2024 Buzz Editors and Authors Panel Virtual Event

 

Yes, to attending my first virtual author event of 2024 on Wednesday, January 24th from 4pm-5:30pm PST. I love attending author events, especially virtual author events as they are so convenient! I love watching these events from the comfort of my own home.

In this virtual author event, five authors and their editors took turns talking about their soon to be published novels later this year. Each author and editor spent about 15 minutes discussing the author's new book and the inspiration behind it.

All five novels sound amazing and I want to read each one of them when they're released later in the year. See the titles, authors, and release dates for each book below.

1. Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris (May 14, 2024 release date)

2. The Switch by Lily Samson (May 28, 2024 release date)

3. Honey by Isabel Banta (June 25, 2024 release date)

4. Swift River by Essie Chambers (June 4, 2024 release date)

5. Freedom Is A Feast by Alejandro Puyana (August 6, 2024 release date)

Long After We Are Gone, Swift River, and Freedom Is A Feast are the novels I want to read the most from the five listed above!

Have you attended any author events so far this year? Tell me about them below in the comment section.

The Ties that Bind: Ann Patchett on Family, Fortune, and the Search for Self

Tonight, I listened to Ann Pachett speak live through Women Lit Unbound ~ Bay Area Book Festival and moderated by Brooke Warner. 

What a fun event to attend!! I am so glad that I listened to this live event. I learned a lot about Ann Patchett that I didn't know before and also a lot of great stuff about her novel, The Dutch Book. 

There were lots of great questions from the audience that were answered by Ann Patchett as well.

Feeling kinda spoiled by attending these online author events! I like being able to watch these events in my pajamas in the comfort of my own home, lol.

Below is a blurb about this evening's event from the Bay Area Book Festival's website:

Ann Patchett’s sweeping, emotionally piercing novels hit that sweet spot where literary prestige meets blockbuster mainstream success (millions of copies sold). With The Dutch House, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Patchett is at her peak. This “engrossing, warmhearted book” (NPR), a family saga spanning five decades, tells the story of a brother and sister whose deep bond and secret-filled past is haunted by the legacy of an ornate mansion, the “Dutch house,” that was the site of childhood, and later, of their exile. Patchett, who also runs Parnassus Books, an iconic indie bookstore in her native Nashville, is known as a literary citizen who speaks her mind with refreshing and down-to-earth brilliance.

Join Ann Patchett and Women Lit in a live event where you’ll have the chance to engage with her in real time. Please submit your questions for Ann when you purchase your ticket, and she will answer as many as she can. As The New York Times Book Review said, “Expect miracles when you read Ann Patchett’s fiction.” We expect no less from our special experience with this author who will make your day with her warmth and wisdom! Moderated by Brooke Warner, author and publisher of She Writes Press.

P. S. I even received a signed copy of The Dutch House by Ann Patchett and am looking forward to reading this book. 

Marie Benedict Virtual Author Event - Hosted by Murder by the Book

Yes, to attending my first virtual author event of 2021!!

I have found that independent bookstore, Murder by the Book, hosts some of the best virtual author events... And tonight's virtual author event featuring Marie Benedict was no exception.

I've never read anything written by Marie Benedict. However, I am very interested in reading Marie Benedict's new novel about the life of Agatha Christie titled, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, as I am a fan of Agatha Christie's novels.

Check out the above YouTube video of Marie Benedict speaking with McKenna from Murder by the Book.

MIT Press Live! Presents: Women of Science Tarot

Yesterday morning, I attended yet another wonderful virtual author event hosted by MIT Press from 9:30am to 10:30am. This virtual event was titled MIT Press Live! Presents: Women of Science Tarot.

During this hour long event, the moderator spoke with with Nadja Oertelt and Allan Lasser of Massive Science, the creators of the Women of Science Tarot Deck. I enjoyed listening to Nadja Oertelt and Allan Lasser discuss the creation of the Woman of Science Tarot, answer questions, and perform two tarot readings using the major arcana only.

Below is a summary for Women of Science Tarot from MIT Press:

A tarot deck that features inspirational women of science on the minor arcana cards, plus a guidebook with scientist biographies and other information.

The Women of Science Tarot Deck is a card game that helps us tell stories about our future based on principles of science. Each major arcana card features a fundamental scientific concept like extinction, diversity, or gravity. The 56 minor arcana cards feature inspirational women who have changed the course of STEM. The lively illustrations are by neuroscientist and comic artist Matteo Farinella. For readers new to tarot or those who want to learn more about women in STEM, accompanying the deck is a guidebook with biographies of all the women featured on the cards as well as information about the major arcana cards.

