A Book Launch: Getting it Right

Sometimes, public readings or book launches can be all about the venue. Any journalist will tell you how dim a light is shone on a book from a grey cold hall or plastic cups of warm Chardonnay. A bit of imagination can go a long way, writes Ronan Browne.

Take The Stinging Fly's launch of their short story collection These are our Days earlier this month, held in the same setting as Joyce's most famous story 'The Dead', from Dubliners. American publishers have begun to work out that the fashion is spreading for appropriate launch parties. Janet Evanovich released her new thriller Twelve Sharp in Las Vegas casino, the hardboiled location of choice these days. After Madonna did a series of signings of her children's books at Gap Kids stores, writers like Plum Sykes and Deborah Schoeneman have been appearing at DKNY and Ralph Lauren around the US. Irish writers with kiss-and-tell political biogs lined up for autumn might be interested in a vacant, cheesy room off Parnell Square, complete with greasy dancing poles.