In January of this year I went to a book launch/signing and I told the friend I was with - somewhat timidly, almost like I was embarrassed - that I had a secret goal. Something that felt a little silly and very unlikely, but I thought would be really cool. I wanted to co-host an author event at a bookstore. I wanted to be the "in conversation with..." person at one of these signings I go to all the time. BUT, very unlikely. These are typically co-hosted by other authors (which makes the most sense because they have the inside perspective, they know the right questions to ask, and they are themselves often part of the draw for their books as well) or bookstore employees, so it was just a quiet little goal in the back of my mind that I mostly didn't think much about.

So color me shocked when one of my mutuals on TikTok, Hayley Dennings, messaged me to ask if I wanted to do her book launch event with her! I've been following along with Hayley posting about her sapphic vampire book for so long now (well before it even had a title, This Ravenous Fate) and it wasn't until fairly recently that I even knew we both live in NorCal! (we saw each other at I believe one of Ava Reid's events last year and did the whole *squint* "are you...?" while you try to place if the person you're seeing in real life is that person you see on your phone screen all the time).

My first instinct was to say YEAH TOTALLY, but I know myself and I am horrendous with dates, so I asked if I could let her know in a couple days while I tried very hard to make sure I hadn't already scheduled something that day or wouldn't be in town. Luckily, free as a bird that day. And on top of it all I've had an ARC for This Ravenous Fate for some time now so it's the perfect time to read it to prep for the event!

Do I have any idea what I'm going to ask? NOPE! (but that will come together when I sit down to read the book) Am I terrified? A BIT! Is future Emma going to curse past Emma for agreeing to a public speaking engagement? PROBABLY. But I'm really excited nonetheless and really honored that Hayley even thought to consider me for the launch of her DEBUT!

If anyone is local and would like to attend Hayley's signing, you can register for the event here.(It's on August 6th in Berkeley, CA)

And for the non-locals, if you're interested in This Ravenous Fate, Hayley will be signing and personalizing all pre-orders from Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore!

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings is out August 6th!