The Readers Circle

Join our Readers Circle this autumn at Desperate Literature

Join our upcoming Readers Circle from October, where up to ten readers will read eclectic, dare we even say it, desperate texts from our collection.  We’ll discuss contemporary works and classic ones too, and draw on these works of fiction, non-fiction & poetry to inspire our own writing.

A rotating group of participants will introduce texts and lead discussion, so we create a community experience. Andrew K Kauffmann, a local writer, teacher and coach, will be with us as a facilitator, asking questions along the way, and identifying new perspectives for us to talk through.

PLEASE NOTE: THE READERS CIRCLE IS NOW FULL ALONG WITH THE WAITING LIST

We will post again when more spots become available.

WHEN? WHERE?

The first and third Saturdays of the month
9h45 in Desperate Literature

WHAT WILL WE READ?

We will make a selection of texts based on a theme for the first two months and then once the group has established a rhythm, we hope it will choose organically.

Will try to offer a pdf format of all the texts, but Desperate Literature is also happy to offer books at a 20% discount for Readers Circle members!

THE FIRST BOOK!

The Years by Annie Ernaux

THE FIRST THEME!

Who are writers writing for, if not us?

This first season of our new Readers Circle, we’ll be reading texts that reflect in some way on the act of writing: who are writers writing for, if not us, and what is writing for, if not to satisfy readers? How conscious are writers of their audience when they write reflexively and self-reflectively, and how important is their reading audience – us – in forging their unique voice and style?
 

We will meet twice a month, on Saturday mornings from 9.45am to 11.00am, and carry on conversations where they’re still flowing over flowing coffee at a nearby cafe. Churros may be on the menu.

To keep the group small and compact, we will open spaces to our first ten interested readers and we ask you sign up if you know you’re likely to be in Madrid and can remain active in the group up to at least early December, when we will break for the Christmas and New Year period.

Our first readers circle discussion will get underway at 9.45am on Saturday October 7th. The next meeting after that would be October 21st.

We look forward to working with you, taking your suggestions for reading under this theme, Who are writers writing for, if not us? We’re likely to read samples, as well as whole works, from writers as diverse as Ursula Le Guin, Annie Ernaux and James Baldwin. Do share your suggestions!