Comments on: Are You Making It Easy for Book Clubs to Discuss Your Book?

By: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Carolyn Howard-Johnson — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:50:47 +0000

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

By: Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Phyllis Zimbler Miller — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:39:56 +0000

Tony –

With your novel THE SAMSON EFFECT you should have plenty of relevant current issues on which to base book club questions.

Phyllis

By: Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Phyllis Zimbler Miller — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:38:07 +0000

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

By: Tony Eldridge

Tony Eldridge — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:36:47 +0000

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

By: Charles S. Weinblatt

Charles S. Weinblatt — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:39:43 +0000

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/

By: Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Phyllis Zimbler Miller — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:25:54 +0000

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

By: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Carolyn Howard-Johnson — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:19:13 +0000

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

By: Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Phyllis Zimbler Miller — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:49:07 +0000

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

By: Freya

Freya — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:09:49 +0000

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

By: Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Phyllis Zimbler Miller — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:55:55 +0000

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