There are plenty of reasons to love book clubs. At most book clubs you’ll find friendship, a shared sense of camaraderie, snacks and wine, and, most importantly, a passion for reading. Book clubs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are based around a particular genre of book, others are centered around best-sellers, and some are member-selected so the books read can run the gamut.
I can’t, and don’t, speak for all authors, but I love being invited to book clubs. For me it’s a chance to meet new people, and to talk to them about my characters, my plots, and my themes. It’s also a great time to answer questions. Often, I’m asked to sign copies of my books which is truly gratifying. But it’s also an important opportunity for feedback. That’s something that you really can’t get in any great detail from a regular book signing, where people are generally in a hurry, and you don’t have the time for an in-depth discussion. Plus, at a signing, the customers typically haven’t read the book yet!
I recall an event where a reader talked to me about her feelings about “voice” in a novel, because I was thinking of changing things up a bit for “Tangled Lines.” She reminded me that just because you switch voices in each chapter, you don’t need to retell a previous chapter. That really stuck with me, and I kept it in mind as I wrote that book. When I next saw her, she said she was pleasantly surprised at how I had managed to move from Dare to Jo and back again without plot repetition. Her input proved to be extremely helpful.
So, this week I was honored to be the guest at the Evening Book Club of the Outer Banks Woman’s Club. I entered the home of the hostess not knowing a soul. We were all strangers. I walked out feeling as though I had gained a wonderful group of new friends who enjoy their shared love of reading, and who welcome the opportunity for dialogue with a local author.
I was truly surprised to see that the food at the event was patterned after some of the scenes in my first book – there were cards with quotes and page numbers page numbers referencing where the food was mentioned! As we were discussing “Storm Season,” some of the members brought photos of themselves from 1975. Of course, that’s the year when that story begins. It was really a trip back through memory lane to read a list of what was happening back fifty-one years ago! Those shared stories, and accompanying laughter, only enriched the evening.
I mention this special evening just to reinforce that books clubs are a wonderful opportunity for excellent conversation. It’s important for broadening the author’s understanding of what readers want, and for the understanding of how authors approach their craft.
I welcome invitations to book clubs, and happily will travel anywhere to join in on the fun. If you are a book club member, and think your club would like to have me drop by, just contact me through this website, or through my Facebook page. I look forward to seeing you soon!
