by Ellen Butler
As crime writers, we tend to over-research our books. Raise your hand if you’ve spent an hour, or an entire afternoon, down a Google rabbit hole for a paragraph, or maybe just one sentence on a novel. Before I began writing my WWII spy novel, I spent a year interviewing veterans and researching the female spies. If you’re a research junkie like me, by the time you finish your manuscript you’ve become an accidental expert on French colonialism, 1920s speakeasies, or Egyptian death masks. Then you publish your book, turn your focus onto the next story, and all that hard-earned knowledge begins to fade.
But what if you can turn that research into income? Author talks and readings are great; they engage the community and help sell your book. However, they are rarely paid gigs. The key is to identify the part of your research that will intrigue an audience enough to attend and keep their attention once they are there. Then build a lecture around that topic. For instance, after writing The Brass Compass, a novel about a WWII female spy caught behind enemy lines, I emerged with a wealth of knowledge about women of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). I discovered how essential they were to the Allied success. How the women left the security of their homes to risk their lives and how their courage helped change the course of the war. From that research, I developed a fifty-minute lecture with PowerPoint slides.
Initially, you’ll likely need to offer your presentation at no cost to build experience and visibility. Start by contacting local libraries, historical societies, and community organizations that host lecture series. These early engagements will help you refine your presentation style and material. You will gain confidence as a speaker. Once you’ve completed several speaking engagements, you’ll have a polished lecture and the credibility to approach organizations with budgets for paid presenters. The types of venues you pursue will depend on your topic and audience. Some organizations may want to include a book signing as part of the event, while others may only be interested in the lecture itself. After each presentation, follow up with the organizer and ask if they would be willing to provide a testimonial or quote for your website and promotional materials. Positive feedback from hosts and attendees helps establish your reputation and position you as a professional speaker who can command a fee.
About Ellen:
Ellen Butler is the #1 Amazon chart topping author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series, inspired by her Capitol Hill and Washington, D.C. experience. She also writes historical mysteries and spy fiction. Her award-winning works include The Brass Compass and Operation Blackbird. Butler speaks at workshops, panels, and literary events.
For More Information:
Website: www.ellenbutler.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebutlerbooks/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EllenButlerBooks
