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Agile Writers

Agile Writers. Non-Profit Proposal Greg Smith 8/31/2013. OVERVIEW. AGILE WRITERS Who We Are Today What We Want To Be Greg Smith PAST Where We Come From What We’ve Accomplished PRESENT Components of Agile Writers Challenges Research FUTURE Road Map 2013-2019

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Agile Writers

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  1. Agile Writers Non-Profit Proposal Greg Smith 8/31/2013

  2. OVERVIEW • AGILE WRITERS • Who We Are Today • What We Want To Be • Greg Smith • PAST • Where We Come From • What We’ve Accomplished • PRESENT • Components of Agile Writers • Challenges • Research • FUTURE • Road Map 2013-2019 • Becoming a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit • Board Member Responsibilities • Greg’s Ongoing Role • NEXT STEPS • Accept Self-Nominations for Board Members • Goal Setting Meeting • Organizational Meeting • Incorporation • Application for 501(c)(3) status Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  3. AGILE WRITERS Who we are today Our fundamental premises Where we want to go Introducing Greg Smith Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  4. AGILE WRITERS TODAY • Agile Writers is a Richmond-based club supporting new writers in completing a first-draft novel in 6 months • Agile Writers was founded in 2011 with the goal of discovering a writing method that would make it easy for the beginning writer to write a first-draft novel in 6 months. • Among our premises are: • We all know a good story when we see one, but we may not know what makes it a good story. • Anyone with a high school education has the tools to write a genre novel. • There is a pattern to a good story and it can be applied. Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  5. THE AGILE WRITER METHOD • We want the Agile Writer Method to be: • Simple to understand and execute, • Malleable enough to change over time and be extended as our understanding of good storytelling expands, • Flexible enough to accommodate as many different approaches to storytelling as there are writers, • Instill a sense of accountability and motivation such that writers feel compelled to produce written work each week and complete a first-draft novel in a reasonable period of time (6 months). • (see Appendix H) Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  6. WHERE WE WANT TO GO • Since 2012 Agile Writers has • Inspired over 100 writers • Presented over 100 seminars • Produced 18 first-draft novels • Produced 4 published authors • We want to • Expand into other regions • Create an online experience • Reach as many writers as possible with the Agile Writer Method • Help them to create their novels. • Now is the time for Agile Writers to • Convert to a Non-Profit structure • Give us the revenue and support necessary to achieve our future goals • Become: A national Non-Profit Organization supporting the beginning writer in conceiving, writing, publishing, and marketing their novel. Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  7. INTRODUCING GREG SMITH • Started “The Chesterfield Writers Club” in 2005. • Welcomed over 200 writers by 2010. • Conducted countless workshops • Published three anthologies of CWC short stories. • Started “Agile Writers” in January, 2011 • In my “other life” I’m a software engineer. • Working on a Ph.D. in Computer Science • Studying Text Analysis of Novels • My First Novel is “Luddite Planet”. • Using the Agile Writer Method (see Appendix A for Greg’s Resume and Appendix B for peer comments) Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  8. PAST Where We Come From What We’ve Accomplished Testimonials Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  9. WHERE WE COME FROM • 2001 - Greg’s Parent's 40th Anniversary video • “What Makes a Great Story” • 2004 - Chesterfield Writers Club • 2008 - Greg observes a gap • between JRW and literary groups • Nobody supports the beginner • Barriers in lingo and experience • 2009 - Greg is introduced to • Campbell • Vogler • Hauge • 11/2010 – Several Events Collide • “How Do You Measure Your Success?” • 12/2010 - The Call To Adventure • First 18 members • 1/2011 – The First Meeting • (see Appendix G – Manifesto) • 12/2011 - Eight Stage Method • (see Appendix H) • 6/2012 – Agile Writer Press • (see Appendix F) • 6/2013 – Agile Writer Online Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  10. WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED • Since January 2011 • Over 100 seminars • Every Saturday since 6/2011 • Presented to Other Orgs. • Elizabeth Scott Elementary 5th Grade • Richmond Youth Peace Center • J. SargeReynolds • Richmond Christians Who Write • Virginia Writers Club • Welcomed over 100 Writers • 18 First Drafts • 2 Guest Speaker Podcasts • 6 Animated Videos • Attended Conferences • 2012 JRW Conference • 2012 ARGS Conference • 2013 Celebrate With A Book Fair • 2013 Book ‘Em NC • 2 Finalists in theJRW Best Unpublished Novel Contest • 4 Published Books (Appendix E) • Never Alone, C.R. Phillips • Inhale, C.S. Kelly • The Grief Masters, D.L. Farrar • Gray Maneuvers, Dr. Dale Grove • Agile Writer Press (Appendix F) • Published 5 books Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  11. TESTIMONIALS • "... Agile Writers has shown me how to turn my story into an exciting book in less time than I thought imaginable." - DL Farrar "The Grief Masters" • "One of things I like about Agile Writers the most is the way everyone in the group collaborates and participates in helping one another to write." - Tom Brown • "I have a disability that made my brain unable to focus well, and to write. In Agile Writers, Greg has the class so organized that I can go step by step through the materials and get my writing done! It's exciting!" - Kit Minden • "The Agile Writer Method compares to no other writing class or club I have encountered - and I believe the promise of good results is possible for anyone who will follow the method." - Martha Anne Davis • "Since becoming a member of Agile Writers, I have completed the first draft of a 250-page novel and feel confident that I can create a finished story worthy to publish.  I owe my progress to the Agile Writer Storyboard guidelines, my persistence, and the constructive critiques of my fellow writers.  