The Word Cloud

Any idea on how one regsiters an interest to particpate in Authonomy Live? I've looked on the site for info and emailed the Festival, but no luck so far

If it’s the same as last year, you – and everyone else who's booked – will be emailed a comprehensive festival programme before March, with details on how to apply: the organisers then select various pieces. Best of luck :)

Thanks for the info, it's very much appreciated!

Hi

That's the way I read it...

And you are allowed a sentence or two to give the context.

Are you going to have a go??

Here’s how it rolled last year:

The selected authors hit the stage in turn, pitched a brief intro & read their extract on a mic. The judges, who each had copies of the pieces, gave feedback: authors had a chance to respond. At the end, the judges chose their favourites & it went to an audience vote: the author who got the most raised hands triumphed.

And the extract can be from anywhere in the book :)

I am tempted.... wouldn't mind getting up there and giving it a good go.

Still... got till March 18th to decide.

The idea is absolutely terrifying, but I'm considering it. My hand is rising tentatively...

We'll all sign up...

LOL! Or we'll prepare like MAD, s*** ourselves til the day, and then find out we weren't picked to do it!!!

m'wa ha ha harrrr

I'm gonna have a go! what's the worst that can happen??? ;-)

Have a shot – such a supportive atmosphere last year: obviously, no one’s heckled, booed, or the target of launched ice cubes/lime wedges/cutlery/stilettos. At worst, you’ll either stumble on your way to the stage or, if you’re profoundly soused, get onstage and realize you are in fact holding the festival programme instead of your extract. If this happens, at least you'll have a map of York in your hand and will therefore know how to escape the city as fast as possible...

I had fun in the Literary Death Match last year (less serious than Authonomy) and so I'm going to relax and listen this year. I don't know if it still applies, but last year, the nervous of heart were given the option of a pro reader. (I can't remember if anyone took it up.) If anyone wants a bit of coaching prior to the event, I'm a storyteller, and may be persuaded to offer advice on reading aloud, especially when at the bar with drink in hand.

...and I agree with Captain Morgan!

I think i'll probably throw my hat (nervously) into the ring on this, although not sure which 300-500 words to pick!

Any tips on how you decided on yours last year John?

Yes, Stephy. I read several passages out loud.

Well said John Onceupon and Captain Morgan

Thanks John, very helpful advice. I've got a few singled out, so i'll try reading them out loud this weekend and see if any of them work.

That's my problem to JohnO, something that doesn't need much explaining...it's a touch tricky with my piece.

I am scowering my piece to find a suitible admission.

I was one of the Literary Death Match judges last year. Nerve wracking to try to think of witty responses to such a diverse range of readings/performances, though no doubt not as hard as it was for the person being 'judged'.

Good luck to all of you. Be assured all contributors will be applauded for their creativity and courage.

Tors, you don't need to explain too much: just enough so that the audience can get a handle on your words. I wrote about four sentences of explanation for mine last year, but got it down to this: 'A girl with a learning disability goes to a fairground with an elderly biker.' I could have said more, and I could have said that it was a turning point in the book (which it is, because it's the day when she really begins to believe in herself) but I think it's best to let your words do the work.

Such wisdom by all in this thread.

It's great to put your hat into the ring - frightening but broadening because there's that chance you'll get picked so you see your own work through different eyes. I'd recommend it even if, like me last year, you don't make the few that read on the night - I still learned a lot and enjoyed all the readings. Autumn's got it right.

It was a very supportive atmosphere last year and I'm sure it will be just the same in March. JohnO and Harry and other were great in the deathmatch.

I do think it was tough for the judges too but, if I remember rightly, liquid refreshment helped maintain their enthusiasm ;-)

Don't worry about too much explaining - one sentence is always enough! You're not trying to explain the story, only to set up the situation that you're about to read: "Jane has appeared on her ex-boyfriend's doorstep, determined to get back the record collection that they shared." Honestly, that's all you need...

It's worth practising it a few times, to get it tight and make sure you don't ramble, and then writing it in along the top of your script. That's what I do for readings... And consider cutting out the one line by a character who isn't mentioned in the whole of the rest of the extract.

Emma

And when you practice, make sure you are reading slow enough. If you are, it will almost definitely seem TOO slow.

And *ahem* Mark's right about the ... er ... liquid refreshment. And there we were thinking people wouldn't notice ...