Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Skyping Your Way to Bookclubbing Heaven: An Author’s Starter Kit

by Jessica Keener


I’m still new at this: setting up Skype appointments with book clubs and writing classes.  But I’m in love. I fell hard the first time I clicked my Skype button and hooked up with a college professor in Alabama from my upholstered, flying chair in Massachusetts.  I didn’t have to spend money on travel. I didn’t have to be away from my family. I didn’t have to go out at night (I’m a morning person)—or pack.

Skype, I now know, was invented for authors and book clubs.  It’s energizing. Free—a stellar means for spreading the word about books without draining authors who are truthfully exhausted from trying to do too much in the name of promote, promote, promote.  Skyping helps authors get their time machines back, and time machines as every author knows, help us escape to that place where books are written.

Ready for takeoff? Here are eight tips to get you going.
  1. Set up your Skype account.  It’s free. It’s simple. Go to the Skype website, create your account and you’re done.  It won’t take more than five minutes. If you hate all things technical, then ask a friend to walk you through. It’s truly e-z. (www.skype.com)
  2. Establish a place in your home (or office) for your Skype appointments. Ideally, it’s a room with a door you can close, a setting that you can control.  If you don’t have that, then pick a corner or space that’s out of the way, free from ambient street noise, babies crying, and kitchen kettles whistling.
  3. Arrange a five-minute practice run with your host before your scheduled time. That way, you can be sure your Skype call numbers (like telephone numbers) connect, and that  your equipment—computer, computer screen, audio—is working.
  4.  Visuals –What will your book club hosts see on their screens?  A view of your bathroom is not recommended—unless your book is about bathrooms.  Do you have a floor lamp or lamp with a moveable arm so you can adjust your lighting? You want to be sure your hosts can see your face and not a shapeless shadow.  Skype visuals have a tendency to look a little crinkly, too, like vintage I Love Lucy episodes, so lower your expectations for perfection in that regard. If your laundry room is the only room available to you—fine. No worries. Drape a tablecloth over the dryer. Put a pile of favorite books on top, or flowers. That’s it. You’re done.
  5.  Audio – Make sure your sound is audible and clear. And speak just a tad slower than your usual pace because Skyping is a bit like communicating from outer space to mother Earth. Your voice will lag. Everyone’s lips look out of sync. (Sound waves are slower than light, remember?)
  6. Your style— Be comfortable. Be genuine.  In short: be—yourself, whatever that means.
  7.  Let everyone know you’re up for Skyping.  Put a note on your website so book clubs are aware that you’re interested and available.
  8. Have fun.  Remember, you’re an author-astronaut now. You can go anywhere.

11 comments:

  1. Thank you for this, Jessica. I need to set this up and figure it out sooner rather than later. Next week I'm going to be doing something called Google Hangout with some wonderful book bloggers. It was supposed to be tomorrow, but Sandy has left some of the people involved without power still. At any rate, I think this will help me be better prepared for next week.

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    1. Can't wait to hear about your Google Hangout, Priscille.

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  2. I just did my first transatlantic book club via Skype, and it was fab! Got to love technology.

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  3. Great post! I can't wait for my first Book club Skype!!

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  4. I just did my first Skype book group, and I had a blast! Great advice, Jessica. Thank you!

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  5. I love Skype - and the prospect of doing this is great. I love the notion of really being able to control the setting, and make it pretty - or at least non-offensive! Would love to hear how long you Skyped and if it was organized or just loosey goosey! Hmmm...another blog post, perhaps?

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    1. Good questions, Amy. My Skype sessions so far have averaged between 30 and 45 minutes. I discussed beforehand, with the group's host member (the one organizing my Skype session)how long to Skype. The time slot was determined on the need and schedule of the book club/group--and my schedule.

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  6. Wow, I want to do this! Now all I need is a book club that wants me! THanks for the great piece :)This is Anne B.

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