Over the last fourteen years of being a published author, I have become less nervous about reading to an audience. I’m not sure anyone is ever totally confident when standing in front of a large group of strangers, but I might be wrong. Anyway, here are some tips to help you get organized for your book reading.

1. Firstly, you must determine what you are going to read. If you have several books, will you read from a new one or something you feel will grip the audience.
2. Will the audience be young or adult? Tailor your readings accordingly OR take two pieces to read just in case. If the reading is genre specific make sure your book is within that genre.
3. If there is a time limit to the reading, practice the passages out loud. It doesn’t work well to just read it. Practice inflection and if you are good at them, dialectics.
4. Make sure to mark the start and finish of the piece you are reading, this will ensure you stay within the time limit.
5. Remember to take promotional items with you including business cards, bookmarks and of course books. A small amount of petty cash too so you have change. If the reading is at a bookstore the sales usually go through them.
6. Props are a good idea for children’s books. I have a soft toy I made for Rumble First Scare have also taken animal ornaments with me for Ockleberries to the Rescue and various related merchandize for other books.
7. Depending on the venue, there might a microphone. Some venues have a lot of background noise so you want your audience to be able to hear you. Practice projecting your voice.
8. Take note of any venue restrictions.
9. Remember to smile, look up while reading and engage your audience.
10. Be ready with answers to questions about your book and your writing.
11. Promote your reading across your social media, send out invites and alert news outlets if possible too.

If you have any tips to add please comment below. We can all learn from each other.