working with reader groups
TRANSCRIPT
7/28/2019 Working With Reader Groups
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TOP TIPS FOR WRITERS
WORkIng WITh REadER gROuPSBY SuSanna JOnES
O all the book events I do as a writer, working
with reader groups is by ar my avourite.
Everyone present has read the book so the
questions are more interesting than at literary
estival talks and readings. The setting is intimate
enough or me to get to know people a bit. I
always come away having learned something
mysel. I suppose the main tips would be to show
up on time, be honest, open, riendly and ready to
be challenged but, to consider these in a bit more
detail:
1. Every reader group has its own habits and
rituals. Having an author present makes things a
bit dierent, o course, but I would encourage the
group to run things the way they usually do so
that the atmosphere is relaxed and natural. It’s a
book group not a talk or a ormal Q&A.
2. Find out a bit about them. What other books
have they read this year? Which were the most
and least popular? By way o introduction,
each person might tell you her or his avourite
book. It’s an ice-breaker and provides helpul
background inormation or you.
3. I like to let the group lead, at least to start
with. Some groups begin by expressing, one by
one, what each thought o the book and then go
into the general discussion. I you jump in too
soon you risk inhibiting the conversation.
4. Despite the above, i I think a comment is
worthy o urther discussion or needs breaking
down, I will come back to it. Most groups are
happy to be challenged. I someone talks, or
example, about the likeability’ o a character, I’d
want to know what she or he means by that.
5. You may have a mediator, eg a librarian or
literature ocer. I so, make the most o him/her.
You can bounce ideas o each other i a group is
shy or i the discussion needs a bit o shaping.
6. Some groups will get straight into discussion,
debate among themselves and hardly let you
get a word in (which I love) but others may need
prodding. I you don’t have a mediator to help,
you might want to have a ew questions ready.
This can eel odd since it’s your own book you’re
asking about but it’s an opportunity to get honest
answers rom a group o people who have read
your work closely. Make the most o it.
7. Welcome all opinions (or appear to).
Occasionally a comment will sting but the group
is pleased to have you there. They don’t want
to upset you. I you appear deensive, they’ll
moderate their comments and the discussion
won’t be as interesting.
8. Having said that, i a question seems intrusive
or strays into the squeamish zone, just smile and
bat it o.
9. Writers can tie themselves in knots trying to
answer questions that aren’t easily answered:
What does the title mean? Why does so-and-
so do this? Or they’re irritated by the apparentneed or explanation. I don’t think the questioner
necessarily expects a neat answer. They’ve just
picked up on something they’d like to hear a bit
more about.
10. There may be one person who monopolises
the discussion and annoys everyone else. Groups
who know each other well are usually quite
good at sel-policing. Throw questions out to
the whole group i necessary. Use body language
and eye contact to show that you’re interested in
everyone and not just this person.
11. Recently I talked to a group about my frst
novel, published twelve years ago, and it was only
during the discussion that I realised how much o
the book I had orgotten. I wished I’d gone back
and had another look at it beorehand.
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7/28/2019 Working With Reader Groups
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Literature Works
Peninsula Arts, Plymouth University, Roland Levinsky BuildingDrake Circus PLYMOUTH PL4 8AA Telephone: 01752 585073
Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales
Company Registration Number: 06858956 Registered Charity: 1132586
www.literatureworks.org.uk
Susanna Jones
Susanna Jones grew up in Yorkshire and studied
drama at London University. Her work has been
translated into over twenty languages and has
won the CWA John Creasey Dagger, a Betty Trask
Award and the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize. Her most
recent novel, When Nights Were Cold’ was selected
or Fiction Uncovered 2012. She teaches on the
Creative Writing MA at Royal Holloway University o
London and lives in Brighton.
http://www.susanna-jones.com/
12. I there’s more than one edition o your book,
you could bring the other jackets along to show
the group. Everyone has opinions on cover design
and it’s a great way into discussion o the book.
13. Be prepared to stay around or a bit at the
end, and not just to sign books. There’s alwayssomeone who was too shy to ask a question in
ront o the group but really wants to ask it. See it
as part o the session.
14. Perhaps have some bookmarks to give
out with your website or social media details
included. A book group may be a small audience
but it can be a very loyal one.
15. For once you don’t have to keep saying,
‘Without giving away the ending...’. Too bad
i someone hasn’t fnished it yet; they’re all
supposed to have read it. You can give away the
ending. Enjoy it.
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