Yes, the topic of today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s blog is the workshop, but first\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
As I said, while I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been reporting some of what others are saying and doing and threatening to do, with regard to the Amazon\/BookSurge situation, I haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t felt comfortable making a statement personally or through SPAWN until I read the original statement from Amazon. Well, we found the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153letter\u00e2\u20ac\u009d that has created so much anger. You can read it, too, right here: Please share your comments with us: PLFry620@yahoo.com. <\/p>\n Your Workshop Topic<\/strong> Generally, you will pare down your book topic\u00e2\u20ac\u201dchoose a chapter or concept to focus on when planning a talk or workshop. Instead of trying to share the entire history of the Ojai Valley with a group in 30 or 60 minutes, I might talk about the earliest settlers, the events that led up to establishing the town, early businesses in the valley or the history of the school system, for example. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re promoting your memoir, share just one aspect of your story and give it depth, meaning and interest by learning some storytelling skills.<\/p>\n If your book is fiction or a children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s book, you can read from the book, but I think you connect better with an audience if you tell your story. If you aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a natural storyteller, join a storyteller organization and get plenty of practice. <\/p>\n For fiction, you might devise a workshop related to writing a book like yours or how to conduct research for a historical novel, for example.<\/p>\n Is it a Workshop, Demonstration or Talk?<\/strong> How Do You Get These Gigs?<\/strong> Create your own opportunities. You no doubt have resource lists and access to resource lists related to your topic\/genre. Tap into these and create opportunities to promote your book. For example, if your book features using intuition in the workplace, contact corporate leaders with a proposal for your program. <\/p>\n What if You Are Afraid of Public Speaking?<\/strong> And before you venture out to speak on behalf of your book, and particularly before you start writing that book, read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em><\/strong>. I write about a lot of different writing\/publishing-related topics in this blog and in the various articles you see published all over the web and in the mags and newsletters you read. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll find most of these subject in more detail in this comprehensive book. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one of those books that you will refer to often, so buy it, read it and then keep it close at hand. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Yes, the topic of today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s blog is the workshop, but first\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 As I said, while I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been reporting some of what others are saying and doing and threatening to do, with regard to the Amazon\/BookSurge situation, I haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t felt comfortable making a statement personally or through SPAWN until I read the original statement from Amazon. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n http:\/\/phx.corporate-ir.net\/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-printondemand<\/a> <\/p>\n
\nIf your book is a how-to, self-help or informational book, for example, you are probably an expert or, at least, well-versed in your field. Design workshops and other presentations related to your topic. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve promoted my local history books for years by going out and speaking on aspects of the local history. I speak and conduct workshops related to writing and publishing as a means of gaining exposure for my books on these topics. I know authors who conduct demonstrations and give presentations on topics related to gardening, cooking, relationships, budgeting, meditation, training rescue dogs, identifying wildflowers, art and many others. <\/p>\n
\nWhat is the difference between a workshop, seminar, demonstration, presentation or plain old talk? Actually, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see some of these words used interchangeably and, in my opinion, erroneously so. A workshop is an educational seminar, which might or might not involve audience participation. A seminar is a form of academic instruction where the group focuses on a particular subject and everyone participates. Conference organizers will refer to a plain old lecture as a workshop. When you are asked to a workshop or seminar on a complex subject in a 30 or 60 minute session, you know that you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have time for much hands on work or audience participation. If they want you to conduct a 3-hour program, you can follow a seminar or workshop plan and involve your audience\/students.<\/p>\n
\nI always advise starting locally. Ask the program director for your church or a club you belong to or somewhere else where you will feel comfortable getting your feet wet as a presenter. Get a list of your local civic organizations from the Chamber of Commerce and contact the program directors. Contact appropriate organizations and businesses related to your topic\/theme of your book. Reach out beyond your city, county and state and seek out scheduled conferences related to your topic through http:\/\/www.allconferences.com<\/a> and Shaw\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Guide at http:\/\/www.shawguides.com<\/a> <\/p>\n
\nIt\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not unusual for writers to be meek promoters. If this describes you, you have two choices: forget about personal presentations and chance losing out on thousands of book sales or hone your speaking skills. I recommend the latter. I further recommend that you join a Toastmasters Club NOW. Go to http:\/\/www.toastmasters.org<\/a> to find a club near you. You won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t regret this decision.<\/p>\n