Giving a book reading? Here’s how to do it right!
By Melodie Campbell
It’s a fact: when I read from my work in public, I sell books. When I don’t read, I don’t sell. This may seem obvious. If you are not on the New York Times bestseller list, then many of the people in the library, bookstore or conference audience might be hearing about you for the first time.
If you give them a taste of the story and your style, they will be more apt to buy your book, rather than if you just drone on and on about your author life and why you wrote it the darn thing in the first place.
“But I hate reading in public. I’m a writer, dammit! Not a performing seal.”
WELCOME TO THE BRAVE NEW WORLD, WHERE YOU HAVE TO BE TWO THINGS: the WRITER, and the AUTHOR
Yes, it’s a cruel world. Writing is a solitary process. To write a book, you need to sit alone at a computer for several hundred hours. This is not the natural environment for an extrovert.
So we cheerfully accept that many writers would label themselves introverts. And now I am telling you to get out there and flaunt your stuff on stage!
Fact is, I am not as young as my author photo would suggest. (I love that photo. I looked like that for approximately 10 minutes back in 2014.) Point being, I’ve been writing since the 1990s. In those days, I could hide behind a computer screen. I was writing comedy at the time. All I had to do was ship my work off to my agent, who would sell it and forward me lovely cheques. The odd time (very rare) I had to show up in person at an event to pick up an award. That was the entire extent of my public appearances.
THE PUBLISHING WORLD HAS CHANGED.
In the past 12 months, I have made 26 in-person appearances at libraries, bookstores and conferences. I have been on national live radio, and at least a dozen international blogs. My publishers expect this.
In 2017, we are two people: the Writer and the Author. The Writer creates the product. The Author is the personality who helps to promote it. Yes, even if you are with a traditional publisher, you will be expected to put your Author side forward.
HOW TO GIVE A BOOK READING:
Recently, I appeared with other Crime Writers of Canada authors at the Ontario Library Conference. We were given two minutes to pitch our latest book to an audience of library purchasing managers.
First point: Two Minutes. That’s not a lot of time to introduce your book and give a flavour of it. We were timed.
ALWAYS time yourself before you go to events, and aim to be shorter than the time allowed. I use the timer on my stove and read out loud, just like I would at the event. Don’t risk being cut off before the end of your book reading.
Here’s what I read, for The Bootlegger’s Goddaughter. What I read is in italics. I’ve put my comments in brackets. Remember to print out your two minute presentation. Don’t read from the book itself. Turning pages is awkward. Shuffling between your book and paper intro is awkward. Put the whole thing together as one document, and use a large, easy to read font size. I use Times Roman 16.
SET YOUR BOOK QUICKLY
“Even old mobsters retire eventually…don’t they?”
My opening line is a hook that says something about the book and hopefully intrigues the audience.
The Bootlegger’s Goddaughter is book 5 in the award-winning Goddaughter series that Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine calls ‘Hilarious!’
I’ve quickly placed the book in the series and slipped in that endorsement from Ellery Queen.
Gina Gallo is a mob goddaughter who doesn’t want to be one. Her bumbling mob family never gets it right. This time, she’s getting ready for her Christmas wedding. But then she’s robbed, cousin Jimmy has a heart attack, and someone in The Hammer has hijacked a truck full of booze. What’s going on? Gina knows bootlegging used to be a family business, but they stopped that in the 30s. Didn’t they? …Here’s an excerpt:
The first sentence of the blurb introduces the protagonist. The second sentence gives backstory, as this is a series book.
The rest of the paragraph sounds like the back cover blurb, only shorter. We want to give enough so the audience can get a fix on what the book will be about. But we don’t have much time, so every sentence is chosen carefully. Note as well that the way the blurb is written reflects the way the book is written. It’s quick and fun…almost campy. If my book was one with gravitas, I wouldn’t have written the blurb this way.
NEXT UP: YOUR EXCERPT. CHOOSE CAREFULLY.
In my writing classes, we say: don’t waste your opening on something that doesn’t draw the reader into your story. It’s the same when doing a book reading in public.
I find it best to read a short section with dialogue and action. Include your protagonist. You want to give the audience a clear picture of the sort of thing they will get to read when they buy your book. If it’s a comedy, read something fun. If it’s a thriller…you get the picture.
Here’s the excerpt I chose for this event:
Man, I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was get home, have a quick supper and take a long bath. That wasn’t asking too much, was it?
The gods hate me.
“Well, well. Look who’s here,” said a familiar voice.
Crap. It was Spence. The creepy guy who once had a crush on me in high school. Now a cop in The Hammer and my personal nemesis. Could this week get any worse?
