Book Club Packing List
Not long ago, a fellow author contacted me with questions about attending a book club. It was the first time she was going to attend a book club as a guest author, and was looking for information on what to expect and suggestions on what to bring. During the previous year, I’ve had the honor of joining twenty or so book clubs to discuss “Marcel’s Letters,” and have given another twenty or so presentations. After the first few events, when I attempted to remember what I needed to bring (and inevitably forgot something), I committed those packing lists to paper.
In case those lists help fellow authors prepare for events, here are my packing lists:
Presentations:
– Books to sell (if not being sold by the event sponsor)
– If selling books: Square reader and phone to process sales (Tip: be sure phone is charged before event)
– If selling books: Cash box to be able to make change
– If selling books: Sign for table with price of book
– Laptop + power cord
– Book with excerpt to read flagged in advance
– Script for presentation
– Projector (if room is not already set up with projector as part of AV)
– If bringing projector: Extension cord (Note: my projector has a freakishly short power cord; an extension cord is often needed)
– Retractable banner
– Bottle of water
– High-quality photo prints of original letters to display
– Bookmarks
– Good quality pen for signing books
– Postcards with information on books
– Postcards showing sample of/information on font P22 Marcel Script
– Handout with book club questions
– Adhesive book plates
– Print out of contact information for event and/or copy of contract for event
Depending on event:
– Tablecloth
– Sign with information on who would like this book
Book Clubs:
– Photo album with “behind the scenes” photos
– High-quality photo prints of original letters to display
– Bookmarks
– Good quality pen for signing books
– Handout with book club questions
– Postcards showing sample of/information on font P22 Marcel Script
– Adhesive book plates
Fellow authors: Do you have anything you bring to book clubs/presentations that isn’t on this list? If so, I’d love to hear what you’d add to this list!