Ten Presentation Topics--The Speaking Writer

Rose Ross Zediker

by

Rose Ross Zediker

Whether you are published or unpublished, chances are when people find out you are a writer, you’ll be asked to speak to a group.

I’ve presented at a variety of speaking engagements that includes a historical society meeting, informal writers groups, library functions, conferences, and book festivals. My presentation’s for each of these groups has been as varied as my writing. Some of the groups gave me an idea of what they were looking for in a presentation. Others said “surprise us!”

“Surprise us” left me scratching my head until I came up with a list speaking topics. If you find yourself in the “surprise us” dilemma, try one of these ten topics.

·         Your Book – If you have a book talk about it! This one is a no brainer, right? But, don’t tell the group everything about your book. Talk about developing your idea. How you named the characters. How the plot took shape. Tell them enough to intrigue them so they buy it.

·         Your Research – Whether you write contemporary or historical books, there is some type of research involved- occupations, settings, names appropriate to the era. This might seem like basic information, but new writers and non-writers have no idea about the accurate research that goes into a book.

·         Your Writing Process – Tell them your tried and true process for getting your book from the idea stage to a complete manuscript. Be sure to use the disclaim that this method might not work for everyone.

·         The Basics – Explain the rules of formatting a manuscript, the submission process including query letters, submission letters, manuscript formatting for submissions, and the waiting time while your work is under consideration.

·         The Business Side – This includes keeping track of submissions, the difference between an advance and royalty, tax documents and write-offs, reading and understanding your contracts.

·         Time Management – Writer’s know the only way to write a book is devote time too it.

Rita Nominee Rose Ross Zediker giving a speech

Do you get up early and write? Stay up late and write? Fit writing into small chucks of time like lunch hours or a child’s nap time? This includes how to say ‘no’ to social events or organizations that eat up your valuable writing time.

·         Goal Setting – Talk about how successful writer’s set manageable goals. Explain your goal setting techniques and rewards for meeting those goals. Give examples of other writer’s goal setting techniques to show there is no right or wrong way for an author to set goals that fit their lives.

·         Grammar – Are you a Grammar Queen? This is information that needs to be shared! Provide common examples of misused words or phrases. Have a list of reference books or websites available on a handout after your presentation.

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·         Marketing – This includes what your publisher does to help get your books in reader’s hands, your platform, blogs, websites, social media, and giveaways.

·         Question & Answer Session – Give a brief overview of the type of writing you do and open the floor to questions. Be prepared to answer a range of questions. Be honest if you don’t know the answer, but also try to be helpful and point the person in the right direction, such as Googling for reference books that cover their chosen genre.

Two warning points:

·         Even though you are advertised as an inspirational romance writer or children’s author, expect a sci-fi or memoir writer to attend with questions you just can’t answer. Trust me, this happens. Don’t let it rattle you, keep explaining all genres have different guidelines, but don’t expect to make that particular writer happy. You can’t. They came with expectation’s you can’t fulfill.

·         Don’t fill your entire time with your presentation. Build in time for introductions and question and answers. Try not to talk longer than thirty minutes or your presentation turns into a lecture and you take the chance of losing your audience.

Bio: Multi-published author, Rose Ross Zediker, writes contemporary and historical inspirational romances and has over eighty publishing credits in the Christian magazine genre for children and adults.

Rose works full time at the University of South Dakota and writes during the evening or weekends.

She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.

Visit her blog at www.roserosszediker.blogspot.com

Rose is giving away one copy of her latest release is Reclaiming the Cowboy’s Heart.

Twenty years ago, a horrible accident nearly destroyed her family's business. And everyone still blames her former fiancé, Jamie Martin. Donna's managed to thrive, despite life's many curveballs. But when Jamie crosses her path at Cheyenne Frontier Days, Donna isn't prepared for the feelings that still endure after all these years. Party boy Jamie is a changed man in every way—except for the love he still harbors for the only woman who made him whole. Jamie's newfound faith could pave the way for a second chance at his first love…if Donna can find it in her heart to forgive.