Tuesday, June 02, 2020

The #IWSG, Book Marketing Webinar, & Lost Helix Release

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

June’s question:
Writers have secrets! What are one or two of yours, something readers would never know from your work?

Most of you know I’ve been a professional speaker for many, many years. But what would surprise you is for the first 30+ years of my life, I was very shy. (And I had a terrible self-image, too.) I was okay around friends, but with strangers, I was quiet. Speaking in front of anyone would’ve terrified me. I could not have led two people in silent prayer.

So, if you are one of those shy people, there is hope!

* * * * *

With live events cancelling, I’ve moved to online webinars. Based on the 3-hour seminar I’ve taught in person for 12+ years. And they are recorded! So if you miss one, I can send you the recording the next day.

Register here for PART 1 - JUNE 9 and here for PART 2 - JUNE 11.


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Dancing Lemur Press has a new release today!

Lost Helix by Scott Coon

Lost Helix is the key…

Stuck on an asteroid mining facility, DJ dreams of writing music. His dad is a corporate hacker and his best friend Paul intends to escape to become a settler in a planet-wide land rush, but neither interests DJ.

When his dad goes missing, DJ finds a file containing evidence of a secret war of industrial sabotage, a file encrypted by his dad using DJ's song Lost Helix. Caught in a crossfire of lies, DJ must find his father and the mother he never knew.

When the mining company sends Agent Coreman after DJ and his guitar, DJ and Paul escape the facility and make a run for civilization. Will DJ discover the truth before Coreman catches him?

Print ISBN 9781939844682
EBook ISBN 9781939844699
Science Fiction – Actions & Adventure/Mystery/ YA Sci-fi

Scott Coon has enjoyed success as a science fiction short story writer, winning accolades and publishing over a dozen works in various magazines. Formally a U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst and currently a software developer, Scott brings his technical experience into his work, along with a sense of spectacle.

75 comments:

Mason Canyon said...

So there is hope for shy people like me after all. Your online webinars sound like the perfect way to go. Huge congratulations to Scott and his new release.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations to Scott and hope the webinars go great.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Yes, there is hope!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats to Scott! And I'm writing myself a note to sign up for the first seminar. Thanks for recording it!

SpacerGuy said...

Yes it is inspiration seeing and reading Scotts work, dude deserves top marks and with webinars youre really keeping the show must go on - vibe going, L Diane

J E Oneil said...

Good for you. I don't think I'll ever be able to speak in front of anyone else lol.

Sandra Cox said...

I would have never thought of you as shy. Your persona is smart, confident and kind.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you! Yes, it's easy to compress and send the next day. Glad I went for that feature.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you. Oh, but I was once so shy and awkward. LOL

Liz A. said...

I know what you mean about being shy. If you had told 14-year-old me that I would be fine standing in front of a classroom one day... The webinars sound interesting.

Denise Covey said...

So much more has moved online and it's not altogether a bad thing. I'm really enjoying teaching via Skype rather than traveling.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I used to be really shy too. Only in the last decade did I become bold and boisterous.

Stay safe and well, Diane.

nashvillecats2 said...

Many people are shy Diane but go on to be very successful in life.
Great post to read.

Yvonne.

Toi Thomas said...

Lost Helix sounds good and I like the cover.
I'm looking forward to your webinar.

J.Q. Rose said...

How did you gather the courage to become a speaker when being so shy? I like the book cover for the new release.
JQ Rose

Jemi Fraser said...

I was extremely shy and awkward for years and years. Still shy but I've learned how to extrovert really well. Being a teacher really helped with that!
Good luck to Scott - the book sounds great!

J Lenni Dorner said...

Cool book recommendation. Congratulations on becoming a public speaker against the odds.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Not sure why, but I'm not surprised that you're shy. Maybe because it takes one to know one. You always look very sweet online, Diane. Kind and gentle too. Say hi to your mum.

Gwen Gardner said...

I use to have a fear of speaking in front of people too. Speech class in college was a nightmare! I can do it now, but I might get nervous, it's been so long.

