Book readings

i've been wondering lately about the effectiveness of the book reading, not from the standpoint of a bookperson, but from the business/sales standpoint. The last few readings I went to have not been well-attended, hardly any books were sold. Now I enjoyed myself but I think about the people that attend readings for authors who may not be McMillan, Sedaris, Madonna. For authors who aren't household names or haven't yet established a core following it seems that the people that come out for their readings are: family/friends, agent/editor and folks who just like to go to author readings. And the second group, i am learning isn't that large of a group.

I think of many of my friends and most of them have never been to an author reading.

I think the benefits of the reading are for the connection with the audience and I must say I am a big supporter of that, I think it is important and a incredibly payoff when authors do it. But i wonder how can authors attract folks in such a busy marketplace as well as attract folks who would not normally attend an author reading.

I'm rambling. more later.