Interested in Hosting Your Own BYOB
DO IT DO IT YOU’LL BE SOOOO GLAD
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How I Got Started
I live in Oxford, MS, a town that I love but has undergone massive change in the twenty-five years I’ve called it home. With the beautiful University of Mississippi campus and Faulkner’s house and Square Books, the town has received heaps of media attention, and as a result was named as one of America’s “Best Small Towns” and “Best Places to Retire” and “Best Tailgating in the Nation.” Naturally, Oxford was then overrun by out-of-town developers looking to cash in on its popularity. They scoop up small homes that had been housing middle-class folks and tear them down to build condos that are in use for merely six football weekends a year. The town has grown less affordable for creative people—you know, the people who made Oxford interesting in the first place. Many service industry workers can’t afford to live in the town where they wait tables.
I’ve seen this thoughtless growth harm our community, and like everyone around here, I’ve complained about it. But, sick of my own complaining, I decided to see if I could make one small positive change that would build community and reinforce the idea that literature is at the heart of our town. Hence, the idea for the BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) was born.
I’ve now hosted over a dozen BYOB events, and I’ll keep hosting until people stop coming. I’ve had some inquiries from folks who’ve seen my posts and say, “I wish we had that in my city.” So, hey—if that is you—let me empower you to start your own! Here’s what I’ve done and my tips—though you should alter to suit your own community’s needs:
Finding the Venue:
We’ve been getting around 45-50 people so I need a pretty fair-sized place with comfy seating. For me, the right space is one free of affiliations (non-academic, non-religious, non-political) where everyone feels welcome, a third space accessible to all, and a place that can turn off the music/TV. If a place sells coffee or cocktails, they normally have a big night, so I also feel good supporting local businesses! The venue might get some new customers out of the evening, and I post the event on the What’s Happening in Oxford FB page and I post photos afterwards, so there’s some good word-of-mouth. But really the host location is doing it out of kindness and community spirit.
I like to keep the locations moving around, so sooner or later everyone has one in their neighborhood. For your FIRST BYOB, you might make specific invitations to guarantee a crowd (but ask people to bring a co-worker you DON’T know).
Time:
I’ve been having these events weekday nights at six, so people can come over after work, and that day/time slot works well. We clear out in about 1 hour and 10 minutes. I've worked with the location to pick a date that suits but often we choose a Tuesday.
Issue the Invitation:
I didn’t want these events to be filled with fellow academics/writers (who already read on the regular) but with regular Oxonians, strangers to me, all ages and races and classes. I posted an invitation on that most contentious of sites: the “What’s Happening in Oxford?” Facebook page, where I’ve seen anonymous commenters be incredibly cruel to others who post—to their own townspeople! Maybe, I thought, I can help change that tone of negativity a tiny bit.
Here's what I posted:
Hello, fellow book lovers! My people!
I'm writing to invite you to our next the next BYOB, happening Tuesday, Aug. 4, at a fun new location: The Kingswood Hotel at the Oliver Hotel. BYOB—Bring your own book! Arrive at 6 and you'll be randomly assigned a table. This means whether you come solo or with a family member or pal from a book club, you'll be sitting with strangers, which is kinda sorta part of the point. We'll give folks some time to get settled/get a beverage if they want one, and then I'll welcome everyone, and then we'll all read silently for 45 minutes. That's it. A room full of strangers, reading. Doesn't that sound gorgeous? After 45 minutes, we'll have a quick 15 minute table chat (each table will be provided a bookish question to discuss). Then we'll head back out into the Mississippi night, maybe feeling a little bit better about ourselves and the world. This community event is FREE--books are for everyone! Tell your people.
Can't wait to read with you,
Beth Ann
Come Up with Questions
On the Big Night
Arrive early and count how many seats you have at each table. If table one has four seats, put four slips of paper in an envelope with the number “one.” If table two has eight seats, put eight slips of paper in an envelope with the number “two,” and so on.
When folks arrive, have them draw a number and sit at their table. You might go around with a sign-up sheet and collect emails to start a database of folks who’d like a reminder of the next date/location.
At 6, welcome everyone, thank the sponsor, explain the run of show (questions to be followed by discussion) and set a timer on your phone for 45 minutes.
Read. That’s the best part. Yum.
After the timer goes off, pass out the questions to the groups. Then give them 15 minutes to discuss.
When all this is over, thank everyone and announce the location of your next BYOB! Then clean up and head out and sleep well, feeling you did one small good thing for your town, your world—and of course, for yourself.
Thanks everyone and good luck! Let me know if I can help!