Mar 25, 2020 my longtime book group had a very successful zoom meeting a couple of nights ago. New novel network registry brings together book clubs with. Jewish storyteller press is a small, awardwinning independent publishing company committed to using print. At little, brown and company, marketing executives often make authors available to appear at book clubs via skype at no charge. At the same time, book club members who were attending susans events kept asking if authors could visit. Discuss the flow of the book club meeting with the author beforehand. Actress and activist emma watson runs our shared shelf, a feminist book club with over 100,000 members. If you cant attend books clubs in person, offer to visit clubs by skype. Susan realized that both book clubs and authors wanted to connect, but there was no. Check out various authors websites, social media presence, and books to learn more about authors who may be within your price range or geographical area. We did a test run early in the week, used the leader who was scheduled to lead the discussion in our regular in home meeting format, and talked for over a hour about the amount of time our normal meetings last, minus some social time. Since 2004, has been connecting fiction and nonfiction authors and publishers with thousands of devoted. Browse scholastics robust list of authors who actively participate in school visits.
Be open about the start and end times, if you want the author to read, and if there might be a meal. Allan ahlberg is one of britains bestloved childrens writers and is the author of over a hundred books. Visit us often for new stories, or have the latest abr articles delivered to your inbox via our daily digest email. The following authors offer free 1520minute skype chats with book clubs and classes that have read one of their books. Read this before you visit a book club alice osborn. Each month the group chooses a new book that deals with themes of race, gender, and justice. The authors book club connecting readers and authors. When promoting a book, many authors think national promotion. Visit the blog page via the menu above for our bookseller and author created content. Often a preliminary meeting to discuss the book is helpful, and lets you save questions and discussion.
Oct 26, 2014 shes glad to skype or visit clubs near her arlington home. But as the invitations rolled in, i realized that i. Helping to set expectations ahead of time will help the meeting to go smoothly for both the author and the book club members. Author visits and book clubs authors of main street. Quarantine book club offers readers the chance to talk to authors. Apr 02, 2016 provide downloadable book club questions for each novel. If youd like to send a letter to a scholastic author, you can address it to the author at the address below. Towne book center we help you find the books you love. Most writers love to engage with their audience and hear feedback. But as the invitations rolled in, i realized that i would be able to do 100 in under six months. Authors that are interested in meeting with book clubs will usually say so on their websites. On top of an honorarium authors should be allowed to bring their books. A nationwide book club bringing readers together to discuss.
If it will be a speakerphone visit, the author may be willing to mail autographed bookplates to you. With a minimum 6 personmaximum 30 person membership, book clubs can choose from either a free 30minute video chat session offered by most authors, or if you really want to dig deeper and take your book club discussion to the next level, you can choose an expanded 12 hour inperson or video chat visit depending on location and author availability. Handwritten postcards from published authors, book clubs, and podcasters. How to visit with book clubs may, 2020 jill santopolo is vice president and associate publisher of philomel books, as well as the bestselling author of the novels more than words and the light we lost a reeses book club pick. Book clubs are a great way to easily keep up with the latest authors and awardwinning novels. If you were asked to write a message on a postcard, or to draw a picture on it, then send it to someone who loves to read, what would it say. The book festival is over, but you can still access all of the sessions below. While national campaigns can be effective, reaching out to a closer audience is certainly costeffective and, when done right, can help start wordofmouth promotion every author covets. My canterbury romance series revolve around a private. Encourage your book club members to purchase the author s book and to bring the books to the meeting so they can be autographed by the author, if its to be an inperson visit. Did you know that giles andreae is one of the most successful childrens authors working today. We also share lists of bookstores, book clubs, book websites and provide a variety of advertising opportunities to help authors and publishers connect with the readers who will enjoy their books the most. You may wish to invite the author for the whole meeting but with the option to come for just part of it. And thats fine, but i also suggest authors consider solid local promotion using book clubs.
For instance, in my book club, wonderland book club, we dont have an honorarium, but we treat the authors to a nice italian lunch and i state that clearly from the getgo. Over to you if you have any other tips to share about engaging with book clubs, wed love to hear them. Be careful at the book club, the author might be there. Choi visit in the past and would love to connect with new authors. Use twitter and goodreads to find book club bloggers, and check in at local libraries to see if they host book clubs. The exhausted authors guide to book club tours huffpost. Safe book club ideas in the time of social distancing.
