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How I Get Over Being Shy in Front of Audiences

August 21, 2014 by Sonia Marsh 3 Comments

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Sonia Reading her 1st Chapter at Kean Coffee, in Tustin, California
Sonia Reading her 1st Chapter at Kean Coffee, in Tustin, California

In order to sell books and become a little bit “famous” in your community, writers have to speak in front of their audiences.

The problem is, what do you do if you’re shy and scared to speak in front of a group?

Well practice helps, we all know that, but what else can you do to feel at ease in front of a crowd of people staring at you.

SMILE and BE YOURSELF

Let’s face it, you’re sharing your story, only you know your story. Only you know what it took to write it.

Here are some tips I use to overcome shyness:

  • I say to myself, I’m here to make friends, not to sell books. If I do, great, if I don’t, so what, I’ve connected with new people.
  • I get there early and chat with my audience as they trickle in.
  • I shake hands and introduce myself to a few people in the audience before I speak.
  • I ask questions to find out if they are writers and ask them about their interests.
  • I try to be open, friendly and share something  about myself so they feel they can relate.

Last night I read the first chapter of my memoir:

Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family’s Year of gutsy Living on a Tropical Island

Maddie Margarita organizes a wonderful monthly event called:  Lit Up: A Conversation with OC Writers and Readers.

“Another fun night at Lit Up! Thanks to Kean’s Coffee and to our talented authors Sonia Marsh PJ Colando and Lance Charnes – Author for rocking the house! Three very different stories told by three very different writers. It was outstanding!” —Maddie Margarita

PJ Colando and Maddie Margarita
PJ Colando and Maddie Margarita

 

If you’d like to participate, Please read below. You will get to read in front of an audience and practice your “public speaking” skills. It’s a ton of fun.

“We are accepting fiction and memoir submissions up to 3,000 words for the upcoming months so if you’re a writer and are interested – submission guidelines will be on purefictionleague.org within the next few days!”

 

NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS

Get Published in our 3rd

“My Gutsy Story®”Anthology in 2015

 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES HERE

 

MGS FINAL COVER Small
Click on cover to go to Amazon

Benjamin Franklin Digital Awards Solver

 2013 Benjamin Franklin Honoree Winner

International Book Awards Finalist 2014

2014 International Book Awards FINALIST

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2014 WINNER of the PARIS BOOK FESTIVAL

 We just won our 4th Award for the Anthology. 

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT ABOUT OUR AWARDS.

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Filed Under: motivational, My Gutsy Story, People

Comments

  1. Glenda Rynn says

    August 23, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    Hey, Sonia,

    Nice photo of you reading at Kean’s. You gave very effective and thorough tips for working around shyness.

    Also enjoyed the story here of the lady driving a tank in England. That was definitely gutsy!

    Best,

    Glenda

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      August 23, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      Glenda,

      Thank you for stopping by to comment. Hope to see you next time.

      Reply
  2. Amanda says

    August 25, 2014 at 7:30 am

    Great advice, Sonia – I am bookmarking this for future reference.
    Amanda recently posted..Seen in Athens – Fish Pedicure?My Profile

    Reply

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