Debbie Harpham
by Carol Van Den Hende
The Literary Libationists invited me to come speak at their book club gathering after they’d read my debut novel, Goodbye, Orchid.
Longtime book club member Fran P told me “I look forward to this evening every month!” Once I’d arrived to the upscale wine lounge where they meet, I could see why.
Book club leader Tracy F thought of every detail to ensure members immersed into the story.
Here are three ideas that your book club can steal with pride:
1) decorate and dress for the book’s theme. My Orchid series is named after main character Orchid Paige, so the book club had decorated the space with fresh orchids, Tracy had dressed in a floral motif, and the members gifted me with a orchid scarf and card inside an orchid-patterned gift bag. This created an immediate “wow” feeling upon entering the space!
2) create a book-inspired drink menu. Tracy designed a unique cocktail menu inspired by beverages imbibed by protagonists Phoenix and Orchid, and named after the main characters. We even all toasted with Ming Baijiu, a Chinese alcohol mentioned in the book series (see photo for this inspired touch!)
3) develop custom discussion questions. There are discussion questions within each book, and book club kits on my website. Yet Tracy really created a fun experience by writing questions she knew would spark debate among these members. One of my favorite moments was when members were defending my characters’ decisions, so I didn’t even have to offer my author insight on their motivations!
So for your next book club, consider decor, get creative with beverage (and food) choices, and come up with your own discussion questions!
I love book clubs, so please schedule your time with me!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of the Goodbye, Orchid series which won 20+ literary awards including the American Fiction Award, Pinnacle Achievement Award, IAN for Best First Novel, two Royal Dragonfly’s, and Kops-Fetherling Award. When she’s not penning stories of resilience and hope, Carol applies her MBA to global marketing and digital strategy (in chocolate, sweet!).
She’s also a public speaker, who’s presented at Writers’ Digest, Women Who Write, IBPA, NJ’s Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Novelists’ Inc, Rutgers Writers’ Conference and more.
Carol is active in her community, as a Climate Reality Leader, as a Board Trustee, and by raising funds for non-profits like USA Cares.
One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all.
Schedule your book club’s visit with Carol Van Den Hende.