Warwick’s knows books, and luncheon menus, too!
When I was told I was going to do two events with Warwick’s on tour for The Wednesday Daughters, my reaction was: I know exactly five people in the entire San Diego area, one of which I’ve actually never met in person before, and two of which I’ve met exactly once; how am I going to sell out a luncheon, much less have anyone left to come fill the seats at the store that night?
(These are the worries that keep authors who are lucky enough to be invited to read at bookstores up at night, I’m sorry to say.)
Well, it appears that at Warwick’s, you don’t have to worry: they sell books! And luncheon tickets, too.
Well, who doesn’t love a luncheon in a beautiful room with a view out over lovely greens (the kind you golf on, not the kind you eat), especially when you know you will not be required to putt! Instead, you get to sit and have a very yummy lunch–in my case the menu inspired by my book, as were the decorations!–and talk about books. All incredibly well organized by, among others, Warwick’s Julie Slavinsky and Santaluz clubhouse director Hella Tyler.
I about fell over when I saw the crowd in the store the same night. There is a reason Warwick’s is the country’s oldest family owned and operated bookstore. They clearly do a great job with books! But I should have known this would work out well, because this store now in California has its roots in Iowa and South Dakota, where my family on my Dad’s side is from. (Oh, my Grandpa’s attic in LaMars… but that’s for another time.)
There is a lovely little story on the Warwick’s website of how this store’s history includes the marriage–literally–of two book families.
The two booksellers who covered my evening event, Emily and Acacia, were about as nice as anyone could be. And the evening icing: Shilpi Somaya Gowda and Susan Vreeland–two wonderful novelist who live near the store–showed up to support me. How nice is that?
A big shout out to Mary, Barb, Mark, and the two Laurens, the five people I knew–all of whom showed up and brought friends, too! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Warwick’s will have me back again. It was one of the nicest tour stops I’ve ever done. – Meg
Independent bookstores help new writers find an audience, and keep literature vibrant. If you don’t live near this one, please see the list of others in the sidebar under “Bookstores Worth Browsing.” Don’t see your favorite here yet? Please email me and I’ll do my best to have it featured here.
