●So, no one knows for certain when the all-clear will sound. Hence, beginning Thursday, March 16th, 2020 at 12 Noon EDST (GMT-4) I will begin reading a chapter a day every noon from my recovery novel Saint Mary Blue (Internet willing and the creek don't rise). SMB is a story of very early recovery filled with laughs, tears, warnings, and hope.
●The Zoom reading meeting code is 292-024-0794. At the end of each chapter reading there will be some time for questions and comments. Hope to see you there.
●12:00 noon (-4 GMT) beginning April 16th, Zoom 292-024-0794. Pass it on.
For writers, I am often asked what the point is in doing readings. Publicity is the publisher and the marketing type's business, right? That is true, and if your only reason for doing readings is publicity, this is not for you.
Writing is about communication. For me the main avenue of communication is between me and myself. However, there are those out there, my tribe, readers who either like my stuff or are willing to see what I've come up with communicating with whom is fun, entertaining, sometimes poignant, and serves at times to powder this shameful little remaining need for validation I have.
That is why, back when we had science fiction conventions, I loved doing readings. Once the Covid-19 all-clear sounds, I expect we will have science fiction conventions again. Until then, it will be readings through Zoom and other video conferencing platforms.
Writing is a performance art, which means waiting a long time for the applause---sometimes forever. With readings the author gets live reactions from readers, and when they laugh and cry in the right spots, it is important feedback on several levels. The writer gets to see first hand what works and what doesn't work, but most important to me is finding the readers who get and stay on my particular wavelength.
Writing is a very lonely occupation. It is good to have company once in awhile.