When I saw Emily Homonoff and her mother, Robin Kall Homonoff, host of Reading with Robin, at Robin’s most recent author event in Providence, RI, both were super-excited to have Mitch Albom coming to the Ocean State, this time to speak about his latest book, Finding Chika.
Few authors have the incredible reader loyalty and impact of Mitch Albom, whose first memoir is the bestselling memoir of all time. Tuesdays with Morrie has sold over 14 Million copies worldwide. Altogether, Mitch’s books have sold 40 Million copies! Here, Emily shares what she loves about Mitch’s latest and incredibly moving book, Finding Chika.
Why We’re Excited
Lisa: Why are you particularly excited about this event?
Emily: We’ve been fans of Mitch’s for a very long time so it’s an honor to get to host him with this memoir that’s particularly poignant. We’re longtime fans of his work and this book, so this is a huge honor!
Lisa: What’s the format of the event?
Emily: Mitch will be giving a media-based presentation and will be signing everyone’s books after the talk.
What We Love
Lisa: Can you tell us a little about Mitch’s latest book, Finding Chika, and what you love about it (without giving too much away, of course)?
Emily: This book just blew me away. There’s so much raw emotion and it’s told in such a poetic way that I’m really excited to share it with everyone. See? No spoilers!
Lisa: Is there some particular scene or moment in Finding Chika that had a particularly poignant effect on you? What was it?
Emily: I was crying from the first page. Mitch has the unique gift of being able to transport the reader not only in time and space but emotionally. This book is a bit of a wild ride for your heart but you’re more whole for going along.
Reading with Robin
Lisa: I love that description. How did Robin start doing author events and when did you first get involved in them?
Emily: My mom was doing events when I was a child but she formalized them under Reading With Robin in 2004!
Lisa: What was your role in the early years?
Emily: I’m going to rat my mom out for a second and say that she would take me out of school to help run check-in and logistics in the early days.
Lisa: Wow. She’s naughty! But I bet it was a great education! How did your role in the author events evolve over time?
Emily: It hasn’t really! Just kidding. My mom and I certainly collaborate and plan together far more than we did when I was a kid — now we’re partners. But I’m still an “all hands on deck” kind of person, so whatever needs getting done, I do!
Lisa: And I love seeing you at events, supporting the authors, running logistics, handing out swag! How are you working with Reading with Robin currently and how does that play into your other work with your own business, Little Lion Communications?
Emily: In addition to working on our events, I’ve also started interviewing for the podcast, which is so much fun! I’ve also worked on branding with my mom, as it pertains to social media, the web site, and imagery. She’s my favorite client 🙂
Lisa: I bet! And I can see the impact in the messaging. You and Robin have also partnered on “the Cardigan Connection.” Can you tell us about that and what makes it distinct from Reading with Robin events?
Emily: The Cardigan Connection primarily refers to our monthly author series but sometimes we host solo author events under this umbrella if they share the same editorial direction. It’s a fine line but in our weird way, it makes sense.
Join Us: Meet Mitch and Get Your Copy of Finding Chika!
Lisa: There are regular and VIP tickets for the event with Mitch Albom. What do VIP tickets get you? Or why might someone want to purchase a VIP ticket?
Mitch Albom will be hosted by Robin Kall at Temple Beth-El in Providence on November 21.
Emily: VIP tickets include drinks, noshes, preferred seating, and a meet-and-greet with Mitch before the event! It’s going to be very intimate.
Lisa: I bought my VIP ticket and can’t wait! I hope to see many readers of this blog at the event. Come introduce yourself! And to our Massachusetts neighbors, Providence is not so far!
Lisa Tener is an award-winning book writing coach who assists writers in all aspects of the writing process—from writing a book proposal and getting published to finding one’s creative voice. Her clients have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Early Show, The Montel Williams Show, CNN, Fox News, New Morning and much more. They blog on sites like The Huffington Post, Psychology Today and WebMD.
My Publisher Tamara Monosoff: From the gorgeous cover to inner design, to the original inspiration for QR codes and putting every single one of those crazy videos on my website, and guiding me patiently throughout the process, Tamara is my dream publisher. Thank you!
The most talented photographer in the world, Seth Jacobson
PR Trainers Chris Winfield, Jen Gottlieb, Brittany Sisko, and the entire community at the Be Seen Accelerator
Beta Readers: Joshua Home Edwards, Tracy Hart, Stephanie Meyers, Laurie Hunt, LiDona Wagner, Mia Potter, Gael Johnson, Amber Hanks, Melissa Sones, Gael-Sylvia Pullen, and Paula Schonewald. I hope I did not leave anyone out—if I did please let me know so I can add you here!
Title Support Howard Van Es, Tamara Monosoff, Lorraine Segal, Tama Kieves, Kristin Meekhof.
Launch Consulting Howard Van Es
My Health and Wellbeing Posse who helped me survive the stress-induced health challenges I encountered on the way
Dear Friends Johannah Cremin (and her prayer circle) and Virginia Swain; Qigong teacher, Leah Franklin, and the lineage of Mei Hua Qigong masters from whom she learned; dream shaman Kari Hohne; loving guide, Linda Yael Schiller; acupuncturists Nancy Graham and Patricia Gilmartin; Lynne Ahn, MD and John McGonigle, MD; dowser, Erina Cowan; and special friends Linda Broadhead and Seraina Wood.
Book Ambassadors: Louise Brownell
Podcasters, Show Hosts and Early Adopters: Dan Janal, Sharon Burton Ways, Josh Steimle, Leslie Draffin, Robin Kall
Bloggers and Blogs: San Francisco Writers Conference, Jane Friedman, Nina Amir, Howard Van Es
My Supportive Family: Tom, Will, and Luke Patterson, and Mimi Sammis, you are the lights in my life! Tener and Arnold families, and the Patterson-Potters and Pattersons
My many colleagues from Harvard Medical School’s CME publishing and women in healthcare leadership courses—director Julie Silver, et al.
All my students!
All my amazing writing colleagues
Intellectual property advice, Attorney Dana Newman
A special thank you to my many clients and colleagues who gave me permission to quote their wonderful words in this journal
The brave souls who appear in the accompanying videos.
I could probably go on thanking deserving people for another twenty pages, so for those not listed, please know you have my gratitude.
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