BOOK CLUBS AND BOOKSTORES
A Personal Note:
Hi! I’m a member of the Author’s Guild, Directory of Poets & Writers and the International Thriller Writers Association.
In my opinion, what all members of these organizations share is gratitude to Book Clubs and Bookstores for fostering a sense of community around books and reading regardless of political climate, current conventions or technological advances. You are at the core of future progress.
In that regard, we all stand ready to assist and participate in that community. Depending on the types of books that interest you, contacting authors in those particular spaces can be done on their websites: The Authors Guild, Poets & Writers, and International Thriller Writers.
For myself, I gravitate toward thrillers—especially political, legal or action thrillers—which are my favorites to read or write. If you’re interested in related presentations, Q&A sessions or discussion panels, I am willing to participate in-person gratis in the Greater Los Angeles area or in virtual mode (e.g., Zoom) elsewhere for groups of 15 or more readers. Just contact me at ray@raymondpauljohnson.com.
As example, I suggest ten questions below for a Q&A session related to my novel Conspiracy Ignited.
Book Club Discussion Questions
1. What actors would you cast in the movie version of this book for Eric Ridge, Jayne Ridge, Terry Pao, Judge Gimuldin and Calvin Hess, and why?
2. Which characters would you like to learn more about, and why?
3. Did any of the characters remind you of yourself or someone you know? Why?
4. One of the sub-themes of the book is to be wary when someone tells you to do something for “the greater good.” Do you agree and, if so, why?
5. Eric Ridge and his buddy Terry Pao often say, “Tough never quits.” Why do you think they do that?
6. Calvin Hess is a no-trace assassin with somewhat conflicting philosophies, but do you think he’s a “true believer” in what he professes? Why/why not?
7. Reviewers have said that Joshua Censkey is a very interesting character. Why do you think that is?
8. What was your favorite flashback scene and why?
9. What was your favorite present-tense scene and why?
10. If you had the chance to meet and talk with one of the characters, who would you select and why?