Literary "It" Girl vs Introvert Book Launch Party
Also, Happy Paperback Birthday to DAMSEL!
Hello, lovelies!
There have been a few articles recently about Literary “It” Girl book parties, often huge, fancy (or flashy) soirees in New York or Los Angeles. There was, of course, Sofia Coppola’s Chanel-hosted party. But even for the non-famous, the bar seems to have risen for book launches to include renting out lavish venues, hiring a DJ and famous photographer, creating custom perfumes, and even hosting on-site Botox clinics.
But what about those of us who are not striving to be It Girls? Maybe we don’t have the budget for an opulent shindig. Maybe we are introverts who don’t relish being the center of attention. Or maybe we just want to do something quieter with family and friends.
As I’ve gotten deeper into my writing career (I now have eight novels published, with a ninth coming out later this year), I’m trending toward the opposite of the Literary It Girls’ book launch parties. Yeah, I realize this sounds funny coming from someone who just attended a red carpet movie premiere, but in my defense, it wasn’t a book launch, haha.
I’ve been lucky enough to have thrown (much milder) themed book launch parties in the past (check out that photo at the top of this newsletter—those were desserts inspired by the magical pastries in The Crown’s Game), and I’m sure I will again in the future. But there is always a certain level of stress involved in planning a big public event.
So this weekend, I am going to throw a different kind of party to celebrate the paperback release of Damsel and to watch the movie on Netflix—a reunion of a few friends from my old book club for writers!
The best thing about reading and writing, in my opinion, is the community. I love love love hanging out with other writers. I love going on book tour and meeting readers in person. I love connecting with readers and writers online and am really looking forward to our new virtual book club (you're invited!)
So my Damsel watch party this weekend will be absolute perfection, because it’ll be super casual. Just me and my writer friends, eating chips with pineapple salsa and tacos and churro bites from my favorite Mexican restaurant. We will catch up on what everyone is writing and reading these days. And there is no sales pressure (an expectation you shoulder when you host a launch party at a bookstore).
Then we’ll watch Damsel the movie together on Netflix. Sure, the TV isn’t huge and we will have to move furniture around and cram in together, but none of that matters. What does matter is that we get to spend an afternoon with our favorite bookish friends, celebrating a book I wrote, in a very cozy, relaxed way!
DAMSEL is out in paperback today!
Thank you all for being my biggest supporters—you are readers and writers who understand how much love and hard work goes into making stories into books, and I adore you for being on this journey with me!
Today is the Paperback Birthday for Damsel, and it would mean the world to me if you bought a copy for yourself or for a book lover (or a Millie Bobby Brown/Angela Bassett/Robin Wright/Netflix fan) in your life!
Get your copy of Damsel today! THANK YOU!!!
My Book and Movie Release Calendar: 2024
March 5th - Damsel movie tie-in paperback edition
March 8th - Damsel movie releases on Netflix
May 7th - The Hundred Loves of Juliet summer paperback edition
July 30th - One Year Ago in Spain - NEW RELEASE
My to do list has been re-prioritized. Moving to the top are two new entries, purchasing a newly released paperback and watching a certain Netflix movie on March 8th.
An intimate gathering of close and dear friends is amazing 🤩 and intimate and special. I hope you have a great time.