I go to a reading with the expectation of buying a book unless I very much dislike the reader/poems. I like to do what I can to support writers/poets. I generally go to one reading a month in my general community, and like most people, I don't have loads of money to spread around on this, but I think of two things: 1 -- if I ever have a book, I hope when I do readings that people will be moved to buy my book, so I respond as I would like to be responded to; 2 -- because I attend local readings, I see buying the books as a way of supporting writers in my community and learning more about them and their work.
Most books/chapbooks cost between 10-20 dollars. I don't find that an unreasonable amount (along with a drink, depending on the venue) to spend on an evening's activity. Of course I'm not in an area where there's a poetry reading a couple of times a week...in that situation, I'd be more discriminating out of necessity.
Marybeth
Last edited by Marybeth Rua-Larsen; 03-19-2011 at 09:24 PM.
Reason: condensed a bit, and tone adjusted
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