Rarely does a week go by when I don’t meet with a book group, and oh, the luxury of it. I can visit anywhere in the country from the comfort of my home, talking by speakerphone with a group of readers, all of whom have read my book. It doesn’t get much better than that.
But I’m not in a book group, some readers cry, which is why I’m doing a live chat on Tuesday, January 12, 9-9:30 pm (EST) right here on this blog page.
But still, you say, you want to talk with me on the phone like those other book groups? Okay. Form a book group of your own. Even for one night, one meeting. How to do it? It’s really easy.
First, pick a book. Make it one of mine that you, as the organizer, really want to discuss. Naturally, I recommend Not My Daughter, because there’s so much food for thought – like, what makes a good mother, when is a child responsible for her own actions, or how to stop history from repeating itself. But you could also talk about family silence and secrets, as in While My Sister Sleeps, or the price of denying the truth, as in The Secret Between Us.
Second, get members. Call friends who like to read – put a note on a bulletin board at the library, at work, at church – and tell them your choice. Ask if they have a friend or two who might also be interested in a talk with the author. Now, some readers are intimidated by authors, though, truly, I am not an intimidating person. Assure them that they don’t have to say a word to me, that all they have do to be part of the group is to listen. Ideally, you’ll have ten or more members present at the meeting.
At this point, you need to pick a date. Find something that works for most of your members. You can’t please everyone, but you can try.
Third, go to the Reading Groups page at my website and send me a note. My assistant, Lucy, will get back to you to let you know whether your date works. If it doesn’t, we work together to pick another date.
Next, you choose a place. Groups I’ve talked with have met in homes, schools, and libraries. The only requirement is a speakerphone. Heck, I’ve even talked with groups via cell phone speaker – which, in theory, means that you could be meeting inside a mini-van, though, truly, I can think of more comfortable spots.
That’s it. Four steps – pick a book, get members, pick a date, choose a place. My assistant, Lucy, will guide you through the rest. She’ll send you a link to a list of questions that you and your group can start thinking about; she’ll even suggest that you come up with a few questions of your own before the meeting. My favorite meetings are loose and easy, a back-and-forth chat. We talk about me and writing and the book in question, and it’s really like I’m there in your living room (or mini-van!) with you. Lucy will be in touch with you closer to the date to make sure we’re good to go.
And there you have it. If you enjoy the evening – more important, I think, if you enjoy the company of your fellow readers – you may choose to meet again. Or not. But you’ll have fun for this one night. As will I!
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