Having never been to any book launch parties before, I can say with 100% certainty that last week's launch party for This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee (my friend and Simmons ChLit grad program classmate) was unquestionably the best I’ve ever experienced.

There was kinderpunsch, a coloring contest, Mackenzi's NPR-approved cookies, a steampunk photo booth, and a signing line almost out the door. But, really, what made the event so lovely was Mackenzi herself. Despite the fact that TMT is Mackenzi's debut novel, she already has the charming-and-poised-author persona down. Her Q&A was intelligent, charismatic, and funny (“I truly believe that every Taylor Swift song encapsulates the modern experience”) and her signing included a seat for herself and a seat for the individual getting a book signed.



It’s also always fun to be in a big group of people who love books, work in the books industry, and/or are there to support your friend. Being a new author is scary, I imagine, so it was wonderful to see such a great turnout of readers excited about Mackenzi's novel.

Here is me being excited (with fellow Mackenzi fans Lana Popovic and Rebecca Podos):