The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of thousands of in-store author appearances since March, but one writer is planning to hold bookstore events later this month.
Elin Hilderbrand, known for novels such as Summer of ‘69 and What Happens in Paradise, will hold four signing events at a series of bookstores starting this Saturday, Publishers Weekly reports.
The events are scheduled for bookstores in Delaware, New Jersey, and California. Hilderbrand is promoting her latest novel, 28 Summers. A reviewer for Kirkus said of the book, “Hilderbrand sets the gold standard in escapist fiction.”
1Katharine Myers, the publicity director for Hilderbrand’s publisher, Little, Brown, told Publishers Weekly that the author “has never stopped wanting to visit stores in person if we could figure out a way to do it safely.”
“She held out hope since March that it would be possible,” Myers said. “Elin is devoted to seeing her fans during two tours each year and makes seeing them in independent stores a priority.”
Fans who want their book signed by Hilderbrand will have to wear masks and will be required to practice social distancing. The events will all be ticketed with a limited number of readers allowed in the stores at any given time, and selfies with Hildebrand are prohibited.
Hilderbrand’s appearance at Warwick’s in San Diego will be held outside, the store’s head buyer, Adrian Newell, told Publishers Weekly.
“We’re really hoping we can find a way to make live, in-person events work, provided we can ensure everyone's health and safety,” Newell said.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
