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I once visited a bookclub whose claim to fame was that they created an appropriate martini for whichever book they were reading. (I was at that bookclub to discuss my Christmas-themed book, S, and the martini made with cranberry juice and rimmed with crushed candy cane was so delicious that I only took two sips because I was afraid I would guzzle the whole thing and be that writer if the alcoholic content was as high as I thought it might be.) By contrast, I have heard of bookclubs that involve spreadsheets and rating systems and Robert’s Rules of Order.

There are bookclubs where the book is the point and bookclubs where the club is the point. Every bookclub is unique.

As a writer, I truly love engaging with people who are engaging with my book. It’s one of my favourite parts of the whole business of writing. It’s wonderful to sit around a living room or a Zoom room with people who are discussing something I’ve written � someone once said a book is not fully published until it’s been read, and there’s something very satisfying in experiencing that my ideas turned words have turned back into ideas in someone else’s mind. It’s magical, really.

What I have found, however, is that hosting a bookclub can be challenging, especially when the author is present but also just generally. A couple of years ago I came across the work of someone who can really help with this: in many ways Priya Parker and her book, , changed my life. It certainly changed how I lead groups � because she taught me how to take hosting seriously, how to find the sweet spot between being bossy and controlling and being laissez faire and expecting an event just to unfold because people are there together. She’s the reason my play groups begin with people holding their hands together to make the “curtains� rise and end with people drawing the curtains to a close.

Here are a couple of fantastic quotes from Priya:

“Gatherings crackle and flourish when real thought goes into them, when (often invisible) structure is baked into them, and when a host has the curiosity, willingness, and generosity of spirit to try.�

“Why is this night different from all other nights?� Before you gather, ask yourself: Why is this gathering different from all my other gatherings? Why is it different from other people’s gatherings of the same general type? What is this that other gatherings aren’t?�

“Reverse-engineer an outcome: Think of what you want to be different because you gathered, and work backward from that outcome.�

So what does this mean if you’re hosting a bookclub, and what does it mean if you’re inviting an author to your bookclub?

First, people are busy so we want to value their time. This is true for every member of the bookclub. When you’re inviting people to a bookclub—reader or author â€� spend time thinking about what is expected of them and what they can expect, and then let them know. My local bookstore hosts a men’s only bookclub and here is part of its delicious description: “The lads meet at a local watering hole for discussion, libation and an occasional fist-fight over selected crime-fiction titles.Ìý Long-standing grudges are expected and encouraged.â€� Not everyone will want to be part of such a bookclub but those for whom this is a fit will instantly know that these are their people and their books. And that’s what you want.

Will there be snacks? What should you do if you haven’t finished the book? What time will it end? Is this more of a drinking club than a reading group? How snobby is it? Is leadership shared? How much participation is expected?

These are important elements to communicate when you’re setting up or inviting people to join your bookclub.Ìý(Speaking of which, if you don’t have a bookclub, local bookstores and libraries are great sources of connection, but you also have the opportunity to create your own, inviting friends and neighbours to discover and talk about books.

If you already have a bookclub, you might want to think about how to jumpstart your bookclub beyond discussion of who liked/disliked what. Oprah has a of unexpected people you could invite to your bookclub. I’m not suggesting you need to follow this list but it might spark your imagination for what your bookclub could be.

If you are inviting an author, as I said above, let them know what your bookclub is usually like, both philosophically and practically. At the same time, a bookclub where the author is present ought to be different from your usual bookclub meeting � simply because the author is there. One puts it like this:

“An author visit is a rare experience to gain more insight into the book you’ve read, learn about various inspirations, and hear about what an author may be working on next.Ìý It may seem obvious, but it’s important to make it clear to members that the author is a guest to be respected. This isn’t an occasion for members to list what they didn’t like about the book or to complain about how a character was written or the way a plot point was resolved…[instead] view the author’s visit as an exciting interview where they get to learn more about the book.â€�

Plan a list of questions ahead of time. You might want to discuss the book ahead of time online or at one bookclub meeting, generating questions you would like to ask the author when they meet with you. You can also make use of resources � connected with their books.

This one might seem obvious but encourage members to buy a copy of the book and to read it if the author will be attending. It’s not a requirement but it is a kind courtesy. I know I can speak on behalf of all authors when I say that authors are delighted to sign copies if the bookclub is in person or bookplates to send if the bookclub is a virtual one.

Finally, know that it is a pleasure for an author to attend a bookclub. Don’t hesitate to invite them. Some writers I know schedule one bookclub a month while others would be happy to attend multiple bookclubs a week.