Today I was shooting the shit with my roommates in grad school after watching a bunch of published writers reading their stories.  We all agreed that too many authors do themselves a disservice with their public readings.  Monotone voices, sing song deliveries, and predictable rhythms all make for dull listening.  Why don’t more pros get voice coaching, or at least take an acting class at their local cc?  If you’re going to drive all night, sleep in a cheap motel, track down some obscure bookstore, and drag around copies of your latest tome, why wouldn’t you practice your delivery first?