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Top
Ten Tips for Author Appearances Your heart races, banging against your ribs, your
chest, your throat. Fingers grip a
pen to disguise the shake. The other hand flattens on your leg, your side, and
your leg again drying the moisture that never disappears. You did not bargain
for exhibition when you entered the world of writing. What started as a
reclusive haven for your creative muse evolved into a public forum to sell your
work. Good work should sell itself, you say, you wish. Stepping before people, forcing yourself to say a
few words, and pretending to enjoy the experience is the hive-causing,
palm-sweating, mouth-drying bane of many an author. If the trauma of public
appearances makes you question your chosen profession, stop and ponder ways to
improve the experience and mitigate the stress. 1. Take
an assistant with you. Book signings, book fairs and conferences are great
places for an author’s “assistant.” The gregarious son,
the extroverted spouse, or the effervescent niece can do what you cannot
in many ways. While you sign books,
your assistant can work the crowd and attract the customers. They charm the
folks and lead them to the celebrity author (you),
where you busily smile and sign books. Makes you look professional to have hired
“staff.” 2. Pretend
you are famous. This is an age-old trick of actors and comedians, many of
which who are painfully shy. Take a moment and paint on the persona of someone
confident, energized and famous. The people feel it, and your confidence rises.
Makes your voice a little louder, too. 3. Hold
a pacifier. Well, not literally, but holding something in your hands tends
to settle a few jittery nerves. Jane Pauley fingers a paperclip when she makes
appearances. An author holding a pen is quite expected. Put a token of affection
in your pocket to remind you to chill. A handkerchief in your pocket gives you
something to fiddle with as well as wipe off sweaty palms. 4. Share
the spotlight. There are so many ways to do this. Sit on a panel instead of
speaking alone. Have your assistant speak talk about you, introduce you, and
close a function with you only saying thanks for coming.
Share a booth with an outgoing author or other salesperson who draws
people. Partner with a speaker who
shares your topic’s expertise, and split commissions to have him incorporate
your book in his presentation. 5. Gimmicks
speak alone. Branding yourself is common advice, but did you know that
brands speak on your behalf? If someone recognizes FundsforWriters instead of C.
Hope Clark, that’s fine because the connection is made either way. Without you
saying a word, your image, logo, color scheme, or design says, “Here she
is!” So hone that gimmick. 6. Dress
the part. As a “famous” author, you need to present yourself as
polished. Hate pantyhose? Dressy slacks give a cool representation these days.
Dressing like a gypsy does not speak professionally unless your book is in tune
with that costume. If you dress casually, you tell customers you are casual in
all ways, including the writing and marketing of your work. The sharp image
attracts customers and lends an air of trust. 7. Label
yourself. Permanent nametags introduce you to others.
Wearing your branded self on a professionally designed legible lapel pin
is just like walking up to a person and saying, “Hello, I’m Jane Doe, the
author.” You will find more people initiate the connection and relieve you of
the icebreaking task when you wear a conspicuous form of
identification. 8. Visually
dodge the group. Look at only one person at a time.
Imagine a bookstore with hordes of people wandering around while you do a
reading. Envision 200 people at a sit-down banquet. Think about a writers' group
of two dozen members. The numbers do not matter. Pick one person and communicate
a thought. Move to another one and communicate your next thought.
Keep the connection singular, and you tune out the sea of eyes and reduce
it to a one-on-one coffee chat. 9. Toss
it back. Putting the spotlight on the other person takes it off of you. When
meeting a stranger, compliment him, ask him questions, and keep tossing the
conversation back to him. People love personal attention, and it relieves you of
the same. In a group, ask for people to give examples or explain their
experiences, releasing you of the entire speaking obligation. Not only do you release your own pressure, but also you
become so special in their eyes. Oprah Winfrey is known for this talent, and
everyone loves her. 10. Preparation
is everything. Memorize pat answers to questions like: What made you write
this book; Why are you a writer; Where do you get your ideas; Are your
characters taken from real people; and so on. You know the ones. Recite them at
home and be prepared. You sound crisp and on cue when you do. For a speaking
engagement, write the speech or lesson ahead of time in great depth-- every
word. Something about writing the words implants them on your brain. Reread your
own book, if you need to make the words fresh in your mind. Preparation removes
the stress from impromptu. You may know your work, but review never hurts. The writing world is not the island of words it
once was centuries ago. Electronics
and media phenomena now place authors in front of their readers making them
accountable. Fans want to see and hear their idols, plus, there is something
about seeing an author that makes you real and credible. You might hate the
public appearances, but options do exist to make it more palatable. By getting
creative, you reduce the stress-factor while still giving your readers what they
want. C. Hope Clark is the author of The Shy Writer,
available at Amazon, Booklocker.com and www.theshywriter.com.
ISBN 1-59113-583-4. She is also editor of FundsforWriters at http://www.fundsforwriters.com.
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