1. Get to the room at least five to ten minutes before the session, if possible. If a presenter has asked for special technology, make sure that it is working. A technician should be available.  Recognize the conference, 16th International Conference on the Short Story in English, and thank the host, National Institute of Education (NIE) for hosting it.

2. Meet the readers; ask how they want to be introduced and place them according to the reading schedule. (Usually, the scholars or authors read according to how they are listed in the program). Do not change the reading schedule, because participants plan their attendance according to the listings. Whether or not they read from the podium or seated at a desk, make sure that the microphone works, if one is there and if it is needed. If the area requires a microphone, make sure that there is one for the audience during the Q&A period as well.

3. Make sure that each writer has water and check to see if more water is available if needed. 

4. Introduce each writer with a short bio of a paragraph only. All introductions should be under a minute. 

5. Start on time; inform both the audience and the readers of the time frame and let them (scholars and authors) know that you will notify them when they are two minutes from the end of their time slot. You can just say "two minutes" to notify them, or signal, etc. The difficult thing is cutting someone off when they have not finished, but if you don't, they will read for another five minutes or more, and then you have a problem. Obviously, one thinks of the Q&A period as a "space" that is available should the readings go over the time limit, but if you do use it that way, i.e., let all of the readers go over and have no time for the Q&A, then it is a huge disservice to the audience who always have questions to ask. So, the moderator has to be polite but stern. This problem is even more pronounced in the scholarly sessions. The scholars want their views to be known and those sessions require good moderators. (We will suggest to the scholars that they may want to summarize sections as they proceed to ensure that they get all points addressed.)

6. During the Q&A session, tell the audience to just ask one question initially to give everyone a chance to ask one. (Note: It may happen that one writer is getting all of the questions. In such cases, it is good if the moderator makes sure that the other authors get a question by posing one herself). 

Note:   In the reading sessions, it will be difficult for the moderator to know ahead of time what will be read, since such notification is not required. So, the moderator should take notes as the readings are being given so that questions may be asked afterwards, or at least the moderator can give her or his summation during the Q&A as a springboard to questions.

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With the scholarly papers, some may be completed, but many will not be completed, so the same problem exists. However, if the moderator wants, we will try to connect them with the scholars ahead of time so that they can discuss any concerns the presenters may have.  It is a good idea for the moderator to take notes during the scholarly presentations as well. Please enjoy your sessions and have a good time. Thanks for your service.

Maurice A. Lee