Recently, I had the privilege of speaking to a class of grade 7/8 students. Let me tell you I was blown away by how receptive those kids were! I came in with a prepared presentation, and surprisingly found the class wanting to know more and more about what it’s like to be a published author. So, I booked another session with the same class the following week with the teacher, and had the time of my life! The best part wasn’t the readings—though the students wanted to know what happens next when I finished the chapter—it was the question and answer period. And believe me, sometimes kids do ask the darnedest questions!
Whether you’re presenting to a small class like I did or to an auditorium full of people, here are three guidelines for your next presentation that are sure to grab the attention of your audience:
Make it Emotional. You must touch a person’s heart before you reach their head. The easiest and most effective way to make an emotional connection with people is to tell stories. What I did was tell the class about my experiences on the road to publication, and the process behind writing a book. I shared the tough, rejection-filled times, and the high-five signed a contract times. I even sprinkled a smattering of gossip that my agented teen psychic mystery series is presently sitting in the hands of three traditional publishing companies. They ate that up!
Make it Novel. The human brain doesn’t pay attention to boring things. Ideas that spread are unexpected, surprising, and delivered in a fresh or novel way. Kids get this. I came in with a hook. I didn’t talk about my book right off the bat. I asked them about their March Break holiday, and if any of the students went on a trip. Read: I connected with them, engaged them first. After that, we talked about their favorite video games, which rolled into favorite books, which then gathered enough momentum to start my author presentation. Don’t be boring. Be novel.
Make it Memorable. Make’em laugh. Make’em think. Make’em ask questions. Most of all, make’em remember you! The best ideas stand zero chance of being successful if they can’t be recalled. One great technique is the rule of three. It simply means that people can only recall about three pieces of information. Don’t overwhelm your listener. Give them three reasons to invest in you. I started out talking about my past life before engaging the class. They want to know about you the author, and how you ended up standing in front of them. Tease them with what’s in the works for the future, then bring it home with choosing the best possible chapter to read from your book that will leave them hanging, and wanting more.
BTW – This is what the teacher had to say:
“Sharon definitely was prepared and made her presentation interesting for the class. She made a great link between the thinking of video games to the thinking of an author ie) setting, character, plot. Kids totally got that. Saw a little nerves, (had to look at her sheet) but not a routine thing for her. Glad to have her! Sharon also had time to come a second time to answer questions. Thanks!”
~Monica Park, Grade 7/8 teacher for St. Mary’s School, Huntsville ON Canada
Hmm…don’t think the nerve thing will ever go away. LOL! Do you have any author presentation experiences you’d like to share? Love to hear’em!
So…after two months of worrying about me being on a panel speaking about challenged books in front of 500 people, and then two weeks of anxiety, and then a day of absolute fear right up to (and during) the panel…I “did good”! I knew I had a lot to say–Scars has been challenged at least once formally that I know of, and informally in Meghan cox Gurden’s op-ed. My abusers tried to silence me most of my life; I don’t want to be silenced any more. But actually speaking about it all in front of 500 people live felt pretty scary. I think I spoke well, though–honestly, emotionally, passionately, and intelligently. I still can’t believe I spoke well! It took a while for me to know it–but I started taking it in afterward from the many responses and from people telling me that in so many ways.
I know public speaking is hard for many people, at least at first. It is for me, too. But for me there’s also the added layers of all the abuse training–my abusers repeatedly telling me they’d kill me if I talked (and since they’d murdered other children in front of me I knew they could), and abuse that happened on raised stages (like child porn), and all the years I learned to be silent, quiet, and not speak out, except through my writing and my art. But yesterday I learned that I CAN speak publicly, even to a large group, and it can be okay and even a good experience.
Me speaking, photo taken by Sandi Walden
Some of the time before my panel I felt alone and scared and insecure as the hours stretched on, so I took a breather, and sat in the hallway against the wall. But doing that I felt like I was socially awkward and sticking out, the way I had as a teen. And then who should come by but A.S. King (Everybody Sees the Ants, Please Ignore Vera Dietz)! She sat herself down beside me so easily, and we sat, backs against the wall, talking. Amy was reassuring and understanding, and so down-to-earth. I loved hearing about her own experiences, and just…spending time. Hearing Amy talk about ALAN so enthusiastically made me want to join.
I also got to meet C.J. Bott in person–she recognized me as I passed by, and we talked briefly, and then she sat down for a bit with A.S. King and me. C. J. Bott did a lovely review of Scars, and we’d talked back and forth via email a bit, so it was cool to meet her in person. She’ll be vice president of ALAN next year!
I also talked a bit with Professor Melanie Hundley, who was an incredibly friendly, bright spot in the day, introducing me to other authors and to teachers, pointing out my handouts to others, and just being lovely.
It helped to have such friendly, caring people around!
The whole experience was also made better by my wonderful book publicist Julie Schoerke, picking me up at the airport, taking me to dinner, and then coming the next day to be with me for my panel. I was getting more and more scared the closer it got to my panel, and thankfully Julie arrived about an hour before. She sat on the floor with me i
Thanks to the teachers in the Dubois Area Reading Council for inviting me to their fall meeting. After a tasty dinner in the Huntingburg Elementary Library and short business meeting, we talked about how to both write and create artwork for a picture book. I spoke about my personal history leading up to getting published and some philosophy behind my book(s):
• Why are my words so spare?
• Is this work "realism?"
• Why the focus on man and machine?
I think everyone had a good time and gained some insight. Melanie commented that she used Drive in her Title 1 class to teach predictability. Once she presents a spread and the kids talk about what's going on, she then asks, "what do you think is going to happen next?"
Brilliant!
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I so wish I could have been there, Cheryl! That panel would have been something to see.
Thank you, Maggie! (smiling at you) I think it was a good panel. And hey–you missed Laurie Halse Anderson throwing donut holes at the audience!
I’m glad I got to meet you! You did good! Thank you for sharing your story. It’s important to put it out there.
Sandi Walden recently posted..In which I rave about Barry Lyga’s books & give one away
i’m glad I got to meet you, too, Sandi! I enjoyed talking with you, enjoyed meeting you. And thank you SO much for the photo!!
What an experience! Thanks so much for posting this. Your courage continues to be an inspiration.
Shari Green recently posted..Redefining failure
You have such a beautiful smile, Cheryl. I bet you hit the ball out of the park! Good for you.
)
It’s strange to think that someone you look up to for being so courageous is still a human being who can be afraid.
Sounds like you did an amazing job, Cheryl, and you look great in these photos!
Oh, thank you, Shari! That is so lovely of you to say! I appreciate it. (smiling at you)
Janet, thank you! That’s nice to hear.
Matthew–that’s sweet of you to say! I am often afraid–but I do things even through my fear (and my triggers from the abuse) and I think that that is part of courage. Doing it and facing it any way.
You were far more than good, Cheryl–you were amazing! The honesty and passion in your voice carried the day. I was awestruck by your commitment to telling your story, especially in front of 600 people who even though they are hanging on your every word, can pretty damn intimidating. Keep writing, keep speaking, and keep telling your story because it is one we all must hear.
Oh, David, thank you! (hugging you) That is so lovely to hear! I’m glad you thought I did well! And so glad you could hear the honesty in my voice, and how much I care about it all. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words; it felt so good to read.
And you were an awesome facilitator! It was nice to meet you in person, and to sit beside you for a while.