Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

SpaceShip · 11th January 2007, 10:33 AM

First I want to thank Mark Robson for all his help with regard to ideas for marketing my work and giving me such good tips. Also thanks to John Jarrold for his interest and help. I had already given some copies of my books to a local school in St Leonards on Sea (in March) and followed this up last week with a letter asking them if they'd like me to give a talk about the above.

They said YES and have invited me to talk to their 13-14 year olds and take some of my books for a book signing on 1st March. They are also holding a book fair on the same day with various local stores being represented. I am just jumping at this brilliant opportunity.

Thanks again Mark and John.

Any more tips from anyone? As you can imagine I don't want to waste this opening.

dwndrgn · 11th January 2007, 02:50 PM

I have no advice other than to wish you the best of luck!

Mouse · 11th January 2007, 03:06 PM

Yep, sounds great, good luck!

HoopyFrood · 11th January 2007, 03:09 PM

*Dances excitedly*

Oh yay, go Ship!! I'm so happy for you! That really is brilliant news, a fantastic opportunity!

Well, the only thing I could say, perhaps, is that 13-14 year olds aren't that good at sitting still for too long! Getting them involved in some way (even if it's just asking them questions or what have you) will hopefully stop their attention from wandering too much!

Anyhoos, I'm sure (nay, I know) you'll be a hit! Go Ship, woo!

Mark Robson · 11th January 2007, 05:00 PM

Always glad to be of help.

Now, if I could just write like Ursula Le Guin, have the marketing machine of JK Rowling and the looks of Piers Brosnan, I'd go far!

Rane Longfox · 11th January 2007, 05:52 PM

Ooh, 13/14 year olds... well, good luck

nixie · 11th January 2007, 07:12 PM

Congratulations SS

SpaceShip · 11th January 2007, 07:16 PM

Hey thanks gang for the good wishes! I'll certainly let you know how I get on. It's not till March so I have plenty of time to tune, tune and fine tune - but not too much eh? And I will certainly get them joining in Hoops - I already have a small project in mind for them to do.

HoopyFrood · 11th January 2007, 07:18 PM

Yay! *dances again* So excited for you, Ship (stupidly excited!) I'll be lining up to request a signed copy of your books soon enough

BookStop · 11th January 2007, 07:30 PM

That's wonderful, Spaceship!

scalem X · 11th January 2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Now, if I could just write like Ursula Le Guin, have the marketing machine of JK Rowling and the looks of Piers Brosnan, I'd go far!

Well yeah, even though I should have to search someone younger for my change of looks

.

Congrats Spaceship, hack them to bits, ah oh we're talking about children. Maybe 'enchant them!' should be more apt.

Kitera · 12th January 2007, 02:01 AM

wow, that's great news! Have fun there and congratulations!

SpaceShip · 2nd March 2007, 10:44 AM

Hi gang! Well the talk at the schools was yesterday - so, as promised, thought I'd let you know how it went.

I had 33 kids aged between 11-13 at the lower school and 12 aged 14-16 at the upper school. I obviously changed the talk to fit the age groups but I was astonished at how they concentrated on what I was saying and the amount of questions raised by them at the end. Some of the teachers sat in as well and said they thought my talk very interesting. The children that came along were either ones that were themselves interested in my subject "being a writer and publisher" or whose teachers believe are very good at creative writing. One talk was before lunch and the other after lunch.

They also had a lot of kids dressing up for World Book Day (which apparently is always held on the first Thursday in March) and I had to choose the most realistic book character for the prize - so I most probably made one good friend and loads of enemies!!!!!!!!!

As it was the first time I'd actually spoken on this I was extremely pleased at the outcome but wasn't ready for how drained I felt in the evening - I actually fell asleep for an hour between 6 and 7 - something I NEVER do!

Still - the next time won't be so difficult now that I've tested the waters, so to speak and they have asked me to go back already and give a lunchtime talk to one year that couldn't make it yesterday.

So, thanks for all your good wishes beforehand - I'm sure they all helped me along.

HoopyFrood · 2nd March 2007, 10:54 AM

Woot! I'm so happy for you, Ship, sounds like you wowed them all. Keep it up and we'll be seeing your books lining the shelfs at Waterstones and a huge line of people all waiting for you to sign them!

SpaceShip · 2nd March 2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoopyFrood

Woot! I'm so happy for you, Ship, sounds like you wowed them all. Keep it up and we'll be seeing your books lining the shelfs at Waterstones and a huge line of people all waiting for you to sign them!

