MR. ROCHESTER Is Coming to Northport!

This coming May 9 may be the first book launch I’ve hosted on the official publisher’s release day. And in the case of Mr. Rochester, by Sarah Shoemaker, we’re launching a novel being simultaneously released in the United States, England, and Australia, so I think I have the right to call this one a world premiere book launch!

I’ve been dying to have this book for sale in my shop (no, it has not arrived yet and will not be for sale before the evening of May 9) ever since first reading it in manuscript three years ago, coming to the last page on June 1, 2014. Sarah, on the other hand, had the original idea for her book on March 28, 2012, so she has had a five-year journey. Is it any wonder we are excited?

We scheduled a 2-hour book signing and then recently decided to move the venue across the street from the bookstore, to Spice World Cafe, due to space considerations. Then, as I was arranging for the space with Angela Dhami of Spice World Cafe, Angela suggested she could do a dinner. Good idea! How about a Jamaican dinner, since Mr. Rochester spends several years – and a good chunk of Shoemaker’s novel – in Jamaica? Angela responded with “Sure!”

People can come to the book launch without coming an hour earlier for dinner, but the few people I’ve talked to already all want to come for dinner, too. Well, it was a mild winter, but it was long, and locals who escaped for a while are now returning, eager to reunite with friends. And Sarah is connected to Northport in many ways. So? Party time!

Sarah Shoemaker, Author

Launch is in only two and a half weeks, so I’m taking reservations for dinner now ($15 per person) to make sure we’re able to feed everyone who wants the dinner option, and I’m also taking prepayment for signed copies of Mr. Rochester ($28.62 with sales tax), though we should have sufficient copies of the book for everyone, including last-minute drop-ins.

Dinner will be served beginning at 6 p.m. on May 9. Then around 7 p.m. I’ll introduce Sarah Shoemaker with a few words, and she will give a short reading and answer a few quick questions before we sit her down to sign and sign and sign and sign. Punch and cake and brownies will be offered along with the book signing at no extra charge.

To make reservations for the 6 p.m. Jamaican dinner, call Dog Ears Books, (231) 386-7209. If you get the machine, please speak slowly and clearly when you leave your name and the number of people in your party. You’ll pay Spice World Cafe, not me, for dinner on the evening of May 9; I’m only taking reservations so Angela will have some idea how many people she’ll be serving.

To prepay for the book or to purchase it on May 9, please remember that Dog Ears Books does not accept plastic. Bring your checkbook (cash also accepted), and all will be well. Or stop by the bookshop when we’re open to prepay or mail a check in the amount of $28.62 (sales tax included), and I’ll put your name on a list of prepaid signed book reservations.

Remember, dinner and book launch both will be held at Spice World Cafe, on the corner of Waukazoo and Nagonaba, in downtown Northport.

There is precious little sleeping going on at our house lately, because after my May season opener extravaganza, we’ll go into high gear to get ready for another exciting Grath event in mid-June. Prepare for more excitement! But more of that anon. One day at a time. I keep reminding myself....