I am meeting with a bookclub tomorrow...my first in decades. A former work colleague encouraged me to join & after a couple of years I agreed. The River is Waiting is our required reading. I did not enjoy the book, even tho Opra apparently loved it, and will be telling the club why tomorrow. Hope they won't banish me!!
If not banished, I'm considering asking them to review my own unpublished memoir, Just Call Me Irene. I had positive comments from several agents and publishers, however, still not published. I'd be interested to get reaction from the average reader. Thoughts?
We have several writers in our book club, and this topic has come up -- though mostly in terms of reviewing finished books. In general, the writers shudder at the thought of having their own book reviewed!
However, that doesn't sound like an issue for you. I think if you're up to open criticism, it's a great way to get good feedback. However, personally I would suss out the group first. Some book clubs might be wide open to the idea whereas others might feel put upon, especially if you're new. Asking your former work colleague for direction here might help you judge the audience, too.
Alternatively, once you're comfortable in the group, you could simply ask if anyone is interested in being a beta reader for you. That way, you're still getting good input from some great readers.
Good luck at the meeting -- and with finding beta readers!
As you know, I’m a member of several book clubs of different types and have been for many years. It’s fascinating to see what does and doesn’t connect with readers, and what process books do and don’t work for writers.
Another variable you mention is timing—life circumstances, cultural circumstances, and even the book I finished before this one can alter my opinion of a book.
My “book club for two,” which is just a decades-long friendship that started in a book club we belonged to, happens almost monthly over zoom. We find that we like similar books or authors but often for different reasons: “I don’t like that part but THIS element is amazing!”
Exactly! Even with similar interests and after decades of book clubbing together, I imagine it's still difficult to pin down what the other's exact elemental likes and dislikes will be beforehand.
I don't think writers can precisely measure what any particular reader will like or dislike, never mind ALL readers. But if (the royal*) you sprinkle in elements of what your book club for two likes, you should connect with at least one reader!
*I can't bring myself to write "one" instead of "you". I feel it makes one old and pretentious...
Sure, I write for myself. I assume that if I like it, someone else will too. You'd have to know somebody really well to be able to write for that person, and do we ever know somebody else that well... sheesh, we don't even know ourselves! OK, all kidding aside, writing for "a market" is a losing proposition. First, because nobody knows where the market is. Second, because you'll hate your work and that's not a good way to be liked by potential readers.
I am meeting with a bookclub tomorrow...my first in decades. A former work colleague encouraged me to join & after a couple of years I agreed. The River is Waiting is our required reading. I did not enjoy the book, even tho Opra apparently loved it, and will be telling the club why tomorrow. Hope they won't banish me!!
If not banished, I'm considering asking them to review my own unpublished memoir, Just Call Me Irene. I had positive comments from several agents and publishers, however, still not published. I'd be interested to get reaction from the average reader. Thoughts?
We have several writers in our book club, and this topic has come up -- though mostly in terms of reviewing finished books. In general, the writers shudder at the thought of having their own book reviewed!
However, that doesn't sound like an issue for you. I think if you're up to open criticism, it's a great way to get good feedback. However, personally I would suss out the group first. Some book clubs might be wide open to the idea whereas others might feel put upon, especially if you're new. Asking your former work colleague for direction here might help you judge the audience, too.
Alternatively, once you're comfortable in the group, you could simply ask if anyone is interested in being a beta reader for you. That way, you're still getting good input from some great readers.
Good luck at the meeting -- and with finding beta readers!
As you know, I’m a member of several book clubs of different types and have been for many years. It’s fascinating to see what does and doesn’t connect with readers, and what process books do and don’t work for writers.
Another variable you mention is timing—life circumstances, cultural circumstances, and even the book I finished before this one can alter my opinion of a book.
My “book club for two,” which is just a decades-long friendship that started in a book club we belonged to, happens almost monthly over zoom. We find that we like similar books or authors but often for different reasons: “I don’t like that part but THIS element is amazing!”
Exactly! Even with similar interests and after decades of book clubbing together, I imagine it's still difficult to pin down what the other's exact elemental likes and dislikes will be beforehand.
I don't think writers can precisely measure what any particular reader will like or dislike, never mind ALL readers. But if (the royal*) you sprinkle in elements of what your book club for two likes, you should connect with at least one reader!
*I can't bring myself to write "one" instead of "you". I feel it makes one old and pretentious...
Sure, I write for myself. I assume that if I like it, someone else will too. You'd have to know somebody really well to be able to write for that person, and do we ever know somebody else that well... sheesh, we don't even know ourselves! OK, all kidding aside, writing for "a market" is a losing proposition. First, because nobody knows where the market is. Second, because you'll hate your work and that's not a good way to be liked by potential readers.