I sought advice from friends on my opportunity to read to an audience at a bookstore (Vroman's Pasadena, 4 pm, NOvember 27th).
Here is what they told me:
1) Dress in something you love to wear. Comfortable and eye-catching. So I ditched the red power suit and will wear a sweater and jeans and NEW BOOTS for verve (breaking in the boots).
2) Practice aloud. I put this off and put this off. I started this week. What a difference. The dogs are very tired of hearing the presentation, but reading to them has helped me get the pacing, censor the passages, and remember the problematic words. Practice, practice, practice ALOUD.
3) Relax. My hair stylist told me, "This is the moment you were born for. Just do it!" And so I will.
4) Handing out M&M's--sweetens the deal for everyone.
A big thank you to Vroman's Pasadena. It is one of a few independent bookstores left standing in LA, plus they support indie authors. My book is shelved next to Lisa See's and Janet Fitch's!
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I taught literature for 34 years, so reading aloud was what I did every day. Now that I've been away from the classroom, I'm terrified!