What is a Covid-Conscious Book Tour?

Love and Industry on the Road

I’m doing a hybrid book tour this fall for my new essay collection, Love and Industry: A Midwestern Workbook. It’s very place-based, and I wanted at least some of the readings to be held in the place where the book itself lives. But I don’t view this as going “back to normal.” I’m trying instead to move forward with what we’ve learned about access and safety in this late stage of the pandemic. So I’m going to be trying as hard as I can to be Covid-conscious and to make events accessible. (More on that below).

Dates so far: Please see details on my website

• July 12: Online class on Voices in Writing at Lafayette Writers Studio: Register here! Time is 6 pm CTS/7 pm EST
• Aug. 19: Frenchie’s Coffee Bar (Stratford, CT) 1 pm
• Sept. 20: Moon Palace Books (Minneapolis, MN) with Jeannine Ouellette and Heidi Czerwiec. Masks required at Moon Palace.
• Sept. 21: Magers & Quinn Booksellers (Minneapolis, MN) with Kate Hopper
• Sept. 23: Plainfield Area Public Library (Plainfield, IL) 2:30 pm
• Sept. 26: New Lenox Public Library (New Lenox, IL) 6 pm
• Sept. 28: Ball State University, (Munice, IN): Various things at various times

A Chicago reading is also in the works, as is a fully online reading with Sari Botton, and I’m open to other events—in particular I’d love to get something together in Columbus, Ohio.

Access Strategies

1. I’ll be bringing a good quality air filter to each public event.
2. In every case I will ask the host if it’s possible to either open windows or prop open the door.
3. I will have a CO2 monitor with me and will put it in a visible place.
4. I will bring a box of masks—unfortunately due to the expense, these will not be N95s, but they will still act to reduce risk by allowing those who attend and who wouldn’t otherwise mask to mask at the event. This is how I have taught classes for two years; I find that students often forget masks, but once I tell them that I have to mask for safety and why, they are very amenable to wearing them. Similarly, I will ask attendees to the readings to take a mask and explain that with my history of Long Covid, that will make for a safer feeling for me, especially in cases where there isn’t adequate ventilation. (If you want to brainstorm or work with me to provide N95s for a specific event, I am also open to that!)
5. I will mask up until the point that I start reading/talking, and I use Enovid nasal spray before and after each event and before and after air travel. (I don’t get a commission from them but this stuff has been key to my sanity!)
6. I will also share readings online with Instagram live, and if you would like me to share via another platform that is more accessible to you, I’ll see what I can do, with my tech capabilities and one phone. I think I’ll have to just do one platform per event.
7. I want you to be comfortable at my readings, and if you have other access needs and want to attend a specific date, please email me at least 3 weeks prior to the event with your access needs at shuber (at) fairfield.edu.

And … What is this Newsletter?

MailChimp is too complicated. This thing looks easier. Mostly I will be using it as an infrequent blog/newsletter for events and also for random thoughts on creative process, process and politics, and other random stuff. And maybe a few things about beads and art. Infrequent and free.