Author offers writing tips to club


Ester Benjamin Shifren Courtesy photo

Ester Benjamin Shifren Courtesy photo

The January meeting of the San Fernando Valley branch of the California Writers Club, which had been cancelled due to bad weather, is rescheduled for 1 p.m. Sat., April 6.

Ester Benjamin Shifren, author of the historical memoir, “Hiding in a Cave of Trunks: A Prominent Jewish Family’s Century in Shanghai and Internment in a WWII POW Camp,” will present “How to be a Winning Speaker” in the Saban Community Room, Motion Picture and TV Fund campus, 23388 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills.

“People want to see you and hear you,” says Shifren. “As the saying goes, ‘it’s all about presentation,’ and that especially holds true for authors who are trying to publish, sell and publicize their books. Without effective presentation skills, authors will be at a definite disadvantage. The techniques I will teach can also work wonders in individual settings.

“Anyone who writes a book and doesn’t develop a theme to speak about can say goodbye to the best marketing opportunity,” Shifren said.

At the meeting, Shifren will explain the techniques of effectively communicating with audiences.

“It’s important to engage by making occasional eye contact,” she said. “If possible, avoid reading from a scripted lecture. That is a certain way to lose the connection and attention of your audience. Say less if necessary, but make your words count. Use cards with reminders so you won’t forget the essence of your talk. That’s why PowerPoint and Keynote presentations are so valuable.”

The author will also ask audience members to write a brief presentation about their own book that they can then read aloud at the meeting.

“The brief opening statement should engage the audience immediately and hold their attention. It should be practiced ahead of time; it doesn’t happen by accident,” Shifren said. “The pitch to get gigs should also be practiced until it sounds natural and confident.”

Before Shifren’s presentation, author Rita Keeley-Brown (“Good Luck Mrs. Brown”) will conduct a 20-minute workshop titled “Just Write.”

Attendees will be asked to choose from four prompts. They will have seven minutes to write a story or poetry. They can then share their work with either the persons sitting at the same table or the audience.

Guests who attend the monthly meeting are asked to donate $10. The California Writers Club welcomes writers in all genres, and at all stages of their careers.

For more information, visit cwc-sfv.org.