Over the weekend, I had the honor of presenting a four-hour workshop on Publishing Today for the Denver Women’s Press Club with a packed room. Book Publishing Options Today. It was a “wide-open." topic, one I knew inside out … and one that I can do blindfolded.

The question was: would I? And the answer: No. If I had given the “usual,." it would have been a good presentation—it always is. But, it would have been an “oh-oh." and boo-boo. Every presentation I do, I always have something new. This time, not only would I have new material, I would be creating all new slides.

Authors need to stretch themselves. Not only in their writing; in their marketing; in how they communicate about their expertise and book. Even when it’s uncomfortable and takes the time you don’t think you have, do it. Being “canned." delivers an “oh-oh." and may set you up for a downgrade in your readers’ eyes. And if you are speaking, in the audience’s eyes and ears.

Yes, publishing is a topic I know inside and out. I’ve been writing and talking about it for decades. I have a weekly podcast where I look forward to learning from my guest. I attend conferences where I may be a presenter … but I’m also a student.

Last Saturday was no different. The audience was “wrapped." around me … not just in front of me. It was similar to “speaking in the round.."  My entire slide deck was brand new—new content; new visuals. All 70 slides. Slides that took me more than 10 hours to create from scratch. And have now given me the goose to continue to transition all of my good slides to great slides.

It’s a huge commitment on my part … knowing that I have my annual Speaking Unplugged within two weeks and that I use close to 200 slides over the two days of it … my creativity wheelbarrow will be overflowing in added prep work.

This is the official “last week." of winter. Hunkering downtime is over. It’s time to get your authoring, book, and publishing seeds out and germinate them.

• What are you planning to do to add to your mix?
• What should you be weeding out?
• What can you do to separate yourself from the massive publishing crowd and soar above it?

All questions to noodle this week. Spring is coming. A time for new growth; new ideas; new results. Are you ready to start digging?

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and author of 36 multi-award books. She’s guided over 1,000 authors in creating their books, earned in excess of $3,000,000 in speaking fees based on her books and gathered over $2,000,000 in onsite book sales at her speaking gigs. Her latest book, How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech flips a difficult topic into a simple and easily comprehensible plan. If you want to get into speaking, this is the guide that will be the game-changer to success.

Get your copy today. https://amzn.to/2Ur3Seg