Author Events

Public Ticket Sales Available Now

Doors open at 6pm ET with live music and a cash bar. The program begins at 7pm ET and includes a Q&A and author signing event in the lobby. Each ticket includes a trade hardcover copy of Fever Beach ($29.99 value).

The National Writers Series is pleased to present Carl Hiaasen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bad Monkey, in conversation about his new novel, Fever Beach, which tackles the current chaotic and polarized American culture with two wonderful Hiaasen heroes.

Fever Beach begins with an errand that leads—in pure Hiaasen-style—into the depths of Florida at its most Floridian: a sun-soaked bastion of right-wing extremism, white power, greed, and corruption.

The novel begins with Dale Figgo, the only hate-monger ever to be kicked out of the Proud Boys for being too dumb and incompetent. On January 6, 2021, he thought he was defacing a statue of Ulysses S. Grant, but he wound up spreading feces all over a statue of a Civil War Confederate war leader.

Figgo picks up a hitchhiker who needs a ride to the interstate but needs to finish an errand first. His already messy life is about to get more complicated, thanks to two formidable adversaries: Viva Morales, a clever woman recently taken to the cleaners by her ex-husband, and Twilly Spree, who has an anger problem, especially when it comes to those who deface the environment, and way too many inherited millions of dollars.

Viva and Twilly are plunged into a mystery—involving dark money and darker motives—they are determined to solve. They become entangled in a world populated by a billionaire couple with way too much plastic surgery and a secret right-wing agenda and a Congressman who dreams of being America’s most important politician. The only things standing in his way are his love for hookers and young girls, and his total lack of intelligence. Add to the mix a Scandinavian agnostic injured when Figgo thinks he’s a Jewish threat to humanity and runs him over with his car. Hiaasen brilliantly ties them all together and delivers them to their appropriate destiny.

Book Publication Date: May 13, 2025 –Traverse City locals who’d like to read the book in advance of the event can pick up their copy at Horizon Books, beginning May 13th. You can also choose to have the book shipped directly to you with our livestreaming tickets, additional fees apply. Call Horizon Books at 231-946-7290 to check on availability or if you have questions about receiving your featured book.

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. Additional City Opera House transaction fees are applied at checkout.

Tier Two indicates standard seating options, available on the main floor and most of the balcony. Additional City Opera House transaction fees are applied at checkout.

 

Tier One: $53.00 Individual Ticket with One Book

Tier Two: $41.00 Individual Ticket with One Book

Students Ticket: $10
No age restriction with a valid school ID, student and teacher tickets admit one person to the live or virtual event. Books are not included.

 

About Our Book Sales

If purchasing a book isn’t an option for any reason, use the code BookChampion at checkout to receive a complimentary copy, no questions asked. You will only pay the price of admission, thanks to a generous donor who will pay for your book.

One of the most exciting parts of attending our events is getting a signed copy of the author’s latest book along with the chance to meet the writer and have them personalize it after the show. Please note: signed books are only available at the live event.

Each sale benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. The bundled price of National Writers Series books is always 20 percent 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.

We think a new book is one of the greatest joys of life, and we thank you for helping us make Traverse City one of the premiere destinations for authors through our book sales.

Virtual Option

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. Virtual tickets include private access to the livestream and a copy of the book available for pick-up or shipped to you for an additional fee.