Why do Live Author Readings Exist?
Calebjross
2014-07-27
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The live reading; many book lovers have experienced the thrill of walking into an auditorium, watching your favorite author approach a center stage podium, hearing your favorite passages read aloud from said favorite author, and slowly, but surely, accepting as each minute passes the absolute boredom of hearing a person read words out loud for an hour, until finally giving in to disappointment only to later share with your book reading friends an experience described as far more enjoyable than it actually was.
A live author reading, like so many experiences in life, is something far better to have attended than to currently be attending. The story of the stories outweighs the stories themselves.
So why do we, as readers, attend readings? And why do authors and publishers organize them?
From a financial perspective, big-name authors can, and do, sell a lot of books. In addition, it's a way to meet readers, and by proxy, give those readers a reason to stay in love with you (thereby ensuring purchase of future books).
Independent authors, on the other hand, generally don't sell that many books. It's more of an ego thing with us. We want the feeling of being a capital A Author, so we organize readings and try to have some fun.
And maybe that's what it is. Fun. Or the promise of fun, coupled with the simple idea of a unique experience. Maybe that's the draw for readers.
But how to make it fun? As I mentioned earlier, live readings are generally very boring.
A reading works, it's fun, when it stops being a reading and becomes a performance, a lecture, something more than the novelty of seeing your favorite author. But so few readings do this.
But not matter what, the reading itself--the speaking of words--remains the central component of the event. And if that fails, the event as a whole may fail.
I'm not suggesting that author readings need to stop. They just, for the most part, need to change.
Have you ever been to a live author reading? What was your experience (and be honest). Tell me in the comments below.
What am I drinking? Kalamazoo Stout from Bell's Beer: http://www.bellsbeer.com/brands/5-Kalamazoo%20Stout%20
What book did I mention? As a Machine and Parts by Caleb J. Ross: http://www.amazon.com/As-Machine-Parts-Caleb-Ross/dp/0615824110/
Main channel: http://www.youtube.com/calebjross
The live reading; many book lovers have experienced the thrill of walking into an auditorium, watching your favorite author approach a center stage podium, hearing your favorite passages read aloud from said favorite author, and slowly, but surely, accepting as each minute passes the absolute boredom of hearing a person read words out loud for an hour, until finally giving in to disappointment only to later share with your book reading friends an experience described as far more enjoyable than it actually was.
A live author reading, like so many experiences in life, is something far better to have attended than to currently be attending. The story of the stories outweighs the stories themselves.
So why do we, as readers, attend readings? And why do authors and publishers organize them?
From a financial perspective, big-name authors can, and do, sell a lot of books. In addition, it's a way to meet readers, and by proxy, give those readers a reason to stay in love with you (thereby ensuring purchase of future books).
Independent authors, on the other hand, generally don't sell that many books. It's more of an ego thing with us. We want the feeling of being a capital A Author, so we organize readings and try to have some fun.
And maybe that's what it is. Fun. Or the promise of fun, coupled with the simple idea of a unique experience. Maybe that's the draw for readers.
But how to make it fun? As I mentioned earlier, live readings are generally very boring.
A reading works, it's fun, when it stops being a reading and becomes a performance, a lecture, something more than the novelty of seeing your favorite author. But so few readings do this.
But not matter what, the reading itself--the speaking of words--remains the central component of the event. And if that fails, the event as a whole may fail.
I'm not suggesting that author readings need to stop. They just, for the most part, need to change.
Have you ever been to a live author reading? What was your experience (and be honest). Tell me in the comments below.
What am I drinking? Kalamazoo Stout from Bell's Beer: http://www.bellsbeer.com/brands/5-Kalamazoo%20Stout%20
What book did I mention? As a Machine and Parts by Caleb J. Ross: http://www.amazon.com/As-Machine-Parts-Caleb-Ross/dp/0615824110/
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