Tips from a recent Authors Guild discussion
“Recently, a book club asked me to do a zoom author talk,” said Margie Goldsmith in a recent online Authors Guild discussion. “They were all on one screen and I was on the other. They asked questions and I answered. They'd all read the book. I had my copy next to me, so I could hold it up if I was making a point in which that made sense."
"I think of it as a podcast but with many people asking the questions. It saves money and HOURS of travel time and money." (Margie’s most recent publication: Becoming a Badass: From Fearful to Fierce).
Giving author talks on Zoom has also worked for Joyce Yarrow, “especially when they are interactive and presented by a book club or organization that brings the audience."
"One advantage is being able to show visuals during my talks—for example photos I took in Spain that inspired scenes in the novel Zahara and the Lost Books of Light ."
“For one book release I co-produced an online show via Zoom with musicians and poets from different countries sharing work relating to the theme of the book. It was great fun and many copies were sold. A few people told me it was the best book release they'd been to because of the international flavor and variety."
"If you use your imagination to expand the medium beyond talking heads, good things can happen. For example, Zoom can be set up so whoever is talking occupies the center of the screen, making interactions with audience members more intimate. Of course, other attendees need to be muted for this to work."
Thriller writer Debbie Burke offered excellent advice:
“I often do zoom talks to writing groups,” she said. “Even though I have only a free Zoom account with a 40-minute time limit, I go through the group's hosts who have professional accounts without limitations. They give me access as a co-host so I can share the screen for power point slides, etc.
“Depending on your level, you can host meetings yourself for longer times and for as many people as your particular Zoom account permits. In the future I may upgrade to pro but for now my system works.
“Choose an attractive background that's not too busy. I use a photo of Montana's Hungry Horse Dam which is the setting for one of my thrillers.
“Be very clear about what time zone the meeting takes place in when you make announcements on social media and send invitations. Some states (like Arizona) don't observe daylight savings time.
“Unless your audience is strongly pet-oriented, keep critters out of the room. Dogs yapping and cats wandering across the screen are distracting. Same with other background noise, like noisy kids, traffic, etc.
“Use good lighting that doesn't cast shadows on your face. Adjust your camera angle for the best eye contact so it's neither looking down your nose nor up it.
“For Q&A, I suggest you ask people to put questions in the chat box and have the host or a cohost monitor that for you. It's hard to talk and keep track of chat at the same time.
“Before your presentation, always do a "dress rehearsal" with the host or someone else to make sure everything works correctly. Often tech incompatibilities and glitches need smoothing out. Best to do that before attendees are sitting and waiting for you to start.
“Be conversational and be yourself, the same as you would in a live presentation. After a few zoom talks, you'll refine a style that works best for you.
“Zoom's biggest limitation is you often can't see audience reactions in those tiny Hollywood Square boxes. On the plus side, no travel or hotel expenses and you meet people from different states and countries that otherwise you’d never have contact with.”
Check out Debbie Burke’s fascinating blog, Kill Zone: https://killzoneblog.com/author/debbieburke
Debbie has a talent for creating titles (see, for example, The Villain's Journey: How to Create Villains Readers Love to Hate).