By Neal Wooten
Last weekend, I was a presenter at the Alabama Writer’s Cooperative Conference in Orange Beach. I gave two presentations. The first was titled Make ‘Em Laugh and the second was titled Beyond the Big Five: Navigating the Publishing Landscape. It was an honor to be asked even though it was a 6.5-hour drive one way.
I have spoken at every school in the county in the last two years. That includes presentations to English classes, theater classes, Native American studies classes, journalism staffs, reading to elementary classes, and speaking to entire student bodies.
I’ve also done presentations at all the libraries and for dozens of organizations like historical societies, genealogical societies, Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, and many more. I’ve done events and interviews at every newspaper, radio station, museums, and magazines around, and even at several pet stores and animal clinics.
When it comes to promoting my books, I live by the very advice I give authors. My motto has always been, “There is no wrong way to promote your book.” And I don’t just talk the talk; I walk the walk. I have yet to turn down an invitation anywhere. I figure if even one person learns about my books, it’s worth it.
It doesn’t matter how large or small the organization. I drove to Birmingham, 90 miles away, to attend a book club even though they told me they only had five members. All I could think was, “Hey, that’s five people who haven’t met me.”
I realize speaking in front of people is the biggest fear for humans. But if you want to be a book author, or more specifically, you want to be a successful book author, you better find a way to get over it. I look at it this way. If every stranger you meet doesn’t walk away knowing you’re a book author, you’re not doing your job as a book author.
As I was leaving the conference last weekend, an author caught up with me to tell me how much he enjoyed my presentation. When I asked had he published a book, he said, “Yes, but I wasn’t trying to get you to buy my book.”
“Seriously?” I asked. “Are you a book author?” When he nodded, I said, “Then you better be trying to get me to buy your book. You better try to get everyone you meet to buy your book. I sold one of mine to the waitress at lunch.” That wasn’t a lie; I really did.
Let everyone know you have a book out, and when they ask if you can come talk about it, there’s only one answer to that question.
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Neal Wooten is a contributor to the Huff Post, columnist for the Mountain Valley News, author, artist, and standup comic. His new true-crime memoir, With the Devil’s Help (Pegasus Crime/Simon and Schuster), is being made into a miniseries. He is also the creator of the cartoon, Pancho el Pit Bull, which is being made into an animated series in South America.