Giving a reading is perhaps the most stressful and most rewarding part of being a writer. The connection with the audience and the rush from their reaction to your work buoys the spirit of the most jaded writer. Yet many, if not most, writers lack the performance skills to present a compelling reading. We will look at how to select and order the selections for a reading, go over basic oral interpretation techniques, and practice by reading pieces provided. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own work to practice reading.

Barbara Morrison, who writes under the name B. Morrison, is the author of an award-winning memoir, Innocent: Confessions of a Welfare Mother, now available as an audiobook, recently named Best Nonfiction Audiobook by Independent Press Awards, and two poetry collections, Terrarium and Here at Least. Her writing has appeared in anthologies and literary journals such as Passager, Little Patuxent Review, The Sun Magazine, the Toronto Journal, and elsewhere. She conducts writing classes and workshops and provides editing services.