One of the exciting additions to the downtown Waco growth in cultural activities is the author events at Fabled Bookshop and Café.
Fabled hosted its second annual Booklover Weekend in April in which women from all over the United States and Canada gathered in our city to interact with authors, publishers and fellow readers. Eight New York Times bestselling authors were in attendance, including Caro Claire Burke, the author of the number one New York Times Bestseller, “Yesteryear;” Rachel Hochhauser, author of March’s Reece Witherspoon’s pick, “Lady Tremaine;” and Amy Jo Burns, author of March’s Read With Jenna Pick, “Wait For Me.”
“No one puts on a book event like Fabled,” Burns recalled. “Immaculately planned and personalized, the Booklover’s Weekend was a modern and joyful ode to the art of communal reading. It felt like coming home to your favorite people, and it was hands down one of the best experiences I’ve had as an author.”
When independent bookstores are new, booking author interviews is a tough market to crack. Initially, Fabled counted on local authors to fill the calendar.
The events team at Fabled knew that if an author visited the store and we held a well-organized, inviting and fun interview, the author would want to come back for their next book tour; this has happened. Publishers who represent these authors also have taken notice and sent other authors they represent to the store.
“Sending authors to Fabled is a no-brainer when it comes to tour planning,” said Katie Bassel, assistant publicity director of St. Martin’s Publishing Group. “I’ve sent authors near (Houstonian Katherine Center) and very, very far (Aussie Sally Hepworth) many years in a row. They consistently have raved about Fabled’s gorgeous event space.”
When Fabled created a specialty menu in its cafe for Katherine Center’s 2024 book, “The Rom-Commers,” Center gushed, “This is so adorable! Fabled is seriously the cutest!”
Bassel agreed. “My feelings too!”
Patti Callahan Henry, NYT bestselling author of “Becoming Mrs. Lewis” and other historical and contemporary fiction novels, had a sellout event at Fabled last year.
“Fabled Bookshop created an event in which every detail was thoughtful, every moment echoing the themes of my work,” said Henry. “The store feels like a wonderland; the entire staff was warm, attentive and genuinely invested in making both me and the readers feel special. Fabled Bookshop celebrates community, and Elizabeth Barnhill is a reader in every sense of the word; she creates magic when she brings together readers and authors.”
I have developed close relationships with authors over my time as the book buyer of Fabled and have had the honor of interviewing many of the authors of books I loved, primarily in the literary fiction, mystery and nonfiction genres. Kai Jackson, communications manager at Fabled, hosts authors in the fantasy and romance genres. Depending on the author, many Waco community members have been asked to be author conversation partners.
Author Kayla Olson, who writes popular romance books, counts Fabled as one of her favorite tour stops.
“Not only is Fabled one of the most beautiful bookstores I’ve ever visited, but its local readers also are some of the loveliest and warmest I’ve encountered throughout my entire career! I had such a wonderful time being in conversation with bookseller Kai and had so many memorable interactions during the signing line. There were even readers who’d driven down from the DFW area, even though I had other events planned that would have been closer to them, simply because they love Fabled so much! It’s not hard to see why — between the wide selection of available titles, the charming café and the friendly staff, Fabled is absolutely worth a road trip. I can’t wait to visit again in the future!”
Author Kate Khavari has a loyal Waco following.
“Fabled has welcomed me with open arms,” Kate said. “I look forward all year to sitting down with Kai for her insightful discussion of my latest book!”
Many local community members take advantage of seeing so many of their favorite authors close to home.
“I love meeting bestselling authors and discovering new genres I otherwise would never have encountered but am now a lifelong fan of,” said Wacoan Natalie Underwood.
Kelly Bordner is also a frequent attendee.
“I thoroughly enjoy going to the author events where I get to meet my favorite authors!” she said. “It’s always fun to attend with friends and enjoy a nice evening out. The author events have helped me discover different genres. Listening to the authors makes reading their books that much more enjoyable. It’s like getting a behind the scenes look into the book. I am so thankful to have Fabled Bookshop here in Waco!”
We also have many loyal attendees who travel from farther away, including Jenny Florence from the DFW area.
“The staff builds a sense of hospitality and community around each event,” Florence said. “The conversations with the authors are thoughtful, and I leave feeling like I have the inside ‘tea’ on the author’s book and publishing.”
Although Fabled fills its calendar with well-known authors, the store also hosts many local authors who bring in a big crowd, including Craig Cunningham, Carey Hobbs, Gerald Powell and Kimberly McMillan. Fabled hosts a Local Author Faire each February in which local authors can submit their books for consideration.
Upcoming events this fall include Emily Harding, a romance author, on September 16; Stephanie Garber, YA/fantasy author, on September 24; Lawrence Wright, a nonfiction author on October 20; Ron Rindo, literary fiction author, on October 28; and Katherine Reay on December 1 for her latest historical fiction.
To find out more about Fabled’s author events and how to sign up for them, visit fabledbookshop.com and click the events tab.
