Stepping into Warwick’s in La Jolla always feels a bit like stepping into a literary sanctuary, between the historic, dark wood shelves and their charming shop full of bookish gifts. As the oldest continuously family-owned bookstore in the United States, it carries decades of rich community history within its walls, making it a dream destination for any author hosting a book event. I feel incredibly lucky to be a patron, and to have celebrated the release of my psychological thriller, In Her Own Backyard, there this past weekend. My ‘Weekends with Locals’ event was truly a career highlight.
Intimate Conversations about Psychological Fiction & Mental Health
While large festivals are fantastic for vibrant energy and a steady stream of eager readers, independent bookstore events offer a uniquely intimate atmosphere. Spending an afternoon discussing the craft of writing with readers who appreciate the nuances of psychological fiction, unreliable narrators, and slow-burn, suburban mysteries was incredible.
The engagement, thoughtful questions about perinatal mental health, and warm support from the San Diego literary community (and tourists!) during our signing blew me away. There is something profoundly moving about signing a physical copy of a book you spent years writing in solitude, handing it directly to a reader who is excited to dive into the mystery. When I inscribed, “You made my day and I can’t wait to hear what you think!” I meant it. The event was supposed to last from 1-3pm, but on this busy Sunday afternoon with this much engagement, their event manager asked me to stay until closing. In Her Own Backyard was the best-seller of the day! I’m so grateful for their support.
Supporting Independent Bookstores
Independent bookstores are the beating heart of our literary communities. Warwick’s doesn’t just sell books; they curate “third spaces” for connection, conversation, chess on their giant board outside, and the preservation of local author voices. If you missed out on our live event at Warwick’s, you can still check in with them for local availability or order online to benefit Warwick’s through their website.
You can also visit the main Weekends with Locals | Warwick’s page to see the broader series and support other local authors.
Have you visited Warwick’s, or your favorite local bookstore, recently? What is the last great book you picked up?
