From Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker

Are you ready to elevate your writing career by stepping onto the stage? Establishing yourself as a successful speaker is both an art and a science–where do you start?

From Page to Platform is your essential guide to making that leap. This comprehensive guide will help you land your first speaking engagements, deliver captivating presentations, and build a respected brand as a speaker.

  • Define your speaking goals and craft your unique message

  • Connect deeply with your audience, whether in-person or virtually

  • Land your first paid speaking engagement

  • Discover the secrets to creating impactful slides

  • Impress organizers and ensure you’re always in demand

Learn from Matty Dalrymple and M.L. Ronn (Michael La Ronn), two acclaimed speakers who have successfully transformed their words into income on the speaking circuit.

Whether you're an experienced author or just starting out, From Page to Platform offers insightful strategies, practical steps, and the inspiration you need to share your voice with the world from the stage.

AUDIO: ISBN 978-1-959882-16-9

EBOOK: ISBN 978-1-959882-14-5

PRINT: ISBN 978-1-959882-15-2

"I wish I had this book when I was starting out, it would have saved me a lot of stress."

~

"packed with valuable tips on finding speaking engagements, preparing your material, and nailing the gig."

~

"I wish I had this book when I was starting out, it would have saved me a lot of stress." ~ "packed with valuable tips on finding speaking engagements, preparing your material, and nailing the gig." ~

MATTY DALRYMPLE is the author of the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Suspense Shorts and the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers. She writes, speaks, consults, and podcasts on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author.

M.L. RONN (MICHAEL LA RONN) writes science fiction & fantasy novels and self-help books for writers. He built a writing career, publishing 10-12 books per year, while raising a family, working a full-time job, and attending law school.

Check out some of the tips we share on YouTube! Here are a couple of examples here to whet your appetite ...

What are readers saying?

From Page to Platform is more than just a how-to book. It’s like having two experienced and compassionate friends–Matty Dalrymple and Michael La Ronn–by your side. I’ve known them both for years and hold a tremendous amount of respect for them as people, as writers, and as advocates for helping other authors with their own success. Matty and Michael not only understand the challenges you’ll face—whether it's negotiating with event organizers, creating impactful visuals to go along with your talks, or staying professional in a variety of settings—but they’ll do it in a way that eases you through the process. Their advice, sprinkled with personal anecdotes and tales, will resonate whether you’re just starting out or already have some experience and are seeking to improve your speaking game.

— Mark Leslie Lefebvre, Author of Wide for the Win and A Book in Hand

As a writer who's been dipping her toe into public speaking, this book could not have come at a better time! It's packed with valuable tips on finding speaking engagements, preparing your material, and nailing the gig. Best of all, Matty and Michael write in a straightforward, practical way that this introverted writer found very reassuring. This is the perfect book for anyone who's curious about speaking and the many opportunities it can open up in your author career. ​

—Jessie Kwak, Author of “From Chaos to Creativity"

From Page to Platform is such a thorough read! I wish I had this book when I was starting out, it would have saved me a lot of stress.
If you’re building your speaking credentials, this book will answer many questions you have and ones you haven’t thought of yet. If you are an experienced author speaker, this is a great review of what makes you successful at sharing information.
Authors Matty Dalrymple and Michael La Ronn have engaging voices that make me feel like they are talking to me. I appreciated how they broke down every aspect of being an author speaker. I highly recommend From Page to Platform as a reference for every author speaker’s toolkit. ​

—Jennifer Hilt, USA Today Bestselling Author of The Trope Thesaurus Series

Many authors choose to accelerate their careers by pursuing speaking engagements. This is, by far, the most comprehensive and helpful guide I have read on the topic. If you are familiar with the authors (Matty Dalrymple and M.L. Ronn), you will be delighted to know this book matches the high quality of their other nonfiction works for authors.I especially enjoyed the level of thoughtful details shared: everything from setting goals for your talk, pursuing various types of outlets, evaluating the overall value of a speaking engagement, and more. There is even a special chapter dedicated to the topic of selling your books at speaking events, a common goal (and challenge!) for most authors who pursue a speaking circuit.A highly recommended resource for any author who wants to polish their speaking engagements. This would be a great resource to read in preparation for successful book signings, conferences, and other events.

