Running a Reading Series
Venues, Performers, Promotion and Hosting Readings
Running a reading series can be fun - and a great way to support national talent. Tips on how to get a venue, choose writers, promote events and be a great host!
Running a reading series for poets and fiction writers can be fun – and a great way to promote local, as well as national, talent.
How to Begin:
First decide what kind of reading you want to host. There are events that only feature writers, performances that have open mics or poetry slams and series that also offer musicians as part of the bill. Some are formal and others are casual. Some take place every week while others happen every month. Pick the one that suits your schedule and your tastes best!
Picking a Venue:
It's important in choosing a place to run your reading series that you, “find an owner who really wants to have a...reading in their place -- not just to build traffic,” according to long time host, Larry Jaffe. The venue can be a cafe, a bar, a library, a college or university. The event can even take place in your home.
The key factor is finding a supportive space. Ask whether there's a sound system. Check if the owner will provide a bar tab to invited guests. See if you're responsible for clean-up. Think about whether silence is essential during your event or if you don't mind when the latte machine starts up or a stranger walks in off the street. Feel comfortable with the venue you've chosen and your guests will too.
Getting the Performers:
Start with your friends and acquaintances who are local artists. Ask them to perform. The word will get out and soon you'll have people eager to read at your series. You can also apply to the Canada Council or The League of Canadian Poets for more well-published authors or those who aren't in your neighbourhood. The Writer's Union of Canada is another option. Be aware that they charge hosts a administrative fee.
Once word spreads about your series, publishers will contact you to set up events for authors on tour. Open mics are another way to find performers. Let ten people sign up per event. Give them three minutes each. Pick the best of them to be feature readers at a later date.
Promoting the Event:
Place free ads in local newspapers. For a small fee, the university radio station will play your ad for up to two weeks prior to the event. Mary Dalton, a poet who has run events in Newfoundland reminds: “Create a poster for each reading, including a brief bio of the author and post widely 7-10 days before the reading.”
Establish a list-serve through a sign up sheet available at each event. Use such sites as MySpace and Facebook to promote your series. Ask for RSVPs so you can better plan the set-up of the room and the number of refreshments.
Being a host:
Be prepared. Obtain introductions from the performers at least a week in advance. Practice. This way you won't make mistakes or feel uncomfortable. Ask the performers when they arrive what arrangements suit them. Standing or sitting? A lectern or a chair? Provide water. Let them know what the refreshments are, if there's a bar tab, where the washroom is.
Organize the event so there's a break in the middle. The audience likes to stretch, get drinks or buy books. Set up a book table and get someone to run it efficiently. Pay your guests, either through grants from the funding bodies or through donations at the door. Be friendly and respectful. Thank the performers sincerely at the end of the night. Both writers and the audience will remember your enjoyable series.
