One of the things that authors are expected to do is public speaking. Even if you hate the idea, it’s a good thing to do for three reasons.

Authro Neil Gaiman, by Sheila Thomson https://www.flickr.com/photos/sheilaellen/

First, it helps you connect with your intended readership. This is important because it will give you the chance to find out the sorts of things that people are concerned about. Obviously, you will have already done your research before starting to write your book (I hope!). But both the topic you are invited to speak about, and the points raised in the Q and A session, should prove to be very informative.

Second, it’s a way of marketing your book, especially if you are able to have copies of it for sale at the venue.

Third, and in a way the most important of all, it cements the idea in people’s mind that you are an expert, i.e. that you know what you are talking about. In other words, it’s a way of marketing yourself.

But should you do it for nothing? That’s the question I consider in my next post.