It’s a busy week in Off the Beaten Shelf land!

Instead of your normal Monday blog post, I’ve got two announcements that I don’t want you to miss out on. They’re super cool and I’d love for you to take advantage of them if you can. (I’ll be back to your regularly scheduled programming next week.)

First up…

TODAY, September 30th

If you’re in Columbus, Ohio, Two Dollar Radio Headquarters will be open on a rare Monday night for a very good reason. Samantha Allen, who wrote Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States is coming to town for an event!

I’m SO EXCITED because I loved the book and it’s one of my favorites for 2019. I loved it so much in fact, that I helped organize the event to bring Samantha to town. Come see her and get your copy of Real Queer America signed on Monday, September 30th at 8:30pm at Two Dollar Radio Headquarters.

More info is in the Facebook event. I can’t wait to see you there!

And if you can’t make it, still tell your friends!

Next up…

TOMORROW, October 1st

Enrollment for the e-course See Jane Freelance closes. Not only was I one of the experts interviewed for the course so you’ll get my freelance wisdom, the woman who created the course, Javacia Harris Bowser, has completely changed my writing life. I went from not even having a consistent writing practice to paying bills with my writing. That’s why I’m so excited she’s launching this e-course to help even more people!

In See Jane Freelance, you will learn

• journalism jargon so you can confidently speak like an industry professional

• journalism ethics

• why you should blog and how to get started

• how to never run out of story ideas

• how to find publications that pay

• why writing for local media outlets could be your key to success

• how to pitch like a pro

• how to conduct research and interviews

• how to network with other writers and why you should

• why writers should think like an influencer

• social media tips and tricks for writers

• how to write clean, compelling copy that will make you an editor's favorite writer

• how to turn your life into a story that sells

• how to manage your money and your mindset

PLUS, you'll get access to exclusive interviews with editors and fellow writers discussing a variety of topics including: 

• how to write for your favorite websites

• how to pitch to city magazine editors

• how to sell a story to a major national magazine 

• how to break into writing for trade publications

• how to nail down your writing niche

• how to supplement your income with copywriting

And since the course is all online, you can take it from anywhere in the world. Enrollment closes on October 1st and you can use code MANDY19 for 25% off.

Yes, I’ll make a couple of bucks if you enroll through my link, but if you’ve been following me for any amount of time you know I only promote things I believe in strongly. And I’ve been benefiting from Javacia’s wisdom for 8 years, so I believe in her more than I believe in just about anything. Hell, even if you don’t use my link just enroll anyway because she’ll change your life.