In order to receive reserved seating, please consider becoming a friend of the festival. Jun 08, 2018 at the same time, book club members who were attending susans events kept asking if authors could visit. I was attempting to set the official world record for the most book clubs visited by an author in one month, which is another way of saying i. To arrange a virtual visit, check out the authors websites for book choices and contact information. The best outcome is that the author will agree and arrange a visit. With this post, id like to share what made it work. Throughout the year we host a variety of book clubs for readers at all levels. Please visit our facebook page for upcoming meeting dates sleuthsrus book club the first thursday of the month join us as we read and discuss a mystery or cozy mystery or true crime novel. Youre an author whos accepted an invitation to appear before a book clubnow what. You may not be familiar with an author who might be perfect for your school. Virtual book club meetings with a visiting author might be one way for authors and book clubs to connect during these uncertain times. Founded in 2007 as a way of celebrating jewish literature, culture, and values, our goal is to publish new.
The event connects the community with over 250 nationallyacclaimed writers who participate in signings, panels, meetandgreets, and readings. How to work with book clubs alliance of independent authors. Advice for book clubs wanting to invite authors to their. Can you invite others who arent regulars to this book gatheringif so, thats awesome. Book clubs whether you are a current book club member or are looking to start a book club of your own, this is the place to go for great book recommendations your club is sure to enjoy.
Mar 30, 2011 so visit your local library and talk to the librarian about any clubs that go on in the area, who you can talk to, how books are selected for those clubs, etc 4. Thank you to everyone who came out to the 21st annual fall for the book, october 1012, 2019. The mission of our book club is to read diversely and widely, focusing our book club on intentionally reading works by women authors of color, anyone who identifies as a womxn, and coming together to discuss the book with an intersectional feminist lens. For both book clubs and authors, having events through digital communication technology like skype is mutually beneficial. If the author is local he or she might be willing to meet in person, if not. Even after you talk to the organizerfacilitator, contact a fellow author who has previously visited that book club or connect with a regular member so you can get the inside scoop of that club s anatomy. At first my plan had been to visit 50 book clubs for my hardback, and another 50 for my paperback. Today, i was to speak to the goleta book club about my novel, a ghost of a second chance. Yoiu dont have to drive to your local bookstore or do your own research. Advice for book clubs wanting to invite authors to their meetings.
Below are the wonderful authors who participated in that festival. Past visiting authors include margaret atwood, sandra cisneros, louis sachar, and lemony snicket. Connecting with your readers through book clubs is a smart marketing. Find the best books, literary resources and educational solutions for kids at scholastic, a leader in publishing and education for nearly 100 years. I also had an appointment to tour a private school in santa barbara county. The brand new wimpy kid book the ugly truth is out now.
Its interesting to note that author alan brennert, who has spoken with over 200 book clubs, says that he prefers telephone, finding it more reliable than skype. Jeff kinney is the bestselling author of the hugely popular wimpy kid books. When you sell a man a book you dont sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue you sell him a whole new life. The key is to figure out which works best for individual book clubs and authors. Many also offer more indepth virtual visits for a fee. Mar 10, 2019 as an author, its always a thrill to have your book chosen by a book club. If the author is joining you for the whole meeting, make sure to discuss among yourselves ahead of time so you have some questions ready to ask. They mustto some degree or anotheradvocate for book. Out of concern for the health and safety for our authors, festival attendees, and staff, it is with deep regret that the carroll and madison public library foundation is canceling the 15 th annual books in bloom literary festival. Invite an author to your virtual book club meeting. Hosting an author at your book club the deliberate reader. Seek out book clubs to promote your book city book.
As the world goes into lockdown, more reading groups are moving on to. However, until last week i had never had the experience of a skype chat with a reading group. With the exception of calling the author using a telephone, a virtual author visit requires an internet connection, audio speakers and microphones, a webcam, and a projectorcomputer so that the book club and the author can interact with each other. Authors at jcpl is a program series that brings popular and awardwinning writers from around the country right here to johnson county, thanks to generous donations to the johnson county public library foundation. Readers circle is the leading 501 c 3 nonprofit connecting readers to local book clubs, reading groups, and literary salons. Please note that some titles available through our book clubs and book fairs were first published by another publisher and we may not have a relationship or way to contact those authors.
Shes glad to skype or visit clubs near her arlington home. Attendees can also visit dozens of vendor booths including local bookstores and independent publishers. When thinking about the biggest supporters of books and reading, authors of course come to mind. If inviting an author to your book club in person, be considerate of hisher time.
Edith vane and the hares of crawley hall by suzette mayr. Currently we have nine members and we read a diverse range of books, mostly by american and canadian authors. How one author turned the internet into a giant book club. A skype visit to a book club top 10 tips for authors and readers. On this site youll find staff picks, guest posts by authors and other book industry professionals, secondary resources for our book clubs, and much more. A book lovers guide to texas authors, places, and events.
191 675 642 504 104 1519 639 1514 118 816 1218 463 564 1034 1378 544 583 303 530 401 163 414 259 711 383 1440 1423 1191 450 413 1323 47 246 1043 270 717 707 1398 17 260 797 51 1140 478 20 1378 1291 1309