I attended a writer’s forum at the San Diego Main Library downtown last night on how to Effectively Represent Yourself and Your Book.  I came away with lots of ideas and three people I want to follow.

 

Susan McBeth, the founder and owner of Adventures by the Book and AuthorPreneurs, spoke about planning for your book signing events and readings.  Susan advised authors to practice your  presentations until you are comfortable with what you want to say (don’t memorize.) And, before going on stage take three deep breaths to relax.

 

Kathi Diamant the author of the Geisel Award-winning Kafka’s Last Love spoke about preparing for interviews, readings, and presentations. Kathi advised authors to dress like their books.  (Not literally)  Think about the colors on your book cover.  The main cover of my Thomas Nast Biography is a rich burgundy color and Nast has a flower in his lapel.  So, I am wearing a burgundy jacket with a flower pinned to my lapel for my next presentation.

 

Fauzia Burke is the founder and president of FSB Associates.  She spoke about online marketing and is the author of Online Marketing for Busy Authors (coming in spring 2016). Fauzia pointed out that the job of an author is 15% writing and publishing a book and 85% getting it in the hands of readers.

 

Do you have any advise you would like to share????