In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, our events team discusses how we select and host author events. Aubrey Cece, manager of The Kids' Room and Margot Sage-EL, owner emeritus talk with podcast co-producer Kathryn Counsell, who is also the store's Director of Author Events.
Aubrey Cece is the Kids’ Room manager, children’s book and gift buyer, and children’s author event planner. She’s a born creative with the love of everything books and art. Her favorite color is lime green and her creative touch shows all throughout the store. You’ll almost never see her without a pair of Converse on her feet and when you talk to her she’ll welcome you into a story about her family while she finds the perfect book for you and your child. She is passionate about children’s mental health and LGBTQ+ issues.
Margot Sage-EL, born and raised outside of Boston MA, earned her BA from Barnard College, and arrived in Montclair in 1990. Embraced by a community of spirited souls passionate about art, politics, social justice and literacy, Margot created Great Owl Books, a mail order catalog of multicultural children’s books and folded that into Watchung Booksellers in 1996. She has spent the three decades years growing this community bookstore with the help of amazing booksellers, devoted readers, and a supportive family. Margot is semi-retired, totes her grandchildren around town, and is again pursuing sculpture.
Kathryn Counsell is the Director of Author Events at Watchung Booksellers, as well as a co-creator and co-host of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast. Born a Hoosier, she made her way to New York and worked in marketing at several publishing houses before transitioning to the bookselling side of the book world. She's lived in Montclair, NJ for over a decade and loves walking her dog Millie to the bookstore.
Resources:
Books:
A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here.
Register for Upcoming Events.
The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.
The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell.
Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica.
Art & design and social media by Evelyn Moulton. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff.
Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids’ Room!
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Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.com
Social: @watchungbooksellers
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