As a writer of short stories with a new collection out and a few competition successes under my belt, I’ve been doing a few readings at small literary events recently. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up about how to read to best effect, overcome nerves and leave a memorable impression…

Check out the reading space 

If at all possible, I like to get to the event in time to be able to stand in the actual spot where I’ll be reading. It calms me to visualise that moment in advance, and it’s also a chance to look out for any obvious issues to do with acoustics and sightlines. If there’s a lectern but it creaks and wobbles, I probably won’t use it. If the stage is quite a distance to the audience, I’ll know to raise my voice a little more than usual.

Remember you’re not taking an exam (and you’re not the centre of the universe) 

When we’re nervous, it’s easy to see our audience as some kind of adversary, scrutinising us coldly and trying to catch us out. But the people who come to readings are book lovers, a wonderful breed (you are one yourself) who love stories and are on your side. Take a moment to think yourself into the head of someone listening to you read too – yes, they’re interested and wish you well, but they also have all sorts of other preoccupations and priorities of their own.

Don’t be afraid to tee up your reading 

A little context or introduction before you start can really help your audience. A few words explaining where the passage comes in the context of your book, for example, or letting people know if your story has an unusual structure can help avoid a lot of head-scratching when you begin.

Look up…

Readings are much more powerful if the reader can make a connection with their audience as they read. Simply raising your head every now and giving a smile or making eye contact with someone in the audience is all it takes.

…And slow down

People almost always underestimate how fast they are going when reading out loud. Try to consciously increase your pauses, and especially mark a longer silence before you begin and between sections. Even small moments of silence can be very powerful.

Cut your cloth to the occasion 

Some events insist on a strict time limit per author, such as three minutes, especially where there are several people reading. This is tricky as most pieces don’t automatically lend themselves to this limit. In such situations, try to abridge your story so the audience gets the beginning, middle and end, otherwise, the reading could end up feeling quite abrupt and disjointed.

Final thought: Love your audience

So much of our anxiety about public speaking is tied up with a past that we can’t change and a future that will probably never happen. Once the day starts, let go of rehearsing. Don’t over-think your reading – instead, take an interest in the rest of the event, and make a point of talking to others and listening to their stories too. It’s hard to stay nervous if you remember to breathe, stay in the moment and adopt a loving attitude to your listeners.

It’s great to tell yourself, ‘All will be well’ – but even better to say, ‘All is well’…

BIO – Dan Brotzel (@brotzel_fiction) is co-author of a new comic novel, Kitten on a Fatberg (Unbound). To pre-order Kitten on a Fatberg for a 10% discount, quote KITTEN10