Readings - Don't Hesitate by Sarah Louise Yagi
My First Formal Reading
What a thrill it was for me when twenty-eight women showed up for the reading at my hometown library on June 24th. The library staff hosted a luncheon for the occasion from which the proceeds would go to the new library soon to be built. The ladies decorated tables in the Children's Section with a Japanese theme (as my home is in Japan). They had lanterns on the tables and a colorful fan opened out at each place. Each setting had a pair of chopsticks beside the silverware. Before dessert, I stood and read for a little more than half an hour before the group, among them several friends who had lived on the street where I was born, a handful of high school friends, two of my former high school students, a couple of long-lost cousins, a few locals and several of the library staff, who also paid to sit at the luncheon and hear the readings.
I was very excited to have so many come to support me and listen to my poems, most of them for the first time. Throughout the readings, as they identified with the various poems - they laughed, they cried and they clapped. It was a heartwarming and totally enjoyable experience. Afterwards, many came to say they loved the readings. I sold and signed 16 books and a few CDs.
For those of you who are ready to begin marketing your new books, I would highly recommend reading at any and every opportunity you can create - local libraries, book stores, clubs, etc. For months, I had hesitated introducing myself, but when I finally found the courage to do so, I was as surprised as I was pleased at the incredible reception I received. I found it a perfect way to kick off my marketing efforts. You can do it, too, but don't hesitate about promoting yourself, as I did for some time. You will find it refreshing and humbling when you see people, some who never thought they would ever pick up a poetry book, reacting with interest and delight at your work.
Sarah Louise Yagi
Summer, 2007
