Dear Readers,

The format of the Literary Luncheons we love so much - three different authors with a common thematic element to their work, all presenting on the same day - is increasingly difficult to organize. (I know that many of you understand, having been in the position of rounding up family members with varying obligations and jobs and pets and family needs and sport schedules and travel tickets...or anyone who has ever hosted a wedding!....and those that gather book groups and friend groups for these Literary Luncheon events absolutely know how much logistical involvement it takes to coordinate multiple people!) To get three authors on book tour more or less at the same time to arrive for an event on the same day, and on a day which the Wequassett Resort has available, is becoming a matrix logic puzzle beyond my capacity.

This May Where the Sidewalk Ends Bookstore turned 20! I also want to be able to enjoy the space and atmosphere we created with summer festivities at the bookstore. And while the Literary Luncheons are joyful work, the thin margins are difficult to manage and the prices are a lot to commit to; each event is a financial gamble with thinner and thinner margins. The Tariff Whiplash also puts us, like many small businesses right now, on precarious footing and we need to be able to focus on the fluctuating inventory prices and availability communicated by our vendors.

But to end the Literary Luncheon Series completely would be heartbreaking - it is a beloved tradition, something truly special for readers, and it has forged a genuine community over the years, fostering friendships and celebrating authors and their hard work! We love them, and we love being able to gather with all the wonderful readers-turned-friends, and meet authors and talk about characters and the stories that enrich our lives. 

So as we were preparing the Summer 2025 Author Lineup, we looked for the middle ground - a model that allows us to continue offering these special afternoons but without the year-round crush of scheduling, exponentially time-consuming introduction writing, and communication. We have been able to confirm top-notch authors, and the parameters that allow their publishers to send them to us mean that each comes with a signed book! They are all new-to-us , and they are all highly sought after, immensely talented writers!

We are so grateful for your support and look forward to greeting you at the bookstore for browsing, for some of our 20th Anniversary Festivities, and of course, at the Wequassett for another summer of Author Literary Luncheons! Thank you.

Fondly,

Caitlin