Naked at the Podium: The Writer's Guide to Successful Readings

By Melanie Workhoven and Peter V.T. Kahle

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0965570231
• ISBN13: 9780965570237
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Seventy Fourth st Productions
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.5" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Naked at the Podium

Peter Kahle writes with wit and experience. He has the kind of knowledge about selling books that is based on compassion as well as calculation. Naked at the Podium is a very useful tool for those who seek stimulating ideas on how to be successful inmerchandising their product. No author should make a presentation without reading this first.

I Learned to Embrace My Nervousness

I purchased NAKED AT THE PODIUM a few years ago at the first writing conference I attended. Though I knew it would be a while before I'd need the advice the book offered, I felt I'd better get it anyway just in case it wasn't available 5 years down the road when I'd actually need it. While I'm still not far enough along in my writing career to be out on book tour, I was recently asked to deliver a 30-minute presentation to about 100 writing peers. In all my nervousness, I studied NAKED AT THE PODIUM like mad, learning how to breathe, assume a stage presence, and embrace my nervousness. My copy of the book aged rather nicely, with blue highlights, pencil underlining, and stars placed strategically throughout the columns next to all the gems of information. Not only was the book enjoyable, but it helped me tremendously. When it came time for the presentation, my words didn't get all stuck in my throat like they usually do when I speak to large groups. And, the coolest part was that people were taking notes and actually learning from what I was saying (instead of sitting there with that squeemish feeling of watching somebody struggle up on the stage)! In fact, several people came up to me afterwards to tell me how much they got out of it.Anyway, it was a real thrill...maybe I don't hate public speaking as much as I thought I did! In fact, I'm now proactively looking for more such engagements.I owe it all to Pete and Melanie and the creation of such a wonderful reference tool. THANK YOU!

For authors seeking to promote their books

Naked At The Podium: The Writer's Guide To Successful Readings is a very practical guide of tips, tricks, and exercises for authors who may not be quite so at home giving a public reading as with the usual day's work of bringing drama to blank sheets of paper. Techniques presented include how to use body language, cure pre-reading jitters, become one's characters, and generally make the reading a memorable promotional event to spread word of one's book. Naked At The Podium is strongly recommended reading for authors seeking to promote their books through public readings at bookstores, libraries, or other venues.

This worked for me

Before I read "Naked at the Podium", I had given a number of presentations of my book. However, after I read it, what a difference! I was more at ease, more confident, and the audience reflected this change. The result: more book sales. No writer setting out to promote a book can afford not to read, and use, this important contribution by Kahle and Workhoven. Evelyn McDaniel Gibb, author of Two Wheels North

HOW TO BE CONFIDENT AND EFFECTIVE AT ANY PODIUM

Wow. Forget the fluff... here's a book crammed with valuable tips and information you will use to make any speaking engagement more effective.As I was preparing for several Author appearances and book signings for my first novel (The Glass Cocoon) I was fortunate enough to obtain a copy of this helpful, informative, valuable and fun to read book.Authors Peter Kahle and Melanie Workhoven have learned by trial and error the most effective ways to prepare yourself for any speaking engagement. They know most of the 'secrets' and 'tricks' and have written an extremely easy and fun book to read that will help you get rid of the jitters, and present the best you, you possibly can,when you get up in front of a group of people. Melanie's background as an actress and Peter's as a author combine in a book that doesn't waste any valuable time in giving you great ways to prepare to have successful readings and speaking engagements.There is a lot of information, practical advice, insights, tips, preperatory exercises (complete with useful pictures) in this book. The information is delivered clearly, concisely and with a generous dose of breezy humor and in-the-trenches examples. A lot of research and a variety of personal experiences from the authors and some others have been effectively tapped. The book will walk you through the whole process and experience and you get the feeling your best friend is holding your hand and filling you with confidence and encouragement.Follow the advice in the book and you can be assured of not only having a successful speaking engagment, but also of having a lot of fun too.Thank you.. thank you.. thank you Peter and Melanie for this extremely useful and valuable resource. Christopher J. Jarmick is the co-author of the recently published mystery suspense thriller The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder.