Author Events

Presented By: Herm Triezenberg & Elizabeth Mostrom “Health & Wellness” Author Conversations

Join National Writers Series for an inspiring conversation with New York Times bestselling and author Alua Arthur. Arthur’s deeply transformative memoir Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End, reframes how we think about death and how it can help us lead better, more fulfilling, and authentic lives.

For her clients and everyone who has been inspired by her humanity, Arthur is a friend at the end of the world. As our country’s leading “death doula,” she’s spreading a transformative message: thinking about your death—whether imminent or not—will breathe wild, new potential into your life.

Warm, generous, and funny, Arthur supports and helps manage end-of-life care on many levels. The business matters, medical directives, memorial planning; but also honoring the quiet moments, when monitors are beeping and loved ones have stepped out to get some air and her clients become deeply contemplative.

They want to say aloud to her their aching, unfinished business— regrets, fears, secret joys, hidden affairs, and dim realities. When this happens, Arthur focuses her attention at the pulsing center of her clients’ anguish and creates space for them, and sometimes their loved ones, to find peace.

Briefly Perfectly Human is a life-changing, soul-gathering debut, by a writer whose empathy, tenderness, and wisdom shimmer on the page. Arthur combines intimate storytelling with a passionate appeal for loving, courageous end-of-life care—what she calls “death embrace.”

Praised by author Jodi Picoult (Mad Honey and The Book of Two Ways) who called it “a truly unique, inspiring perspective on the time we have, what we do with it, and how we let go of this world. There is no one I’d trust more to guide me through an understanding of death, and how it informs life.”

EVENT DETAILS:

Doors open at 6 p.m. with live music and a cash bar, and the conversation begins at 7 p.m. This event includes a Q&A session, and an author signing event following in the lobby.

Book Release Date: April 29, 2025 – Traverse City locals who’d like to read the book in advance of the event may have the option to pick up their copy at Horizon Books. Instructions will be emailed to you after your purchase.

Additional City Opera House transaction fees are applied at checkout for in-person tickets.

Tier One indicates premium seating options with the best views, available on the main floor closest to the stage along with premium sections of the balcony.

Tier Two indicates standard seating options, available on the main floor and most of the balcony.

Individual Tickets:
Tier One: $42.50
Tier Two: $32.50
Admits one person to the live event and each ticket comes with one trade paperback edition of Alua Arthur’s Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End (retail value $18). Signed copies are only available in-person at the live event.

Two-Ticket Package
Tier One: $69.50
Tier Two: $49.50
This two-ticket option admits two people to the live event and comes with trade paperback edition of Alua Arthur’s Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End (retail value $18). Perfect for couples or friends who want to share a book together. Signed copies are only available in-person at the live event.

Virtual Tickets

Even if you can’t make it to the City Opera House, you can still enjoy National Writers Series events from the comfort of your own home on event night or later on-demand when it’s more convenient.

Each Virtual Ticket includes a private YouTube link to the event, which begins at 6:50 PM. Virtual audience members can contribute questions to the Q&A through a moderated chat.

You have the option to buy the featured book for an additional fee. Shipping is available anywhere in the continental U.S. by our local bookstore partner Horizon Books of downtown Traverse City, Michigan. Actual costs applied at checkout. Signed copies are only available at the live-event.

Student Tickets: $10
No age restriction with a valid school ID, student tickets admit one person to the live event. Books are not included.

Pay What You Can: National Writers Series is dedicated to providing experiences and events to everyone who seeks them, and in that spirit,  we are happy to provide a book to anyone who cannot afford to buy it. Thanks to our generous donors, you may use the code BookChampion (one word) for a complimentary book based on the honor system.

Group Tickets:
For discounted rates on ticket packages of 20 or more, please contact [email protected]

About Our Book Sales:

One of the most exciting parts of attending our events is getting a copy of the author’s latest book along with the chance to often meet the writer and have them personalize it after the event. National Writers Series audiences sometimes get early-access or preview editions of future best-sellers.

Each sale benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. The bundled price of National Writers Series books is always 20% below retail, so you also get a great deal.

If you already own the featured book, the one you receive with your ticket makes a great gift for friends and family. Or you can donate it back to us at the National Writers Series, and we’ll distribute it to libraries and young writers in Northern Michigan.

National Writers Series author events are usually not suitable for children, unless noted.