Goodbye 2022, and hello 2023! Rather than pointing out how fast this year went by, I want to share in my excitement that we can finally gather and share. Let us think about 2023 like it's 2019. We were gearing up to have fantastic events. We have been working hard since we opened in 2014 to bring world-class authors to Central Florida and had finally convinced all the publicists in NYC that we were a "major market" and were looking at Orlando for national tours. But alas, we got to be a part of history and live through a 100-year pandemic.
2023 is jam-packed with terrific events. I am so proud of my staff for ensuring that we are the best all-inclusive indie community bookstore in Central Florida. What do I mean by that? In the words of Neil Gaiman, no one wants to live in a town that doesn't have an indie bookstore. We work with almost every non-profit, school, and organization to partner for events. We have strong relationships with all the major publishers. We host off-site events and booksellers for conferences and corporate programs and have a comprehensive B2B direct ship bulk book program that can compete with all the bulk book websites.
There will be wine and whiskey tastings and simple get-togethers such as Wind Down Wednesday and Thirsty Thursday. We will have Fullmoon crafts plus anything else.
So many ideas, so little time!
And, of course, we have plans with all our partners for book festivals and speaker series. There is the JCC and Center for Health and Wellbeing, and both libraries have big plans for author events. The big news is that the Winter Park Institute is up and running, and we have had a few meetings with the new Board of Directors. We have decided as an organization to become a world-class speaker series and will be hosting thought leaders of the highest caliber. To become more involved in the Winter Park Institute and learn more about it and stay current, go to the website, and contact us here to get more information. www.winterparkinstitute.org
So, hello, 2023 – let's hope we have an incredible, healthy, friendly, warm, cheerful, crowded, and joyful new year.