you do and I know I can count on you. It is such a pleasure for me to have you as part of the team. So I offer you my sincere thanks for everything you do to make our services to our members so valuable. You are truly among the very best and one superb individual.
– Executive Director of a higher education association
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The leadership program agenda you developed is just tremendous! Thank you so very much, I love it. As usual, your stellar style shows through!
– Vice President of a higher education consulting firm
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Great job to you and the team on the brochure. It is much improved. This will be a useful tool to expand our membership.
– President of a quality improvement association
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I just wanted to let you know that you did a great job on our trade article. Thanks so much!
– Marketing Director for a computer hardware company
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Last night I read through this month’s newsletter and was blown away. The video you created from our annual meeting is terrific. Great memories. I was laughing out loud as I read the meeting recap you wrote. Another fantastic issue! Thank you so very much for consistently delivering a great experience for our team.
– CEO of a higher education consulting firm
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For more information about my freelance services, rates, and availability, please contact me »
Pingback: Chasing the dream « Manner of Speaking
Hi Erika
I heard about your blog from John Zimmer (we are both members of the Geneva Writers Group).
I really admire your attitude to life and your blog is great!
I am a fellow ‘follow your dreams’ type who only recently took the plunge and gave up fulltime paid employment to spend a year in Italy!
If you’re interested, my blog tells humourous stories our our traumas…
http://cathscache.blogspot.com/
Cheers
Cath
My Dearest Erica!
I found myelf going through a rough patch in New York and decided to leave my last blog, Risks Romance and Redlipstick. I don’t know what came over me, it was a bit of everything I think- I became unsure, insecure, and a bit deppressed and I gave myself a break to get myself together. Then, I remembered your site and after spending a whole day reading- I decided to start a new blog. This new blog is called, Liliana Says…- and I would love to keep on following your site! Erica, your site truly has the power to change someones thoughts and feelings- it gives people HOPE!
I’m not sure what I did to follow you last time but I dont know how this time, can you help? 🙂
I hope all is well Erica! I cant wait to share your site with my friends here in New York!
Your Friend,
Liliana Leon
Yeii! I added you!! 🙂 Thank Erica!!! 🙂
That’s great, Liliana! Glad I could help!
Thanks for your blog; I’m enjoying the positivity very much on this cold, snowy day.
Hi Mitchell,
Thanks for reading! I’m so glad to hear that Beyond the Gray was able to shine a ray of positivity through yesterday’s blizzard!
Erika
Pingback: Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » Unpublished Writer Position – Finalists, Finally
Erika,
I grew up in Philadelphia and have cousins in Bethlehem – one of whom works at Lehigh.
Nice to *meet* you (again).
Amy
Hi Erika,
I work at AU’s College of Arts and Sciences and wanted to see if I could link to the piece you wrote about commencement. I really enjoyed reading it. Please email me when you have a chance at [email protected].
Thanks,
Emily
Pingback: News: A “Dream Chaser” Interview With Inspired Living Blog | The Passion Project
Hi again Erika. I have been reading your blog about your time in Greece and you sound as if you really enjoyed it. I said that my favourite place was Delphi but of course there are so many more just as interesting such as, Santorini. It was a shame you did’nt get time to go to the Museum at Delphi I have some photo’s I took when we were there last year would you like me to send a couple to you. Incidently I admire your positive thinking, and doing the things you most love to do especially travel, thats if one gets the oportunities of course. I did just this and took the plunge by selling up my home and everything to move to Crete, this was at my retirement age,everyone of my friends thought I was nuts,but I do have a lovely partner John who was willing to do this with me.But now I have the urge to travel to other places,have been to Egypt and loved it. I would like to go and see Machu Pichu but worry that the journey is to long so may settle for Rome instead.
Hi again Rita,
It sounds like we are kindred spirits! I would cherish the opportunity to see your photos. I’ll send you an e-mail about it.
Congrats on taking the plunge and moving to Crete! I admire your courage.
Erika
Hi Erika, Just to say thankyou so much for publishing my story on Beyond the Gray. I will continue reading other stories on your blog. I will also let you know if I am lucky enough to have my book published.
You are doing a great job helping others to cope with their life with your positive advice.
Thanks for sharing your story, Rita!
Keep in touch,
Erika
Hi Erika. I’ve been lurking around your site and enjoying it. I would like to touch base with you about my upcoming book Big In China, which I think will be of interest. More info in an email. Can you possibly drop me a line?
Thanks.
Alan Paul, The Expat Life columnist, WSJ.com
Hi Alan,
Nice to meet you. I sent you an e-mail this afternoon.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Erika
Pingback: Don’t Over Think It « Beyond The Gray
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
Hi Zilvinas,
Thanks for letting me know your thoughts about the design and layout of my blog. To answer your question, yes, I’ve been considering updating the design to help readers have a more meaninful connection here. I appreciate your suggestion about adding more photos and spacing. I will keep that in mind as I investigate my options.
Thanks again 🙂
Erika
Hi Ericka, I can’t believe it took me so long to follow your blog, but I truly enjoy it and I can see why you were picked as a finalist. 🙂
And I love that you have aspired to write and travel since you were young. I have had the writing and travel bug since I was little, dreaming about the places I could go and luckily I married a man who has the same traveling bug.
Keep up the writing!
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
I’m so glad you found my blog and are enjoying what you’re reading here. Sounds like we have a lot in common!
Happy writing (and travels)!!
Erika