Two perfect days in April: my book launches in Prague and The Netherlands
When the audience gets involved: events, interviews, videos and book talk
In this article, I will cover two perfect days in April. 12 April: Book launch in Diemen, the Netherlands. 26 April: book launch in Prague.
Diemen/Amsterdam - 12 April
It was the perfect day for my book launch; the cherry blossoms bloomed. Spring was palpable. The book signing took place at the local bookstore. We arranged coffee, cakes with the book cover on them, balloons, my lucky pencil, and of course, the books.
The local newspaper announced the signing. Read it here (it’s in Dutch). The article is about the book and my reason for writing it, my choice of leaving Amsterdam to move to Prague, traveling, writing in English, and daydreaming.
"I knew early on that I didn't want to stay in the place I grew up and knew well.
I wanted to gain new impressions and reinvent myself." - Eline Vedder
Friends and family were there, and people I had not seen for eight years. They had read it in the newspaper. They brought the novel with them or bought it from the bookstore. I signed their copies and added a personal note. Something I knew they would like in the book, something that would resonate with them.
Strangers visited the store, too. Some passed the store and were curious. I told them about Nora’s story (the main character in Sitting Next to a Stranger) and my love for writing. We talked about books, traveling, self-publishing, creating art, and following your dreams.
Check the reel below:
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How books surprise us
When I started writing the book, I thought it was about meeting strangers and summarizing the lessons we learn from each other. The book surprised me when I wrote it. It turned out to be about strangers, but more so, about finding a connection, friendship, and love. About art, traveling, and stepping away from your protective upbringing. About getting into the beautiful world. About daring to leave. Your place, your relationship, your old self. It’s about removing the labels you put on yourself. The characters in the book taught me everything I needed to know about these topics.
I still have to get used to the idea that my book stands on people’s shelves. People will enter the world I wrote down and go on a journey with my characters. I’m curious to hear what the readers will pick up from the book. Which topics and lessons will stand out for them? What will they find in the story?
“Like Nora, I used to go to the Museum Square and look at the Van Gogh Museum.
I drew some of my first paintings there.”
“My son lives and works in Guatemala. I will give him Sitting Next to a Stranger once I finish.”
“I am an anthropologist and have traveled through Mexico.
Can't wait to see how you fictionalized this country.”
Prague, Czech Republic - 26 April
Saturday 26th April. 16.00/4 pm. Prague — I enter a calm garden in the city center. The sky is blue, and the weather is perfect after four days of rain. I place three journals on display. They are the original manuscript of my just-published novel, Sitting Next to a Stranger. I am setting up a small exhibition while I wait for my nerves to calm down and for the guests to arrive.
16.59/4.59 pm — My friends Gabriele, Andrew, Miko, and Cortney transformed the garden into a magical place. They hang all the balloons and posters and put everything in the perfect spot. They tell me that it’s going to be fine.
“It will all go smoothly, you can enjoy your achievement,” they all say in their own words.
“OK, I think you're right,” I reply. My voice is quivering, and my eyes scan the garden. I realize how perfect it is, how grateful I am that we can make this day happen. How important it is to celebrate creative endeavors. The sun warms my face, and I start to believe it: I can do this, I’m the author. I know my novel, and I can answer every question. I trust my art and myself.
I run to the tables on the terrace. The people don’t know anything about this event. “Hey,” I say. “I’m celebrating my book. We don’t know each other, but you are invited.” They wish me good luck and adjust their seats so they can see what we are about to start. We are about to start the most magical three hours. This event is all I dreamed of. I’m still flabbergasted that I pulled this off, but I have envisioned this for the last three years. Is this manifesting?
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Reactions:
“I met you three years ago, when you told me you wanted to write a book. I’m so happy I can be part of this celebration.”
“I love the cover, the title is catchy.”
“I don’t read a lot, but my girlfriend does. She will love this book.”
“I’m lost in life, I need to figure out what I want.”
I reply: “This is the perfect moment for you to read this book. It won’t answer your question of where to go in your life, but it will make you gentle with yourself.”
“I have been to Mexico too, I can’t wait to ‘travel’ back to it.”
“I need something lighthearted.”
“I heard your interview, I want to read Nora’s story.”
18.00: Time for the Q&A!
You can find the full 36-minute Q&A on YouTube. Read the questions and my answers in my other Substack post.
My biggest takeaways from these events:
This is just the beginning of my author life. I want more events and more signings. I’ve got books to write and stories to tell.
We are all creators, and we all love (telling or listening to) stories.
I love connecting with the audience.
Writing is, first and foremost, something I do for myself. I want to spend my days thinking about scenes, characters, and books. I wrote this book because I had to; I wrote it for my 21-year-old self. The best mindspace was when I wasn't even sure if I'd publish it.
Now, the audience is involved, and my book is out in the world. It's there for you, the audience. Be surprised and have fun on this trip in Mexico and within yourself.
I’m always down for a book chat!
Thank you to everyone who showed up 💙✨
📚Sitting Next to a Stranger is out now! Here on Amazon.
With Love,
Eline Vedder