How to create a stellar reading series

I was amused to read some scathing critiques of literary book readings that the delightful Barbara Vey of Publisher's Weekly blog Beyond Her Book had sent along my way. This PW blog post and this Observer article rip them to shreds for being dull and self-flattering. But of course, I thought as I read it, that's because their literature is dull and self-flattering. That's what happens when too much emphasis is placed on being High Minded, Intellectual and Serious. As opposed to say, wickedly funny and scandalously sexy.

You might imagine that I thought  all of this rather smugly, as the hostess of a reading series that is anything but dull and self-flattering. Lady Jane's Salon is a reading series devoted to romantic fiction. That alone makes it so much more of a pleasure, because it all comes down to the content, doesn't it? That, and accessories. But I digress.

I think it a good reading series comes down to the following ingredients—which as I write are some keys to good books!

Settting: Make sure the lighting is flattering (dim) the seating is comfortable and for goodness sake serve alcohol. Let us compare: folding chairs in a bookstore or fluffy red velvet couches, dim lighting, cocktails at Madame X. Exactly.


Pacing: It is true, length readings can be a nightmare. The author recounts readings of 45+ minutes. Horrors! Keep it to 10 minutes. Having sat through 2.5 years worth of readings, I can tell you that it's always better to quit while you're ahead. Keep it short and end on a punchy line.


A lively cast of characters: Why leave one author to carry the show, when you can have 3-4? Different books, subgenres, voices, subject matter, etc, make for a much more engaging evening.  This also goes for those in the crowd: in addition to our loyal regulars,  an assortment of authors will bring out a fresh batch of industry folks, readers and friends so that every reading is just a bit different.


Dialogue: Forcing the audience to sit in silence all evening just smacks of being lectured. Take breaks to allow for chattering amongst themselves—and with the authors!—to visit the necessary and to refresh beverages. Books can be such a solitary thing, from writing them to reading them. It's a rare treat to listen with others, discuss, ask the authors, and make it social.

If you are ever in town (read: New York City) on the first Monday of every month, do swing by Lady Jane's Salon. I hope it lives up to all the accolades I just bestowed (I'm quite sure it will).