Earlier this month I held my very first book event: the launch party for my mystery novel, Digital Dick. I was nervous about having to “perform” in front of a crowd. However, I had the good fortune to attend the Southern California Writers Conference in San Diego earlier this year. Gayle Carline presented a conference session entitled “Something to Talk About: Speaking Publicly About Your Book.” Gayle provided several invaluable suggestions to help me get through my nervousness.

The most valuable lesson from Gayle Carline’s presentation was: Attend other book launch/signings.

In the weeks leading up to my book launch I went to three book events. From Matt Coyle’s book launch for Night Tremors, I learned I didn’t have to read one long passage from my book. I could read several short passages.

I also attended a book signing by a long-time author with dozens of books to her name. I was one of four or five attendees. The low attendance did not phase her one bit. I was reminded of what Terry Brooks said in Sometimes the Magic Works, his book on writing and the writing life: It’s not about you (the Author). It’s about the Readers, the ones spending their precious time and money on you and your book. Make them feel good about attending.

At the last book event I attended, Don Winslow was signing his new release, The Cartel. From Don I learned that my own presentation should be a narrative. I choose to relate my 15-year story from getting serious about writing to publication of my debut novel.

The second most valuable lesson I got from Gayle Carline’s presentation was: Be comfortable with your material.

I spent the better part of a week writing and rewriting my presentation. I practiced it repeatedly, whittling it down to a reasonable twenty minutes. That included writing dialog for me, and Digital Dick, my robot partner.

You can see a brief video from my presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AikN1jLstCY