How to begin:
In running your own group begin by establishing who, what, where, why and how.
Who do you want to be in the group?
What are you going to read?
Where are you going to meet?
Why does your group want to meet?
For a good discussion and attendance you might need at least five or six people in your group.
You might want to organise a leader for each meeting and they can host the night and help the flow of discussion. You might like to invite an author to come along and talk about their book and how they got started in writing.
Talking to your local authors not only supports them but gives you a better picture of the industry and what it takes to write a book. Your group could also choose to take someone from this site to conference with you over the phone on the night that your reading circle meets.
Where you meet is up to you. You can meet at home, at the local library, even at the pub. If your readers circle loves books the questions above will be very easy to answer and the group will function without problems. |
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Reasons to Start a Reading Circle:
There are many reasons to join or start a reading group. If you are creative as a group it can help you link in with the local literary talent or use online ways of speaking directly to authors, illustrators or other book industry people. It is not only a great way for book lovers to come together and enjoy each other's company but a way for you to build community contacts through books. If your goal is to read more or to read outside the usual genres, a book group might help strengthen your resolve.
Tips for starting:
Type of books you want to read? This should be decided in advance. If your group is drawn together by a common desire to read - for instance - Science Fiction, then the process will be easy. If not, then assess your group's goals, and establish the types of literature you wish to read.
Meeting once a month is a typical arrangement. Allow at least two or three hours for discussion. Host could organise some nibbles or everyone brings something. Wine helps ideas to flow and to loosen the tongue.
Authors can vary in their genre of writing so choose a selection of their work to discuss. Get to know the author as much as the book content. If you have local writers, invite them along to talk to your reading group or book club about what they do to promote themselves and their experiences with the book industry.
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