Becky Garrison’s latest book, Distilled in Washington, delves into the fascinating history of making liquor, especially American Single Malt. With a topic like that, Garrison finds herself giving presentations throughout the region that go outside the standard reading and book signing (she does those too!). We asked Garrison for a few tips on engaging readers no matter what size the audience.

Distilled in Washington: A History was published in 2024 by Arcadia Publishing. Garrison will be speaking on “How Whiskey Won Western Washington” at McMenamins at Anderson School in Bothell, WA, on June 25. Doors open at 6pm. For more information see McMenamins’ website at www.mcmenamins.com.

How long a presentation do you normally give?

What I do varies depending on the venue and the audience obviously. 

For my upcoming presentation with McMennamin’s Anderson School I’ve been asked to give a 50-60 minute lecture with slides allowing 5-10 minutes for questions. The crowds who come to a History Pub expect to leave being informed with both words and visuals. A whiskey tasting is preceding this event, thus making a very easy transition for tasting to talk. 

If the audience is expecting a typical author book event, I try not to read more than 20 minutes, and then use the remaining time to engage the audience. That said, I will have additional sections flagged that I can read if the audience would prefer that I do the talking. 

Should I get a very small crowd where reading to say a few folks feels “weird,” I will switch to a more conversational tone by asking them questions that I will then answer extemporaneously. That said, I will tune in and read from the book if I sense this is what they want. 

When I’m part of a festival such as Portland Book Week where folks are coming in and out, I keep it loose. If a crowd starts to gather, then I’ll do a reading. If it’s just a few folks coming in and out, then I engage with them individually. 

How are you working with Washington distillers?

I’m planning some events with distillers that are timed with their new releases. In these cases, they will do a guided tasting followed by me explaining the history behind what they’re drinking in that glass. These presentations are very interactive will last as long as there’s audience interest. 

Also, I will be at the next Washington Distiller’s Guild annual tasting event called Proof. For events like this, the presentation is a short elevator pitch of less than 60 seconds as this is a party not educational space. That said, I will offer to do a slide show of photos from my book or other interactive ways to engage the audience in a fun and playful manner. 

What do you think is the best way to do a presentation on a subject that keeps the audience engaged and sells the book?

Think interactive. Unless I am doing a formal lecture where the Q&A is not expected until I end my speech, I open by asking the audience questions relating to my book such as “How do you define whiskey?” When possible, I bring along a friend who has agreed to function as a social lubricant by breaking the ice in answering the first question or two. 

If a venue will permit me to serve liquor, I will bring along a few bottles of whiskey along with promotional materials about these whiskeys. I’ll open with a spirits tasting to get the vibe going and then ease into the reading as applicable. When I attend an event of this nature, I will don a T-shirt from a WA State distillery featured in the book. 

I have on hand pins and literature from the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission for those who like to take something home. I hold on to items that have a fiscal value such as coupons for free tastings, and distribute on an individual basis. 

Also, I bring along postcards of the book with a QR code on the back where folks can order the book. If the venue can sell the book, then I bring along postcards that don’t have a QR code.  I’ve chosen not to sell books myself as I still have a few too many books from my last book that came out in March 2020. Simply put, I learned I’m a writer not a marketer and that self-publishing or even semi-traditional publishing isn’t the route for me. 

Do you vary your presentation to fit your audience?

Of course. Here I rely on the advice given to me by futurist Brad Sargent when I was preparing to give a talk at the 2009 Slot Festival in Poland. I knew hardly anyone there and was concerned that no one would come to my talk. He said, pray that those who need to hear what you say will come, and that those whose contributions would be disruptive stay at home. This advice continues to serve me well as it keeps me from getting upset if an event doesn’t achieve the desired results. 

When people come to events, what is the most frequent question that you are asked about Distilled in Washington?

When most people think of the Washington State’s food and drink culture, they conjure up images of suds or Syrah, not spirits. Hence, they tend to be surprised (and even shocked) wen I inform then that Washington State is one of the leading states in terms of the number of distilleries, and that this is the first book to record the history of distilling in this state. In particular, they are often not aware of the Pacific Northwest’s role as a leading player in the evolution of the American Single Malt category, and how PNW brewers are playing a unique role in the creation of this category. They seem to take pride in learning how this development that has put the PNW on the map as an international player in the whiskey world. Along those lines, they groan a bit when I let them know that this state also has the highest distilling taxes in the country. 

Also, whenever I chat up the book, inevitably someone will come up to me and say to me in a whispered voice that their relative was a moonshiner or bootlegger during Prohibition.  I encourage them to delve into their family’s history and tell their stories in the hopes that through such storytelling, we can connect to our past filled with pride for our badass ancestors and not become consumed with shame for coming from such lawless stock. 

Where’s the most unusual or fun place that you have or are talking about Distilled in Washington this summer?

I am delighted to be asked to give a presentation at McMennamin’s History Pub on June 25 since an academic type presentation is a deviation from the typical book reading. Also, I’m looking forward to doing some joint events with Copperworks at both their Kenmore and Seattle locations as it’s exciting to see people connect with both the stories in the book and then the distiller pouring the whiskey that was informed by these stories. 

Distilled in Washington photo courtesy of publisher Arcadia Publishing. Photo of author Becky Garrison (top) courtesy of author.

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