For almost an hour, laughs echo down the halls. Around a hundred people have gathered in the Fort Collins Marriott conference halls.
Everyone has at least one book in their hand; most have more.
There is no dress code, but around the room are colorful, floor-length dresses, all-black ensembles with big, platformed boots, and tote bags — lots and lots of tote bags.
The audience members are wearing the clothes in which they feel best — an unspoken recognition that this event is special.
`The audience, consisting mostly of women, has come to see a beloved author: Scarlett St. Clair.
They are here to celebrate the release of her latest book, “A Touch of Chaos.”
Behind the scenes, Old Firehouse Books, our local indie bookstore, has put in weeks of effort to arrange this event.
“Events are a lot of backend work that can be a little tiring, but seeing everything come to fruition with excitement from both the readers and the author is very rewarding,” said Andrea Day, the events and marketing coordinator for Old Firehouse Books.
Before she was the person introducing authors on stage, Day was a member of the audience at other book events.
“It was a way for me to feel closer to the writing that I loved and to find a community of people that loved the same things as me,” said Day.
When she is hosting events for Old Firehouse Books, she likes to apply the same mindset, she said, to “provide a space for people to not only meet an author they dearly love, but to find others that love the same things.”
“I really value finding community through books, so it’s nice to know that our events provide a space for new relationships and friendships,” she said.
The impacts of these events are not limited to the Fort Collins community, they extend into the independent book-selling community as well.
Book events bring in new customers for Old Firehouse Books as well as bring in returning customers seeking out more events to attend. They can also encourage people to simply think of shopping at independent bookstores more often said Day
Ultimately, the events, and Old Firehouse Books, are community focused.
“I just want people to have fun and for the author to have a good time,” said Day.
In the halls of the Fort Collins Marriott, no one sits alone. Everyone is talking to the person next to them.
Mothers who brought their children are laughing with the women who brought their significant others.
Two strangers who met waiting in line are exchanging phone numbers.
Everyone came to get their book signed and ended up leaving with much more than that.
Old Firehouse Books regularly updates their website to promote their upcoming events. In the month of May they will be hosting Lindsay King-Miller, author of “The Z Word.” They will also be hosting a Reading with Neurodiversity event to promote books with neurodiverse representation.
