When Miracle in a Dry Season launches–August 2014–part of the promotion process will include me speaking. It’s not enough to do a book signing anymore, authors need to give readers something of value. Now, how valuable me talking is has yet to be determined, but it’s a common offering among authors so here we go.
This raises a question. What will I talk about? I’ve been doing a bit of brainstorming and I want to hear what you think–which of these topics piques your interest? Is there something else you’d like to hear? Feedback, please!
WV Tales – Stories I’ve been hearing all my life, mostly funny and sometimes with a moral. Might even weave in a tall tale or two. The stories that often start with a request from someone to, “tell the one about . . .”
Road to Publication – I don’t know if non-writers want to hear this, but folks often seem curious about how writers get published. It’s definitely a God story from my point of view.
Appalachian Food – Food is a major part of the story–feeding the hungry, cooking traditional Appalachian dishes like beans and cornbread–maybe I’d talk about food as love and tie it into feeding the soul as well as the stomach.
Miracles – All of my books are about miracles and how they happen all the time, every day, all we have to do is have eyes to see. I could share some astonishing miracle stories in addition to everyday miracles and talk about how God is at work in both kinds.
Well, that’s a start. Now tell me the truth–boring? Interesting? Think of something else? What do YOU want to hear me talk about?
Meet Sarah
Well, I for one know how funny and smart you are, not to mention sweet and kind…how about how Christ became YOURS not just a part of your world, growing up? When did He become real to you?
Funny is good! Faith journeys are good topics, but mine doesn’t really segue with the book . . . I’ll have to think how that might work. Book #3 would fit this one better!
I’m going with WV tales and road to publication oh and most importantly a signings schedule to share
I cannot WAIT until I have a schedule to share!
I can’t either!! 🙂
I vote for WV tales. Recipes can backfire…like for someone like me, for whom even thinking of food is tough (due to illness).
The road to publication is great for authors, but I think it might be a bit specific for a general audience.
Miracles…very appealing to me, but you can wind up with some hecklers. That happened to me at an engineering conference where I presented a paper on an aspect of the history of civil engineering. I was kind of lucky – most of the several hundred people in the room liked what I was saying, and the hecklers were rather rudely ejected.
Oooh, hecklers being ejected. I hadn’t even thought about hecklers, but seeing them go would surely be satisfying!
The ‘ejecters’ were a group of visiting Japanese scholars. The room went quiet – except for the hecklers complaining – as they were hustled to the door.
The door closed behind them, and then the Japanese dudes came back in. One was rubbing his hands together and grinning broadly.
They got a standing ovation – it was really nice.
From what I have seen of you, I would say just be your smiling, loving self, and TALK ABOUT YOUR BOOK. The book is why you are to be there. But, the self, that you are is why they will be coming back to read your works again and again. Be the story teller that you are, but make THIS story about your boo and about YOU. Warmest regards, and prayers for your success.
What a nice way of putting it! Thank you–talking about the book that drew people in has to be a good idea.