5 reasons writers cherish meeting readers
Writing is a solitary activity. Us authors sit at our desks with our made-up characters and create worlds that we one day hope readers will escape into. When the book is finally on shelves and in the hands of readers, it is no longer ours.
The opportunity to meet readers in real life can be both exhilarating and a little daunting. Some authors despise in-person events where public speaking is involved, much preferring to stay in their writing nooks where it is safe and warm, far from criticism and critique.
I am not one of those authors.
For The Eleventh Floor I will have done over 40 events and interviews by the time the year ends. Although exhausting, I love every minute of it. Meeting readers energises me. It gives me purpose and a way to share my passion with others.
What exactly is it that I love about real-life meetups?
1. Feedback and Interaction: Meeting readers allows me the chance to receive direct feedback on my work, which can be as validating as it is enlightening. It helps me understand what resonates with my audience and I particularly love when readers notice subtle nuances, comparisons I didn’t even know I’d consciously made.
For example, in The Eleventh Floor, the protagonist Gracie speaks about her mother and her mother-in-law and the complex relationships she has with both of them, especially now she is a mother herself. I had a reader approach me at an event to say he really liked my depiction of the two older women and the insights into how each generation views their roles. I was blown away that he'd put so much thought into two minor characters, and chuffed he recognised what I was trying to subtly convey.
2. Personal Connection: Interacting with readers creates a personal connection, turning abstract readers into real people with unique perspectives and stories. It is common for a reader to share personal anecdotes that relate to my stories and I feel honoured by that trust. These interactions humanise the writing experience and often inspire new ideas. Lately, many stories have been shared with me about women’s safety—how we protect ourselves in society and how frustrated and exhausted we are by this constant low level surveillance.
3. Community Building: Engaging with readers helps build a community around my work. This sense of community has provided ongoing support and encouragement, making the writing journey less solitary. And I can tell you, hand on heart, that when I turn up to an event and have those inevitable butterflies before I talk, seeing smiling faces, and sometimes familiar faces, makes all the difference.
4. Promotion and Visibility: Book signings, readings, and literary festivals offer a great buzz and fabulous way for us to meet new and potential readers. Although it’s not my ultimate goal, it is great when a reader loves my books and shares that love. Their positive word-of-mouth can also lead to broader exposure which is immensely helpful in a flooded market full to the brim with new books.
5. Inspiration and Motivation: I write about heavy topics and when I hear firsthand how my work has impacted readers, it can be incredibly moving and motivating. These interactions and shared experiences remind me of the power of words and the positive influence they can have on others' lives.
What do you love about meeting writers? Join the conversation on Substack.
Kx
