📢 Indie authors, indie publishers, and indie editors: your story is worth telling.
I’ve had many dinners. I’ve delivered a fair few speeches. But this was my first after-dinner speech.
The Lancaster Loyne Rotarians meet (monthly, I think?) at the Lothersdale Hotel in Morecambe for a meal and a catch-up about their community work.
Member Pat, who books their speakers, has been following our publishing journey for the last few years. She’s always been intrigued by our cottage industry. Our modest home is a hive of activity – from which, not least, dragons (well, wyverns, specifically!) are born.
So Pat thought the Rotary Club members might enjoy hearing more about what we do. I went along, shared a meal with them, and took them on a whistlestop tour behind the scenes.
This morning, Pat emailed to thank me for coming. She marked it a success:
“One can always tell when questions are asked.”
And sure enough, members did seem engaged. We had a great chat about different aspects of the book world.
The cherry on the cake? The Rotary Club donates £50 to a cause chosen by the speaker. So the Lancaster International Youth Games Committee (which is sending a coachload of kids to Denmark this summer – including my own karate kid!) just got a little boost.
😁Indie authors: people want to hear your story.
This experience got me thinking. So many indie authors – perhaps without realising it – have fascinating stories to tell. You spend so much time in your creative worlds, crafting stories and sharing them with readers, but how often do you talk about your own journeys?
People are interested. They want to know how books come to life, what it takes to self- (or indie) publish, and the realities of making a career from writing. And organisations like Rotary Clubs are always looking for engaging speakers. So why not put yourself forward?
If you’re an indie author (or editor, or cover designer—anyone in the publishing process), consider reaching out to your local Rotary Club or similar groups. These organisations welcome guest speakers and are keen to hear about different industries, creative pursuits, and entrepreneurial journeys. It’s a win–win. You’ll share your writing passion, make connections, and maybe even inspire others to start their own writing adventure.
Where to start: UK organisations that welcome guest speakers
Not sure where to begin? Here are a few UK-based organisations that might be interested in hearing your story:
- Rotary Clubs – There are branches all over the UK, and they regularly invite speakers from different backgrounds.
- The Women’s Institute (WI) – Many local WIs book speakers from all sorts of backgrounds; they’ll enjoy hearing about books and creativity, I’m sure.
- U3A (University of the Third Age) – This organisation provides learning opportunities for older adults, and many branches have special interest groups for literature and writing.
- Local Business Networking Groups – Business networking groups are often interested in hearing from self-employed creatives.
- Libraries and Literary Societies – Many libraries and local book groups enjoy author talks and behind-the-scenes insights into publishing.
👏 A top night—and an encouragement to speak up
My first after-dinner speech was a brilliant experience, and I’d happily do it again. If you’re an indie author, consider sharing your journey with your local community. People want to hear how books are made, how authors build their careers, and what goes on behind the scenes.
So, who’s inviting me to speak next? And more importantly – are you going to put yourself forward too?
CherryEdits 