In my view, nothing can replace these personal meetings with readers! When you see “the white in the eyes” of the person in front of you. When you see their body language, when you see, whether they are bored or interested. It is the moment, when you can neither blink nor flinch. You have to meet the eyes of your audience, hold the gaze.

I still remember my very first reading – in Frankfurt at Hugendubel with a live-review of the late Ex-Deutsche Bank-CEO Rolf-E. Breuer, with some familiar, but many unknown faces in the audience. I was very nervous that evening in September 2010, when my Bad Banker was launched. And in these days, as you can see, every man was still wearing a tie. 😉 👔

Rolf-E. Breuer with Markus A. Will at Hugendubel in Frankfurt (Source: Own Image)

But could I capture the attention, could I tie them up? Would I pass the readers’ exam? Would the audience listen to my words, follow my approach? Would the ones, for whom you write, like the story? Would they like, what I call “Ecotainment” – entertainment with an economic topic? Many publishers had rejected my idea of embedding economics into an entertaining environment.

In particular, the very first reading out of your first book is like your first date as an author to meet his/her reader. You have thought a lot about him or her, but you have not seen the person, who you want to impress. And since you never get a second chance for a first impression, you better do it right! Well, for the “Bad Banker” it really worked out. I have sold more than 15.000 copies.

The audience at Hugendubel (Source: Own Image)

The way I do my readings has not much changed since the first one: I do not limit it to just reading out of the books, but rather to tell the stories around it, entertain the auditorium and discuss as much as I can. I try to play the narrative: When made it “click” for the plot and the title, how did I come up with a specific character and the different venues?  (read my previous #1 to # 4).

Over the last 15 years and over four thriller novels, I have read many times and met many readers: Next to in classic bookstores and at bookfairs, I have read at universities, in banks, at Rotary, at a Women’s Club, at private occasions, in Zermatt and other places. Over the years, it gives you some kind of a feeling of how to entertain your audience.

Recently, I read an article about Christian Kracht’s reading, where he had read out of his new novel “Air”. Two sentences as introduction and then “plain reading”. No words around it, no narrative, just his book. Well, Kracht is successful and perhaps right, but it is not my taste, even though he might be able to “tell more between the lines” by tuning his voice and speeding his words.

➡️ 🗞️ Frankfurt: Christian Kracht fesselt mit minimalistischer Lesung

Next week and during my Easter-break, I have a new “first” in my author’s reading career: For the first time, I will be reading in France, though the reading will be in English: In Cotignac in Provence at the Lou Calan bookstore on Saturday, April 12th from 3 to 5 pm (Link). Very nice place, and I plan to write some part of Mr. Tresident down there in Southern France.

While I will be reading out of The Dark Banker, published in 2021, I will also “test” the plot of Mr. Tresident with the audience. Unfortunately, Trump (and Vance) are the “best” fiction characters, one can think of, as sad as it is for the real world. I will take a rest and limit my appearance on LinkedIn during April. The next tresidential newsletter will be published on May 2nd, 2025.

Until then, I wish you a happy Easter! 🐰

All the best,

Markus A. Will