“Gina Gallo, the girl with the longest confession. Who just happened to be involved in a gunfight in Hagersville. What a coincidence.”
Gulp. “What are you doing here, Spence?”
“Following up on that gunfight. You were seen. I figured you’d turn up here eventually,” he said.
“What gunfight? Don’t be ridiculous. This isn’t the wild west.” I forced a smile. “Besides, I don’t even own a gun.”
“Then what about these bullet holes here in your fender?”
“What?” I hoofed it around to where he was standing. Holy crap. There were three holes in the back passenger-side fender
“Freakin’ hell!” I said, throwing my arms in the air. “They shot up my car!” Now I was mad.
***
This excerpt is less than 200 words, but it gives you a taste of the protagonist’s personality. This is a crime book, so the excerpt also refers to a crime. The way it is written is typical of the book. And it hopefully ends on a note that will have readers wanting to know what happens next.
I always find it best to include two characters in my chosen excerpt.
That way, you can show conflict. Novels are about conflict, remember. In a short book reading, it’s tough to include more than two characters and not confuse people.
WRAP IT UP QUICKLY.
Don’t just let your voice trail off after you read the excerpt! You want to wrap up your talk professionally. Here’s what I said:
The Bootlegger’s Goddaughter is out this month and is available at Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, and online at all the usual suspects. Thank you!
WHAT IF THEY GIVE YOU MORE THAN TWO MINUTES
Two minutes is tough. I prefer three. But if given a choice, don’t go over five minutes, unless you are an exceptional reader. Especially don’t go over 5 minutes, if you are one of several people reading at the event.
Research tells us that the very best speakers can keep our attention for at most 45 minutes. You’ve been to those events where the speaker goes on and on. Keep your reading short, bright, and smile at the end.
READ IT BETTER.
This year, I had the honour of interviewing Peter James, bestselling thriller author from England, in front of a large audience. Peter had the choice of reading an excerpt before the interview, or after. He chose to read before. I made a note of that. He also read his excerpt louder and more dramatically than I had heard anyone read anything before. I swear the very walls of the room vibrated. The audience loved it.
Now, I have taught public speaking at the college level. I am pretty comfortable at the podium. But apparently you can teach an old dog a few things. I learned from Peter James that you need to approach this as an actor does, before you set out to read from your work. You need to practice. You need to get excited about your own story. Your voice is your ticket to book sales.
INVEST SOME TIME IN BECOMING A GOOD STORYTELLER.
If you hate reading in public, it’s probably because you don’t do it very well. Invest some time in doing it better. Join Toastmasters. Become a good public speaker. Take an acting class. Learn to modulate and project. ENUNCIATE. Practice reading in front of a mirror. I read to Frankenpoodle. He loves it.
Okay, I can hear you whining from here. Yet another thing to put in your author basket, along with bleeping social media marketing. But here’s the thing: you’re in it for the long haul, right? It’s worth it.
NIGHTMARE TOWN: What to do if no one shows up for your book reading.
It happens to everyone, even the bestsellers. Linwood Barclay told me this story. He had a book reading and signing at a Canadian big box bookstore. About 60 chairs were set up for it. He wandered the store until ten minutes before his reading, and noticed only one person sat in the audience. So he sat down behind the fellow to wait for others to come. They didn’t. A few minutes after the start time, Linwood tapped the fellow on the back and said, “I guess the author isn’t coming.”
My own story involves a Grade 12 English class and a teacher strike. Two days before I was to present at the local library, the field trip coming to see me was canceled.
“Don’t worry,” said the librarian. “I’ll still get people there.”
When I arrived to give my talk, instead of fifty keen teenagers, there were five people in the audience, and they were all pushing walkers. Right in the middle of my reading, just when I was reaching the exciting part, a shaky voice blurted out: “When does the movie start?”
Here’s the thing: You WILL get a small audience at times. So small, they can fit in one chair. I know one author who suggested that he and the lone reader at his event leave the joint and catch a coffee together. The reader was delighted for the one on one attention. That’s the way to develop a life-long fan.
Whether there is one person or fifty in your audience, you need to give them your very best. Only three people? Smile, and say, “Oh good! There’s only a few of us. I can make this more intimate.” Your audience will be delighted.
You never know where a reading will lead…
I was reading from one of my crime comedies (The Goddaughter’s Revenge) at a retired teachers’ association a few years ago. One of the teachers in the audience had links to a Toronto daily newspaper. She bought the book, liked it, and from that connection, I was interviewed in the paper. A producer from Sirius XM read the newspaper article, checked my website, and emailed to invite me on his show.
