Carma Spence, Public Speaking Super Powers

For this column, NASW book editor Lynne Lamberg asks NASW authors to tell how they came up with the idea for their book, developed a proposal, found an agent and publisher, funded and conducted research, and put the book together. She also asks what they wish they had known before they began working on their book, what they might do differently the next time, and what tips they can offer aspiring authors. She then edits the A part of that Q&A to produce the author reports you see here.

Publication of NASW members’ reports in Advance Copy does not constitute NASW’s endorsement of their books. NASW welcomes your comments, and hopes this column stimulates productive discussions.

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PUBLIC SPEAKING SUPER POWERS
UNLEASH YOUR INNER SPEAKING SUPERHERO
AND COMMUNICATE YOUR MESSAGE WITH CONFIDENCE
Carma Spence
Author Academy Elite, Sept. 25, 2018, ebook $9.99,
paperback $19.99, hardcover $24.95
Paperback ISBN-10: 9781640853324; ISBN-13: 978-1640853324
Hardcover ISBN-10: 1640853332; ISBN-13: 978-164085333
Ebook: 978-1640853348

Spence reports:

I wrote Public Speaking Super Powers to help readers learn the foundational skills they need to communicate effectively before groups. The book started as a blog post in 2010. Because of that post’s popularity, I decided to expand it into a book. Research on competing books revealed that few covered all skills required to be an effective speaker.

It wasn’t until 2017, however, that things came together. I learned through an NASW listserv of an AI-based transcription service. I discovered a hybrid publisher who provides book coaching and its imprint without taking royalties. Because I wanted to enter the book in a competition, I had a hard deadline.

Most of my books have been self-published. I like having control over my work and higher royalties. My one experience working with a publisher was costly. That book is out of print. Although I have the rights to its content, I can’t use the title. Going with a hybrid publisher gives me the flexibility of self-publishing with the clout of a publisher.

To write this book, I interviewed 85+ speakers. Then I reviewed literature to fill out topics not covered well in the interviews. I organized my notes into chapter-focused documents, printed them out, and cut them into individual quotes. Once I organized the slips of paper, I wrote the first draft of the book. Finally, I massaged the text, and then worked with two editors to polish the manuscript.

Had I known how long it would take to piece everything together, I would have started sooner. I wish I had launched the e-book first. I then could have released the physical editions with “best seller” noted on the cover. I also would have hired marketing help at least three months sooner.

Despite the obstacles I faced in getting this book out, it became a Kindle bestseller and a 2018 Author Academy Awards Top 10 Finalist.

My advice: Plan your marketing before you finish your book, even if you have a traditional publisher. Build your platform, and recruit the support you need to make your book a success. Then finish your book!

Contact info:

• Carma Spence, 562-435-0136, carma@carmaspence.com, @carmap
• Book website: https://publicspeakingsuperpowers.com/
• Blog: https://publicspeakingsuperpowers.com/blog-posts/

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NASW members: will your book be published soon? Take advantage of this opportunity for shameless self-promotion. Submit your report for Advance Copy.

Tell your fellow NASW members how you came up with the idea for your book, developed a proposal, found an agent and publisher, funded and conducted research, and put the book together. Include what you wish you had known before you began working on your book, or had done differently.

See https://www.nasw.org/advance-copy-submission-guidelines.

View Advance Copy archives at https://www.nasw.org/member-article/advance-copy.

Thinking of writing a book? If you are a NASW member, you may access a list of more than 150 books and online resources to help you craft your book proposal, find an agent and funding sources, negotiate your contract, learn about self-publishing, publicize and market your book, and more at https://www.nasw.org/article/write-book.

Send book info and questions about book publishing to Lynne Lamberg, NASW book editor, llamberg@nasw.org.