by Lynette M. Burrows

Has convention and bookselling season started in your corner of the world? Will you schedule yourself to read your work to a group? 

As writers, we spend a lot of time alone with our thoughts and our keyboards. Preparing to give a reading can be daunting. Questions and doubts raise up and fill us with trepidation. Where do I start? What do I read? How much do I read? How do I get through the reading without sounding like an idiot? What do I wear? Stop. Take a breath. This is your guide on how to be awesome reading your story aloud.

First tip: Don't hide behind your book.

Talk to Your Host

Preparation begins with knowing more about what’s expected. Ask your host: will you be sitting or standing? At a table or a podium? Will you use a microphone? Do you check in? When and where? Is it okay to sell books after the reading? Can you ask for signups for your email list? Is it okay to bring props or bookmarks? How long are you expected to read? 

Sometimes how long you read is a set amount of time chosen by your host. Sometimes you get to choose. If you have a choice and are a first timer, it’s a first novel, or you can’t/don’t want to be on stage for long, choose a 20-30 minute reading time.

Decide on What to Read

First, know your audience. How? Ask the host. Look at the ads for that event. Look at the neighborhood around the event. You may no know specifically who will show up, but you'll get an idea of the probable audience. Read from the book that suits their niche. Next, find a section of your book that reflects the tone of your book, one that needs little set up, and contains interaction between two characters with different goals. It can be a funny section, a sad section, or an action/suspense section. Long sections of backstory or description do not work well when reading aloud. Aim for a length that will give the audience a feeling of a complete scene. Sounds hard, doesn’t it? Make several choices. Play with them a little.

Read your choices aloud one-by-one. Occasionally, you’ll find that the section you love the most is the least entertaining to read aloud. Choose the one that is the most entertaining to listen to. (you may need a friend to listen and help you decide) Chances are you’ll hear one aloud and realize it’s the best choice. When you’ve made your choice, it’s time to move on to the next step.

Decide what you want to read from meaning, do you read from a digital device, the printed book, or printed manuscript pages. What matters here is choosing what is most comfortable for you. Choose one that you don't lose track of the line or page you're reading and is easiest for you to see under any lighting situation.

Prepare Your Manuscript

I mark a pause with a hashtag, underline words I tend to stumble over, and slash to indicate which words I need to enunciate more clearly. Use whatever markings help you read more smoothly.

If your reading selection needs some setup, write one. Make the story introduction as entertaining as the storytelling. Devote no more than two or three short paragraphs to the setup. Shorter is better.

You may need to revise your reading selection a bit to take out the narrative that slows the oral storytelling down, or to make sentences easier on the tongue. That’s okay. Do it.

Print out your selection (Don't read from your electronic device it's too easy to lose your place.) Make sure your manuscript is double-spaced with wide margins and an easy to read, large font. I use 14 pt, Ariel. Use what makes it easy for you to read.

Record Yourself

Read it aloud again. Record this reading. Then listen to the recording. As you listen, mark places on the manuscript where you need to use an emotional tone. Mark words that you tend to stumble over. There will be places where you should slow down or speed up. A time when you should lower and raise your voice. Devise a consistent method of marking these places so you remember what those marks mean.  I write a note to myself at the top of every page: “Slow Down.” When nervous, most of us speak faster and faster. This reminder does the trick for me. Secure the pages together. You don’t want a page to go missing in the middle of a reading.

One more thing, plan your pauses so you can look up at your audience. You might want to mark the words where you pause with a highlighter or even with your finger so you can return to reading aloud without a stumble. 

Plan Ahead

Visit the space ahead of time if you can. It will help calm some of your nerves as well as inform you about how large or small the space is, if there is background noise you need to plan for, and whether you plan for casual or more formal situations.

Decide what you will wear—something that represents your characters or setting? Something dressy or very casual? Whatever you choose, make certain you are comfortable wearing it. Choose something that you feel you look your best when wearing it.  How will you style your hair? Makeup—yes or no?

Decide what props you will bring. Published book(s) or cover flat(s), bookmarks, and business cards are a good start. You might want to invest in some small easels to hold your books upright. You can have story-related props on display. Giveaways can entice people to come to the reading but they won’t necessarily be readers. Treats may be something you’d bring. Know how and where you will display your props.

Introduction and Questions

Be prepared to introduce yourself. —It doesn’t have to be more than a line or two. Certainly no more than 5 minutes. Practice introducing yourself. It can feel awkward at first. Practice it until you’re comfortable. And remember, it’s okay to write it down and read your introduction aloud, too. 

Imagine what questions your audience might ask after you finish reading. Prepare answers that will entertain and tease at the rest of your story. Remember that no matter how well you plan, there will be at least one question you didn’t expect. That’s okay. Practice saying things like, I’m sorry I don’t have an answer to that, or no one has ever asked that before  but off the top of my head… That way you’ll feel more confident when those questions come up.

Make a marketing plan for your reading—share the information on your website and social media. Let your readers know that you’ll be doing the reading. Remind them several times. Ask friends to be there to root for you.

Alternate Plans

Be prepared for the possibility of no audience, a tiny audience, and a humongous audience. There’s no predicting what will happen unless you’re as well known as George R.R. Martin. What will you do if there’s only one person in your audience? 

You can do almost anything if you have only one or two listeners. You can go ahead and read out loud. Who knows? Your reading aloud may turn nearby shoppers into listeners. You can tell that person that you would be happy to read to them but if they’d rather chat about your books you’re willing to do that. Or you can chat with and get to know that one audience member. Show an interest in your reader. You never know when a little interest can turn a fan into a super fan.

