Save the Date(s): April 21 and beyond
On the approach of my book launch
In 2018, when I attended the Yale Publishing Course, the publicity team from Penguin Random House presented a slideshow that included a 2002 stock photo of Powell’s Books.
I’m not sure who took it, or how the team from the biggest of the big five New York publishers happened to bring that photo, but there I am, sitting outside Powell’s, wearing wide-legged jeans, the green sweater with the velvet ribbon, my hair flat on top, waves in back.
I swear that’s my friend Tamara next to me in her matching wide-legged jeans, but she’s always had long hair, so maybe not? She isn’t convinced. But I’m pretty dang sure that’s me in the green. The photo, best I can figure out from the marquee, was taken in September 2002, a year after I moved to Portland.
The Penguin Random House presenters were talking about building a campaign for a bestseller and the importance of independent bookstores. I had moved to Portland the year before the photo was taken because I had read all about Powell’s.
Did you move to Portland to be a writer? a podcast producer from Hollywood asked me last week.
Yes, I told her.
Seeing that picture at Yale, there because of my work as a book publisher, I realized I had made my dreams come true, just not in the way I expected. I had organized many standing-room only events at the legendary bookstore. Sold copies of books I had made—just not ones I had written. Maybe that was enough.
Flash forward a few more years, and a pandemic, and now the horrible happenings in Ukraine, and the anti-trans news out of Texas, and my debut novel, Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary, comes out April 19.
I don’t know how to celebrate right now, except I have been working my whole life toward this. A book in the world. A launch event at Powell’s.
And as my friend and author Ari reminds us, pleasure is a radical act.
So in that spirit, and because I’ve worked for decades for this moment, here is my confirmed event list to-date, all listed in Pacific Time. I’d love for you to join me.
Thursday, April 14: Jonesy interview airs on KBOO, Portland, Oregon
Tuesday, April 19: my official book birthday! I plan to celebrate at home. Maybe with vegan cake?
Thursday, April 21: 7 p.m. IN PERSON, Powell’s City of Books, Portland, Oregon, with Joanna Rose introducing me and special musical artifacts
Thursday, April 28: 6 p.m. ONLINE, Browsers Books, Olympia, Washington, in conversation with Grace Campbell-Lavis
Monday, May 2: 7 p.m. ONLINE, Instagram Live, with Vintage Books
Thursday, May 5: 7 p.m. ONLINE, Annie Bloom’s, Portland, Oregon, with Kathleen Lane, author of Pity Party
Thursday, May 19: 6 p.m. IN PERSON, Roundabout Books, Bend, Oregon with Robert Hill, author of The Remnants
Week of May 24: IN PERSON, Broadway Books, date TBA
Tuesday, June 7: 5:15 a.m., live on air, Key West Radio show, details TBA
Sunday, Aug. 14: noon, The Work Behind the Work series, “Bringing Unforgettable Characters to Life” class, $50, register here.
Your Bend appearance is on my calendar! I first read your work in "Alone Together" and it really touched me. I was excited when I saw you live in Portland and am looking forward to your visit to Central Oregon. Congratulations on your book!
Congratulations, Laura! I'm still l remain wary of large gatherings but look forward to attending at least one of the online events. I've already pre-ordered your book!