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A practical and personal exploration of the transformative power of salons–in many cases, a next-level evolution of a book club—with hosting advice tailored for different goals, budgets, and personalities.
Salons are enjoying a renaissance worldwide. More structured than a hangout or casual dinner party, and oftentimes an evolution of a successful book club, salons can spark lively discussions and help develop a joyful, intentional community. Blending focused and informed advice with heartfelt reflection, book industry professional Linda-Marie Barrett shares her experience hosting salons at her home—the lessons learned as well as the life-changing connections she discovered—and guides readers through the whats, whys, and hows of creating their own salons.
Learn how to cultivate deep conversations and authentic connection using Barrett’s clear guidelines and real-life examples, including helpful suggestions for handling even challenging scenarios. Readers will also hear directly from members of Linda-Marie’s Black Swan Salon, who share their perspectives along with advice for how to build a better salon. As a bonus, this book includes 14 salon starter kits, each on a different theme, to help readers host with confidence.
List of contents
Introduction
- Bring Community into Your Living Room
Let’s Begin
- Why I Host Salons
- What’s Your Motivation?
- Elements of a Successful Salon
Fine-Tuning
- Beginnings & Endings of Salon Gatherings
- Discussion Styles: It’s All About Communication
- Handle with Care: Troubleshooting the Unexpected
- Take It Up a Notch: Making the Experience Richer
- Creating a Salon: An Example
Salon Brilliance
- Crafting Party Favors for Guests
- Tips for Hosts
- Tips for Attendees
Variations on Salons
- Online Salons
- From Book Club to Salon!
The Black Swan Salon
- Miracles from the Black Swan Salon
- The Black Swans Speak
Salon Starter Kits & Encouragement
- Fourteen Themed Salon Starter Kits
- What Are You Waiting For?
Resources
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author
About the author
Linda-Marie Barrett is a writer, editor, and book industry professional who now serves as executive director of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA). She edited and contributed to the regional bestselling serial novel
Naked Came the Leaf Peeper, called “a blur, a buzz, a local-grown tall tale, and an absolute delight” by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of
Eat, Pray, Love. She has been hosting her Black Swan Salon since 2017. She lives with her husband in Asheville, North Carolina.
