Why virtual book launches and online book clubs are taking off
At first it seemed the loss of face-to-face book launches and cosy book club chats would be too much to deal with but it seems virtual platforms have created a whole new place for book lovers to be. FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN IN
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If you are a reader, a writer, a publisher or someone who just loves being part of a book club and the chatter that goes along with talking about books, it might have seemed the end was nigh with the loss of all those cosy spaces where book talk happened.
Instead, as one virtual platform after the other comes to life, it would seem Brisbane’s vibrant literary community has found a whole new way to be bookish.
West End’s Avid Reader has been one of the first to embrace technology not only transitioning its events program on line but even introducing weekly late night erotic readings with award-winning author Krissy Kneen.
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Brisbane author Mirandi Riwoe, who launched her new book Stone Sky Gold Mountain with more than 100 attendees via Avid Reader’s ZOOM last week, found the experience was “really moving”.
“Obviously the downside was there was no cake … or going out to celebrate afterwards but I would say the upside did outweigh the down side,” Ms Riwoe said.
“I feel like sooner or later we will be back to that (book launches in person) but the upside (of ZOOM) was more people and friends and people interstate and internationally were able to be there for the launch … so we are reaching a bigger crowd because usually it’s just loved ones and a few readers.”
Ms Riwoe said the other wonderful thing was the launch was recorded.
“In the past when you do a launch it is over and people tweet a bit but this way people can still watch it after .. so hopefully in the future we will do a bit of both.”
She said “kudos” to Avid Reader for “being so proactive in coming up with solutions for readers and writers they have gone the extra mile and it was fun”.
“It was moving and the big thing was that it was joyful.”
Avid Reader’s Krissy Kneen, who is also bringing readers together late at night to hear her new work in progress “Lust in the Time of Coronavirus” said seeing “authors and readers be so flexible and embrace change has been fantastic”.
“Many of our regular events have moved online,” Ms Kneen said.
“We have run a launch for Mirandi Riwoe’s “Stone Sky Gold Mountain”, a book chat with Cass Moriarty about great new Australian fiction, an in-conversation with Liam Pieper for “Sweetness and Light”, and I’ve been writing new erotic fiction and reading a new story weekly on “Lust in the Time of coronavirus” for 18+ on Thursday nights.”
“It is fabulous to be engaging with authors in this way especially as books continue to be published but would otherwise be overlooked in the lockdown.”
Ms Kneen said all book clubs had moved to Zoom this week and “we are looking to move our series of craft workshops onto the same platform”.
“It has been a difficult time for everyone and a very stressful time, and what we need most is to re-find our ability to concentrate on a good book and be transported away,” she said.
“I personally think that is the best form of meditation. To that end we are holding our first online reading party where we all get together just to quietly read on Saturday afternoon.”
She said Avid was continuing to do online orders with free postage around Australia for orders over $50 and free bicycle delivery
in 4000, 4005, 4006, 4030 & 4101 postcodes.
“People should keep an eye on our website as events are dropping in to our calendar thick and fast and there will be something for everyone in our smorgasbord of online events,” she said.
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Across town at Riverbend Books owner Suzy Wilson acknowledged the “maelstrom we are living through” in a letter to supporters.
“It seems we woke one morning to an entirely different world and it is now our job, as the species which is renowned for adaptation – to do exactly that,” she wrote.
Staff at Riverbend had worked to set up a “myriad of ways we are addressing this challenge,” she said.
From a Kindness Campaign, making a few titles available for community to give away to anyone is struggling, isolated or unwell to recommending a range of books to help cope with anxiety and starting new book clubs (one for readers and Riverbend and the other for Teachers and Teacher Librarians).
As well they have launched book chats online to give book clubs a chance to “continue hearing recommendations for books from your home or wherever you are”.
Riverbend is also offering free delivery across Brisbane and drive-through pick from the carpark.
And Mary Ryan’s at New Farm is taking over-the-phone orders and will bring your books out to your car if you are unable/don’t want to come into the store.
EVENTS COMING UP AT AVID READER
Cassandra Pybus - Truganini
Wednesday 08 April 2020
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
ZOOM Online
Register until 08 April 2020 4:00 PM
Cassandra Pybus is an award-winning author and a distinguished historian. She is author of twelve books and has held research professorships at the University of Sydney, Georgetown University in Washington DC, the University of Texas and King’s College London. She is descended from the colonist who received the largest free land grant on Truganini’s traditional country of Bruny Island. (Source Avid Reader)
Lauren Chater - Gulliver’s Wife
Thursday 09 April 2020
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
ZOOM Online
Register until 09 April 2020 4:00 PM
Lauren Chater is the author of the best-selling historical novel The Lace Weaver and the baking compendium Well Read Cookies: Beautiful biscuits inspired by great literature. She is currently working on her third novel, The Winter Dress, inspired by a real 17th Century gown found off the Dutch coast in 2014. In her spare time, she loves baking and listening to her children tell their own stories. (Source Avid Reader)
Originally published as Why virtual book launches and online book clubs are taking off
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