Come and see me at the Friendship Heights Community Center on June 2nd at 7pm. Read more. Books available at the event from Politics and Prose.

Dear me, I never thought of myself as a ‘Miss Manners’ but as I have now enjoyed many lovely visits with book clubs, by Skype video or phone call, I thought it might be useful to share a few tips on how to most comfortably set up a contact with a writer who might be willing to talk to your group: Check the writer’s website to see if they offer contact. Make a polite email (not phone) request. Give at least three weeks notice (but no more than two months) and preferably offer more than one day/time. Be prepared to reconfirm by email the day prior with Skype contact and emergency phone number, but please don’t ask the writer to do test runs. Understand if the writer already has too many requests and can not accommodate. Please don’t demand a multi-hour, in-person visit just because the writer lives in your state. Book Club visits are mostly to answer your questions in an informal way, so don’t look for a reading or presentation. I’ve had only lovely group visits, but other writers have laughingly told me of being ambushed by hostile questions. Please remind your group that “I hated all your characters” is not a polite way to treat a guest in your home! I find that book club visits typically last thirty minutes and that it is useful to begin at least 15 minutes after your guests arrive. Finally, do take note of time zones. I’d love to visit your group but not at midnight my time! Thanks and here’s to meeting many more fun book groups.