Attending my Local Author Showcase proved to be an excellent networking opportunity. I was among a multitude of local authors invited to this professional “meet and greet” affair. The guest speaker was Robyn Carr who offered valuable insights into successful writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. It was quickly obvious that the networking among the assembled talent at this presentation resembled the activity within an active beehive.
The local library that sponsored this public event was funded by state, national and federal sources. This fact made the event even more successful since it attracted a wide range of sponsors and area businesses. A major university was well represented and offered instruction in the areas of book preservation, paper restoration, and document storage – all areas helpful to authors. Staff members at the library enlisted local volunteers to assist them with author check-in procedures, public information areas and seating for the guest author presentation. It was obvious that this event encouraged total community involvement.
I was instantly reminded of the networking process that occurs with an “indie” author when a manuscript is ready for publication. A collection of specialties are needed to move the written work into a finished book – especially for an independent writer. As we have all found out, sometimes the writing of the work is the easy part. Then comes the editing – then re-editing, and then editing again and once more. Format is important. Don’t forget the layout and the cover, back, and spine. Of course, one must always consider the ISBN and all of those options. Publisher and publishing can be a convoluted maze all unto itself. So, by the time that a book finally returns back to the hands of the author as a finished product, the networking that has occurred reaches unbelievable proportions.
However, and this is important, without networking this busy beehive of activity would not and could not occur. It takes a variety of skilled professionals to bring a book into the view of the public. Next time you’re at a function and you meet a fellow author, extend your hand and offer a friendly greeting. Be proud of your networking skills.
