Patricia Harrelson

Reading work aloud at a public event is often our first opportunity to publish our work. And even when we read something that is already in print, we are very likely presenting the material to a new audience. That was the case for me when my sister-in-law encouraged me to read a segment from my book, Between Two Women, at the monthly public reading in Todos Santos, Mexico when I was visiting her and my brother in February 2010.

The reading was in the courtyard of a lovely art gallery. There were about 20 readers and an audience of about 35. Though my book had been published two years before, this was a brand new audience and the experience was exhilarating. So much so, that when I got home I told my writing group that I really wanted to spearhead starting a monthly reading event in our small town. They thought it was a great idea, and we spent one of our meetings planning and dividing to-do tasks among us. On September 1, 2010 we launched First Fridays and this month marks our 12 month.

Here are the things we did that contributed to making First Fridays successful.

• secured a centrally located venue with great ambiance
• secured the endorsement of the local arts council
• advertized: posters, flyers, local newspaper, word of mouth.
• kept it simple: 1 hour, 5 minute slots, once a month.
• divided tasks on reading night, one person doing each task: sign-ups, timer, emcee, sound, clean-up.

First Friday’s continues to attract new readers each month. The audience is always appreciative and folks linger to talk about writing and reading afterward. We are delighted to have created a space for writers to read works in progress or older stuff dusted off for the occasion.