Author Talk Host Kit / Action kit
Author talk event agenda & hosting checklist
Prepare speaker coordination, audience questions, timing, and the book-signing flow.
Made for bookshops and reading groups hosting an author conversation.
Price and availability
Catalog price: $9 USD
One-time purchase · No subscription
- FilesZIP with five editable Markdown documents, an offline HTML workbook, a reading edition. A worked example is included.
- To useExtract the ZIP. Open the workbook in a current desktop browser; edit Markdown in a text editor. No account needed for the workbook or Markdown files.
- LicenseUse for your own or client work; do not redistribute the original templates or tools. Full terms.
- SupportProduct questions and corrections by email; no custom implementation or professional review. 14-day refund policy.
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The task
What you'll make
An author event plan connecting conversation, audience questions, and signing flow.
Gather before you start
- Speaker agreement
- Book context
- Venue arrangements
Mark missing information so you can check it before using your work.
When to skip this kit
- You need a native Excel, Canva, or Word template. This download contains Markdown documents and an offline HTML workbook.
- You need autosave or cloud sync. Export Markdown or save a backup before closing the offline workbook.
- You need someone to complete the work. These are worksheets to fill in yourself.
Read the first worksheet below to see whether its questions help with your task.
Included files
What's inside
- 01Speaker brief
- 02Conversation arc
- 03Audience participation
- 04Signing logistics
- 05Event closeout
Each document has instructions, questions, and space for your answers. The final document includes a common mistake to check for before using your work.
Your completion check
The host and author agree the format, practical arrangements, and any recording or photography permissions.
Before you finish
Check this before you use it
Signing logistics are left until the audience is already queueing.
Confirm the transition, stock responsibility, and queue arrangement in advance.
Use the final worksheet to record what needs fixing and what you still need to check.
Free worksheet
Start with worksheet one
Speaker brief
Jump to a section
Worksheet 1 of 5. Speaker brief Project: {{project}} Prepared by: {{business}} Review with: {{contact}} Target: {{deadline}}
Instructions
Confirm topic, duration, biography, pronunciation, arrival, and technical needs.
Worked example, fictional
Context: A small bookshop hosts an author for a forty-minute discussion followed by questions and signing. Completed response: Author requests a seated conversation rather than a podium talk.
Your decision
What format and boundaries has the speaker agreed to? My answer: [ ] Source and date: [ ] Still to check: [ ] Next action, owner, and due date: [ ]
Before moving on
[ ] My answer uses my own facts. [ ] I have marked anything I still need to check.
Next worksheet: Conversation arc.
Before you start
- Speaker agreement: [Source or notes]
- Book context: [Source or notes]
- Venue arrangements: [Source or notes]
What you will make
An author event plan connecting conversation, audience questions, and signing flow.
View plain worksheet text
Worksheet 1 of 5. Speaker brief
Project: {{project}}
Prepared by: {{business}}
Review with: {{contact}}
Target: {{deadline}}
Instructions
Confirm topic, duration, biography, pronunciation, arrival, and technical needs.
Worked example, fictional
Context: A small bookshop hosts an author for a forty-minute discussion followed by questions and signing.
Completed response: Author requests a seated conversation rather than a podium talk.
Your decision
What format and boundaries has the speaker agreed to?
My answer: [ ]
Source and date: [ ]
Still to check: [ ]
Next action, owner, and due date: [ ]
Before moving on
[ ] My answer uses my own facts.
[ ] I have marked anything I still need to check.
Next worksheet: Conversation arc.
Before you start
- Speaker agreement: [Source or notes]
- Book context: [Source or notes]
- Venue arrangements: [Source or notes]
What you will make
An author event plan connecting conversation, audience questions, and signing flow.This is the complete first worksheet from the current edition. The full kit adds the remaining four documents, a worked scenario, and the offline editing workbook.
Before you choose
What should I have ready for this kit?
Bring speaker agreement, book context, venue arrangements. Mark anything you still need to check.
How do I know the work is finished?
An author event plan connecting conversation, audience questions, and signing flow. Check your answers against the original records and note anything unresolved before sharing your work.
Does it include a spreadsheet or native app template?
No. You receive editable Markdown documents and an offline HTML workbook. These are not native Excel, Canva, Notion, or Word templates. Extract the whole ZIP before opening the HTML files. Mobile file managers may not run local scripts; the text files and reading edition remain available.
Will this do the work for me?
The kit supplies structure, questions, and examples. You provide the facts, make the decisions, and adapt the finished output. You are responsible for checking the finished work. Custom implementation and professional review are not included.
Created by Pagemage with AI-assisted writing and development. Read how the content and tools are checked. Questions or corrections: hello@pagemage.tech. 14-day refund policy.