Author Readings by Eden Monroe

 

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“He felt for a pulse then grabbing his cell phone stabbed in Donna’s number ….

        “Yes, Dade!” answered Donna breathlessly. “What’s happening?”

        “We found Kerrah!” he all but shouted. “We’ve got her, but….”

        “But what?” shouted Donna. “How is she?”

        “I don’t know….” Dade faltered.

        “Dade, listen to me. Can you find a pulse?”

        “No … I can’t seem to find a pulse. She’s … cold. Oh my God!” he said, his voice breaking.”

                                                      A brief excerpt from Gold Digger Among Us

 

I was once asked by a hopeful novelist, about the importance of author readings; “whether anyone is actually interested in listening to an author drone on and on from their latest book. Aren’t readings the cure for insomnia?” she asked. She also stressed that when she got published she didn’t want to get “bogged down with what clearly doesn’t work.”

 

That person was attending a literary event at which I was among the fairly long list of reading authors. Ouch! I certainly tried to make my reading lively and interesting, but there’s always room for improvement. And my answer by the way was that author readings are extremely important, as is preparing for them.

 

So without meaning to be preachy, I decided to jot down a few tips I’ve learned along the way about author readings. These are pretty standard do’s and don’ts, but I enjoyed getting back in the zone and ready for when things start to open up again, post-pandemic. Of course this is old hat for most authors, those who have already mastered this skill, but might be helpful for the uninitiated.

 

Continue reading for the goose.

 

Reading aloud to an audience who could potentially purchase what it took us so many months to create, is a golden opportunity. Readers are fans, or at the very least potential fans, and aside from the budding novelist I mentioned earlier, come to hear what we have to say. This is our book; these are our words, given voice, our voice. We are the star of the performance, because that’s exactly what a reading is – a performance. We will bring our book to life.

 

No one knows our book better than we do, understands it better, so when we’re given the stage, we have to make the reading memorable - for the right reasons. It’s important to speak slowly – not race for the finish line, eager to be done. Instead, breathe, pace ourselves, and enjoy the ride. Most readings are about three to five minutes, so we must keep our reading short and bright; read with purpose and enthusiasm. We should approach each reading as an actor prepares for a role, really get into it – and above all, have fun.

 

It might be a good idea to print your chosen passage in a larger font for easy reading, we don’t necessarily have to read from the book (unless you want to showcase artwork, as in a children’s book) but do let the audience see your book. We must practice until we can read with ease. Rehearsal really is key, and preparation should never be left to the last minute, it’s simply too important not to be ready. We should practice until we feel comfortable enough to lift our eyes to engage the audience, because we must not ever forget our audience. Practicing in front of a mirror works, and definitely time ourselves so we can keep to the time designated by our host. For many author readings the mike is simply shut off once the allotted minutes are up (and that allotted time includes thanking the host and any introduction to what you’re about to read), so we have to be ready to end on cue and at the right moment to put our book in its best light. Make people glad they listened to us, it truly is so important that they leave with a favourable impression, and ideally with one of our books tucked under their arm.

 

The selection we choose to read should contain dialogue and action, and it’s preferable to include only two characters, certainly not more than three, so as not to confuse people. Show conflict. The passage should best represent the book, without giving the key parts away, and it’s great to leave our audience on a cliffhanger; give them a reason to buy the book. Make them want more. For a children’s picture book, the reading would logically include the entire book, but whatever the genre, we have to make our characters real; make our subject matter real - relatable.

 

A ho hum reading will make for an audience that’s anxious to have it end because it’s painful to listen to. Boring. If we as authors don’t seem interested enough to do a standout reading, no one else will be interested either. If we’re nervous, and most everyone is, there’s nothing to be gained by sharing that with our audience; it’s best kept to ourselves. A nervous presenter can make for a nervous audience. Not good. Fake confidence and it will come. I’ve had authors at events that I’ve helped organize, insist that they’re just not good at readings. Well maybe that’s true at first, but we can get good at them if we try, because readings are a key selling tool. Also, we learn best by watching others – both what they do wrong and what they do right. Public readings are all part of the author journey. If we take every reading opportunity that comes along, we’ll eventually tame those butterflies and continue to improve.

 

Before we begin to read it’s a good idea to quickly brief our audience about the story, if we’re not starting at the beginning, and end the reading professionally, not just stop abruptly and hurry back to your seat relieved that it’s over. Take questions if we’ve been given the OK to do so, but even if it’s only a reading, save enough time to let the audience know where the book is available and remember to thank our host – onstage. We should also publicize the event ahead of time, and equally important is finding out, prior to the event, what the set-up will be. Will you be standing at a podium? Will there be a microphone? How much time is allotted per reading?

 

Above all, we have to get excited about our reading. If we’re excited and enthusiastic about our book, that excitement and enthusiasm will be contagious. We have to light a fire! Stand out from the crowd! Be original.

 

And now for the goose….

 

Another memorable event I attended included a reading from a children’s book about a goose. One of the authors, complete with brown leather aviator helmet and goggles, flew around the room (on foot with arms extended, goose-like), while reading. She immediately got and held everyone’s attention, and that reading is as vivid in my mind today as it was those several years ago. I don’t seem to remember the others….