Reading and Signing

[NeuroFizz]

I need some help. I've done book signings, but tomorrow night I have to do a reading as well. I know what I want to read, but I don't know how long I'm expected to go on. There are several places where I can break it. Is there a "standard" length (time-wise) for a novel reading? What have y'all found to be the attention span of those in attendance? Any help, suggestions or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not scared of it or anything, I'm used to talking to people in formal and informal settings. I just don't want to over or under present that part of the event.

[JoNightshade]

I won second place in a short story competition once, and they held a reading for the winners. I have also been to a couple of readings... I would say go for about 5 minutes, which is about 5 pages? Any more than that and it starts to sound long. Although, if you are the only person and people are coming specifically for you, I think you can get away with more.

I also recommend trying it out ahead of time. You might find that your voice only holds out for so long anyway!

[maestrowork]

Well, it depends on how exciting, riveting your excerpt is and how you deliver... :) If it's done well, you can go on forever -- I heard David Sedaris read his stories for solid 2 hours and it was great. He was a great reader.

Personally, I wouldn't go on for more than 20 minutes. You should ask the event organizer how much time you have. You should probably have a few selections so you can be flexible. I would also leave a bit of time to do Q&A -- I usually find that's good to connect with your audience. If you're going to read from the middle of the book, do a brief introduction so your audience would know the context of the excerpt so they won't be lost.

Again, if you're a good reader, your audience will pay attention. If you're a bore, do gauge their reaction... if they start to nod off or yawn, it's time to pack up.

[maestrowork]

I would say go for about 5 minutes, which is about 5 pages?

You must read really fast. :) 3 book pages is about 10 minutes for me.

[wayndom]

I've never done a reading of my work, but I was an on-air radio personality for eleven years, and my gut says anything over three minutes would likely push the audience's limits. Your mileage may vary, depending on how compelling a passage you choose. You can always fill any remaining time fielding questions from your audience.

The number-one rule of showbiz is: "Always leave 'em wanting more."

It's never bad to give them less than they'd like (more book sales, no?), but it's death to go overboard and lose their interest.

[JoNightshade]

You must read really fast. :) 3 book pages is about 10 minutes for me.

::hangs head:: Guilty as charged!!!

When I was teaching EFL I would read books to my students. After class one day a few of them said, "Wow, we never heard anyone talk that fast in English before!"

[wayndom]

You might find that your voice only holds out for so long anyway!

I wouldn't worry about that. Your audience will leave you long before your voice does.

And most people read/speak about 3 words per second, or around 180 per minute, which comes out to about 2 minutes per average paperback page.

[maestrowork]

Personally, I find 3 pages is a good length -- it's not too long, not too short, and a good length for a really good scene (make them laugh, cry, excited, aroused... and leave them begging for more).

[Garpy]

I'd suggest 4-5mins, stop and do a little Q&A (make sure you plant at least a couple of questions with friends/family/organiser). If questions dry up too quickly, have a second 4-5min reading ready to do.

I've done a few of these gigs, and two shorter reads are better than one long one. And usually, Q&A overshoots and fill up the time anyway...particularly when punters start with the 'where do you get your ideas from' and 'how do you get published' questions.

[maestrowork]

Definitely read the hills -- and read for plot as well. Unless it's extremely entertaining, I would skip pure characterizations or "beautiful prose" type passages and go for a gripping plot point. A cliffhanger, perhaps. Make them beg for more. In that sense, two short 5-minute excerpts sound like a good idea: break up a riveting scene into two.

[Prawn]

I saw this discussed here before, and the advice that stuck with me was to read two or three different sections that highlight different parts of the book, or different parts of your character arc.
Maybe two pages of each one. In between, talk about the book, or the character arc or why you wrote as you did.

[CaroGirl]

I saw this discussed here before, and the advice that stuck with me was to read two or three different sections that highlight different parts of the book, or different parts of your character arc.
Maybe two pages of each one. In between, talk about the book, or the character arc or why you wrote as you did.
This approach would work if you're reading to writers. But if you're reading to readers, I think it might bore them or confuse them.

I'd read to entertain. I agree with the concept of "the hill". Read something that leads somewhere interesting and then stop. I'd stick with 5 to 8 minutes, depending on whether you're the sole reader at the event, or one of many.

All the best, Rich.

[Gillhoughly]

Your reading is like a movie preview, but with one long shot. Pick a compelling highlight that will get people interested, and end on a cliffhanger.

I suggest reading the scene straight through, do not jump around with a variety of scenes.

You're sending out a single bit of information. The info's sole purpose is to make people want to know what happens next. Presenting several scenes, however good, defeats that purpose.

For a reading--unless you're Alan Rickman and can make the phone book sound like Shakespeare--less is more.

[NeuroFizz]

Thank you all for your kind comments and suggestions. I'll back in tomorrow morning and let y'all know how it went.