Listen to poems from Sex with Elvis, with musical accompaniment and arrangement by Shaun Lennox.

SOUND FILES OF ANGELA READING ARE AVAILABLE ON MYSPACE HERE

I've never liked doing readings. There are a lot of reasons for this. These days, I've found that most events are geared towards performance poets because comedy gets better audiences, and events rely on money on the door. Therefore, there is, understandably, a greater emphasis than ever before on being a polished performer. Some people are, some aren't. I've spent a lot of time and effort trying to get better at this, but I know it's not what I'm good at. At readings humorous work goes down a lot better than work that isn't funny. Readings are a strange thing these days. Fewer and fewer events have the funds to pay for people to read their work, so readers read at their own expense. Great if you can afford to do it and are good at it.

I've been to many readings. I'd say this. If you are going to read:

1) Know the audience- make sure you've been to the event first. If you have and notice it is mainly funny work pick your lightest work. It may not be your best, but comedy audiences find it easier to get into than suddenly switching their mood from laughter to hearing all about your dead hamster.

2) Select the poems you will read first, have them printed out big enough to read. Have them in order, so you aren't searching for poems on stage.

3) Avoid explaining the work too much. I've been to many an event where the explanation of the poem is longer than the work. It can sometimes work for comedic effect, but can give the impression the writer isn't confident the work will come across without its explanation.

4) As a matter of courtesy, I always stay and watch the other performers that have read when I have. You'd be amazed though how many people read their own work then just leave. Unless you want to gain a reputation as that rude writer, don't.

5) Don't read too long. Events seem to be becoming longer and longer, more people are crammed in. If people are out they may want to hear work, but they also want a drink or to mingle. It's discourteous to read too long- tough on your audience, and rude to people who may be reading after you. (I'd say most people probably do read too long, the problem with it is it gives the impression you think you are the star of the show. Chances are you are just one writer reading amongst others. It isn't fair to the other writers to read too long. It looks vain. Keep it short, leave the audience wanting more, rather than bursting to go to the rest room.

6) Practise your set first, tape it perhaps, or time it, before the event. This way you'll feel more prepared. Some people will say read at every opportunity you get, regardless. If you have the confidence to this, ie: you know it's a comedy venue where your work doesn't go down well, but it doesn't bother you, then do it. If, on the other hand, it's a venue you've been to before, where people are noisy and don't listen or your work just doesn't fit, I'd say you don't have to. If you're not getting paid for reading it should at least be fun and help you sell a few books, not knock your confidence.