Reader Guidelines and helpful tips:
Rehearse your piece to get your time to 4 min and under, that’s approx. 600-800 words depending on your tempo.
It is recommended to print (or print on paper and paste) your story onto large unlined index cards… rustling paper is noisy.
Rehearsing in front of a trusted friend or mirror helps you get comfortable with your story and holding the cards….a music stand will be provided too if you prefer. Practice reading slowly and clearly.
Bolding or italicizing words that you want to emphasize helps too.
Write your story out in lines the way you speak them instead of in paragraphs.
Use your voice in whatever way works to create the tone of your story: whispers, a full or soft voice, get animated, do vocal imitations of characters. Remember that you are up there to entertain.
It is visually helpful if you use a 14 or 16 point, simple font.
Make logical breaks so you are not turning a card mid-sentence.
Oh yeah… Crucial – Number your cards!
The night of the slam:
If you have merch we will have a table for you to sell your stuff.
Please give us any items that you would like us to promote before the show.
When you hear the host announce your name, come up to the stage.
Give a nod as a cue that you are ready to read…
Then – you are on!
Have fun.
You’ll hear a gong at 4 minutes and that means it is time to stop.
Applause… take a bow.