One of the ways to increase the buzz about your book is to generate a book discussion packet. For local projects you can offer to lead the discussion group yourself; participants get to meet the author as well as red and discuss the book. But for groups that are miles away, even on the other side of the country , offering a free book discussion packet is a great way to encourage book clubs, libraries and other small groups looking for activities to read your work.
Prepare a list of relevant questions. A few sample questions might include these topics (not in any particular order): 1) Who are the characters? Talk about their careers, past tragedies or triumphs, their family/friend relationships, their feelings about themselves, etc. 2) Does the book have any historical significance? Is it based on fact or fiction? Was there anything else important about the time period in the book? 3) What is the theme of the book and is it relevant to any current events? Would the political or social climate make the story different? 4) Where is the book set? Talk about the location – again, is it fact or fiction? Are there any nuances directly related to the location? Are any expressions or customs indigenous to the area of the setting? 5) Is there a message to the story or a lesson that can be learned? 6) What are readers’ reactions to the story? How would they have changed the order of events? 7) What perspective is used in writing the story? Does this perspective involve or exclude the reader? 8) Is the subject emotional, comical, serious, or? 9) Can any of the group participants relate to the main characters? 10) If any of the discussion participants were in the book, what role would they play (it can be an established character or an additional one)?
When you are writing or suggesting questions or discussion topics, avoid asking for one word answers or opinions such as whether they liked or disliked the book. Personally I like the idea of “over-programming” even if there are too many questions to cover in one discussion session; this allows a discussion moderator plenty of material to keep the group active and interested. If you are moderating the discussion, it is okay if your group gets a little off-topic, but be sure to rein in the conversation occasionally before it gets too out of control. Allow participants to speak instead of “lecturing” to them about the book’s theme, implied message or author’s intent. Encourage comments from all and direct casual questions towards quieter participants to draw them in.
For an author, freebies are always welcomed additions to the discussion packets. In person you can hand out bookmarks or other swag. If you are making a discussion packet for use by a distant group, try forming it in an easily downloadable form such as .pdf and include tangible items like printable bookmarks, recipe cards if relevant, or even a graphic (book cover?) and instructions for iron on transfer . It is also nice to include a short author bio, a list of discussion resources, a brief back-list and contact info. Upload this packet to your website or media room if you have one, and promote the free download to your fans and book reading public.
