Knees knocking together, teeth chattering, hands wringing, sweat dripping down my back.  My stomach roiled in protest, I became light headed, nausea took over.  There was no way in hell I could do this.  No flipping way!

This was me in my Communications 101 class at UMD, every time I had to stand up to give a speech… 

Do you fear public speaking?  Do you fear putting yourself out there?

My husband called me yesterday and said, “Why don’t you go outside today?  It’s beautiful.”  And he was right, the sun was shining, a slight breeze was blowing, and it was a lovely 68 degrees.  Perfect.  But then I thought, hmm… why is he suggesting this?  He teasingly replied, “You’re looking a little pale… You’ve been holed up with your computer for months!” 

And he was right…  Just last week, he and my older daughter sat at the kitchen table pretending to type on their “computers” while saying things like, “Dear Fellow Bloggers…. today I…. (insert whatever mommy was doing–moment to moment).”  It was quite comical.

Okay, my point is, as writers, holed up with our computers, there is the blessed security blanket of anonymity.  We can work in our pjs, we don’t need makeup, heck, we could work in our birthday suits and no one would be the wiser.  As writers, most of us love the feeling of working by ourselves, living with our characters, plots, twists and turns, talking to our muse–who in an ideal world hangs on our every word. 

The one side of writing we never consider when imagining our book covers, contract offers and the next story, is that we will have do some PR work.  Public relations.  Just saying it is scary.  Public–so out there and exposed!  Relations–this is interacting with people!!!  Interacting with people out in the open!  Yikes! 

But we have to do it, not only for your own sanity and health, but because getting yourself out there, networking, you meet so many interesting people, gain new experiences and gain new readers.

I always tell writers, they should start doing things, even before they get “The Call” to put their name out there.  Establish a web presence:  website, blog, facebook, myspace, twitter, things like that.  Visit other people’s blogs, make comments.  Go to online chats.  While you’re getting your own name out there, you can study how other writers market themselves.  Join writing chapters–online and local (and volunteer within those chapters).  Write articles on topics that interest you.  Review books.  If you feel you are an expert in some area, try your hand at teaching a workshop.  Attend conferences–RWA Nationals, RomCon, RT Convention, and so many more! 

The more of a presence you make, the more your name will stand out, the more people will remember you.  AND the more you get yourself out there, the easier it becomes.   As the saying goes, practice makes perfect! 

Releasing later this year...TBA

This is true even for multi-published authors.  They have to put themselves out there and connect with readers–interviews, blogs, book signings, contest giveaways, newsletters.  There are so many different ways you can connect with your audience. 

For those who are completely gun-shy of public appearances, with the internet today, you can visit, chat and PR yourself until you pass out without stepping outside.  But if you don’t try to step outside at least every once in awhile, you might get really pale… and you might have somebody saying “Dear Fellow Bloggers… Today, I write 1500 words, did some laundry and then made chicken.”

So tell me, how do you feel when putting yourself out into this wild world?  What do you do to market yourself? 

Eliza Knight is the author of sizzling historical romance and erotic romance.  While not physically glued to her computer she chases after three little princesses and dotes on her own knight in shining armor.  Visit Eliza at www.elizaknight.com