5 benefits to inspire your writing

You’ve probably heard of Reese Witherspoon’s book club at some point over the years. In fact, she may have recently noticed that the mega-popular novel turned into a great movie, where the locusts singit’s not just a New York Times bestseller, but with a major stamp: part of Reese’s book club.

So what exactly is this type of club? Why do they matter? Are they just for avid readers or can authors take advantage of these clubs too? In this article, we delve into the following:

What is a readding club?
Benefits of a book club
List of book clubs

If you’ve never been part of a club like it, or just want to learn more about its benefits and how you can take advantage of them as an author, keep reading!

Table of Contents

What is a readding club?

A book discussion club is simply a group of people who meet for the sole purpose of discussing books. You will usually find clubs that discuss topics like:

What they liked about a book
What they didn’t like
Your opinions
book to go

While not all clubs follow the same format, they are generally relaxed with a deep focus on one particular book. Everyone in the club is tasked with reading the same work of nonfiction or fiction, and at a specific, recurring moment, everyone comes together to discuss.

Think of this form of club as an in-person forum where you can share your thoughts with other readers, hear their views, and share your love of reading.

Benefits of a book club

Joining a club is a great way to interact with other readers, learn more about plot and characterization, and hear what’s selling well and why. If you’re an aspiring author, joining one of those clubs might be the perfect opportunity for you.

A club will not only surround you with readers, but it will also allow you to interact with your potential target audience in person. Below is a list of the benefits you can find by joining as a writer.

#1 – Immerse yourself in literature

While we may all want to read the classics, it can be hard to find the time and motivation to do so. Depending on the type of book club you join, you may find that reading a classic in a group is much more fun than you ever imagined. Of course, not all book clubs read the classics, but learning about famous stories that have stood the test of time can help you grow as a writer.

#2 – Expand your knowledge

The more you surround yourself with other writers and readers, the more you will discover about the world of books. It’s easy to get caught up in a one track mindset and walk away from a story with one set of conclusions. When you join a book club, the opposite is true. Yes, you get to experience your own insights, but you also get the privilege of hearing what others discover through the story.

#3 – Get a feel for audiences across genres

As a writer, your job is to connect with your target audience in such a way that they read your book and desperately want to read the next one. Book clubs study a myriad of genres, and your target audience is bound to exist in one of them. Joining a book club will help you understand your audience on a more personal level and ultimately help you write better books.

#4 – Learn from genres you don’t naturally read

While writers do read, not all writers enjoy genres outside of their own. That being said, it is extremely beneficial to open yourself up to new writing opportunities by becoming familiar with the genres. Imagine how well you could write historical fiction if you immersed yourself for a month or so in biographies of historical figures?

#5 – Discover comments without sharing your work

One of the biggest benefits of joining a book club is taking note of what other readers are saying about genres similar to yours. It can be intimidating to share your work in progress with beta readers, let alone your final draft with an audience. Book clubs allow you to get detailed information about which types of plots and characters work well in specific genres and which ones don’t.

Now that you know several reasons why you might benefit from joining a book club, let’s look at some real book clubs you could join or even submit your own book.

A list to start

Check out the list below to help you start your search today!

#1 – Reese’s Book Club

Popular for a reason, Reese Witherspoon is known for her book-to-screen adaptations. If you want to read up to twenty-four books a year, join Reese’s club! Join over 2 million other readers and stay up to date with teen and adult reading on social media.

#2 – Between two books

you read the goldfinch or love the movie? This book club started in 2012 and was established by fans of Florence Welch. This is an online club with over 100,000 members. A community that always seems to be involved in the books in some way (video readings, discussions, etc.) this is a great club to join if you want a more intimate feel.

#3 – Silent Book Club

What if you are an introvert but want to get out more and interact with other readers? Join one of the more than 240 Silent Book Club chapters, spread across more than 30 countries. This club focuses on readers coming together, not to talk, but to read books in the presence of other readers.

Book Club Steps for Authors

What if you are an author and want to submit your book to a particular book club? You might want to try looking in the Green Leaf Book Clubwhich has been around since 1997. When looking to send a book club, a crucial step is to learn as much as you can about what readers love.

All book clubs are full of unique people, so while you may want to introduce your book to famous celebrity clubs, it’s critical to send your book to the right audience.

A second way to create a book club is simply by becoming a proactive member. Invest in other readers, share your thoughts on the books you loved, the books you want to read, and the authors you aspire to be.

The more involved you are as a member, the more likely other members will respect what you have to say and want to hear from you. Once you’ve established yourself as a contributing member of a group, consider talking to the person who runs the book club and pitching her book as a potential read.

Just as you need to understand your target audience and comparative works when writing your book, these details are also vital to getting your book into a book club. Before submitting your work, ask yourself the following questions: