Guide to Organizing Literary Events
12 Tips for a Successful and Enriching Book Launch
I have been organizing and hosting literary events for over twenty years. I work hard to ensure the authors, audience and venue staff and volunteers have a relaxing, friendly and enriching experience. I have organized events in person and online, from book and magazine issue launches to round tables and workshops. Here are a few tips for those who would like to organize literary events.
Make a long term plan that includes when you want to read, where, and how much the reading will cost. Discuss possibilities for readings with your publisher.
Check out funding opportunities. If you are a member of the League of Canadian Poets or the Writers Union of Canada, for example, you can apply for their funding programs and receive between $250 to $300 per 15-minute reading. The Canada Council for the Arts has programs for touring.
Look for a series that can host you. Hometown readings are easier and cheaper to arrange. If you aren’t a regular audience member or participant in a series, it can make it difficult to get invited. If the series has a site, learn what is required to apply to read there. Do you know anyone who has been a featured reader at the series? Contact them and ask them for advice. Or ask them to suggest you as a reader.
If you want to read somewhere that is not in your city, discuss possibilities with friends who are authors there.
If you can’t find a series that will host you, set up your own reading at a local bookstore, cafe, gallery or pub. You may have to pay an advance booking fee or find out about distribution from your publisher to arrange advance book orders for a bookstore.
Try to book an accessible space.
Ask someone to do the hosting duties and discuss a land acknowledgement with them.
Read with a few other readers who will draw in your audience.
Time your reading in advance. If you want the event to last for an hour, and you have three readers, each reader can have about fifteen minutes, which gives time for fifteen minutes at the start to warm up and socialize.
Make graphics for digital posters you can use on social media. Canva and Snappa offer up to three free downloads and provide templates for specific social media posts, such as Facebook Events and Instagram stories.
Start doing promotion about a month in advance. Ask friends to help you promote. Make event materials available to fellow readers so that they can share with their audience.
For virtual events, set up an event page through a service such as Eventbrite.com or WeGotTickets.com. Note that EventBrite is now charging $15 for up to 100 attendees.
Share the information on your site, if you have one.
If you are a publisher or author who would like assistance in organizing a reading, please feel free to contact me. More information about my Ottawa-based and virtual literary event organization is available here.
I will be happy to plan your book launch and make it a fun and beautiful occasion for you and your audience.
Thank you to those who have supported my efforts via a paid or free subscription or by buying me a coffee.