Even if you don’t sell many books at a specific event, you never know how the connections made there may lead to something else.
Final advice: Get out there! Take every opportunity you can to read from your books. Enjoy being a minor celebrity for a short time. It’s one of the few perks of being an author. (We’re sure not in it for the money.)
by Melodie Campbell (@MelodieCampbell) April 16, 2017
***
What about you, scriveners? Have you done any live readings from your work? Did anybody show up? Do you have any questions for Melodie?
About Melodie Campbell
The Toronto Sun called her Canada’s “Queen of Comedy.” Library Journal compared her to Janet Evanovich. Melodie has won the Derringer, the Arthur Ellis Award, and eight more awards for crime fiction.
She is the former executive director of Crime Writers of Canada. www.melodiecampbell.com
BOOK OF THE WEEK
As Gina gets ready for her Christmas wedding, all is quiet in Steeltown. Then she’s robbed, cousin Jimmy has a heart attack, and someone in the city has hijacked a transport truck full of booze. But who? And why? Gina knows bootlegging used to be a family business, but they stopped that in the ’30s. Didn’t they?
Gina and Nico work feverishly to keep the latest bungled family matter under wraps, but the police are closing in. And, once again, everything points to the Holy Cannoli Retirement Home.
The Bootlegger’s Goddaughter is the fifth book in the Gina Gallo Mystery series.
Available at US Amazon, Amazon Int’l and Kobo
OPPORTUNITY ALERTS
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Metamorphose Short Story Contest: $5 entry free. SF and Fantasy stories of 1,000 to 7,500 words. Winner from each category will be published in Metamorphose’s Fall Anthology. Each finalist will also receive free professional edits on their submission. International submissions welcome. Deadline: April 30 Prize: $150 and publication in the anthology. Deadline April 30th
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. $18 fee. $1500 First Prize. Up to 6000 words 12 cash prizes totaling $4,000 plus publication at their website. Deadline April 30
EMERALD THEATRE 10-MINUTE PLAY CONTEST $10 ENTRY FEE. Theme: “That’s so gay.” A character must say the words, “That’s so gay.” Two to four characters. No children’s shows or musicals. Ten pages (10 minutes) max. Will be staged in strict “black box” style. $300 prize Deadline June 30, 2017.
Creative Nonfiction magazine seeks TRUE personal stories or profiles about people starting over after a failure or setback. Up to 4000 words. Paying market. $3 submission fee. Deadline June 19, 2017
KINDLE STORYTELLER PRIZE £20,000 prize. (Yes, you read that right.) Open to any author who publishes a book through KDP between February 20 and May 19 2017. Any genre, including fiction, nonfiction and collections of short stories – so long as they are more than 5,000 words and previously unpublished. Deadline May 19, 2017.
Thanks, Melodie.
“In 2017, we are two people: the Writer and the Author.”
… and the social media guru and the person who finds bookstores to stock our books, and …
Heh heh, I get your point, though. I won public-speaking contests in high school and didn’t vomit before I went on stage. However, the nervousness factor never disappeared. As an adult, I’ve taught college courses. No problem. Yet, reading something I’ve written always causes collywobbles.
I’l return to your post more than once, I’m sure.
Oh, I hear you, Kathy! It’s much easier to read someone else’s work. I feel the same way about promotion. I’m a career marketer, but I HATE doing self-promotion. Thanks for commenting!
OK, so first of all- fabulous picture, keep it until you’re 135.
Melodie, I’m all on board with the spirit of this, great post and terrific excerpt. To be honest, I could almost look at my writing as a really good excuse to get up and talk to people. Lord forgive me, I love it.
For the hesitant, here’s a cool tip. Read your book chapters out loud at the DRAFT stage. Doesn’t have to be anyone around, but read it like there are, and you will pick up all kinds of bad construction, repeat words, and more. Somehow spelling errors leap out at you too. Read it out loud even if you don’t think yours is the kind of book you read out loud. When you get famous it will have to be an a-book too, so James Earl Jones will appreciate it.
Minor rant: you Alleged Real World authors have it SO easy!! Gangsters, rum-running, guns and weddings and days of the week: you can just pick up a funny passage and not have to worry about ANY world- building. Try finding that can’t-put-down section to read from LoTR, maybe when Elrond is explaining the three ages of Middle Earth! I’ve never tried to read less than five minutes, and really start to like it around 12 to 15. Comfy chairs a must!
Will, you have me laughing! Dang right, I’ll keep that pix, grin.