Talking about lines of people! I didn't sell many books but I did have a line of about 40 kids for me to give them my autograph! That was weird I tell you - perhaps, it's getting me used to being famous one day eh! FOFL

11th January 2007, 10:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
SpaceShip Outta sight Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,022	Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher First I want to thank Mark Robson for all his help with regard to ideas for marketing my work and giving me such good tips. Also thanks to John Jarrold for his interest and help. I had already given some copies of my books to a local school in St Leonards on Sea (in March) and followed this up last week with a letter asking them if they'd like me to give a talk about the above. They said YES and have invited me to talk to their 13-14 year olds and take some of my books for a book signing on 1st March. They are also holding a book fair on the same day with various local stores being represented. I am just jumping at this brilliant opportunity. Thanks again Mark and John. Any more tips from anyone? As you can imagine I don't want to waste this opening.

11th January 2007, 02:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
dwndrgn Fierce Vowelless One Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,670	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher I have no advice other than to wish you the best of luck!

11th January 2007, 03:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mouse Not a mouse Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 310	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher Yep, sounds great, good luck!

11th January 2007, 03:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
HoopyFrood Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,143 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher Dances excitedly Oh yay, go Ship!! I'm so happy for you! That really is brilliant news, a fantastic opportunity! Well, the only thing I could say, perhaps, is that 13-14 year olds aren't that good at sitting still for too long! Getting them involved in some way (even if it's just asking them questions or what have you) will hopefully stop their attention from wandering too much! Anyhoos, I'm sure (nay, I know) you'll be a hit! Go Ship, woo!

11th January 2007, 05:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mark Robson Dragon Writer Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2,016	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher Always glad to be of help. Now, if I could just write like Ursula Le Guin, have the marketing machine of JK Rowling and the looks of Piers Brosnan, I'd go far!

11th January 2007, 05:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rane Longfox Mmmmm, vischysoise Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3,284	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher Ooh, 13/14 year olds... well, good luck

11th January 2007, 07:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
nixie pixie druid Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,752 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher Congratulations SS

11th January 2007, 07:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
SpaceShip Outta sight Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,022	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher Hey thanks gang for the good wishes! I'll certainly let you know how I get on. It's not till March so I have plenty of time to tune, tune and fine tune - but not too much eh? And I will certainly get them joining in Hoops - I already have a small project in mind for them to do.

11th January 2007, 07:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
HoopyFrood Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,143 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher Yay! dances again So excited for you, Ship (stupidly excited!) I'll be lining up to request a signed copy of your books soon enough

11th January 2007, 07:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
BookStop If you see a stranger... Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,918 Blog Entries: 4	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher That's wonderful, Spaceship!

12th January 2007, 02:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
Kitera Dreamer ~ Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 261	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher wow, that's great news! Have fun there and congratulations!

2nd March 2007, 10:44 AM	#13 (permalink)
SpaceShip Outta sight Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,022	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher Hi gang! Well the talk at the schools was yesterday - so, as promised, thought I'd let you know how it went. I had 33 kids aged between 11-13 at the lower school and 12 aged 14-16 at the upper school. I obviously changed the talk to fit the age groups but I was astonished at how they concentrated on what I was saying and the amount of questions raised by them at the end. Some of the teachers sat in as well and said they thought my talk very interesting. The children that came along were either ones that were themselves interested in my subject "being a writer and publisher" or whose teachers believe are very good at creative writing. One talk was before lunch and the other after lunch. They also had a lot of kids dressing up for World Book Day (which apparently is always held on the first Thursday in March) and I had to choose the most realistic book character for the prize - so I most probably made one good friend and loads of enemies!!!!!!!!! As it was the first time I'd actually spoken on this I was extremely pleased at the outcome but wasn't ready for how drained I felt in the evening - I actually fell asleep for an hour between 6 and 7 - something I NEVER do! Still - the next time won't be so difficult now that I've tested the waters, so to speak and they have asked me to go back already and give a lunchtime talk to one year that couldn't make it yesterday. So, thanks for all your good wishes beforehand - I'm sure they all helped me along.

2nd March 2007, 10:54 AM	#14 (permalink)
HoopyFrood Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,143 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Speaking engagement at local school about being an author and self publisher Woot! I'm so happy for you, Ship, sounds like you wowed them all. Keep it up and we'll be seeing your books lining the shelfs at Waterstones and a huge line of people all waiting for you to sign them!

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