Want to host your own Dropped Threads Event? Here some ideas and suggestions to get you started:

Where do I host a DT event?
• Approach a venue. Your local independent bookstore is a good place to start, or perhaps a community centre.

Do I need to have an author attend to make the event happen?
• No. DT events work on a grassroots level, because the event is based upon people coming out and sharing their stories.

What happens at a DT event?
• start off with a discussion about the books. Click here to find a book club guide on Dropped Threads, Dropped Threads 2 and Dropped Threads 3.
• Appoint a moderator at the event (yourself, or someone from your local bookstore) to ask questions from the audience (“How did DT affect you?” “Which story did you relate best to?”)
• Ask members of the audience to share their own story

How do I promote the event?
• Send a notice to your local community newspaper
• Call your local radio station
• Download this black-and-white flyer or colour flyer to post on the bulletin boards of your local community centres and shopping malls (you'll need Adobe Acrobat to be able to download them). Also approach bookstores and ask them to keep these flyers on their counter.

When is the best time to hold a DT event?
• Pick a weeknight, and make sure it doesn’t coincide with any other major local or national event (public holidays, etc.).
• Choose a time in the evening, like 7pm or 8pm. Schedule the event for 1 hour or 1 ½ hours, but it can go longer if the discussion is going well.

Should I provide food and drink?
• It’s up to you (and your budget) but it would be great to put on a pot of coffee and have some baked goods at the event.

What supporting material can the publisher supply for the event?
• Dropped Threads posters and flyers
• Bookclubs.ca fridge magnets
Contact rchan@randomhouse.com for promotional materials

What else should I keep in mind?
• Make sure you order quantities of Dropped Threads, Dropped Threads 2 and Dropped Threads 3. People who attend the events may want to buy the books for themselves, or as gifts. Call our customer service line to order: 1-800-668-4247.
• Encourage everyone to visit www.droppedthreads.com to share their own stories on-line and to get updates about other DT events
• Encourage everyone to visit www.bookclubs.ca for book club guides on the Dropped Threads books, other books by Carol Shields, and many other great reads

Please email us and tell us about your upcoming Dropped Threads event. We’d love to hear about what you’re planning. Drop us a line at canadaweb@randomhouse.com.