Had a great time last night visiting with the Book Discussion Group at the Riverdale Public Library here in NJ! I approached the library a few months back about having a discussion of my latest book, DANU’S CHILDREN. Margaret O’Keefe, who moderates the group, actually had them check out summaries of all my books from my Web site. They chose instead to read one of my older books, BLACK FLOWERS–which happens to be the only one so far set in NJ. So I said, fine, always happy to get more exposure for BF, too!
I joined them for the discussion last night, with the bonus of some great pot-luck food. I was delighted to see it was a big group, about 15 people, and very enthusiastic. Margaret made my night by stating up front that of all the books they’d read by local authors so far, they liked mine the best!
Everybody had interesting questions, and it turned into more of a Q&A session with me. We got into all the themes of the book–genetic engineering, childhood autism and corporate group-think. While I was explaining my admiration for Ira Levin and comparing BF to THE STEPFORD WIVES, even I had a new insight–that the end has something in common with the end of ROSEMARY’S BABY! So you can always learn something new from your readers.
I almost would have preferred to be a fly on the wall, though, to hear what they’d have said about the book if I wasn’t there. I tried, in turn, to get a feel for what they liked and didn’t like, and how they’d interpreted certain things. I talked about how I came up with the concept for the book, some of the same information that’s on the Background page of my Web site. And I sold six books to the group members afterward–two copies of BF, two of DANCE WITH THE DRAGON, one of DANU’S CHILDREN and one of RIDE A DANCING HORSE.
In all, it was a fun and well-organized event. The Riverdale library is small but seems very active. The local residents were asked to sign cards protesting the state cuts in library services, which were being sent to Trenton today. I was only sorry I wasn’t in their district and couldn’t legally sign one. In today’s economic climate, it’s a terrible time to cut funding for libraries!
It sounds like a wonderful event – invaluable feedback for you, in addition to a nice warm & fuzzy feeling! Sales are a perk of course, but the opportunity to really connect with avid readers who, no doubt, will be on the watch for you in the future, is definitely a “good thing”. The idea of asking them to read your book would not have occured to me, either, and as I hope to be published (one day soon!) and am a member of a very small local library that has lots of events (ergo lots of enthusiastic members, one assumes), it’s definitely an idea I’ll keep in my promo bag. May it be the first of many successful events.
Yes, some libraries seem to concentrate on classics, best-sellers or “literary” fiction, but as a local author you always can offer your book to a discussion group. If you can come and talk, some consider that a plus. As I said, I originally offered them DANU’S CHILDREN, which is a longer, more involved book and I thought it posed a few interesting questions for discussion. Luckily, they also found plenty to discuss in BF! I definitely write to entertain people, first and foremost, but my books usually have some social issues in them, too.
You could definitely see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.