I’m pointing my students to your second paragraph (I teach Crafting a Novel at Sheridan College.) Yup, I also badger them to read their early writing out loud. What they stumble over, obviously needs fixing. Very good point.
As for ‘real world’ – grin – my other series is time travel sword and sorcery fantasy! That’s the series that bought me the corvette. So yes, I understand the difficulty of keeping your reading short, when people don’t know the world. It’s a challenge. Thanks so much for commenting!
Another very helpful post! I’d like to add a cautionary note, though: reading dialogue may not be a good choice if there is a need to distinguish the speakers, make the voices a different sex from yours, or give them a regional accent.
Also: if it is a humorous piece, do include time for laughter!
Yes, one has to choose one’s excerpt well, Barbara. It must be comfortable for you to read, and also be entertaining for the audience. And I love your final point! Thanks for commenting.
I love reading aloud. It’s the one promotional activity I never mind doing. However, to get to that point I had to take Acting 101 at university. Before that, I got tongue tied and looked like I had a 104 degree fever.
You have me smiling, Alison! Yes, I think that is the point: it’s worth taking some effort and instruction to become a better reader. To most people, it doesn’t come naturally. Thanks for commenting!
Thanks, Melodie, you’ve given lots of good advice. I keep saying I’m going to write my manuscripts with reading excerpts in mind…
Now that would be brilliant 🙂 Must remember. Thanks for commenting, Janet!
Not every author is a performer. That whole thing about being entertaining to an audience is key. If you don’t read (perform well in audio) then it’s best to find someone else who will give your words the reading they deserve.
I learned this at a writers conference when a well-known author/presenter read my first pages aloud to me. I forgot I’d written it. His reading was so good I was ready to buy my own book. Big revelation… the reader needs more than words to entertain an audience. Speed, inflection and tone are vital, otherwise it may sound like an android reading the phone book.
Absolutely, Veronica! My plan A for my students (I teach Crafting a Novel at Sheridan College in Toronto) is to encourage them to become better readers so they can read their own work in public. You present a viable plan B. Thanks for commenting!
So timely, Anne! Next week I’ll be traveling to do two library gigs. Thanks for sharing your experience, Melodie. I’m studying up right now.
Wonderful, Gay! Thanks for commenting.
I had a bad experience once. I wasn’t keen on reading my own work so I shyly asked if someone else would read it for me and you know what? She murdered my work! That taught me to always be prepared to read my own work. No one knows it better. And always practice reading it before the event. I love what you said about not reading from the book. I thought I was the only one who printed out my excerpt in large font, double spaced, it and then underlined key phrases so I had time to pause from time to time, look up at my audience, gauge their response, and feel more like I’m talking to them and not just standing there reading my excerpt. I think we have to learn to be performers. Great advice, Melodie. Loved your post. Paul
Thank you, Paul! I just cringed when I read about the other reader murdering your work. That’s a story I’ll tell my students. Thank you for commenting!
This is excellent advice, Mel!~!! Enjoy the reading, enjoy the people who’ve come to hear you!! Me, I’ve been a ham all my life – I really enjoy reading. I was at that Peter James event – he was superb!! I learned a trick or two from him also…
He’s a master, isn’t he? It takes a lot to make me look like a wallflower (smile). But he made me feel more confident about ‘giving it all’ for readers. And yes, you put it well. When people have come to meet you and learn about your books, you should be happy and enjoy it, and show it! They could be doing a lot of other things instead, but they chose to see you. That’s Fabulous.
Me in front of people would be painful all around. I’ve done the speaker thing, large groups of 200+. Hated it. Walked a runway fashion show once. ONCE – total fishbowl syndrome. I suppose I could hide inside myself and pretend it’s my alter-ego that’s really there, giving the reading and not me. Even prepared to the Nth, I’d choose the cowards way out and wait in the nearest bar for the event to be over. Oh but, great blog post, Mel.
Sheri, if we are ever at an event together, I’ll read from your book! Love your characters – grin. Just save me a G&T in the bar…
Thank you for this wonderful post. My problem with reading in front of an audience has been that I forget to breathe. Then my voice quivers from lack of air. Oh…so not good. Now I try to remember to look out at the audience for a few seconds, before I start. I make eye contact, smile and take some nice, deep breaths.
I should add a paragraph to the above post, Christine: Remember to breathe!! Very good points. Thanks for commenting!
This is great advice I’ll have to keep in mind for the future.
Thank you, Traci!
Thank you Anne and Melodie for sharing these excellent tips. I really must get myself ‘out there’. 🙂
I think we’d all rather sit at our computers, D! Thanks for commenting.
