So much has happened since I last updated you on our bookshop I hardly know where to begin. We have hosted several author events including such charming ladies as Mrs. Genevieve Trimble sharing Tea with us as we chatted about her beautiful book on Afton Villa Gardens. We had a wonderful evening conversation with Gwen Roland as she delighted us with her warm spirit and told tales of swamp life while signing copies of her books Atchafalya Houseboat and Postmark Bayou Chene. We spent a rainy Saturday during a day when a Garden Stroll was scheduled in town visiting with Chere Dastugue Coen talking about the gardening mecca that is Forest Hills Louisiana. We then spent another Saturday, that started out rather rainy, with Shellie Rushing Tomlinson author of Suck Your Stomach in and Put Some Color On! The rain cleared out just in time and we had a grand time laughing about things Southern Momma’s tell their daughters, and these are just a few of the events we have held! Most notably we were honored to be the headquarters, registration venue, rain hideaway and general hangout spot for The Third Annual Walker Percy Weekend which was held in our little town of St Francsiville in June. What a rush! This event draws readers, writers, fans of Walker Percy, and fans of southern good times from all over the country. A friend called the weekend “The World’s Greatest Literary Cocktail Party” and with the fabulous presenters and panel discussions, great Cocktail & Crawfish parties, literary conversations and of course The Progressive Front Porch Tour & Bourbon Tasting Stroll the event is known for, I must say I find the description rather apt. I can’t list all the fun that happened that weekend, with parties, panels and book signings, but I can assure you you do not want to miss it next year. Stay informed at www.walkerpercyweeknd.org.
So with such a busy couple of months what is up next? Well, currently we are planning our first big midnight book release party! At midnight on July 31, 2016 the eighth story in the Harry Potter series will be released and we plan to be handing out books to lucky customers who pre-order just as soon as the clock tolls! This should be interesting since (a) I have never run a midnight book release before (b) I can just imagine the excitement of Harry Potter fans who have been waiting so long to find out what happens next and (c) I am generally an “early to bed, early to rise” kinda girl so I am not quite sure how I will deal with midnight – it’s been a while! Be sure and visit www.conundrumbooks.com/shop to pre-order your copy so we don’t sell out before you reserve one for yourself. You will want to read it before our first “All-Ages Bookclub “ meeting in mid-August where we can all chat about what our favorite magical beings have been up to and decide if we like where they are headed!
And then we have end of year events to plan. St. Francisville plays hosts to events all throughout the year but a couple of my favorites are Polo’s and Pearls on August 20, 2016 where last year we held our very first book signing months before opening when our friend CC Lockwood joined us to sign his book Louisiana Wild and Christmas in the Country – the weekend we officially opened last year- which is held the first weekend of December. Can you believe our little shop will be a year old! (Ok, so not for another 5 months, but still , it’s time to plan now) .
And then we have been invited back to take part in the 2017 Readers and Writers Symposium in February 2017 and to be the 2017 registration venue, headquarters and hangout for the Fourth Annual Walker Percy Weekend. We must be doing something right to have repeat performance, right?
What a whirlwind this first 7 months have been, but I have a feeling we better buckle up because this ride is just gaining speed!
And of course, a favorite Quote to wrap it all together: “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finished nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.“ Ralph Waldo Emerson