This is such a wise approach to talking about our work! I find the advice on approaching audiences differently particularly helpful, as my default is to always want to just be myself in front of anyone. But what part of myself do I want to bring to each person?
I am always such a mess when it comes to talking about my book and myself - I've answered the "who inspired you" question maybe a dozen different way haha This is a great list of things to keep in mind!
These are such great suggestions. I was just talking to a couple other querying authors at a book event, thinking about how to practice what to say and how to be funny if we aren’t “natrually” like that
Such great advice, especially the bit about truncating your pitches on panels! It becomes extra stressful for other authors on the panel when one author talks for too long. Then we have to worry about pitching ours even faster than usual!
Great article! I've only done solo bookstore events and conventions, but I find them quite natural to do (I'm an extrovert and live throwing big parties, so kinda in my element!)
Among other tips, be ready to vamp when no one has a question. There's nothing worse than an awkward silence following "Any questions?" So I'll just babble for a minute while people get their act together.
"Does anyone have any questions for me? About the book, or about life in general? Or maybe my strong opinions on why Neville and Luna should have ended up together? The best 24-hour diners nearby? The things you've always yearned to know, but haven't asked! My hopes, my fears, my dreams... Even that one dream I had last week about a potato trying to eat me..."
People will laugh, it won't be awkward, and inevitably someone will raise a hand with a question after like thirty seconds of this.
This is such a wise approach to talking about our work! I find the advice on approaching audiences differently particularly helpful, as my default is to always want to just be myself in front of anyone. But what part of myself do I want to bring to each person?
I am always such a mess when it comes to talking about my book and myself - I've answered the "who inspired you" question maybe a dozen different way haha This is a great list of things to keep in mind!
These are such great suggestions. I was just talking to a couple other querying authors at a book event, thinking about how to practice what to say and how to be funny if we aren’t “natrually” like that
Such great advice, especially the bit about truncating your pitches on panels! It becomes extra stressful for other authors on the panel when one author talks for too long. Then we have to worry about pitching ours even faster than usual!
Do you think it was harder talking to a group where you know a lot of the people, for example, from school, or total strangers?
Great article! I've only done solo bookstore events and conventions, but I find them quite natural to do (I'm an extrovert and live throwing big parties, so kinda in my element!)
Among other tips, be ready to vamp when no one has a question. There's nothing worse than an awkward silence following "Any questions?" So I'll just babble for a minute while people get their act together.
"Does anyone have any questions for me? About the book, or about life in general? Or maybe my strong opinions on why Neville and Luna should have ended up together? The best 24-hour diners nearby? The things you've always yearned to know, but haven't asked! My hopes, my fears, my dreams... Even that one dream I had last week about a potato trying to eat me..."
People will laugh, it won't be awkward, and inevitably someone will raise a hand with a question after like thirty seconds of this.