Thank you for these excellent tips!! From May to Sept. I live in a busy vacation town. The rest of the year is deadly quiet (my favorite time of year). Over the last couple years I’ve tried to do more and more book readings/signings. Sometimes they go really well, with several people in attendance, and other times, I’ve had two people show. Love the idea of going out to coffee! What a wonderful way to make fans feel special. I find I do better at bookstores than libraries. This year, however, I’m planning events at the lake, following mystery dinner events, the hospital lobby (hear it’s a great place to sell books), and other unique places where vacationers flock. No matter how many I do, nerves flutter my stomach. Even though I enjoy myself once I’m there, I’d rather stay home and write. 🙂 Wouldn’t we all?
How true, Sue! Except for book launches (I have one tomorrow) I find it most fun to read with other authors. Just having one more author with you, reading as well, makes it fun and takes the pressure off enormously. Love your lakeside event plans!
Thank you for this post. It gives me a realistic view of what it’s like to get out there, in front of the public, as an introverted author, and be real with readers.
Sound to me like you nailed it, Patricia. “be real with readers”
Thanks for commenting!
Great post! Wonderful advice.
Dee Willson
Author of A Keeper’s Truth and GOT
Thanks for commenting, Dee!
Hey Melodie: Great stuff, great stories, great advice. And great books too. Thanks. And I’ll be at your next reading. Or at least I’ll try to be. If I hear about it long enough in advance. And my doesn’t have to wash her hair that night. And the cat doesn’t miss the litter box again. Will there be cookies?
Laff! John, you always leave me with a smile. I promise cookies. Maybe even Cannoli, direct from The Hammer.
I am not an author, rather I actively bring authors to our libraries to talk about their new book, or if the book is not new, to talk about the important or timely topic it explores. I have a slightly different perspective on your wonderful blog post.
1) Take acting classes. Please. There is nothing worse than a writer who cannot adequately read their own work and make it exciting and interesting. If all else fails, find a few actor type friends and have them turn it into a short performance. I have seen this work spectacularly.
2) If using audio visuals, please bring your own equipment and be familiar with how to use it. It’s the safest thing to do.
3) Remember, your primary task is to ENGAGE the audience. You have maybe 2 minutes and you either have them or you have lost them. Those two minutes are critical. The opening lines I wished an author used to introduce his well researched book rather then the ramblings we had to listen to…”This is a book about a series of violent murders, a suicide, a two-year manhunt, incest and betrayal. Yes, it is a novel, but sadly it is based on a true story.” The audience would be on the edge of their seats.
4) Don;t give away the whole plot of the book. Leave the audience begging for more and anxiously wanting to read the book. The talented Garth Stein once read the entire first chapter of The Art of Racing In the Rain (which is narrated by a dog) through to the last devastating and heartbreaking paragraph. The audience was hooked. Everyone wanted and needed to read the rest.
5) Its not just about the book, its about you. You are a ‘writer.’ Why? How did that happen? Where did the story come from? Who are you? The audience really wants to know.
6) Leave time for questions, but ask the first one yourself to ‘break the ice’. “One of the questions I am almost always asked at readings is (FILL IN THE BLANK). So, let’s start with that. (Then answer it in a witty, entertaining and brief way).
Excellent comments, David! I particularly use your last point, as then I can control the mood of the event. It is so true what you say about engaging the audience. So many authors are there to present their book, and the will do that no matter what, gall darnit. They forget that the audience has come to be entertained. I think my background in standup helped me there. Thanks for your astute comments!
I loved this!
I have four library appearances coming up this month, and whether there’s a turnout of one or 100 at each, I’ll be happy. 1< 0, after all, and I think any number in the audience is humbling. They gave up their time to come see me, after all, and they deserve to be appreciated for it.
Brent
Brent, I just caught your comment (days later) and want to thank you for it. Your last line says it all.
Great advice. Hopeful I can use it some day!
I’m not a writer, I’m a reader, came here from The digital reader, and I must say, your excerpt worked, now in looking for your books to get the first in the series ????
Ana, thank you so much for this comment! I hope you enjoy it. My comedy is sort of mad-cap.
Melody, thank you for posting these tips. I’m a new author, published my first book last year. I did not do a book launch, was sheepish about self-promotion…. but over the course of the year realized I need to get out there. I have my first book reading in a couple weeks, given the pandemic and social distancing it is a zoom call. I will follow your advice, keep it crisp, but a hook in for any accolades the book has received and leave the audience wanting for more. Great advice, I really appreciate it.