Best Book Launch Party EVAH

Jul 10

Jul 10 Best Book Launch Party EVAH

Fun. Engaging. Unicorn cupcakes. Comedians.

This is seriously how a book launch party should be.

On July 8,The Ripped Bodice (Culver City, CA) hosted the launch party for Sarah Kuhn's seond book, "Heroine Worship."

Usually I attended the book launches of authors I am familiar with so attending this was completely on a whim and merely because I cherish a valid excuse to visit the The Ripped Bodice. That store is absolutely gorgeous, the layout and the decorations are absolutely inspiring. I absolutely love this store. The Ripped Bodice may be a bookstore dedicated to romance novels but they are also huge supporters of local authors. Supporting a local bookstore supporting local authors is a double win.

Sarah Kuhn's first novel, "Heroine Complex" has crossed my bookworm radar several times but there hadn't been enough incentive for me to check it out. Which is completely bonkers because this SHOULD have grabbed my attention immediately. Why? FEMALE ASIAN AMERICAN SUPERHEROES. That is more than enough for me to flip through the pages.

[Amazon description of "Heroine Complex"]:

Being a superheroine is hard. Working for one is even harder.

Evie Tanaka is the put-upon personal assistant to Aveda Jupiter, her childhood best friend and San Francisco’s most beloved super heroine. She’s great at her job—blending into the background, handling her boss’s epic diva tantrums, and getting demon blood out of leather pants.

Unfortunately, she’s not nearly as together when it comes to running her own life, standing up for herself, or raising her tempestuous teenage sister, Bea.

But everything changes when Evie’s forced to pose as her glamorous boss for one night, and her darkest secret comes out: she has powers, too. Now it’s up to her to contend with murderous cupcakes, nosy gossip bloggers, and supernatural karaoke battles—all while juggling unexpected romance and Aveda’s increasingly outrageous demands. And when a larger threat emerges, Evie must finally take charge and become a super heroine in her own right...or see her city fall to a full-on demonic invasion.

One bookworm worry about attending the launch party would be dealing with any spoilers. Well since, I have zero knowledge of the book, that fear was completely unfounded. The whole event was just pure entertainment from the first moment. When you are greeted with mega enthusiasm from Jenny Yang (Comedienne/Actor), it's gonna be a good time.

An absolute treat were the treats themselves! Just check out this stunning unicorn cupcake by JustJenn. Even better bonus? Super Delicious!

If the cupcakes weren't enough, there was the also scrumptious Luckdish Curry bringing the Japanese food in their shiny retro trailer. Sarah Kuhn has created a whole new author status milestone by having her own special at the food truck.

The event began with an introduction by the charming Jenny Yang in her completely appropriate Austen-like dress. Excerpts from the new book were read by a trio of actors and podcasters. The performance from the readers really nailed it in for me to check into the books. The comedy was delivered and the intrigue was set. Authors should really use improve or stage professionals to read their excerpt. It's such an effective way of delivering the tone and style of the book. Plus, less time to have stage fright!

*Will Choi (Asian AF, Drunk Monk Podcast, Kdrama Podcast) ; Julia Cho (Asian AF, Lizzie Bennet Diaries), Keiko Agena (Asian AF, Gilmore Girls)*

After the reading, it was time for the star of the night, Sarah Kuhn. Jenny Yang conducted an onstage Q&A with Sarah Kuhn. They touched upon the topic of bridezillas and the idea of stereotypes, and dragon ladies. Yang brought up a recent article from Angry Asian Man in which Kuhn had guest wrote. Kuhn recounted a memory of a talk with primarily non-Asian audience about how much she adored Lucy Liu in Charlie's Angel. Certain audience members approached Kuhn and remarked on how much of a "dragon lady." With more incoming stories about the relationship between people of color and representation in media, Kuhn's overall message that no one has the right to put down a character you may love because of "stereotypes."Especially when the label is unfairly placed on a character that is so much than a "dragon lady."

Also, I have to applaud the Kuhn's style of matching with the cover, right down to her snazzy heels!

The book launch was an overall success on so many fronts. The event brought together a bunch of players in the Asian American community, featured cupcakes, and got me intensely interested in the book.

The book is out now and Kuhn is touring.

Sarah Kuhn's website: http://www.heroinecomplex.com/Check out her website for more details and information.