a question of what to read

[lagilman]

So. I have two readings at Worldcon, each about half an hour. So I need
to come up with two different things to read.

My brain is not up to this challenge. So I'm asking for opinions.

Should I read:

a chapter from STAYING DEAD
one of the Wren & Sergei stories forthcoming in October
something from the second Retrievers book, CURSE THE DARK
a chapter from the WiP, a YA fantasy novel
One or more stories from the Dragon Virus series (more SFnal with edge of horror)
One or more stories from the Portside series (SFnal and somewhat literary)

?

Opinions being solicited, so speak up...

Comments

Hrm

[banazir.livejournal.com]

Not going to Worldcon, but I'll go with what I'm personally going to read first: a chapter from Staying Dead.

--
Banazir

[dark-geisha.livejournal.com]

Not going to Worldcon, but since I've already read Staying Dead, I'd say Curse the Dark. As for the second reading, something from the WiP would be good -- I always like it when authors read something from what they're working on at that moment.

[alemya.livejournal.com]

I'd vote for #2, something from the Wren and Sergei story upcoming in Oct. :)

[arcaedia.livejournal.com]

My votes...

-one of the Wren & Sergei stories forthcoming in October
-One or more stories from the Dragon Virus series (and tell me more about this one....)

See ya soon.

[kradical.livejournal.com]

I think it's always better to read from forthcoming stuff. So I'd do the short story at one reading and Curse the Dark at another.

[lagilman]

Hrm. Not to pitch the stuff that's available for hot little hands to purchase in the dealer's room?

[rantmaster.livejournal.com]

It's doubtful that I'd have time to make it to Noreascon, sadly...though to hear you read, I'm really sorry I'd miss it. I already want to hear more Wren/Sergei stuff.. :(

Well, maybe I can make the time...

[necessaryspace.livejournal.com]

I always liked hearing from forthcoming stuff ... so I'd do one of each. Which available story are you most proud of/happy with?

Then then one of the other options, like from the second Retrievers book.

[nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com]

I think you should close the doors after the crowd has entered, lock or bar the doors in such a way that no can escape, then pull out a huge phonebook, clear your throat, and start with "A".

Barring that, I'd suggest definitely reading from something your audience can buy at the convention the minute they leave your reading.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I'll second two points of view here--read one thing that can definitely be purchased in the Dealer's Room, so they can find out how it ends! And read one thing that is forthcoming/being worked on.

Warning--I have a mystery I haven't sold, and a huge fantasy--I've read from both, and fans still ask if I've finished/sold them, years later. (Yes and No, and No and No....)

[writerkatie.livejournal.com]

Dead has plenty of scenes that should read well in excerpt, and as has been pointed out, it's available for, well, purchase.

Reading from something that's forthcoming is all well and good if by "forthcoming" you mean it'll be out within the next three months. Longer than that, I don't know if it helps much. Just my $0.02 and probably worth about that.

Katie

[lagilman]

Well, the two W&S stories clock in at just about 30 minutes, so either one of those is fair game (although I caught a major ooops in one story that ha dme going "How the HELL did everyone miss that? I demand a re-edit!" *sigh*

I suspect I'll read something shorter from STAYING DEAD during the other reding, and then do a non-W&S story to round it out. Keep me from getting too bored. ;-)

[lagilman]

And yes, I know I'm up way too early. Pandora has expressed her displeasure about my getting the suitcase out again by throwing up. There is no sound so certain to wake me up than the noise of a feline going "khhhlahhh...khhhlahhh....hack" under my bed...

(she's fine now, having been petted and scritched and reassured that her human hates to leave her almost as much as she hates me leaving, and I'd take her with me only there's that car ride thing she really hates so much....)

[lansan5.livejournal.com]

yeah i'm having to evacuate due to hurricane frances and not looking forward to stuffing my kitties into their carriers... argh

[hecateshound.livejournal.com]

You should read a teaser-section from something that's available now. Preferably a W&S something. Like, oh, Staying Dead? It doesn't matter if it ends. A cliffhanger is, in fact, better from all points of view. And you should have a handout to pimp your forthcoming W&S stories and other stuff, yo.

[lagilman]

Well, I read "Overrush" to what seemed to be good response, even if they didn't laugh at the funny/snarky lines...

[lagilman]

And I read "Site 14" from REVISIONS for the second reading, and it got a VERY good response. So I'm pleased...