The new release sounds sooo good!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I think a lot of it will continue even once this mess is done.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you for registering.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Small steps. And lots and lots of self-help books.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you. The "gentle" part surprises me.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

It is! This is one of those just fun ride kind of books. The characters make it.

emaginette said...

Shy! I would have never guessed. ;-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Tamara Narayan said...

I think the worst part of being shy is that my daughters learned my behaviors from me. Why, oh why couldn't they take after their dad? He talks to everyone about everything and never seems awkward or uncomfortable around others. Sigh.

Yolanda Renée said...

I just want to know your secret to overcoming that shyness. I'm still so terribly backward. I guess that could count as one of my secrets! :)

Liza said...

I managed to overcome terrible shyness. As I kid I was so quiet, always reading books rather than addressing people. I don't know how I got to where I am now, but the answer is, if I have to speak in front of a crowd, I do it well. I can meet new people and be fine. I spent years interviewing folks for a living. But deep down, that insecurity is still there and way down below, I'm still shy...

Juneta key said...

I don't know that shy so much as that crowds looking at me terrify me. Looking forward to your June webinars.

Nick Wilford said...

I was very shy as a kid too and I can still feel uncomfortable talking to new people, so I admire how you've overcome that. Although I acted in shows at school, it wasn't as "myself" - public speaking is still a bit of a fear!

Tyrean Martinson said...

I was shy, too, and I still have some shy moments. I'm thankful for some of the teachers I had who helped me overcome in drama, speech, and choir classes.
Congrats to Scott!

Anonymous said...

The new release looks interesting! Congrats. I wouldn't guessed about the shyness, but then, I'm always surprised when I meet a fellow closet introvert!

Looking forward to the June webinars.

Rachna Chhabria said...

I was very shy as a kid, but I outgrew that phase of my life. I can't believe it Diane, that you were shy for so many years, you always come across as a confident and bold person!

cleemckenzie said...

Congrats to Scott on his new publication.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I was pretty shy as a kid but I have no trouble with public speaking now. Looking forward to your webinars.

Chrys Fey said...

Lost Helix is SUCH a good book and fun ride. Big congrats to Scott!

Jennifer Hawes said...

Sounds like a great book! Congrats on the new publication. I was never shy as a kid, but I preferred smaller crowds to bigger ones. People irritated me!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I read a lot of self help books and joined a motivational training program that forced me out of my shell. Now I'm the fiery redhead I was meant to be.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thanks for registering.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thanks - these will be the fun ones.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Fake it til you make it.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

It was a really fun story.

DMS said...

Congratulations to Scott!
~Jess

Michelle Wallace said...

For the first 30+ years of my life, I was very shy. Me too, Diane. As a teen,I was painfully shy. It took a long time for me to break out of my shell. Along the way, teaching helped build my confidence.
I still don't like drawing attention to myself unnecessarily.
Public speaking? It still scares me a little.
Congrats to Scott.

Tonja Drecker said...

I can do the public speaking and such, when I know I need to. But that's the only time. I always feel so out of place in any other circumstance.
Congrats to the new release!!!

Lynn La Vita said...

Congratulations on finding the courage to speak to groups of people. Is there any one thing that inspired you become a professional speaker? Smart to record your seminars. Especially during these times of self isolation.

Lost Helix sound like an exciting read.

Lynn La Vita blog: Writers Supporting Writers

Carol Kilgore said...

You're going great guns! Glad you're making a transition to online, whether temporary or permanent. Lost Helix sounds cool :)

Sandra Cox said...

Lost Helix sounds fascinating!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Michelle, you would do better than you think.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I was starting to train others, so I was speaking in front of groups. Then I published wrong (long story) and spoke as an author. Finally a friend talked me into do a seminar on publishing and promoting. I discovered I loved it and kept going.

Loni Townsend said...

I hope the webinars go well. I think I need to finish writing my darn books before I think about marketing. Grats to Scott and the new book!

Erika Beebe said...

I agree with Loni, I hope your webinars go well. I'm still working hard on my second draft of my novel, but when that's done, I'll hit the marketing :) Congratulations Scott. I wish you much success.

