Offering book club discussion questions can be a very good way to encourage book clubs to discuss your book. If well-written, these questions can “demonstrate” the kinds of discussions that can flow from a club reading your book.
Recently I decided to provide more motivation for book clubs to discuss my book MRS. LIEUTENANT: A SHARON GOLD NOVEL by adding a short video to the book’s website page that offers the discussion questions.
You can read the questions now or watch the video below. Then leave me a comment whether you think this video is effective in encouraging book clubs to discuss MRS. LIEUTENANT.
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Phyllis’ company has just launched www.WeTeachWebMarketing.com to help people promote their brand, book or business.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: LeannMarshall
July 19, 2009 at 8:37 am
Phyllis,
Checked out your video here, and think it’s a great idea. My book is science fiction and I have one coming out in the fall that’s slipstream, but there’s always going to be issues and items in any book (if it’s got substance!) to encourage discussions.
Best of luck to you!
Leann
Leann –
Thanks for leaving this comment. And science fiction books frequently have “disguised” very serious issues — so your sci-fi book should be a natural for this idea.
Phyllis
Twitter: MrktingFiend
July 20, 2009 at 4:09 am
Hi Phyllis
I think this is a wonderful idea. There are so many issues that can be discussed like race, religion, differences, etc. through a book.
And its a great idea for Book Marketing!
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Freya
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/zimblermiller
July 20, 2009 at 6:49 am
Freya –
Thanks so much for leaving this enthusiastic comment. I do think a book can open up people’s minds in ways that other experiences can’t.
Phyllis
I also think that how-to books that are written from practical experience can be much more useful than those that talk in general terms. At least that’s my theory when writing them. BTW, Phyllis, let’s give this a little break and then run something on your book club theory in my Sharing with Writers newsletter. (-: Good stuff.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Blogging at Writer’s Digest 101 Best Website pick http://www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/zimblermiller
July 20, 2009 at 8:25 am
Carolyn –
I agree that the more specific the better because specific examples actually demonstrate the universality of many things. And looking forward to running something about my book club theory in your Sharing with Writers newsletter.
Phyllis
Twitter: Chuck_Weinblatt
July 22, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Great idea. I’m planning to write a list of useful book club questions for my Holocaust novel, “Jacob’s Courage.”
Charles Weinblatt
Author, Jacob’s Courage
http://jacobscourage.wordpress.com/
Twitter: tonyeldridge
July 23, 2009 at 9:36 am
What an excellent marking idea! There are so many current issues wrapped up in most novels that you have hit on a great key to open dialog. You have my creative juices flowing
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/zimblermiller
July 23, 2009 at 9:38 am
Charles –
Years and years ago I was an editor and report at The Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. I reviewed numerous Holocaust books and interviewed Holocaust authors. Particularly with this subject I think book club questions could be very valuable.
Phyllis
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/zimblermiller
July 23, 2009 at 9:39 am
Tony –
With your novel THE SAMSON EFFECT you should have plenty of relevant current issues on which to base book club questions.
Phyllis
My novel This Is the Place was published in 2001. I asked my publisher to include study questions at the back and they were most happy, too. In addition, I often offered (still do) use of whole chapters to teachers for study of tolerance. And they use the study questions, too.
Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Also blogging at Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites pick, http://www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com