The MIT Press and Massive Science are proud to offer a feminist tarot deck that values diversity and representation.The set includes a tarot deck of 76 cards, measuring approx. 2.75" x 4.75" x 0.95", and a printed paperback gameplay guidebook of approx. 93 pages, approx. 4" x 6" x.45, " packaged in a custom two-piece rigid box.

During the MIT Press Live! Presents: Women of Science Tarot, there was no flip through of the entire Woman of Science Tarot deck. I was very curious as to what the entire tarot deck looked like. I discovered a YouTube video, which is not associated with MIT Press or Massive Science to view what this tarot deck looks like in its entirety. Watch the following video to see what the Women of Science Tarot looks:

I think the Women of Science Tarot deck looks really cool, but it definitely isn't your traditional looking tarot deck. I still think it looks cool though for its uniqueness alone and decided to order a deck for myself as an early Christmas gift.

Last thoughts... I'm kind of surprised that MIT Press would publish a tarot deck!! This doesn't seem like something they would be interested in publishing. But maybe the 'Women of Science' part is what grabbed their attention. The Women of Science Tarot deck is kind of a novel mash up of joining the topics of science/women scientists and tarot together though.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Virtual Author Events I've Attended in 2020

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This year has been unprecedented due to the pandemic. In person author events and book festivals had been canceled. However, I'd been able to attend several virtual author events this year. Not all of them I ended up blogging about here on my book blog. 

Below is my list of favorite virtual author events I've attended in 2020.

1. Gregory Maguire - Talked about his new novel, A Wild Winter Swan. This event was hosted by The Silver Unicorn Bookstore. This virtual event was my favorite author event thus far to date in 2020. 

2. Joy Harjo - Chat From The Old Cap @ the University of Iowa. Joy Harjo spoke about her experience attending the University of Iowa and her writing career + more.

3. Sarah Weinman - Virtual book launch for book Weinman's new book, Unspeakable Acts. Sarah Weinman spoke about her new book with Casey Cep.

4. Catherine Adel West - Read It With BookClubbish - I enjoyed hearing Catherine Adel West talk about her debut novel, Saving Ruby King.

5. Margaret Atwood in conversation with Ann Patchett was an awesome virtual event to attend. Margaret Atwood always has interesting and intelligent things to say and share.

6. Alex Gino - Live with Banned Books Week... Alex Gino talked about his banned book, George, which I enjoyed reading earlier this year.

7. T. Jefferson Parker & Glen Erik Hamilton - Hosted by Murder By The Book. Awesome event! I learned a lot about authors and their writing/books.

8. The Brontes vs. Jane Austen: A conversation with Finola Austin & Natalie Jenner Hosted by Wellington Square Bookshop, was a wonderful virtual event... Especially if you are a fan of the Brontes and/or Jane Austen.

9. Gail Tsukiyama in conversation with Karen Joy Fowler, where Gail Tsukiyama discussed her latest novel, The Color of Air.

10. Lastly, I was able to hear US Representative Eric Swalwell discuss his book, Endgame: Inside the Impeachment of Donald J. Trump.

Darcie Wilde Virtual Event hosted by Murder by the Book

 

Darcie Wilde is a new to me author as of this year. I've yet to read any of her novels, but I am excited to read her Rosalind Thorne Mysteries series in the future.

I learned about Darcie Wilde's Rosalind Thorne Mysteries series in an article published on Book Riot's website that mentioned many book series that fall into both the historical fiction and mystery genres and Darcie Wilde's Rosalind Thorne Mysteries series falls into both genres.

When I learned that independent bookstore, Murder by the Book, was hosting a virtual author event with Darcie Wilde on Monday, December 7, 2020, I couldn't wait to learn more about Darcie Wilde and her books. I learned a lot about both topics and really enjoyed watching another wonderful virtual author event hosted by Murder by the Book.

Peter Lovesey Virtual Gala - Live on YouTube

 

Earlier this evening, I had the lovely honor of watching the Peter Lovesey Virtual Gala - Live on YouTube, which was hosted by independent bookstore, Murder by the Book in Houston, Texas.

Quite frankly, I'd never even heard of Peter Lovesey until recently and was honored to attend this celebrated author's golden gala in his honor. Many well know authors were on hand to toast Peter Lovesey's writing and to share many fun stories about him during this virtual event.

