The best way to learn how to conduct an excellent author event is to attend one.
This way, you may avoid making the mistakes some authors make when in front of an audience.
I’ve had the opportunities to watch many authors do book readings. Here are a few examples. The better the author presents him or herself to an audience, the more book sales there are afterwards and the more fans the author gains.
The first Author event I’ve posted here is from Amy Tan and it runs about 28 minutes. If you watch only one, I recommend watching hers.
If you watch at least two, make sure to see Anchee Min at the National Book Festival. Anchee often gets standing ovations when she is done and her books sell out.
Every author has his or her style. Learn from the masters.
A Reading by Amy Tan
Anchee Min at the 2010 National Book Festival
Pat Mora at the 2010 National Book Festival
Norton Juster and Jules Feiffer at the 2010 National Book Festival
Jane Smiley at the 2010 National Book Festival
Isabel Allende at the 2010 National Book Festival
Ken Follett at the 2010 National Book Festival
Filed under: Perfecting an Author Event | Tagged: Amy Tan, Anchee Min, Author Events, conducting an author event, Isabel Allende, Jane Smiley, Jules Feiffer, Ken Follett, Norton Juster, Pat Mora |
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Amy Tan gets herself across beautifully. And Anchee Min and daughter are a thoroughly engaging pair. Their sincerity comes across.
Thank you. I am hunting for other Author Events on YouTube in the half hour range. When I find them, I will replace the shorters versions I included in this post and make sure to keep Amy Tan and Anchee Min.
I can see why Anchee would be in demand. I skipped ahead to the middle of the video, and in two minutes of listening to her story, I was already engaged.
I adore Stephen King. Can’t bring myself to read his books (my mind can’t handle terror too well!) but love the guy.
Thanks, Lloyd, for posting these. If I come across any that are interesting, I’ll send them along.