SoA in Person | Professional Development – Speaking with presence and poise: confident communication for authors
8 October @ 11:00 - 13:00 BST
£21.50 – £29.50
Whether you’re preparing for a book launch, a public reading, or a media interview, how you communicate matters as much as what you say.
In this interactive session hosted by Ronke Lawal, you’ll learn practical tools to develop vocal confidence, physical presence, and mental clarity. Through guided exercises and real-world examples, we’ll help you find your voice—on stage, on camera, and in everyday conversations–about your writing.
Places are limited and subject to availability.
Accordion Content
Access 20% off your first year of membership of the SoA with discount code SOAATHOME20
The Society of Authors is the UK’s biggest trade union for authors – representing more than 12,000 writers, illustrators, translators and other creative practitioners.
Our standard subscription rate is just £32.50 per quarter (£22.75 for students).
As an SoA member, you’ll get:
- Access to all our #SoAatHome events for free including the Professional Development sessions usually charged at £35 from Feb 2025
- Access to all our Feel Good Friday and Industry Insider events which are usually charged £5 from Feb 2025
- Access all #SoAatHome Vimeo professional development recordings so you can catch up in your own time
- Access Unlimited one-to-one professional advice
- Membership of our online and real-world professional networks and special interest groups
- A range of member-only discounts, including books, insurance and travel
- And much more
‘It was a surprisingly lovely way to meet fellow writers in a friendly, warm surrounding perfectly hosted by the SoA staff. Thank you for all the introductions, the welcome and the nourishment!’ – attendee from SoA in Person: Autumn New Members’ Party 2024
JOIN NOW | PRICING
Programme
- 11.00 – Welcome and introductions from Sophia A Jackson – Head of Events, SoA
- 11.05 – Workshop hosted by Ronke Lawal
- 12.30 – Q&A with audience
- 13.00 – Close
What will this session cover?
- Techniques to speak clearly, confidently and authentically in front of audiences and peers
- How to manage nerves and build presence during interviews, readings and events
- Using body language and vocal tone to convey credibility and charisma
- Crafting concise, compelling messages about your work
- Strategies for engaging readers, media and fellow writers in conversation
- Practice scenarios: from book festivals to podcast appearances
Who is this session for?
This session is for authors and aspiring writers who want to build confidence and make a strong impression when speaking about their work.
The Line up
Ronke Lawal
Ronke Lawal is a passionate PR & comms consultant and founder of Ariatu PR. With a focus on diverse storytelling and authentic brand voices, she empowers entrepreneurs and creatives to shine through her personal branding and media coaching work. Ronke is a vocal advocate for inclusion, representation and confidence in communication across media, business and public speaking platforms.
Websites: www.ronkelawal.com | www.ariatupublicrelations.com
Accessibility
Our Events space is located on the ground floor of our office. We have a wheelchair ramp at the side entrance of the building. We also have an accessible toilet by the side entrance.
If you have any access requirements, please email events@societyofauthors.org
Feeling unwell?
We recommend the following:
- Staying home if you’re feeling unwell or have flu-like symptoms
- Washing your hands when coming in from the outdoors and / or before touching your face
- Applying alcohol hand sanitiser (we will have these on site)
- We advise attendees to wear a face mask if they feel comfortable doing so
Booking
Book your place using the booking from below. Places are limited.
Please read our event booking Terms and Conditions: https://societyofauthors.org/legal-privacy/event-terms/
Tickets
SoA in Person professional development events – discounted price for SoA Members
Not a member? sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20% off for the first year using the offer code: SOAATHOME20.
£21.50 for SoA Members – including light refreshments
£29.50 for Non-Members – including light refreshments
**We can only issue refunds up to 7 days prior to the event date, any refund claims after that period will be invalid**
Accordion Content
Access 20% off your first year of membership of the SoA with discount code SOAATHOME20
The Society of Authors is the UK’s biggest trade union for authors – representing more than 12,000 writers, illustrators, translators and other creative practitioners.
Our standard subscription rate is just £32.50 per quarter (£22.75 for students).
As an SoA member, you’ll get:
- Access to all our #SoAatHome events for free including the Professional Development sessions usually charged at £35 from Feb 2025
- Access to all our Feel Good Friday and Industry Insider events which are usually charged £5 from Feb 2025
- Access all #SoAatHome Vimeo professional development recordings so you can catch up in your own time
- Access Unlimited one-to-one professional advice
- Membership of our online and real-world professional networks and special interest groups
- A range of member-only discounts, including books, insurance and travel
- And much more
‘It was a surprisingly lovely way to meet fellow writers in a friendly, warm surrounding perfectly hosted by the SoA staff. Thank you for all the introductions, the welcome and the nourishment!’ – attendee from SoA in Person: Autumn New Members’ Party 2024
JOIN NOW | PRICING
