Overlord Enterprises is the business wing of The Overlords fantasy books series. Where Mike is the author and creator of the novels, Overlord Enterprises focuses on helping potential authors reach their goal of writing a book of their own. Overlord Enterprises also offers presentations on "The Concepts of Writing and Publishing", Writers Workshops, School and Library Visits, Self-Publishing assistance, and so much more! For more information on the services we offer, email jon@the-overlords.com.
Overlords Writer’s Groups and Workshops
Writer’s Groups and Book Clubs:
I’m available to visit Writer’s Groups and Book Clubs. My goal is to inspire as many people as I can to get that novel or short story out of their head and into print. Many times I’m a guest of small writer’s groups or book clubs where I discuss what I do in terms of writing techniques, self-promotion, and marketing. Sometimes it just takes knowing that someone else has been in your shoes and understands your frustrations. I’m here to help!
Creative Writing Workshops:
Creative Writing Workshops for students focuses on more of the fundamentals of writing and crafting a novel. These workshops are intended for those pupils who wish to further their understanding of creative writing, where I give a hands-on approach to my four-pass editing technique and inspire the kids to complete their work. The workshops are usually run with the coordination of the students’ teacher, but they can be scheduled independently as well.
One Day School Visits
Teachers! Teachers! Teachers! One of the most important things that I try to is inspire children to be creative, believe in themselves, and write that story that they have in their head. One way to accomplish this is by making school visits. I’ll gladly coordinate with you to schedule a trip to your middle school, high school, or even college-level classes. I always provide a letter to the parents two weeks in advance that details my school visit and cost for a copy of my book. And, I always donate one book to the school’s library. My daily agenda and fees are listed below:
Complete School Day Package
Power Point presentation on the Concepts of Writing and Publishing
My step-by-step approach to the writing and editing process, followed by marketing and self-promotion strategies.
Question and Answer Session
Children are encouraged to ask the burning questions on their mind!
Monster Creation
This session is reserved for younger students where we’ll create monsters in lieu of marketing strategies.
Purchase Books and Autograph Session
I always have plenty of books for kids to purchase and have personalized.
Lunch with 8-10 writer’s to be (Teacher’s Choice)
I bring a bag lunch and rough it with the kids. This is a great way for some of the prize pupils to sit with me and ask questions that they may have been embarrassed to ask in the group setting.
Overlords School Projects
Teachers, another service I offer are year long writing projects with your students. In 2007, I spent the second half of the school year working with two sixth grade classes at St. Philomena’s School in Portsmouth, RI. School projects consist of the following:
Education Steps
Power Point presentation on the Concepts of Writing and Publishing
My step-by-step approach to the writing and editing process, followed by marketing and self-promotion strategies.
Separate students into groups to begin creation of the story.
Groups will create the story’s setting, protagonist, antagonist, supporting characters, weaponry and armor, miscellaneous magical items and spells.
Creation of Plot Points
Students will create three storylines. A representative for each storyline will explain in detail what it entails, then the class will vote for the one they will make into a book.
Students write first draft of the story.
Over the course of the school year, the students will write their story. Each child will be responsible for writing a part of the story.
Editing, editing, editing!
The students will use my four-pass approach to editing, which includes ensuring a clear beginning, middle, and end to the story, well-defined characters, characters attain their goal, solid grammar and spelling, correct passive voice and adverb overuse, and discover the wonders of a thesaurus!
Artwork
Not every student is a great writer, but many are wonderful young artists. Students will create the cover design, maps of their world, and other pictures that can be placed throughout their book.
Send book to the Publisher.
After all the students’ hard work is complete, we will send the book to the publisher to have it bound.
Marketing
I will give a presentation on the marketing techniques I use to self-promote my book, and work with the students to help sell their book. Book sales are usually set up to raise money for charities, school supplies, etc., and teach the kids that writing the book is really the easy part!
Final Day
Pass out the books to the students and announce the proceeds that the students raised during their marketing campaign.
YouTube and Podcasts
Coming Soon!
Overlord Enterprises' URI Interns
Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet three very bright and energetic young people – Eli Moger, Tina Piccoli, and Pascal Salvatore. I met all three students at one of my lectures at URI in September of 2008, and all expressed an interest in helping The Overlords go from a local success story to a national stage. I’m sincerely grateful for all of their help and look forward to working with them for as long as I can. Go Rhody!
Tina Marie Piccoli
About
Tina Marie Piccoli is Junior at the University of
Rhode Island. She hails from Northern CT, and is
studying Communications and Public Relations. She hopes to pursue a career in Event Planning or something where she can get to work with clients.
Tina is involved at school where she is a
choreographer in the
URI Dance Co., Social Chair of an all-women's
mentoring group, a Peer Advocate (Violence Prevention Advocacy), an
Orientation Leader for incoming freshmen and a member of the Public Relations Society.
Pascal Salvatore
About
Pascal Salvatore is also a Junior at the University of
Rhode Island. She is from Saratoga Springs, New York and is majoring in Communications & Spanish, with a minor in Leadership. Pascal has also studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain her fall semester of her sophomore year.
Pascal is a Peer Advocate on Campus, in the Public Relations Society, and WOWW. She is currently working for Newport Harbor Corporation as an Intern for the Director of
Corporate Partnerships.
Pascal plans to stay in Rhode Island for the summer to work and intern.
Eli Moger
About
Eli Moger is a student at the University of Rhode Island. He grew up in Simsbury, CT and has lived year-round in RI since becoming a college student. Eli is majoring in Communications with a minor in Leadership Studies and plans to graduate in May of 2010.
Eli is a mentor in many facets, is involved in a number of organizations on campus, including the Orientation Program, Tour Guides, Greek Life, and he also holds many leadership positions. Eli has a strong interest in the area of Marketing Communications, and hopes that his career will allow him to empower others and make people’s lives better.