If you are a regular at Boswell, you will occasionally hear about a bookseller learning about a book through rep night. This series of programs offered our sales reps discussing new books to booksellers, a mix of gift ideas and hand-sell recommendations. This program has been going on for over 35 years, first at Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops and now at a joint session sponsored by Boswell and Oconomowoc’s Books & Company. While we can’t vouch that Milwaukee has first, this idea has spread around the country, such that these rep nights became popular at many other bookstores.
While all of our sales reps do a great job, there are some that stand out – booksellers will change their personal calendars to attend their presentations. One of these reps is Jason Gobble, who sells the Knopf-Doubleday list for Penguin Random House in the Upper Midwest. A former Publishers Weekly sales rep of the year, Mr. Gobble’s breadth of knowledge, combined with his charm, dry wit, and uncanny ability to spot customer favorites has benefitted many a bookstore. It was his doing that led to Penguin Random House picking up the Shady Hollow series, which now is a bestseller at indie bookstores around the country; Shady Hollow is now in its sixth printing!
It was Books & Company’s idea to have Jason Gobble present to their customers, and this year, we were lucky enough to book an add-on event, the afternoon of their evening presentation. We know that 2 pm events don’t work for everybody, but they are surprisingly popular with many of our customers. If I was a Friend of Boswell and not the proprietor, I’d either consider taking a sick day just to see him or drive the 40 minutes to Oconomowoc for the evening event.
Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
in conversation with Sally Haldorson for a virtual event - click here to register.
Boswell Book Company and Porchlight Book Company join forces again, as we like to do, to present a virtual event featuring restauranteur Will Guidara, a former coowner of New York City’s legendary Eleven Madison Park. Guidara will be in conversation with Porchlight Managing Director Sally Haldorson about Unreasonable Hospitality, his new book which offers up essential lessons in hospitality for every business. Cosponsored by Visit Milwaukee.
Will Guidara is Cofounder of The Welcome Conference and the Cofounder and former Coowner of Make It Nice, a restaurant group that includes Eleven Madison Park, Made Nice, and The NoMad.
Sara Woster, author of Painting Can Save Your Life: How and Why We Paint
in conversation with Mary Louise Schumacher, in-person at Boswell - click here to register.
Boswell hosts an evening with Sara Woster, artist and founder of The Painting School, who visits with her new book, Painting Can Save Your Life, which invites readers into the vibrant world of painting as a creative practice powerful enough to transform our lives.
Combining the practical how-to of Betty Edwards with the spirit and inspiration of Julia Cameron, Woster is an important new voice in the creativity/self-help space. The pandemic has inspired millions of people around the world to establish new hobbies that soothe their souls in troubled times. Woster’s book is the perfect guide for this moment, combining
Sara Woster has illustrated several children’s books, and her animations, multimedia, and collaborative performances have been shown at numerous art venues including the Hammer Museum, UCLA, and Franklin Art Works in Minneapolis. She has been granted a Jerome Foundation Emerging Artist Fellowship, a Franconia Sculpture Park residency, and a Brooklyn Arts Council SU-CASA residency. Woster also has a creative writing degree from The New School.
Jenna Kashou, author of Milwaukee Scavenger
in-person at Boswell - click here to register.
Scavenge your way into Boswell for an evening with Milwaukee writer and journalist Jenna Kashou, who offers a whole new way to discover the Cream City with her new book, Milwaukee Scavenger.
As the saying goes: There's always good things brewing in Milwaukee! Indeed there are and you won't have to hunt too hard to find them. Take a closer look at those places you might have passed by or stop and visit a neighborhood you only know by name. Milwaukee Scavenger invites you to discover the city with new eyes.
Jenna Kashou is a journalist specializing in spreading love for MKE. She is author of 100 Things to Do in Milwaukee Before You Die, 2nd Edition, and wrote the ‘Girl About Town’ column for Milwaukee Magazine. She has also been writer in residence at the historic Pfister Hotel.
in conversation with Jenny Chou, in-person at Boswell - click here to register.
Boswell welcomes back Wisconsin-based YA author Jamie Pacton for an evening of conversation about her new novel, The Vermilion Emporium, a timeless story of love and deadly consequences that’s something like The Radium Girls set in the enchanting world of Howl’s Moving Castle. In conversation with Jenny Chou of Boswell.
Allison Saft, author of A Far Wilder Magic, says: "Packed with fantastical adventures, heartfelt whimsy, and delightful characters, The Vermilion Emporium is as luminous as starlight lace itself. Jamie Pacton will make you believe there is magic to be found around every corner."
Jamie Pacton is author of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly and Lucky Girl. When not writing, she teaches college English, obsessively reads obscure history, hikes, bakes, and plays video games.
in person at The Table, 5305 W Capitol Dr - click here to register!
Ebony LaDelle, author of Love Radio, appears at The Table, a community space sponsored by Alice’s Garden. Located in the former Capitol Drive Lutheran Church, The Table offers 1st Century Style Community in the 21st Century. And LaDelle’s book offers a story that’s witty and romantic, a YA teen novel about a self-professed teen love doctor with a popular radio segment who believes he can get a girl who hates all things romance to fall in love with him in only three dates.
Midwesterner Ebony LaDelle is a marketing pusher by day, storyteller by night. She’s a graduate of Howard University, and cohosted the monthly video series Why Not YA?.
Jenna Kashou by Uttke Photography
Ebony LaDelle by Taylor Baldwin
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