Have you ever been to an author fair or book launch? Not only are they a lot of fun, but it’s a great way to show support for authors, illustrators, and book makers. Even if you’re not able to buy a book that day, or perhaps you’ve already preordered the book that’s being showcased, your presence at the event can mean so much to everyone involved. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has read posts where an author has gone through a lot of trouble to set up a party for their book and then nobody shows up. 🙁 This post is to celebrate a few recent book launches I’ve enjoyed attending. I’m sticking to the latter part of 2024, but I’ll also give a nod to other books from the past year at the end of this post, along with my own good news. 🙂
First up, The Little Red Chair launched at The Bookery in Manchester, NH on August 3, 2024. Author Cathy Stefanec Ogren and illustrator Alexandra Thompson put on a lovely program for kids of all ages and then followed up with many more combined events throughout the fall. Cathy is shown in photo, between me and Alexandra. Their events include readings and art demonstrations, and cupcakes and crafts!
Next up, Terry Farish and coauthor Lochan Sharma started their events off for Go Home with a wonderful presentation launch at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord, NH on August 11, 2024. It was interesting to hear them discuss how they worked together. There was even a platter of delicious momo dumplings for attendees to try! Left to right in picture: Hilary Margitich, me, Terry, and Adaela McLaughlin (all members of Writers’ Rumpus). Click here for a Writers Rumpus interview with Terry.
OK, so our books weren’t exactly launching that day, but it was great fun to participate in this 2024 Author Fair at the Memorial Hall Library in Andover, MA. Above, I am with Carol Gordon Ekster and her amazing Trucker Kid book!
I also got to attend one of Anne Broyles‘ events for her latest highly-praised book I’m Gonna Paint: Ralph Fasanella, Artist of the People, a picture book biography. This took place in Lawrence, MA on Nov. 16, 2024, which was particularly special because Anne lives in Portland, Oregon now, but had returned to the area where she had researched parts of Ralph’s fascinating life. We first met in a critique group many years ago.
Earlier that same day, Nov. 16th, I participated in a wonderful Children’s Book Fair run by Amy Martin, Head of Children’s Services at the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, in Danvers, MA. Super fun and well done!
Josh Roberts, who you’ll find in the above picture, also had a great book launch for his latest spooky novel The Curse of Willow Cove at the Copper Dog in Beverly, MA on Oct. 8, 2024. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend, but I heard he had a wonderful turnout.
Below are some more books I enjoyed reading over the past few months. If you’d like to see what I thought of these books and more, please check out the reviews on my Goodreads page.
That’s a wrap for 2024, oh, but wait, my own good news arrived during that time, as well! Above is what I put on Facebook a while back: “Finally, after years of polishing multiple manuscripts, I will have a debut picture book. Release date, illustrator, and final title—still to come. I’m thrilled to be working with Lawley Publishing and so grateful they connected with my little story about a lonely puffin who reaches beyond her comfort zone in search of her happily-ever-after.“
Love this, Marcia–you always encourage and celebrate all your fellow authors, and we are ever-grateful! Aloha!
Thank you, Margo!
Congratulations on your good news! I can’t wait to read about your puffin’s adventure.
Thanks so much for your interest and support, Cathy!
Congrats on your upcomiing picture book!
Thank you, Yvonne, I appreciate it!
Congratulations on the upcoming publication. It sounds great. I love puffins. I also enjoy attending book launches and signings. And appreciate everyone who attend mine. Have a fabulous 2025!!
Thanks, Darlene, fellow puffin lover! Hope you have a great 2025, too.
Wonderful post, Marcia! Thank you for mentioning The Little Red Chair book launch.
Thanks, Cathy! It just wouldn’t have been a true post without that little red chair. 🙂
Congrats! The book sounds wonderful.
Thanks so much, Sheryl! 🙂
Marcia, Thank you so much for including 28 Days of Neon in the books that you’ve enjoyed over the last few months! I loved reading about the book launches and other wonderful events. I’m looking forward to seeing your picture book and reading the story of the lonely puffin!
Happy to include it, Meira, and thanks so much for your kind comment!
So happy to hear about your future picture book , Marcia! And yes, I have been to a couple book launches, one for a children’s book and one for a thriller novel, and found it such an exciting experience to celebrate the years of work that the authors put into completing a book. This is such a generous way of showcasing the new books of authors, how sweet.
Thank you so much, Ramona! I’m glad you’ve been able to experience the fun of book launches, too. 🙂
My goodness, I had to read this post twice – it is so wonderful and full of new books. First, The Little Red Chair. OMG, it is just wonderful. Of course I bought the book. Interestingly, on Amazon it was the first book from a new author that sold out on the pre orders. I try to go to author events, but I missed these. Is Go Home like WishTree? I’m headed over to read your review of Ferris. I loved the book. I’m so excited about your new book, Marcia!
Hi Jennie, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! I think FERRIS might be the only one where I didn’t include a written review on Goodreads, I’ll have to do that soon. For GO HOME, it’s a YA book, you can find my review in my last post. Thanks so much for your thoughts!
Thank you, and my pleasure. I have a library reading group foe elementary kids, and they loved WishTree. Maybe GO HOME is too advanced for them. Have you read DogTown and the sequel? So good! Curious if you read the Casey Robinson book, too. Best to you, Marcia.
I haven’t read DogTown, but I’ll have to check it out, thanks. Loved Casey’s latest book, too. 🙂
😀
Also, have you read Small things Mended, by Casey Robinson?
Yes, I loved that book! My review for SMALL THINGS MENDED was included two blog posts ago. 🙂
Thanks! I must have missed that post.
What a wonderful year you had visiting all those book launches!! Congratulations on your new book! I am so looking forward to reading all about the little Puffin!!! A great post!! <3 Bette Norton
Thank you, Bette, I really appreciate all your support!
Hi Marcia, it is wonderful that you support book launches. There are few here in South Africa that I hear about. Congratulations on your picture book.
Thank you, Robbie! I hope you’ll run into more where you are, they’re such fun. 🙂
Great collection of titles! And congratulations on your future picture book!
Thanks so much, Charlie!
Congratulations on your upcoming debut picture book, Marcia! And I enjoyed this little journey through book signings. I had the joy of spending time with a friend from my SCBWI writer’s group at her book signing in a Chapters Indigo bookstore, very thrilling. Wishing you great success and lots of fun as you work with the publisher and send out this new book into the world!
Thank you very much, Ramona! I’m glad you get to enjoy book signing events, too, and I appreciate your good wishes for my next book’s success.