My next book… details inside

For the last few months I’ve been working on the next book. In fact, since the last book, I started working on at least two different books, each of which fell over, exploded into flames, and disappeared from the universe from their sheer badness, before I worked my way into this one, which I’m happy to report is going well.

What’s it about? The life and times of a public speaker.

For years I’ve been making a living from writing and speaking, and its been quite a life. I’ve taught through lectures, keynotes, university courses, workshops, seminars, architecture tours, campfires, and street corners. I’ve traveled around the world to do these things, and to get heckled in foreign languages, to watch helplessly as laptops crash, microphones die and the front row falls asleep. There are tons of great stories to tell, and those stories make for an excellent and funny way to share what I know about public speaking and teaching people.

Stay tuned for more. I do plan to blog about the book as it comes together. And if all goes well it should be in stores before the year is out.

Sound good? let me know. And if you have a good public speaking story to share, drop me a line.

Posted Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am

in On writing, public speaking | 15 Comments » |

jcopenha - February 16, 2009 at 12:15 pm #

You should hit up Scott Hanselman for some stories, http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ , he’s a great technical presenter. He’s also written some pretty good advice on giving technical presentations, http://www.hanselman.com/blog/TechnicalPresentationsBePreparedForAbsoluteChaos.aspx and http://www.hanselman.com/blog/11TopTipsForASuccessfulTechnicalPresentation.aspx

Jim - February 16, 2009 at 4:45 pm #

The following very small & concise publication has a nice piece “A seminar on seminars” that is full of useful tips for all ages of presenter.

Lindsay, D. R.

Title: A guide to scientific writing / David Lindsay. Edition: 2nd ed. Published: Melbourne : Longman, 1995.

Sarat - February 17, 2009 at 6:08 am #

I was in search for this kind of book. I hadn’t get any good recommendation. Waiting for your next book. the bad thing is that I am still waiting for “Making things happen” to be introduced in India. I’ve no hope. but the art of PM is there with me :)
Anyway all the best. Scott Hanselman is one of the best presenter. but still I love the way you write, present things etc…Waiting waiting

Jamie McCue - February 18, 2009 at 2:45 pm #

I look forward to the new book! I loved Where Ideas Come From as it was very insightful for me as my business and my clients grow.

If you’re ever in Western Canada let me know because it would be great to have you speak to one of our groups. http://www.cvwebposse.com

Jamie

Alexandre de Oliveira - February 23, 2009 at 8:42 am #

I bought “Making Things Happen” by luck at the store. I read and found it amazing, an austounding book for someone that is diving into the PM ocean like me. I bought Myths of Innovation right away.

What makes your books good, besides the good content, is your sense of humour.

Lynn Cherny - March 7, 2009 at 11:34 am #

Teensy bit disappointed you won’t write about failures in design, but can imagine how tough it would be. In any case, you’ve read Made to Stick, right? Critical for this topic, I think. Also, the role of video seems more and more important as a skill and tool for presentations, IMO.

scottberkun.com » Q&A from today’s webcast - March 19, 2009 at 12:16 pm

[...] only half kidding. My next book is about public speaking and I will talk about this. But persuasion involves two things:Â 1) know your stuff 2) know your [...]