What a feeling of accomplishment!" - Ursula Sherill • (see Appendix C for more testimonials) Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  12. PRESENT Components of Agile Writers Challenges Research Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  13. COMPONENTS OF AGILE WRITERS • Seminars (Saturdays 1-3pm) • Novel in 6 Months • The First 60 Pages • The Middle not the Muddle • The Ending • Wordpressfor beginners • Training the Trainers • Open Meeting (Wednesday 7-8pm) • Progress • WriterlyNews • Agile Writer News and upcoming conferences • Elevator Pitch Practice • Craft of writing topic • Gotham Writers Workshop "Writing Fiction” • "Make a Scene” • Workshop (Wednesday 8-9pm) • 3-somes writing and critiquing • Storyboarding • Agile Writers Online (Monday 7:30-9pm) • SinceJune 2013 • 4 writersgettingstarted • Agile WriterPress • 6 books publishedunderour moniker • FoldingAWP under Agile Writers • Support writers in self-publishing (chargingreasonable rates) • Editing • PrintFormatting • KindleFormatting • Cover Art • Printing • Printbooks for self-publishedauthorsatreasonable rates (betterthanCreateSpace and Lulu) • Select books publishedunderour banner atourexpense • Needhelp with marketing Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  14. CHALLENGES • Income • 20 regular members x $5/week = ~$400/mo • Expenses • Rent (Martin's) • Gift Pens • Materials • Growth (more people, more chapters, events) • Conferences • Marketing • Meeting Space • We were kicked out of Martin's for 5 weeks • Legal Representation • Accounting Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  15. RESEARCH • Movies • Agile Writers is founded on movie story concepts • Greg attends every new wide release movie • Finding common ground through common stories (during seminars) • Movie Reviews at ReelHeroes.net • Dr. Scott Allison of the University of Richmond (an expert in hero theory) • Character Study • With Dr. Allison, Greg has conducted a study of character profiles in motion pictures. • 50 of the top movies produced in the last one hundred years. • Research students view the movies • Score each of the major players on several personality profiles. • Identify the major qualities of the hero, secondary characters, and ensembles. • Results are due in December, 2013 • Agile Character Abstract • Similar to the Agile Hero Abstract • To construct good characters for their stories. • Combines expert, the 2013 character study, and knowledge acquired during movie research. Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  16. FUTURE Road Map 2013-2019 Becoming a 501(c)(3) Board Member Responsibilities Greg’s Ongoing Role Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  17. ROAD MAP 2013-2019 • Agile Learning Center • The Headquarters for Agile Writers • Meetings and Seminars • Agile Writers Web Site • A web site where writers use the method • Virtual critiques • Agile Writer Clubs • A network of clubs across the United States • Training for writing coaches in the method • Agile Writer Press • An alternative to vanity presses • Editing services • Formatting books for trade paperback publication • Formatting books for eBook publication (Kindle, Nook) • Distribution of books to Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com • Printing of trade paperbacks and hardback books • Assistance in marketing • Agile Writer Magazine • Articles By and For Agile Writers • Agile Writer Annual Conference • Annual for Agile Writers • Workshops in the Agile Writer Method • Craft of Writing Seminars Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  18. BECOMING A NON-PROFIT • To grow we need funding and support • For-Profit doesn’t fit our goals • People are suspicious of for-profit organizations • resemble vanity presses • People are suspicious of someone getting rich off their work • Taxes make efficient fund-raising difficult • Increased cost to the member writers • Non-Profit fits better • People are suspicious of getting something for nothing • Small donations make sense to people • Non-profit is looking to enrich the group, not the shareholders • Non-profit enriches the community • Tax-exempt status makes better use of revenues Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  19. STEPS TO NON-PROFIT STATUS • Incorporating as a Non-Stock Corporation • Articles of Incorporation state our goal to support the community as an educational and literary organization. • Becoming a 501(c)(3) • organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes • shall not be operated for the primary purpose of carrying on a trade or business for profit • No part of the net earnings shall benefit or be distributed to any private person except the Corporation shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payment and distributions in furtherance of the purposes specified in the articles • No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  20. BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES • We will need no fewer than 5 board members. Board members • are unpaid and voluntary roles • sit on the board for no more than 3 years • guide Agile Writers toward goals / mission statement • attend a monthly meeting • In person • By proxy • Virtually using online methods • shall oversee quarterly Road Map adjustments • one board member shall act as treasurer • one board member shall act as secretary • all board members will be active in fund raising Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  21. GREG’S ONGOING ROLE • Greg has founded, bankrolled, and grown Agile Writers • Greg would like to continue driving the organization • Other non-profit organizations have a paid Executive Director or Chief Executive • James River Writer's Executive Director was paid $32,000 in 2010, according to their public tax returns. This was from a total of $111,000 in revenue. • Greg would like to continue as Executive Director Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  22. NEXT STEPS • Accept self-nominations for board members (this meeting) • Organizational Meeting • Appointment of board members.Self-nominated board members will be appointed. • Acceptance of Articles of Incorporation.The first meeting of Agile Writers NPO will establish the Articles of Incorporation that will set the stage for Agile Writers. • Acceptance of Bylaws.The first meeting of Agile Writers will • Assignment of Treasurer, Secretary, Executive Director • Goal Setting Meeting • Incorporation • Application for 501(c)(3) Status Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

  23. CONCLUSIONS • Agile Writers has come a long way since its inception in 2011. We've grown into a thriving local writing group that is known within the writing community and has successfully helped dozens of writers. • We would like to expand the organization over the next five years. To do this we need to become a Non-Profit Organization capable of fundraising to fuel growth. • Now is the time for Agile Writers to grow and change and do more. • Join us! Agile Writers Board Proposal 2013

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