—Hannah Jacobson, Book Award Pro

Michael and I chat with some of our author colleagues about how speaking engagements can add a valuable stream of income to your author business.

What does From Page to Platform cover?

YOUR SPEAKING CAREER

  • Defining Your Goals as a Speaker

  • Creating Your Speaker Strategy

  • What is your speaker mission statement?

  • Establishing Yourself as a True Professional


THE GOALS OF YOUR TALK

  • What do you want your audience to learn?

  • What do you want your audience to experience?

  • What actions do you want your audience to take?


TYPES OF TALKS ... NOT JUST THE USUAL SUSPECTS

  • Interviews / Podcasts

  • Panels

  • Workshops

  • Author Readings

  • Keynotes


FORMATS

  • In-person Events

  • Virtual Events


FINDING THE OPPORTUNITIES

  • Your Author and Speaker Communities

  • Conferences

  • Placement Services


ASSESSING THE OPPORTUNITIES

  • Consider the Organizer’s Goals

  • Consider the Organizer’s and Event’s

  • Professionalism

  • Consider the Venue

  • Make Your Provisional Decision

SETTING YOUR FEE AND NEGOTIATING THE OFFER

  • What to Charge

  • If the Offer Doesn’t Include Payment

  • If the Offer Does Include Payment

  • Consider Copyright

  • Negotiation Basics

PREPARING YOUR TALK

  • Slides

  • Notes

  • Handouts


SELLING YOUR BOOKS

  • In-person Events

  • Virtual Events

THE SPEAKER ON THE ROAD

  • Travel Costs

  • Travel Tips


DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

  • Match the Level of Formality to the Event and Venue

  • Be Comfortable

  • How about Branded Clothing?

  • Consider a Uniform

  • Best (Dressed) Practices


BEFORE THE EVENT

  • Block Your Calendar

  • Heed Communications from Organizers

  • Manage Your Materials

  • Research Your Fellow Presenters and Event Attendees

  • Promote the Event as well as the Talk

  • Triple Check Your Website

  • Use the Event App

  • If You Have to Cancel

  • For In-person Events

  • For Virtual Events

ATTENDING THE EVENT

  • You’re Always on Stage

  • Scope Out the Venue

  • Audiovisual Setup

  • Be an Active Participant

  • Use Social Media

  • Manage Your Energy

THE DAY OF THE PRESENTATION

  • Calm Your Nerves

  • Arrive Early

  • Confirm the Logistics

  • Mingle with the Participants

  • Capture the Moment


GIVING THE BEST TALK OF YOUR LIFE

  • The Main Event

  • Q&A

  • Dealing with Hecklers

  • Be the Last to the Leave the Room


AFTER YOUR TALK (IT’S NOT OVER WHEN YOU STEP OFF THE PODIUM)

  • Recharge and Celebrate!

  • Tick off the Tasks

  • Follow up with the Organizers

  • Capitalize on Your Connections    

  • Share the Experience    

  • Update Your Website    

  • Speaker’s Notes


YOUR SPEAKER TOOLKIT    

  • Media Kit    

  • Speaker Bios    

  • General Topic Information    

  • Upcoming and Past Events    

  • Event-specific Web Page    

  • Headshot    

  • Business Cards    

  • Demo Reel

​
STAYING AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF YOUR NICHE

Speaker's Notes

At the end of each section of our book From Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker, we include questions for you to answer. How does the information we’ve shared resonate with you as you consider your transition from page to platform? What actions will you commit to take based on what you’ve learned?

Capture your responses in this document (file download). These Speaker’s Notes will serve as a map for your transition from page to platform, enabling you to track your progress and adjust course as needed.

Let us know how your move from page to platform is going!

Matty Dalrymple (matty@mattydalrymple.com)
M.L. Ronn (michael@michaelaronn.com)