Prepare Your Introvert/Extrovert Side

Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, you’re not alone. However, introverts may need to prepare themselves. Prepare an exercise or pep talk to help energize you before the show. How? You can simply chant, “I can do this.” But consider marching or dancing (in private), clapping your hands, and chanting “You got this!” Believe it or not, some vigorous exercise can help steady your nerves and help your extroverted side (however tiny it might be) come out.

Practice, Practice, Practice

• Use a timer so you can pace your reading
• Have a glass of water at hand
• Record your practices.
• Listen to the recording—are you speaking loud enough? Are you enunciating clearly?
• If you are not adept at changing voices like an impersonator, don’t try. You can change your volume, your tone, or the pace with which you speak to indicate different characters.
• Do what your characters do—shake a fist, whisper, smile, frown, whatever.
• Match the emotion in your face and voice to the words you’re reading.
• If you typically read a little long, try trimming words out of the manuscript. If you read short, add more pages or even another scene. But remember, nerves tend to increase the speed with which you read, so you might want to prepare an extra page or two just in case.
• Stop the reading at a place that will make your readers want more. (That's hint number three. )

The Day Before

• Make certain you have your props, your manuscript packed, and your clothes laid out and your props ready to go (yes, I repeated it so you will consider double and triple checking).
• Verify the location and time of your reading.
• Don’t practice this day. Relax. Do whatever you enjoy and will help you relax. Get your hair done? A manicure? A movie?
• Drink plenty of liquids the day before so you are not dehydrated before you start your reading.

The BIG Day

• Double check that your props, your correct manuscript, your props (yes, a second time), and your clothes are ready.
• Take a drink in a spill-resistant container. Water or tea with a little honey and lemon will help soothe your throat and voice.
• Get ready and be at the venue 10-15 minutes early.
• Check the layout. Do you have a microphone? Are the microphones working? Test and adjust the microphone to best amplify your voice as you read. No microphone? No worries, plan to speak a little louder and more slowly.
• Set up your props and/or giveaways.
• Smile. Breathe. It will be okay.
• If you need to visualize your audience in their underwear, do that. But, in my opinion, the best way to steady your nerves is preparation (which if you follow this guide, you will be amply prepared). Take another deep breath and just start.

Show Time

• Sit or stand as straight as you can. Smile. Even if there’s only one person in your audience. 
• Connect with your audience. Sit in an approachable way. Make eye contact. Say hello. Thank your audience for coming.
• Introduce yourself.
• Take a breath. You’ve got this. Read your story.
• Some members of your audience will love it even if you read the phone book. Be prepared for people to get up and move around during your reading. Don’t let it throw you. Someone will be intrigued by your book. That someone is your reader. Smile at that one!
• Pause at the end and smile again. (Did you get applause? AWESOME!)
• Thank your audience for their attention. (You will want to send a written thank you to your host after it’s over.)
• Depending upon your arrangement with your host, you may move from performance into selling your books. Be prepared to autograph your books, too. 

After the Show

• Be prepared to be pleasant even though you’re exhausted and packing up.
• If you find yourself, rewinding and scolding yourself for mumbling or stumbling over a word. Stop!  Forgive yourself.  We’re all human. No matter how many times you stumble over a word, or fumble a page-turn, there is always somebody who gets hooked on the story.
• Congratulate yourself. You survived. If you made some sales, Whoo Hoo! 
• Reward yourself. You just did a hard thing. Have your favorite meal or treat or drink. If you’re too tired to “people” any more, mark the occasion with something special. Light a scented candle or your favorite incense. Give yourself permission to read, to do nothing the rest of the day, or to watch something fun on television.
• If you’re anything like me, there are boxes to unpack. You don’t have to unpack the minute you get home unless that will help you relax. 
• Send a thank you note to the host within a few days of the event. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Be sincere. If you can honestly compliment the host for something they did for the event, do that.
• Plan to have a low-key day after the show. If you’re not a natural-born performer or extrovert, being the center of attention can be exhausting. Plan to take it easy for at least one day afterwards. 
• Again, if you’re anything like me, you were too nervous to drink enough liquids yesterday, so be sure to re-hydrate the day after.

However long it takes you to recover, is perfect. But, don’t forget to book another reading soon. 

Making Fans with the Musicality of Your Reading

Reading fiction aloud can be a mesmerizing as music. Reading prosody, is the term for that musical style of reading. In other words, it’s reading with expression. Remember that reader, the one who hung on every word? They thought you and your story were awesome. That’s a great feeling, isn’t it? Hold onto that feeling. Reading aloud is one of the many ways writers can connect with readers. And reading with expression is how to be awesome reading your story aloud. In fact, reading aloud can get a little addictive. (Ask me how I know.)

What is your best tip for reading your own work or, if you’ve never read aloud to an audience, what do you think is the next best thing for connecting with your readers?

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About Lynette

Lynette M. Burrows is an author, blogger, writing coach, and Yorkie wrangler. She survived moving seventeen times between kindergarten and her high school graduation. An experience that helps her write speculative fiction stories of complex women whose challenges change themselves and their imperfect worlds. 

Her Fellowship Dystopia trilogy tells the story of a chilling version of America in the 1960s, where even the elite can be judged unbelievers and hunted by the merciless Azrael. Midwest Book Review called it, "a chilling but inherently fascinating read from start to finish.”

When she’s not writing her next project, Lynette, a certifiable chocoholic and coffee lover, avoids housework and plays with her two Yorkshire terriers. You can find Lynette online at lynettemburrows.com.

Image Credits

Featured Photo by Pixabay

Top Photo by George Milton

Second Photo by Lynette M. Burrows

Third Photo by fauxels