I have never attended a book launch in real life (I barely know any authors personally), but last week I got the opportunity to attend a book launch party online and it was a real treat. I enjoyed listening to the author talking about their book and learning more about the art of writing and illustrating from a fellow author.

I received an online invitation to the event on Zoom, hosted by Greenlight bookstore in Brooklyn. I recommend checking out their website because they have regular author events online.

I joined the launch party of the author and illustrator, Miri Leshem-Pelly, and her new book: Penny and the Plain Piece of Paper. Reading Age: 4-8 years old. Miri Leshem-Pelly writes children’s stories and this is her fifteenth book to be released.

The story is about Penny, a drawing that lives on a plain piece of paper, which she finds boring. She wonders what it would be like to live on other types of paper. During the course of her adventure she makes friends with other characters from these other types of paper but finds nothing suits her. Finally, her new friends join her on a plain piece of paper, which ends up not being so plain anymore!

During the launch party Miri Leshem-Pelly discussed why she wrote the book; citing other children’s authors she had been inspired by. Then Miri read the book aloud and my son sat with me listening to the story. I think there is something incredibly special about listening to an author reading their own book aloud. The tone, pacing and emotions engage with the reader far deeper. We both enjoyed the story, immensely. Afterwards Miri explained how she created her illustrations on the page and we were able to ask questions about the book and the author. Lastly Miri asked us to draw Penny. She gave us a step by step guide, encouraging us to email our own finished drawings to her. There was a raffle with a lucky individual winning a copy of the book.

I thought this was a fantastic way to launch a book. I got to learn more about the book, the author, writing techniques and enhance my drawing skills! It only lasted thirty minutes, adequate timing to get the information across. I felt compelled to buy the book and support a fellow author. The book is too young for my own children, so I brought a copy for my niece and nephew who are younger.

Overall, a book launch is a great platform for authors to raise awareness of their story, engage with their audience and drive sales. I felt compelled to buy the book and support a fellow author.