...Anyway, the point of this post: come and meet me! That's right, I'm actually leaving the house and socialising for once. 'Tis a rare occasion, so make the most of it. In fact, I'm not just socialising, I'm getting up in front of a room of people and trying to hold their attention for an hour.
That's... a thing that is happening.
I've been invited to chair panels and even do my own workshops before, but due to my anxiety, I always had to say no. Part of me wanted to do it, but a bigger part of me absolutely detested the idea, so it was fine. Years of drama fees weren't wasted at all, then...
But recently I arranged to film a video with Beautiful Broken Things author Sara Barnard, and her wonderful publicist gently asked if I wanted to chair a bookshop Q&A for her later that day. There was no pressure, and she thought I might like the opportunity... and this time, my mind was 50/50. That was enough. That was better than usual. So, seeing as this felt doable for the first time ever, I said yes.
Sometimes you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone. That's how you grow. And I have to take all the growing opportunities I can get, because I stopped at 5"2' several years ago.
I might've taken that a little bit far, though, because a few days later exactly the same thing happened with Perdita and Honor Cargill, and I said yes to that, too. So, I've gone from absolutely no experience in chairing author events... to chairing two in a month, one week apart. THE NERVES ARE REAL. I know, though, that once I've done these - and done well, hopefully! - I'll be able to do it again, and I will have got past a hurdle that has been there for a while... a hurdle called Public Speaking. I mean, I was so anxious a couple of years ago that I couldn't even see most of my friends, so... let's give it a go, yes?
Sara Barnard
in conversation with Amber Kirk-Ford
WHEN: Sunday 22nd January 2017
WHERE: 8 High Street, Downham Market, PE38 9DB
WHAT: Join us for nibbles, drinks, a Q&A with #ZoellaBookClub author Sara Barnard, and the opportunity to get your books signed! You'll also have the chance to ask your own questions, so get your thinking caps on...
HOW MUCH? A donation to the West Norfolk Deaf Association is encouraged but optional. This is a non-ticketed event, so just turn up and we'll be happy to accommodate you!
RSVP: Click here to let us know you're going. Not required, but it'll help us to know numbers!
Perdita and Honor Cargill
in conversation with Amber Kirk-Ford
WHEN: Sunday 29th January 2017
WHERE: 8 High Street, Downham Market, PE38 9DB
WHAT: Join us for nibbles, drinks, a Q&A with mother/daughter author duo Perdita and Honor Cargill, and the opportunity to get your books signed! You'll also have the chance to ask your own questions, so get your thinking caps on...
HOW MUCH? A donation to the West Norfolk Deaf Association is encouraged but optional. This is a non-ticketed event, so just turn up and we'll be happy to accommodate you!
RSVP: Click here to let us know you're going. Not required, but it'll help us to know numbers!
I would absolutely LOVE to see some of you there. It would honestly make my day, so please come and join us!
