Family Reading Night by DL Larson

Many schools and libraries host a Family Reading Night each year. Our local PTA is having a family reading night the last Friday in October. This year business owners have been asked to be the readers. I too, as the children's librarian, have been asked to join in on the fun. I already have my books selected, contemplating my Halloween costume and I'm toying with the idea of a small craft to go with one of my stories.

Authors, if you are looking for recognition, this is a great opportunity to do a community service and spread public relations. Don't confine yourself to your own community, call around to see if neighboring towns are hosting a reading night and then offer to help. Even if the books are already selected, what a compliment to be acknowledged as a local or state author giving your time to be a part of the event. If the selections haven't been chosen, what an opportunity to read a portion of your own, published or not. As an added draw, have a comment box, idea box, "how does it end" box. The last ten minutes of the evening you could read these aloud. Folks love hearing what other people wrote.

As I read this week's blogs, I realized something wonderful and worrisome. As writers we visit many blog sites and that's great, but writers as a rule tend to be a tad introverted in "real" company and I hope we are not substituting internet connections over up-close and personal opportunities ... like volunteering to be a reader at the local family reading night, book club, or school visit. If you haven't gotten out there to mingle with readers in awhile, maybe it's time to make an adjustment in your promotional techniques.

Til next time ~

DL Larson