I Love to Read Month
By Amy Groening
Usually, the 4th Friday of the month is reserved for a good ol’ Word Alive Press writing prompt, to help you build up your creative muscle. Today, however, we’re going to focus on writing’s most important counterpart: reading.
February is I Love to Read Month, and schools and libraries all over North America are gearing up for a month of activities that celebrate literacy. Authors, it’s time to get in on the action! What do you have planned?
If you’re drawing a blank, you’re not alone. But don’t worry, you’ve got 9 days to think of something, and we have a few ideas to help you get on the right track.
Host a giveaway: Not only can this help spread the word about your book, but it’s also a chance for you to give back to your readers. This can work great if you have a blog, are on GoodReads, or social media. Hold a draw or contest, with your book(s) as the prize!
Get involved in your local library (or school): Libraries are a hotspot during I Love to Read Month; call up the one closest to you and see what they have planned. Maybe there’s an opportunity for you to do a reading, donate a book, or get involved in some other literacy-based activities. Elementary schools are also a great place to try. Keep in mind that these institutions have limited budgets and might not be able to purchase your book, so it’s unlikely you’ll be making many sales. Don’t let that stop you! Even if you don’t get the chance to show off your book, this is a great way to make connections—especially if you’re a childrens’ book writer.
Blog: Dedicate some space on your blog to a celebration of literacy. Whether it’s a simple list of your favourite books or a complex exploration of what reading means to you, now is the time to focus on reading.
Compare notes and get creative: Find out what other writers in your area are doing. Is there a coffee shop night you can get in on? Is someone hosting a workshop you could be involved in? If the answer is no, maybe you could be the person to spearhead this; a local author roundtable is a great idea at any time of year, but interest is often higher during a month-long celebration like this.
We’ve got a fun contest planned for ILTRM—but until February 2, it’s staying under wraps. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out what it is. You could be a winner!
If you’re holding an ILTRM event, we’d love to hear about it! Tell us about it on Facebook.
About this Contributor:
Amy Groening is a project manager at Word Alive Press. She is a passionate storyteller with experience in blogging, newspaper reportage, and creative writing. She holds an Honours degree in English Literature and is happy to be working in an industry where she can see other writers’ dreams come to life. She enjoys many creative pursuits, including sewing, sculpture and painting, and spends an embarrassingly large amount of time at home taking photos of her cat committing random acts of feline crime.