Below is more information about the Peter Lovesey Virtual Gala - Live on YouTube from the YouTube page in which the video is linked:

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF PETER LOVESEY'S CRIME FICTION 

2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of WOBBLE TO DEATH, Peter Lovesey's debut mystery. Join Murder by the Book and Soho Press in celebrating the Golden Anniversary of the Diamond Dagger Winner and MWA Grand Master with a virtual gala. Toastmakers include Louise Penny, Peter Robinson, Jeffery Deaver, Lawrence Block, and Cara Black. Peter Lovesey will announce the winner of the Peter Lovesey First Crime Novel Contest.

Gregory Maguire Author Event for A Wild Winter Swan

Gregory Maguire

 

Yesterday evening, from 4pm to 5pm, The Silver Unicorn Bookstore hosted a virtual author event featuring author, Gregory Maguire... And what an amazing virtual event this was! Kyra Wilson Cook, the event coordinator at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, did a phenomenal job of interviewing/speaking with Gregory Maguire. I must say that Gregory Maguire was so charming and delightful to hear speak. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him share the many and varied stories about his life, his writing, his novels, and more! I think this particular virtual author event may be my favorite virtual author event of 2020 to date.

In all honesty, I've never read a novel written by Gregory Maguire before! However, I am aware of several of his novels including Wicked, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year!!

Gregory Maguire's latest novel, A Wild Winter Swan, was recently published on October 6, 2020 and of course, this novel was discussed in yesterday evening's virtual event. A Wild Winter Swan sounds like an amazing read! The inspiration for Maguire's latest novel came from one of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, The Wild Swans, which Gregory Maguire enjoyed reading as a youngster.

Aya de Leon, Annalee Newitz, Ishmael Reed, Shanthi Sekaran: Writing a New World Into Existence

 

With the pandemic raging around the world this year, many events have been cancelled and put on hold including in-person book festivals and in-store author events.

However, lucky us, many bookstores and book festivals have been able to pivot and offer live virtual author/literary speaking events via Zoom, Crowdcast, Facebook Live, YouTube Live, etc for literary fans seeking their fix!

The in-person Bay Area Book Festival was cancelled earlier this year, but the Bay Area Book Festival has hosted several virtual events this year, which has been awesome!!

I recently watched/listened to Aya de Leon, Annalee Newitz, Ishmael Reed, and Shanthi Sekaran speak about the topic of 'Writing a New World Into Existence', which was uploaded to The Official Bay Area Book Festival Video Channel on YouTube... The following quote is taken from the YouTube page connected with the video content: 

It’s been demonstrated that reading fiction increases empathy. Can it also unlock a blueprint for our future, at a moment when we need new ways of defining what’s possible? Four of Berkeley’s most visionary novelists, known for their ability to conjure exciting “future histories” with words, come together to discuss how literature and the imagination can light a bold path to progress.

Have you enjoyed watching any virtual author events lately? 

University of Iowa Virtual Book Club with Sheri Salata

 
On Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 5pm PST, I attended the University of Iowa Virtual Book Club with Sheri Salata. Read more about this event below:

Join the Iowa Women’s Leadership Network (IWLN) for a virtual book club showcasing Sheri Salata’s memoir, The Beautiful No: And Other Tales of Trial, Transcendence, and Transformation, with a special guest appearance by the author!

Salata (80BBA) is an author, speaker, and producer who worked with Oprah Winfrey for 20 years. The University of Iowa alumna’s inspirational memoir was named an Amazon best-selling new release and an Apple Must Listen audiobook.

Salata’s five-year stint as the final executive producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show was featured in the docuseries Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes. She also served as president of Harpo Studios and the Oprah Winfrey Network and was named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business.

Our discussion will celebrate Salata’s journey, empower readers to apply the lessons within the memoir to their future endeavors, and center around the IWLN’s mission to inspire women. Support your favorite local bookstore by purchasing her memoir and participating in this fun, interactive discussion with Salata, alumni, and friends.

I enjoyed watching this 45 minute virtual talk. Ms. Salata comes across as confident, passionate, and heartfelt. She was big on finding your joy, leading yourself, and radical self care.

Chat From the Old Cap: Joy Harjo (78MFA)

 

I am an alumni of the University of Iowa. I was very excited to attend an online virtual event titled, Chat From the Old Cap: Joy Harjo (78MFA), on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 1pm PST.

Joy Harjo is the current U. S. Poet Laureate and the first Native American to hold this position. Little did I know (until recently) that Joy Harjo earned her MFA from the Iowa Writer's Workshop in 1978.

During the 45 minute discussion, we heard Joy Harjo read her poems Grace and American Sunrise, talk about her music as well as her two new Native American anthologies, and her experience as a student at the University of Iowa. 

