Giving public readings is part of the writer’s job. Creative writers read to promote their fiction, poetry, essays, and plays; they read to help readers and general audiences more fully understand the artistic process and its product. Because public reading is a crucial dimension of the writing life, these guidelines will help you read at your best, not only in the showcase that is part of your program, but in the many occasions for public reading that lie ahead.

Objective

Present yourself in a professional manner. Be aware that all kinds of people are in the audience and you have a responsibility to them. Part of that responsibility is reading appropriate material.

Present the study of Creative Writing at Clayton State University in a positive manner. Because your reading will demonstrate what our program can accomplish, you showcase the teaching of writing and the university as well as yourself.

Select a passage or passages from the writing in your major field, not a support field, which you can effectively convey in the time allotted. In making this selection, you and Dr Byrd should confer so that the public reading will project your best work.

Talk with Dr Byrd about the information she should use in introducing you.


Practice

Practice several times. Remember to read clearly, which means that you may have to slow down your otherwise "natural" way of reading. Don’t be afraid to pause at times and look up into your audience. Only practice can fine tune your timing. Reading with a digital clock is the surest way to know you’re on target.

Remember that your time allocation includes all "microphone time," i.e. every word you speak or read, not just the passages from the writing you'll present, takes up your allotted time.

Mark--with tags that can’t slip out--the pages in your manuscript so you can turn to them immediately. Fumbling for pages, apologizing for not knowing your own material, and deciding on the spot what to read do not project a professional image. The more control you have over your selections, the more positively you will project yourself as a writer.

Expect time to be called if you go beyond your allotted time.


Performance

Dress appropriately.

Make eye contact with your audience before you begin. If lights are in your eyes and you can’t see any faces, remember those in the audience think you can see them.

Know your material well enough so you can look up regularly, thus sharing what you’ve written. The more you can look up, the better your listeners can follow and appreciate what you’ve created.


Knowing how to showcase your work is part of your obligation to your own professionalism.