How to get published

How to read in public
In this very brief article I want to share a few thoughts on reading your work
aloud in public, fiction or non-fiction.
(Not the article you wanted? Check the index for more)

This is a very short article, brought on by a question spotted on a forum. Someone was asking for tips on public readings, so I thought I'd share.

My absolute number one tip is this: DO NOT PUT YOURSELF DOWN.

When you stand up to read your piece, don't apologise for your work, don't tell them it needs another polish, and don't say you're just an amateur. (Or words to that effect.)

I've seen & heard people do exactly that, and it ruins the reading. One guy spent almost as long apologising before and after as he did reading the piece.

I'm not saying you'd do that, but the natural reaction is for people to apologise in advance in case the reading isn't riveting, engaging and mind blowing. Well, stuff that.

What you have to do is get up and act. Pretend you're a professional. Pretend it's the best thing you've ever written, and they're all going to love it. Pretend, pretend, pretend. If you do that, the audience will go along.

When you finish they're all going to clap anyway, so there's no pressure. Enjoy the experience and always grab every opportunity to read aloud.

If you enjoyed this article, don't keep it secret!

Please remember that none of my articles are meant to discourage. In fact, they're all written for the me of three or four years ago, the Simon Haynes who was ready to take the next step but didn't know what that step was.

If you have any comments on this article, please contact me

About the author
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock series, and is also a founding member of Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. Simon also wrote all the software on spacejock.com, most of which can be downloaded for free.

These pages contain my thoughts on the writing game. If you take one suggestion or pointer away from my waffle I'll be happy.