Joy Harjo also gave writing advice when asked what advice she would give to those wanting to follow in her footsteps. To paraphrase, she essentially said don't follow in her footsteps... Make your own footsteps. Great advice!

Which virtual author events have you attended recently or will be attending soon?

Read With BookClubbish: Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West - Online Event via Facebook Live

This morning, I took part in my first online book club organized by BookClubbish. This event was hosted through 'Facebook Live' via BookClubbish's Facebook page.

I read and reviewed Saving Ruby West by Catherine Adel West earlier this month. Shortly after posting my review of Saving Ruby West, I learned that BookClubbish's JULY’S BOOK CLUB PICK: SAVING RUBY KING BY CATHERINE ADEL WEST was happening! So, I decided to participate in this online book club as I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed reading Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West.

I am so glad that I decided to watch this 'Facebook Live' book club event! 

I learned it took Catherine Adel West 5 years to write Saving Ruby King. I also learned that the character of Jackson was based partly on the author's father. The author's favorite character in her book was Calvary Church, which also happens to be my favorite character from Saving Ruby King. Lebanon was the easiest character for the Catherine Adel West to write. Ruby's perspective was the most difficult character to write for the author.

I also enjoyed learning what inspired the author to write Saving Ruby King. Catherine Adel West was originally going to write a short story, but decided to write a novel instead based on another person's suggestion. She talks about how the novel evolved, which was cool to hear. But it sounds like Catherine Adel West was mainly inspired by circumstances in her life and in her community when it came to actually writing Saving Ruby King.

Catherine Adel West is working on two projects currently. She's expanding the Ruby King universe. I'm looking forward to reading more by Ms. West.

I also learned that Catherine Adel West was inspired by many writers like James Baldwin, Charles Dickens, Richard Wright, Octavia Butler, Dean Koontz, and William Shakespeare to name a few. I also learned her influence for writing dialogue comes from movies and television.

So have you attended any book club meetings online recently? How'd you like it?

Rakestraw Books "Live at Home!" with Rep. Eric Swalwell - Author Event

I've really missed visiting bookstores and attending author events/book signings and book festivals since the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm this year and left us all sheltering in place.

I am thrilled to see many businesses pivoting by changing their business model and thriving during this difficult time by finding new ways of remaining relevant to their customers during COVID-19. 

Case in point, a local independent bookstore here in my area, Rakestraw Books, has begun having virtual author visits where one can watch live author events from home, which I think is fabulous!!

Tonight, Rakestraw Books offered  "Live at Home!" with U. S. Representative Eric Swalwell from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. So, I decided to watch this live event from the comfort of my own home. 

Eric Swalwell has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 15th congressional district since 2013, which just so happens to be the district in which I reside. Swalwell has recently come out with a new nonfiction book titled, Endgame: Inside the Impeachment of Donald J. Trump, so he spoke about his new book among other things.

The following information about Endgame: Inside the Impeachment of Donald J. Trump and the "Live at Home!" with Rep. Eric Swalwell was found on Rakestraw Books's events page:

In Endgame, Congressman Eric Swalwell offers his personal account of his path to office and how he and his colleagues resisted, investigated, and impeached a corrupt president. After the shock of the 2016 election and Trump’s inauguration (including the luncheon afterward), Swalwell, as a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Judiciary Committee, quickly became involved in pushing back against Trump’s outrageous actions as he sought to get to the bottom of foreign interference in our elections. But Republicans were in control of the investigation, and it became clear that taking back the House was essential.

Swalwell takes readers inside Congress and through the impeachment process, from Trump’s disgraceful phone call with the Ukrainian president, just one day after Robert Mueller testified to Congress, to caucus meetings and conversations with the Speaker to the bombshell public hearings and the historic vote, and then what followed next—the holding of the articles, the news of more possible witnesses, and the sham trial in the Senate. Endgame is fascinating, a gripping read by a unique witness to extraordinary events.

During this special Rakestraw Books "Live at Home!" event, Rep. Eric Swalwell will be joined in conversation by award-winning journalist Frances Dinkelspiel. There will also be time for your questions. Tickets are $30 (admits one and includes a copy of Endgame). This event will take place via CrowdCast.

What did I think of the Rakestraw Books "Live at Home!" with U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell author event? It was wonderful to finally attend my first author event of the year! Watching the event online from home was fun and different... No concern or need to wear a face mask or social distance. This online event went smoothly with no technical difficulties. But most importantly, I enjoyed hearing what U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell had to share with listeners this evening. I look forward to reading Endgame: Inside the Impeachment of Donald J. Trump.