The Writer as Speaker

The non fiction writer is expected to have a "platform" - to know enough about their particular topic to be a subject matter expert (SME), and then be actively seeking and securing local, regional, national, and/or international speaking engagements.

Potential publishers expect this, so it's important to learn all you can about becoming what it is they expect.

There are a number of wonderful resources for beginning non fiction writers who exhibit an intellectual and practical curiosity about speaking. I like to point you towards free information whenever possible. The following organization offers great advice to the writer/speaker, and they do provide 5 free online lessons about becoming a speaker. Since these are professionals, they will also model for you a way to build your own database and promote your produce (books, recordings of your own speaking) within their lessons. You are not required to purchase anything, but watch how it's done - you may learn something!

Click here for 6 free online lessons about becoming a speaker from SpeakerNet News.