Shaw launches online reading aloud initiative with Bert's Books

Crime writer William Shaw is to launch an online reading aloud initiative with Berts Books next month. 

Reading Party involves writers and participants spending an evening together, reading short extracts aloud from a chosen book in the company of the author, via Zoom. 

The initiative is partnered with the online bookseller Bert's Books, which sells titles alongside tickets for the events. During the events, authors will sign bookplates, which will be included in Bert's Books mail-outs. 

The event was created by Shaw, who was looking to fill the gap when live events and book launches were cancelled during lockdown. He said: "Writers were all devastated when live events came to an abrupt halt. What was missing from online meetings was that sense of intimacy you get when you’re in front of readers. I wanted to find something that could create a genuine exchange between readers and writers. Reading out loud in front of others might be a bit scary at first, but it’s a lot of fun, too – and once you’ve done it, I think you can feel a much stronger connection to the book."

Describing the inspiration for the website, he added: "In 2020 writers, bookshops and libraries saw their book events disappear. It became clear that while Facebook Live and Zoom were great tools, they were no substitute for face-to-face book events at bookshops, libraries and festivals. Plus online events don’t produce much in the way of books sales. What is needed is a different kind of event."

Several crime writing-orientated events have been confirmed with Reading Party next month, including Elly Griffiths reading from The Postscript Murders, C L Taylor from Strangers and Bella Ellis from The Diabolical Bones. 

Will Dean is also scheduled to read from his latest novel, The Last Thing To Burn (Hodder & Stoughton), in January.