I love going to authors’ talks, especially when I know the venue and people running the event well, so know what to expect regarding parking, venue. etc. Today I attended an excellent author talk, put on by the Two Wells library. Things were a little different today, because of Covid-related issues, but it all went well, or perhaps even better, as a consequence.
The author was Georgie Brooks, with her first book “A Year in the mud and the toast and the tears”. Georgie spoke well and amusingly as she talked about her year of hell, as a ‘townie’ trying to become a country girl. The problems she faced for that year, some of them anyway, certainly rang bells for me, being a former ‘townie’ who moved to the country back in 1988, with little real understanding about what horrors would be there, waiting for us … I haven’t begun reading Georgie’s book, but if her writing is as good as her talk was, I can see I’m in for a treat!
Learning about what is needed to put on a good author talk, both from the organisational point of view, and the presenter’s point of view, are both important aspects of these things. So that was another reason for me to attend, because I wish to do a lot more public speaking, including author talks such as this one today.
The Two Wells Library was very excited to finally be able to put on this kind of event, which they have often put on in the ‘pre-Covid’ past. They have had training in such things now, Covid Marshall training, so were able to put that training into place, and hold the event with this author, which had previously been planned for March this year.
As I am also a writer, who is quite comfortable about speaking in public, it is important I learn as much as I can about being relevant and interesting too, so that those who may be there to hear me speak, feel I was worthy of their time, and so will be more likely to want to buy my book.
Today I had with me several copies of the newsletter I edit, the Mallala Crossroad Chronicle, and I was able to give the copies to people who seemed interested, and also the guest writer present. (Well, I hope I remembered to give her a copy, anyway … hmm, not sure now). Anyway, I put my hand up and spoke, when there was the opportunity to, and now more people know a bit about who I am, and that is always a good idea, if you have books to sell, and when you are looking to get public speaking opportunities!
So all in all, I did well, as a writer and reader. I have a new and entertaining book to read, and I talked about, and handed out the newsletter I edit, as well as talking a little to some attendees about some of the books I have written.
And yesterday, I, with the assistance of my support worker, put copies of my books that are for sale, into the boot of my car, so that now, whenever I go anywhere in my car, I will have my books available for sale, as long as my car isn’t too far away. And if my car isn’t really close, I can easily grab some of the books and bring them with me.
I’m feeling very much the organised writer now, ready for whatever may occur …
Carolyn Cordon - Creative 