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Book GroupsSarah Stonich - Book Club

I’m honored you’ve chosen to read my work. Visit your book group? I'd love to. In return for the time I take to travel and attend book clubs, I ask for something of great value – your opinions. Most book groups don’t realize the power they have to help authors succeed. When you post reviews at ratings via online venues like LitHub, Shelfari, GoodReads, or LibraryThing, word spreads. As an author whose career has been boosted every step of the way by independent booksellers, I encourage you to patronize your neighborhood bookshop when possible, but when channeling your opinions through the goliaths like Barnes & Noble or Amazon, our books move quickly into the limelight via algorithms, ala: “If you liked Olive Kitteredge, you'll love Vacationland”. Or, “If you liked Virgil Wander you’ll love Laurentian Divide.” A review need only be a sentence long, a rating takes a single click. I count on your comments and ratings to let me know how I’m doing, so honesty is key – I only want the stars I deserve!

If you and fellow members agree rate or review any of my books online, I will happily visit your group (ideally eight or more members.) I usually bring copies of my other titles so members have the option of reading my earlier books.

Click here to review:
Shelfari
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Goodreads
lithub

So, that's how we can do it. When your group actively participates, so can I!

An option for book groups outside the greater metro is to request that your local library invite me - in this way, my travel and time are compensated, plus, I can then visit privately with book groups either before or after the event, in the library, out at a cafe or a member's home.
See you at book group!

From HuffPost:  Book Club tips to keep authors coming to your book group.
KEEP the discussion on the book. You author isn't attending to hear group gossip or coo at pics of your grandkids. Make sure one of you leads the discussion to keep it on topic. Have some questions prepared.
DO buy the books - don't bring a library copy to the discussion. Show you support the author.
ASK What the author is reading; about the writing life. You have an author in your midst! Take advantage of their presence and knowledge
DON'T Ask the author to bring a dish or wine. Just don't.
CLUBBING OUT at a restaurant or cafe? Absorb the author's tab among the rest of the group.

SOME GROUPS Present the author a gift certificate or take a cash collection before the meeting. Remember even though it's a social event for you and your group, it's work for the author, and, time they have taken from their writing. Support the author by purchasing a copy of the book.