Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Hi everyone! Here's a question for readers and writers alike -- what do you think makes for a good live reading?

I'm heading out on my first book tour next week, and would love to know about what people think makes for a fun, engaging in-store appearance or author talk.

Do people appreciate getting to hear the author read the text aloud, or would you rather hear tales from the road and "behind the scenes" info about how the book was created?

Is it really more about the Q&A and interaction between the writer and the people there to learn about the book?

Would I be a total goober if I brought props?

(Personally, I love it when authors draw in my book at signing -- but my drawing skills top out at stick figures.)

If it helps, I'm a science journalist, and this is my first book (just released in December), so most readers will be new to the material and might not have even had a chance to read the book yet.

My book is called WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY and my Goodreads author page with more info about it and the tour is here.

I'd love to hear what you all think, whether you've done readings yourself, love to attend them or work in a bookstore or library and know how things go -- and thanks for the advice!

-- Kara

I think the reading itself is important. Rehearse your reading and be sure it has lots of expression. People like to hear how the author would read his or her book. If you're reading an excerpt from anywhere in the book but the beginning, make sure you provide background material, a summary of what went on before.

Props work well if they pull the viewer (listener) into the presentation. Dress, sincerity, and humor also factor into the relationship you form with the 'crowd'.

Thank you Lenita and Doug -- this is super helpful! And that settles it, I'm bringing props (and working on a summary to give before I read.)

I agree wholeheartedly with Doug about humor factor. Before my sister & I published our first novel, we went to a speaking presentation by Debbie Macomber and she was delightful and unexpectedly funny. I've never read one of her novels but it was nice to hear a major author talk about her writing journey and at times the hilarity of it. As for our first book launch/tour, my sister read and I spoke about the process of writing. We were terrified but many of our friends read about it in the LA newspapers and showed up and we had a packed house. I used to be in radio and my first general manager told me it was okay to rehearse new information such as public information notices right before I went on-air. It always worked so whoever posted that here is also correct. I now rehearse every reading at least twice & usually more.
Patricia

That's definitely good advice -- and so is talking about the process of writing. (OK, in my case, maybe the process of writing isn't so exciting, because it's just me lying on my couch typing and trying not to get chip crumbs in my hair, but definitely the process of reporting the book and visiting all the scientists and their labs was a fun adventure!)