Booktok Events Novels & Stories

“You’d better keep it! I call you because I want to invite you to my event… I wonder if you are free this Saturday…” “I’d love to come but… what’s the event?” “It’s actually my book publication event… It’s my fourth book from the series I write. There’ll be some boring interview, book signing but there will be a banquet after that with some good wine, and… I would sincerely want you to come,” he said a little shyly. “That sounds great! I'm ashamed to ask… but I don’t even know what kind of books you are writing…” I thought of historical fiction novels or something medical, since he was supposed to be doctor.

“What do you mean?” “You’re reading a book,” I scoffed. “What is it about?” She beamed. “Did you think that I never read?” “I’ve never seen you read anything,” I laughed. “Oh please, I do read and guess what? There’s an open book festival of ‘Sincerely, Yours Too’ tomorrow in Manhattan. I was thinking we should go. I’d like to meet the author.” She handed me a pamphlet about the open book festival. I looked at it and just thought that she wrote about things that only women found interesting and it wasn’t going to benefit me to be there. “I will arrange for a driver to take you there, I have a golf session with one of my clients.”

"Lili! Get out!" I looked at him closely. The chief editor? What's his name, Rama? Ah... is he Zetta's brother? Do I need to get rid of him too? I looked at the paper that is distributed. The upcoming event plan. At the earliest, there will be a book signing event from the author who published her book last month. In two weeks! "Mr. Edo. This book signing event? Who's handling it?"

She knew the books. She did not know what to expect from the author. The reading was arranged through the publisher. Sera had made the request eighteen months earlier and been told the author did not do many events. She persisted politely twice a year. The third time she received a yes. She spent two weeks preparing. The store was rearranged to fit sixty people, chairs borrowed from the church two blocks down. A small table stood at the front with water and a mic stand, though the mic turned out to be unnecessary.

I smiled as they cheered. "This will be a busy year indeed. Thank you to everyone who's made this possible and we're looking forward to success. Now, as this is a book launching event. Around the hall, there are tables with about ten to twenty books in each. You'll get an opportunity to speak with one of my authors and perhaps get a free signed copy of their book. Enjoy and have a wonderful evening, everyone," I said closing off. This wasn't meant to be long. I just had to announce a few things and then leave it up to the people to engage and dance the night away.

A special area for kids was created with colorful bookmarks. Everywhere, people laughed and pages rustled. Students I'd never met before walked around, holding schedules and pointing excitedly, like visitors at a special place. The whole event felt joyful and lively. By noon the hall was packed, a hundred folding chairs filled and another hundred people standing. April nudged me. “I can't believe it's finally happening.” Linda took the podium, and the silence was instant.

I reply with a shrug, reaching for another pastry. “Nah, usually after the final assessments, they give everyone a social day or two. There’s a BBQ down by the lake today, and a bonfire tonight. Tomorrow is reserved for family if they’re attending the ball. There are meetings and conferences before the event—King James uses it as a chance to reconnect with the packs, so most of the future Alphas will be there with their dads.”

“What kind of books would you stock?” “Everything,” I said, warming to the topic. “Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic novels. I’d have a kids’ section with beanbags and toys. A classics corner for the purists. And I’d rotate in local authors, give them space to do readings and signings.” “Would you do events?” “Definitely. Book clubs, author talks, writing workshops. Maybe even open mic nights for people to share their own work.” Grayson smiled. “I’d come to every single one.”