Friday, April 22, 2011

Speaking and Spunky

For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers. Today it’s speaking.

Today’s topic follows two other S subjects - Spunky being real and Spunky being interviewed! The interview is over at First Draft on Life, Literature and Lunacy. Please drop by Lisa’s wonderful site!

The average traditionally published author makes between $2000 and $3000 over the lifetime of a book.

That’s it!

So, how do average authors survive? Many never quit their day job. (Only about 300 authors in America live solely on their writing.) Some do freelance work or ghostwriting.

And many turn to paid speaking gigs.

Speaking not only pays the bills, but it fuels interest in one’s book(s) and enhances marketing efforts. More opportunities arise.

As for Spunky being real - I’ll never get wealthy from writing, but that’s okay. Writing helped me to discover something I truly enjoy - speaking!

Do you speak as well as write? Do you want to someday?

21 comments:

Jessica Bell said...

I'm terrible at speaking!!!! :(

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I have self confience but if I had to speak I know I would dry up, I know my family would disagree....lol

Yvonne.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Jessica, you could do it.

Yvonne, LOL!!!!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I speak when I'm asked to speak. :) I'm probably averaging 7-8 times a year, I guess--book clubs, panels, talks at libraries, etc.

Laura S. said...

Oh no no. I strongly dislike public speaking. I don't like being the center of attention. Having all those eyes on me is terrifying.

But I admire those who do it well!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Karen, I couldn't rmember the exact figure, but it's between those two numbers. Yes, that is it!

Laura, I used to be so shy I couldn't lead two people in silent prayer! Believe me, you could do it.

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, public speaking terrifies me! There's a reason I like to hang out behind a computer/next to a notebook and NOT on a stage!

Anonymous said...

I occasionally teach writing classes at a college near my home. Speaking gigs are good, at least for me, because it gets me out from behind my laptop. I can't say as I completely enjoy them as I am mostly an introvert but I force myself to do them whenever they're offered.

notesfromnadir said...

If you can get by w/ public speaking, go for it. You have to have a certain type of personality & if you have that, which you obviously do, that's wonderful. I admire people who can get up in front of a roomful of people keep 'em entertained.

Snakesmom said...

I love to write, public speaking makes me sick to my stomach! I am not sure why either because I love to talk! lol :) Great post.

Bluestocking Mum said...

It's hard to remember how I used to do quite a bit of public speaking. These days it would be rather more daunting!

Great post and good to meet you through the A-z. Look forward to following your posts and writing.

warm wishes
Debbie
x

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'll keep my day job, thanks!!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

I enjoy speaking to groups and wish I had more opportunities.

Great post. Thanks!

Monti
NotesAlongTheWay

Jai Joshi said...

I do public speaking and I love it. And like you, I started doing it to promote my writing and only then discovered how much I love it.

Jai

DEZMOND said...

that's quite a low salary from a book.
I'm guessing that goes for bad writers or for the ones whose books never got popular, because I know that the owners of bestsellers get tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of pounds for their books.

jkraus8464 said...

I do speak to promote my books. BUt I have been a public speaker/trainer for many years so I am used to it. Unfortunately, time is a factor when you are working full time and have to fit in speaking with everything else. But I love to speak.

Sarah Allen said...

Great post! I try speaking, hopefully I'm getting better at it as I go...

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

Will Burke said...

I could if I had to, but I'd rather sell movie rights. Cha-Ching!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Liz, glad you're at least trying.

Notes, I'm half melancholy/introvert - if I can speak in front of others, so can just about anyone.

Debbie, you could do it again.

Monti and Jai, that's good!

Dezmond, that's average for all authors!

Jeanne, then you know what I'm talking about!

Will, that's a good plan.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Being a basically shy person, I never really wanted to speak to groups, but I have been at libraries and club meetings, and I managed to get through the talks. I also discovered it's fun.

Murr Brewster said...

I have come to realize that there are a bunch of people making money off of talking or writing about writing. I don't know what they write about when it's not about writing. We even meet at each other's houses and talk about writing. Some day I hope to score some Tupperware.