If You’re an Author, You’re Multilingual—Whether You Know it or Not

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By Lana Christian     How many languages do you speak? I speak English and German. English is my dominant (first) language, but sometimes German pops into my thoughts, dreams, and writing without my bidding. That can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. My handwritten notes combine English, German, and a personal shorthand—whichever is shorter …

Public Speaking Jitters

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Fear/Doubt, Friends of ACFW, Speaking, tips 3 Comments

by Loretta Eidson Have you stood before a crowd before a presentation, only to see a variety of expressions returning your stare? It’s easy when everyone smiles and looks eager to hear what you’re about to share, but what about those who are sporting lowered brows or a solemn countenance? When they lean back scowl faced with their arms crossed …

When Your Readers Bother and Bless You

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by Elizabeth Musser I just returned from a book signing event where I was invited to speak to a church book club. Because I posted the event on Facebook, other readers who weren’t a part of the book club also attended. I spoke about my most recent novel, The Long Highway Home. The novel is based on true stories of …

Speaking to Book Clubs, Is It Worth Your Time?

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By Nora St. Laurent Having run two book clubs, inside of a book store, and one that met on-line, I have witnessed the excitement felt by readers, firsthand when they can either meet with an author, or speak with them on an IP (Computer) call. The energy in the room is palpable and this becomes the reader’s version of meeting …

Teaching Tools for Writers: 4 Steps to Building a Public Speaking Platform

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By Hannah R. Conway As a teacher, I speak on a daily basis, all day, five days a week–and I truly love it. Speaking comes natural to me, as does public speaking, but it may not to others. Building a public speaking platform can be a valuable asset to authors in many ways, but what’s the key to getting started? …

Speak Your Message

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by Carol Hamilton Sell more books by developing a speaking platform. Do you shudder at the thought of presenting anything before an audience? To make yourself more comfortable, choose a topic you are passionate about and know well. Talk about the writing life, a life-changing experience, or choose a theme or topic from your book. To create a presentation, your …

Dress for Success and Corrie Ten Boom

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By Carol Hamilton Today’s authors should be speakers, also. To become more comfortable before an audience and to allow your audience to be more at ease with you, learn to dress for success. When you stand on a stage, the crowd sees more of your feet than they may want. Women, be sure heels aren’t too spiked. They could get …

When Things Aren’t as they Seem

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By Deborah Raney A few years ago, I was speaking at a MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers) in a small Midwestern town. As I learned to do from the wonderful speaker and writer Liz Curtis Higgs, I had picked out my “balcony people” in each quadrant of the room–those women who were nodding and smiling and giving positive feedback with …

Ten Tips for a Satisfying Radio Interview

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By Cynthia Ruchti The success of a radio interview is as easy to calculate as the number of baby guppies born in the night. Did listeners rush to their local bookstore to purchase or order the book? Were there more than two people listening? Please, God? Since God is the only one with answers to those questions about numbers and …