8 Topics and 10 Tips on Presenting  a Workshop 

If you are a published writer or an aspiring writer, you should think about presenting a workshop.  Giving a workshop benefits other writers and helps to introduce yourself to the public.  Workshops can be held at a local library, a literacy center, bookstores and even gifts shops and local restaurants.

So...you have some excuses.  You say you're too shy and you have nothing to talk about.  If you talk about a topic you feel passionate about, you will feel comfortable giving a workshop.  And it you're stuck for ideas, then here are a few topics worth presenting:

• How to get published: traditional presses versus small presses
• How to write a picture book
• How to build an author platform 
• How to give a school presentation
• How to get published in children's magazines
• How to develop a website or a blog
• How to query agents
• How to edit and proofread your work

Tips on presenting a workshop:

• Practice beforehand and time yourself
• Practice using inflections as you speak (avoid flat monotone speaking)
• Look in a mirror as your practice
• Start the workshop with a brief intro which includes your credentials
• Start the workshop by asking participant's experiences and goals
• Begin with a personal anecdote
• Have visuals
• Bring water 
• Get the participants involved by asking them questions or their opinions
• Handout a list of resources the participants can use at home

Presenting a lecture builds your platform. And building a platform should ideally begin before your book is published.  Believe me, you will be plenty busy trying to market you book when it is released, so if you can present workshops as well as get on social media, create a blog and develop website beforehand, you won't be as frantic.  Presenting a workshop is a smart and easy way to begin to develop your platform.  It is a perfect stepping stone for people to get to know you.