Dropped Candy - Edition 5, Greetings from the Other Side
Greetings from the other side of my book launch. Begun in a paper notebook in 2005, CONFESSIONS OF A CANDY SNATCHER (CoaCS) arrived with a whoop of well-wishes at a dance party in its honor on August 15, 2023. Friends and family joined to listen to an excerpt of the novel, participate in a Q&A, and dance in celebration to the beats of DJ Univers-AL (Alison Brill: hire her! Socially conscious DJ, dj.univers.al.beats@gmail.com).
One guest remarked, “Why isn’t every book launch a dance party?”
Why, indeed. 💃🏾
Here are some highlights from the rest of Launch Season::
September
Featured blog post, name pronunciation guide, and reading excerpt on Teaching Books - Sept 4
Author chat on YA and Kids Books Central website
Nerdy Book Club blog post
October
The audiobook version of CoaCS, read by narrator Ruffin Prentiss, launched on Recorded Books
Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE) workshop “1 Question + 8 Pages = 1 Mini-Zine” - Oct 1
Watertown Zine Fest “30 Days of Mini-Zines” - Oct 14
Author Talk at Silver Unicorn Books with Erin Dionne, author of Shiver by the Sea, a spooky new chapter book series - Oct 17
Story Behind the Book article, published in the Boston Globe newspaper, featuring me (!) - Oct 22
Official Launch at Porter Square Books - Oct 25
November
Black Creator Series Podcast with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul - Nov 9
Author appearance with Raúl the Third at Papercuts Bookshop in JP on Small Business Saturday - Nov 25
December
Official Launch Event
On the evening of Wednesday, October 25, 2023, I debuted CoaCS to a packed house at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA. My friend, artist-illustrator-author Raúl the Third, interviewed me, asking questions about the novel, my creative process, and my favorite scary movie (none; too frightened). I’m deeply grateful to Raúl for being so giving of his time and for helping me create the best in-person event I could have imagined!
As well, I thank everyone who attended IRL or via Zoom, with a special shout out to Diane Martin and her young friend, who helped set up and managed the most / least favorite candy game, and also Anna Borges, local musician and Creative / Art Director at Sounds of Brazil Anna Borges Productions, who took the amazing photos you’ll see below.
Reader Photos
Thank you to everyone who sent photos of CoaCS in their hands, or in the wild. I’m so grateful! I’ve included a few snapshots below, and you can find more here.
Mini-Tour, 2024 Edition
Friends have asked, "where can I come celebrate with you / purchase your book?" I’m hoping to continue my mini-tour in 2024 but, uh, someone needs to plan it (hint: me). Stay tuned for dates, locations, and book-related activities.
Speaking of Purchasing
Signed copies are still available at Porter Square Books, Cambridge and Papercuts Bookshop, Jamaica Plain. You can contact either shop about personalized signatures; I'll sign a book directly to you or your lucky recipient.
Other options:
bookshop.org
indiebound.org
barnes & noble
amazon.com
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