Fundy Blue said...

Having participated in your first webinar on publishing, I am especially looking forward to your second on book promotion, Diane. I like that I am able to experience your seminars through the internet. I hope you continue to share your expertise on line. "Lost Helix" sounds great. I've been reading IWSG member books and enjoying them. I still struggle with shyness ~ kind of ironic for someone who was a union leader. But when I'm passionate about something, it overcomes my shyness. The feeling of being able to move an audience with your words is exciting. Have a good one!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I've always been shy too, but when it comes to public speaking, I'm ok...which I've always found weird.

Pat Hatt said...

Good to know one can come out of their shell and speak away.

Donna Hanton said...

I never really think of myself as a sci-fi reader but this book sounds intriguing.

A Hundred Quills said...

Someday I'll be able to say that too...I conducted a live session!
Sonia from https://soniadogra.com

kimlajevardi.com said...

Scott's book sounds interesting.

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, L, Diane. I NEVER would have thought you were shy. Well BRAVO for reinventing yourself and putting yourself out there. Just think of all the LIVES you have influenced! If you didn't beat that shyness where would all those people be today....

Congrats to Scott... All the best with your new book release. It sounds great!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm glad you enjoyed the first ones. These next two are so much fun. And that's the key to overcoming shyness - get passionate. I'm passionate and excited about all things publishing related so it's easy to talk to people about it.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Funny, when I'm in a small group or at church, I don't talk a lot. Throw me in front of a captive audience and I come alive. Especially if I have a microphone. *grin*

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you, Michael.

Mary Aalgaard said...

I've been a teacher forever, but I didn't consider myself a "public speaker" before I did a presentation. It was out of my comfort zone. After talking it through with some friends, I saw it as an extension of my blog, my teaching, and how I like to connect with people. I prefer smaller groups and one on one, but the large group was also delightfully responsive.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I'm the same. If someone had told me in my teens or twenties that I'd reach a point where I thrived on speaking in person, I would have scoffed. But I love it now. Not to say I don't ever get nervous. I do, but as soon as I'm up there, it's gone. Congratulations to Scott!

Anonymous said...

That is quite the secret! One I share with you. I do not like to get up in front of people. It takes me a long time to warm up and start speaking but boy, once I get started, it's on! Best of luck to Scott and also to you with your webinars!

Elsie

Sherry Ellis said...

I understand being shy and introverted. I'm that way, too!

Diane Burton said...

I wonder how many of us share that affliction. I’m still shy, somewhat. Getting up in front of kids and teaching helped cure me to some extent. But talking to a large group makes my knees shake.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane - enjoy the book promotion days this coming week - I'm sure you'll have lots of interest. Congratulations on the new book release by Scott Coon - he seems to have got to grips with his ideas and writing. Good luck to you both - take care - Hilary

Nicki Elson said...

That is crazy that you were shy! I still have such a fear of public speaking and admire anyone who can do it - especially as well as you do.

Lidy said...

I'm a quiet person too. I was such a quiet child that once time, during a parent teacher conference, a teacher only had one complaint about me, telling my mom was too quiet. Now, the only time I'm not quiet is when I'm talking about favorite books, movies, anime, manga, etc. Pretty much anything that has a story line that's gripped me from the get go.

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

Congrats on your new book, Scott!

Sandra Cox said...

I'm so glad you've moved past it.
I still hate public speaking. Makes me very nervous.

Sandra Cox said...

How did the webinars go.
I'm going to look at a kitty today.....

Annalisa Crawford said...

Compared to a lot of people I know, I'm super confident, but public speaking is my nemesis. Having said that, after being given an extra role at work as a group exercise teacher, I've learnt that standing up in front of people isn't so hard. I was nervous in front of my first 3 class members, now I can handle 20 :-)

Congrats to Scott - I've seen his book on loads of blogs recently!

J.H. Moncrieff said...

That's a great story, Diane. I teach public speaking skills at the university, and most of the students are terrified during the first class. It's so exciting to see them grow throughout the program, and how that new confidence also helps them in other areas of their life.