Author Events

Please Note: This event is at Lars Hockstad Auditorium, not the City Opera House.

NWS welcomes Shelby Van Pelt to Traverse City to discuss her hit novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures. The book follows Tova Sullivan and after her husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

“Shelby Van Pelt has done the impossible. She’s created a perfect story with imperfect characters, that is so heartwarming, so mysterious, and so completely absorbing, you won’t be able to put it down because when you’re not reading this book you’ll be hugging it.” — Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

TICKET INFORMATION
This is a book bundled event, meaning each ticket comes with a signed hardcover copy of Remarkably Bright Creatures. The book reflects a 20 percent discount from its $29.99 retail price. All tickets are subject to ticket fees and shipping costs if you choose to have your booked shipped to you from Horizon Books. In-person ticket holders will have an opportunity to get their books signed by Shelby.

IN-PERSON TICKETS FOR LARS HOCKSTAD AUDITORIUM (ticket fees not included):
General Admission tickets are $17 plus book:
One Ticket plus one book: $42.50

Virtual Tickets (ticket fees not included):
Virtual Ticket plus book: $37.50
(Virtual ticket is $12)

STUDENT TICKETS: (Books are not included)
Student Tickets: $10

Why do I have to buy a book with my tickets?
NWS will often include a book with every ticket (or two tickets). We sometimes bundle a book with a ticket to lure a high-profile author to our fine small town. This is now a common practice with authors on book tours—their publishers require the bundle, not only to introduce the author to his or her readers, but also to sell books. Please note, all books are 20 percent off.

What if I already purchased the book?
If you already have the book, the book with your ticket makes a great gift for friends and family. Or, you can donate your book by contacting our office manager at [email protected]. If you can’ afford to buy the book with a ticket, please use the code BookChampion (one word) when buying a virtual or in-person ticket.

Is this event kid friendly?
Most of our events are not appropriate for children.