Friday I spoke to a book club in my hometown of Anderson, South Carolina. It was a great group and a very well-established one—it had been founded in 1920. My grandmother had been among the early members.
It’s also nice to know if you’re expected to give a talk, for how long, and on what topics…limited to a particular title? About writing in general? Or will the host going to introduce you and then the club will start discussing the book and ask questions afterward?
And, as with our writing, it helps to know our audience. I’ve spoken to book clubs made up of a variety of different age groups…and I try to tailor my talk to fit in more with their group. If it’s a group of moms, I’ll talk a little bit more about trying to write a book around children. When I talked in my hometown, I talked about growing up there and my influences and the way the town has figured into my writing.
Although the groups have been very different, I’ve noticed that, mostly, their questions are the same.
The most common questions:
When do you write? How much do you write a day? How many books do you write a year?
Do you write yourself into the books? Do you write your children into your books?
How do you bring characters to life?
How did you get started with a publisher?
Do you like ebooks/what do you think about ebooks/are your books available as ebooks?
How do you keep your series straight?
Do you do signings at bookstores? (And when I immediately answer ‘not usually,’ they ask ‘why?’)
How long does it take you to write a book?
Do you write about people you know?
Do you help with your titles? With your covers?
How many books are printed by the publisher?
Do you write on the computer or longhand?
Sometimes I’ve spoken to groups about writing, in general. Sometimes the talk has been focused around a particular book. If they’ve read one of your books, you’d better know that book backwards and forwards. I now have cheat sheets of all my books that I can review before speaking to clubs.
I know writers who give away door prizes at book club meetings.
And make sure that you bring books and a pen with you. Ugh. As ridiculous as it sounds, I’ve forgotten to bring books to sell before.
Dina Santorelli guest blogged here in April and had some great tips about talking with book clubs. Among them, she recommends bringing a mailing list signup sheet, a camera, and giving the book club a group discount on books.
Finding book clubs can be a challenge. I’ve heard some people have had luck on MeetUp. I know people who have contacted retirement homes, senior centers, bookstores, and libraries and asked if they needed speakers at club meetings. The times I’ve spoken with book clubs, it’s been a word-of-mouth process. Usually it’s a family member or a friend’s club—sometimes it’s more of a friend-of-a-friend thing.
Have you spoken to any book clubs? Have any tips?
Image: MorgueFile: by MissMeganBunn
Elizabeth – What a terrific set of ideas for speaking to book clubs! They’re an important part of ‘author presence’ and I’m sure it can be a good experience. I have to confess it’s not something I’ve done a lot, but definitely something I should look into more than I have.
I’ve spoken to book clubs in the past and I’ve enjoyed it each time. I’ve found those meetings are smaller than larger bookstore events and the participants feel more comfortable asking some really great questions. My tip: Don’t be disappointed if you end up talking to just 4 or 5 people. It’s a great opportunity to hear the “truth” about how people feel about certain aspects of your writing.
J.J. Hensley — RESOLVE
http://www.hensley-books.com
I belong to a local book club, which I joined after they asked me to speak. I’m not ‘big enough’ to speak at our county library system, which also has book clubs. I haven’t found any ‘private’ groups not affiliated with a library, but I suppose it’s something to look into.
Terry
Terry’s Place
No I haven’t, but there aren’t many for my genre. Never thought about all of the differences depending on age or location.
It sounds like preparing for a book club is also a great way to prepare for other kinds of in person visits…. or even virtual visits.
Those questions can be a good starter for thinking about subjects for guest blog posts and self-interviews. (I’m collecting questions for self-interviews. Because you want a well informed, engaged interviewer.)
I haven’t spoken to any book clubs but you never know, I may someday. Appreciate the tips and insight! :)
Margot–They can be a lot of fun.
Alex–Which is a pity. It would be good to have SF/F book clubs….seems like there should be enough interest.
Hensley Books–J.J., you’re right. Most of the ones I’ve gone to have been a nice size, but there have been some with only a handful. But hey, if they all buy a book and you don’t have to travel, it’s all good.
Terr–Well, that stinks! I spoke at a local book club here…it was a mystery-related one, though. Sometimes clubs meet at Barnes and Noble (well…they *used* to. With the changes in that store, I wonder if they still are). Then there’s the church/synagogue route, sometimes they have those types of events, even for secular books.
The Daring Novelist–Good point. I’d imagine the questions would be much the same. Actually, now that I think of it, the questions *are* the same ones I get when I’ve done radio interviews. Anybody who *isn’t* a writer and is asking the questions. As you know, anytime a writer is asking the questions (at conferences, asking panels…emailed interviews, etc.) the questions are a lot more different. That’s more about getting agents, whether you should self-pub or trad pub, should you query pubs directly instead of trying to get an agent, how does one develop characters, that kind of thing. Once I started veering off into these topics when I was with a group of readers and their eyes started glazing over….
Karen–Hope you will…and thanks!
1920 – that’s awesome! I don’t know of any book clubs in my area. When the time comes I’ll have to check! :)
Jemi–It’s a club that doesn’t believe in quitting! Hope you’ll check for local book clubs when you’ve got a release. :)
Hi Elizabeth .. I like the idea of adjusting to your audience .. essential to keep them on side.
I’m sure I read Dina’s post – and the two of you will I’m sure have covered many of the bases …
It’s a good business to be in – and supports your sales ..
Cheers Hilary
What great questions. I’d ask you, “Do you ever sleep?” You do SO much!