Length of author reading event

I've attended a few author reading events over the years, but never timed the reading portion. I'd guess the longest was twenty minutes; the shortest was probably three. I'm speaking of adult fiction by a single author, at a library or community center where there isn't necessarily a time constraint.

Variables such as time of day and audience age aside, what do folks consider an ideal length? People go to the effort of attending, so the three minute read was far too short. I mostly read for twelve minutes and haven't had people checking their watches. Well, maybe they were just really cool about it.

That's comforting info, Stacia, thanks. BTW, the cards look to be a brilliant idea, especially for a book yet to be released. I wish I'd brought this up earlier - my first reading for a July 1 release is in three hours. I'm reading three minutes from the book I'm signing, then 13 minutes from the July book. A card or bookmark with the new cover art and web site would have been perfect. Next time ...

And I agree, Mary.

Figured 56 women's club ladies was worth the scramble ... blurb from the local daily paper, release date/availability, and web address. Rickman didn't answer his phone, though.

Maryn said:

I like about 15 - 20 minutes, with the caveat that the author should be able to read well from his/her own works. Occasionally the author is clearly nervous or shy and I cringe at how long s/he forces the reading to last out of some sense of obligation.

Maryn, who's going to hire a shill, a la Remington Steele

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As a soccer coach of girls/women for 20+ years I'm quite comfortable yelling at my audience. "Sit back down, close your pie hole, or everyone is running laps."

Haven't resorted to it for a reading. Yet.