Upcoming Author Events & Readings
21 upcoming author events and readings from The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, with dates, venues and ticket links taken from the organization’s own pages and refreshed weekly. All readings in Greater Boston →
Tue Oct 6 · 7:00pm
Gregory Maguire, the number-one bestselling author of Wicked, returns to the store to present Galinda, an origin story for Glinda the Good Witch that fills in the life behind the bubbly cliche. A notable draw given the ongoing Wicked film and Broadway prominence, this appearance offers Oz fans a new chapter in Maguire's long-running mythology.
Fri Oct 9 · 7:00pm
Singer-songwriter Antje Duvekot and author Steve Edwards trade songs and stories about how they came to their art forms. Edwards wrote the memoir Breaking into the Backcountry, about seven months as caretaker of a remote homestead on Oregon's Rogue River, and his essay collection Rare Good: Essays on Art, Autism, and Astonishment is due in October. Duvekot won the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition.
Sat Oct 10 · 11:00am
Three creators share new picture books: author Josh Funk and illustrator Renée Kurilla present The Dino Door, a rhyming dinosaur adventure, while author Michelle Cusolito celebrates Rooted in Wonder, a nonfiction look at twelve national trees. A multi-author family reading bringing together well-established Massachusetts-area children's book makers.
Wed Oct 14 · 7:00pm
Jason Prokowiew presents War Boys: A Father and Son Memoir, a braided account of his Russian father's adoption by the Nazis who murdered his family in World War II and the inherited trauma of fatherhood. The award-winning book is joined in conversation by memoirist Sara Faith Alterman, author of Let's Never Talk About This Again.
Fri Oct 16 · 6:00pm
Caldecott Honoree Shawn Harris presents Duel, a picture book using mirrored images to tell of two queens, two knights, and a shared hill. Harris earned his Caldecott Honor for Have You Ever Seen a Flower? and illustrated the Newbery-winning The Eyes and the Impossible. A reading from a prominent picture-book artist.
Sun Oct 18 · 2:00pm
Caldecott Medalist Philip C. Stead shares his middle-grade debut, A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic, an illustrated tale full of running gags and broken fourth walls pitched to fans of Kate DiCamillo and Lemony Snicket. Stead won the Caldecott for A Sick Day for Amos McGee.
Tue Oct 20 · 7:00pm
Geisel Honor winner Kara LaReau presents her new middle-grade novel Licorice, a spine-chilling and heartwarming story of a frightened kitten, a grieving boy, and a ghost who refuses to be forgotten. A former Candlewick and Scholastic editor, LaReau also writes the Infamous Ratsos and ZomBert Chronicles series.
Wed Oct 21 · 7:30pm
Peter King discusses The Game, his new book on NFL football drawn from forty years of interviews and stories from sidelines, locker rooms and executive suites. King wrote the “Monday Morning Quarterback” column for Sports Illustrated from 1989 to 2018 and has been named National Sportswriter of the Year three times. Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy joins him. The $50 ticket includes a signed copy.
Fri Oct 23 · 6:00pm
A ticketed three-course dinner built around conversation with three local authors: Heather Abel (The Emilys), Yu-Mei Balasingamchow (Names Have Been Changed), and Evann Normandin (The Good Parts). The $82 ticket includes a copy of one featured book and a shared meal, pairing new-release literary fiction with an intimate author discussion.
Sat Oct 24 · 11:00am
Award-winning creators Hayley Rocco and John Rocco share their new picture book A Book for Everyone, in which the chipmunk Piper Waterstone returns to celebrate the joy of reading. Hayley wrote All the Books and How to Send a Hug; John is a Caldecott Honor recipient for Blackout. A family reading.
Sat Oct 24 · 3:00pm
Adam Wallenta signs and personalises copies of Punk Taco Adventures! Vol. 2: Big Problems, the second volume of his comics series about a sentient space-taco. Wallenta is an author, illustrator and publisher and the Senior Editor at Papercutz, where he oversees titles including Herobear and the Kid!, Three Thieves and The Smurfs. Preorders placed by October 20 come with a free original drawing at the signing.
Wed Oct 28 · 7:00pm
Clinical psychologist Yael Schonbrun discusses Why Don't You Understand Me?, examining the science of miscommunication from intimate relationships to geopolitical conflict. A Brown University clinical assistant professor and co-host of the podcast Psychologists Off the Clock, Schonbrun previously wrote Work, Parent, Thrive. A talk grounded in behavioral-science research on human connection.
Sat Nov 7 · 2:00pm
Two middle-grade authors appear together: Diane Debrovner presents Roxie in Color, about a girl with blind parents, typeset in a low-vision font, while debut author Wendy Lu shares Casting April, about a disabled sixth grader chasing a Broadway role. Both books center disability and identity; Lu is a New York Times deputy editor.
Tue Nov 10 · 7:00pm
A poetry reading with two authors sharing new collections: Ilan Mochari presents Playthings, and Rosemary Herbert reads from Sisters in Time, centered on her experience unearthing a fourth-century Roman-era pagan burial in Winchester, England. Mochari, a novelist and Pushcart nominee, and Herbert together anchor an evening devoted to contemporary poetry.
Thu Nov 12 · 7:00pm
Kip Wilson launches her middle-grade debut, Backpack, Boy, Berlin, a verse novel based on the true story of a boy delivering secret anti-Nazi messages in wartime Berlin. Janae Marks, the New York Times bestselling author of the Zoe Washington series, presents Starting Now, about a tween who uncovers a family secret after moving in with her estranged half-brother. Wilson’s earlier books include White Rose.
Sat Nov 14 · 11:00am
Author Heidi E.Y. Stemple and debut illustrator Annie Gregoire launch their picture book E. Norm Moose, a read-aloud about a moose searching for a friend. Stemple, daughter of author Jane Yolen, has published nearly fifty books. Members of the Islandport Press team join the launch, making it a full publication celebration.
Thu Dec 3 · 7:00pm
Author Katie Naymon celebrates her new romance In Every Future, It's Us, a dual-timeline story of two best friends and a yearly New Year's Eve game. She is joined in conversation by USA Today bestselling author Chelsea Curto, with book influencer Grace Vogt-Alwardt moderating this holiday-themed romance evening.
Sat Dec 5 · 11:00am
A holiday reading with two authors and an illustrator: Cynthia Platt shares Santa in Disguise from her Holidays in Disguise series, while Vivian Kirkfield and illustrator Jill Weber present Pippa's Hanukkah Hunt, a companion to Pippa's Passover Plate. A seasonal event pairing Christmas and Hanukkah picture books for young readers and families.
Sat Dec 12 · 11:00am
Two authors share new winter picture books: Cathy Stefanec Ogren presents Winter Solstice Hill, about a family's wishing-on-a-star tradition, and Amanda Davis reads Chasing the Light, a nighttime hunt for the Northern Lights in the spirit of Owl Moon. Davis is a Massachusetts Secondary Art Educator of the Year. A family reading.
Sun Dec 20 · 5:00pm
Author-illustrator Matt Tavares shares his bestselling Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever, being reissued as a special edition with poster and ornaments from the animated adaptation. After the reading, the store screens the 45-minute Disney+ holiday special. Pajamas are encouraged for this family evening with a New York Times bestselling creator.
Sat May 1 · 11:00am
The store's fifth annual free festival celebrating graphic novels for young readers, running an all-day program. Details and creator lineup are still to come, but the recurring event has been a fixture on the store's calendar. A save-the-date listing; reservations are required through the store's dedicated festival page.
