Hello all, on a snowy (! Yes, here in Sedona we thought earlier in the week that spring had come.  Mother Nature had something else up her sleeve–bringing us the most snow we've seen all winter.

 I recently attended a book fair at a library in which about fifteen authors who had reserved tables to display and sell their books, were invited also to speak for ten minute each.  This was not my first time hearing authors "deliver the goods" in front of a diverse audience–not necessarily writers but potential book purchasers.  Most of those present  are good writers with interesting books on specific subjects or fiction about engaging characters. However, just standing up there at the lectern and reading from one's own writing–however skilled you are as a writer–does not engage your audience.

 One woman who, besides having written an excellent book that documents  her interviews with celebrities who are well known tliterary, scientific and  entertainment professionals–instead of reading from her book, engaged her audienjce with questions. "How many of you recognize the name, Linus Pauling?' The response from the audience was smiles and raised hands. She told a little about how she managed to get interviews with these famous people. She did read a little–a very brief  excerpt from her book that brought laughs (i.e. response!) from the audience. Another speaker, who has written a book about the joys and pitfalls of moving, asked audience members what their greatest problem had been in any moves they had made.  The unanimous response was "accumulated 'stuff"'

The man who published a book about yard sales, likewise engaged the audience with questions. He did not read from his book.  He asked "Do you know how many millions of dollars exchange hands each year at yard sales?" His answer surprised us all.

To my knowledge, (informal survey) these authors sold the most books.  If you are trying to sell your non-fiction or your novels, gain the interest of your audiance by engaging them. This technique goes whether you are delivering a long talk about your life as a writer or trying to interest  people enough that they will purchase your books, don't believe that YOUR WORDS, ALONE, NO MATTER HOW BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, will hold  them.  Seek to engage them through their own interests, experiences.  It works.

Snow is falling again.