Author Salon is a 24/7 writers conference and literary network website for aspiring authors, as well as film producers, literary agents, and acquisition editors in the publishing business. Author Salon thus establishes itself as an ongoing source of new voices and projects.

The Author Salon website and community forums immerse writers in a rigorous work-to-publish environment, and one which utilizes unique peer-and-pro review workshops that identify and encourage writers who have the skills and talent to create commercially successful works. The process also enables each writer to evaluate their work as might an agent or editor.

“When you sign up for Author Salon there are a lot of questions about your work. Often these questions make you look at your manuscript through new eyes," explains Author Salon writer Alon Shalev. "This is essentially the idea, that you see it not as the writer, but as the agent or publisher."

Writers entering Author Salon must graduate from IN PRODUCTION I, the first level, to EDITOR SUITE, and from there to MARQUEE. Projects and writers who finally make it to the highest level have their work made available to agents and editors. And the struggle up the ladder is not an easy one, nor will it ever be. Author Salon forces writers to hit all the notes. On the IN PRODUCTION I level, Author Salon's Profile Guide details critical points and elements that aspiring authors must address in detail, for example, in the section dealing with comparables:

"When informing professionals about the nuances of your novel, whether by query letter or oral pitch, you must know your genre first, and provide smart comparables second. Agents and publishing house editors always want to know the comps. There is more than one reason for this. First, it helps them understand your readership, and thus how to position your work for the market. Secondly, it demonstrates up front that you are a professional who understands your contemporary market, not just the classics. Very important! And finally, it serves as a tool to enable them to pitch your novel to the decision-makers in the business."

Author Salon's steps and review criteria enable writers, perhaps for the first time, to write their work not only as creatively as possible, but through the filter of craft and market. However, before becoming a member, Author Salon highly recommends that all writers first review their "What Type of Writer Benefits" page to determine whether or not they can survive the atmosphere of firm and direct critique.

At its core though, Author Salon is simply about teaching and nurturing the art of good storytelling, whether it involves a story that is true, nearly true, or absolute fiction; and to that end, everyone at Author Salon, staff and editors alike, work towards helping writers create the best stories they possibly can.

Projects currently under development with AEI in Los Angeles include KILLER ON THE WALL, a cozy mystery, and ONE WISH AWAY, an adult fantasy. Several more projects have been requested by agents and editors.

Faculty and staff at Author Salon have been widely published by major publishers and journals.