Book Club Discussion Guide Template for Independent Authors
A book club guide should open a conversation, not tell readers what they are supposed to think. Independent authors can help organizers by preparing questions, accurate book details and an optional visit plan that respects the group's interests and time.
Download the editable worksheet
Download the book clubs worksheet (Excel) →
Open the Excel file in your spreadsheet application or import it into Google Sheets and review the formulas after conversion. Save a separate copy for your project. Fill in the pale-yellow cells and use the Review status dropdown. Ready items and Items to review update from those choices; Not applicable removes an item from the remaining review count. Your edits stay in your file and do not sync to Author Rise.
1. Plan around the reader group
Ask the organizer about the group's interests, meeting format and available reading time. Provide accurate book-access options and avoid assuming every reader can buy the same format. Agree on whether the discussion includes the ending, selected chapters or the whole book.
2. Write questions that allow different answers
Begin with a broad response, then explore a specific character choice, idea or turning point. Ask what evidence supports a reader's interpretation. Include a question about structure, voice or an argument. Avoid questions that have only one correct answer unless you are clarifying a factual detail.
3. Make participation comfortable
A moderator can invite people to pass on a question, share speaking time and keep disagreement respectful. Personal connections to a book can be valuable, but nobody should have to disclose private experiences. Ask about access needs and check what the chosen venue or online platform can support.
4. Prepare an optional author visit
Agree on the length, format, moderator and topics before promising an appearance. Ask whether the group wants questions collected in advance. Discuss any fees or travel costs directly. An author visit can add context while leaving room for readers to interpret the work in their own way.
5. Close with a useful next step
Invite readers to name a scene, idea or question they will remember. Thank the group and offer relevant follow-up materials if requested. Keep newsletter signup and purchases optional. Record which prompts produced thoughtful discussion and improve the guide for the next group.
A practical starting point
Discussion prompts: Which moment changed your understanding of the book? What choice or argument did you question? How did the structure affect your reading? Which interpretation differed from yours, and what made it interesting?
Adapt this example to your own work and the recipient's requirements. Complete the first three relevant worksheet fields, then choose one action you can take today.
Continue with related Author Rise resources
Further reading and useful tools
- ALA's Let's Talk About It program offers a reading-discussion model and planning resources.
- ALA's Great Stories Club resources include discussion materials for its specific themes and audiences.
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