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How A book Launch Became A Performance Piece

December 23, 2020 | By Joyce Yarrow | Reply More

by Joyce Yarrow

It’s interesting how we tend to compartmentalize our lives without thinking about it — professional vs. personal, friendships vs. business relationships, hobbies vs. work life— the list goes on. When I began writing novels it seemed natural enough to separate my literary activities from my music career as a singer/songwriter. After all, we don’t expect an author to break into song at a bookstore, or a vocalist to read from her latest work of fiction at a concert. Even the fact that my latest book sprang directly from a song did not seem all that relevant until the pandemic forced me to rethink how it could be launched.

I started by booting up my iPad and attending some webinars and Zoom events where writers were discussing their new works and interacting with readers via the chat window. I found that my attention wandered, even when the topics initially seemed interesting. It was more than Zoom fatigue. It was a feeling that the medium was not being used to its full potential – as when we watch a documentary filled with talking heads and inevitably change the channel. I decided I wanted to do something compelling, something “outside the box.” But how?

First I needed to find a host and collaborator. Since one of the main themes in my book was La Convivencia—a time in medieval Spain when people of different faiths lived in harmony and lots of intercultural exchange took place—I approached Sura Charlier, a versatile, talented musician with a strong interest in interfaith dialog. As the Director of the Kalyan Sufi Universalist Center, Sura was already hosting classes and events on Zoom. She signed on in a heartbeat and we decided the event would be a ‘book launch and celebration of the spirit of Convivencia.’

We put together a program of mystical poetry and music, punctuated by readings from my book. Angie Bolton, an actress and singer I’d already had the pleasure of working with, generously agreed to give dramatic readings of a handful of powerful poems written by Arab women from Andalusia. Angie would also join me in singing Cuando el Rey Nimrod—a Ladino song celebrating the birth of Abraham that we’d performed together for years. We often introduced “Cuando” with a wish that the three Abrahamic religions would someday recognize and appreciate their common origins. This was the song that inspired me to write Zahara and the Lost Books of Light.

With Sura playing piano, clarinet and flute and her husband Steven Thrush reading works by Rumi and Hafiz, we soon had more than enough material for a full performance piece.

During our tech rehearsal, we rehearsed the transitions and Angie and I decided to upgrade our microphones. We’d experience too much bad audio on Zoom to risk disaster! As we discussed what we would wear and how to use our webcams to communicate more directly with the audience, I realized I had finally come full circle. The author and singer in me were finally working together as one and it felt right.

Our event was very well attended and the response enthusiastic. “Your launch was a launch above,” one person commented. “Just the lift I needed during this time of turmoil and COVID,” said another. On top of that, my publisher and I sold some books. So to my fellow authors trying to survive the transition to virtual readings and interviews on Zoom I say, dig deep and ask yourself: “What can I share that’s been locked away?” Then find the key and release what you love into the world. We need it!—

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Joyce Yarrow is the author of Zahara and the Lost Books of Light and is thinking about reforming the world-music, vocal ensemble Abráce that she sang with for fifteen years.

www.joyceyarrow.com

ZAHARA AND THE LOST BOOKS OF LIGHT

Seattle journalist Alienor Crespo travels to Spain to claim the promise of citizenship offered to the descendants of Jews expelled from Spain in 1492. As she relives history through her vijitas (visits) with her ancestors, Alienor also confronts modern-day extremism and commits herself to protecting an endangered “Library of Light.”