Last Friday the 8th February I went to a fantastic event at Waterstones Deansgate! It was a In Conversation with L.C Rosen and Simon James Green. This event was the place for them to discuss LGBTQ+ issues and queer intimacy in YA books. I had such a lovely time at this event that I wanted to post a little event recap!
This event was a little different to any book event I have attended previously but it has instantly become one of the best events I have attended. Events at Waterstones Deansgate are usually hosted in the events room but this one was hosted in the cafe and it was a lot more intimate and close! I loved that this event was in the cafe, it made the event feel like we were all friends having a conversation around a big table!
Lev Rosen is the author of Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) and Simon James Green is the author of the Noah Can’t Even series and the recently announced book Alex in Wonderland. Simon also has a short story in one of my most anticipated releases, Proud by Stripes publishing.
This event was chaired by the wonderful Kimi, who ended up being the last minute chair for the event. As usual, Kimi was an excellent chair and asked the authors some incredible questions to start wonderful discussions.
Lev and Simon brought so many interesting points to the table about LGBTQ+ issues in YA. Simon saying that we definitely need more UKYA LGBTQ+ books in the future and that these books then need supporting by the book community.
Lev and Simon even discussed what their sex education at school was like. Let’s just say both authors had a very bleak sex education where they never discussed things such as consent or pleasure.
There was also discussion about the authors favourite books as a teenager as well as now. Simon James Green mentioned The Secret Life of Adrian Mole being his favourite book as a teenager. I actually bought this book based on his recommendation.
As the event came to an end the opportunity was given to other attendees to ask the authors questions. At the end of the event the authors were available to sign copies of their books and take photos.
If you want to see a funny video of Kimi dropping to the floor whilst I was having a picture with Simon, check out this tweet! She just wanted to get out of the way of the photo and panicked but the result is hilarious!
This event was so much fun and I hope there will be more events like this in the future. I love supporting book events at Waterstones. Especially when a lot of events happen in London.
I actually got to interview Lev and Simon at this event and I will be posting that interview very soon, so keep an eye out for that post. We discussed LGBTQ+ books and what readers can do to help promote these books. As well as much more!
Thank you to everyone who helped organise this event, I had a lot of fun! I love having the ability to attend these events and being with other bookish people.
Loisreadsbooks 
Two fantastic authors!
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You seem to have such a lovely Waterstones nearby! Sounds like a lovely event! 🙂
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They are the best!
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It sounds like an amazing event, and like you had a lot of fun 🙂
Looking forward to your interview!
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
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Thank you! Interview will be coming very soon!
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Sounds like you had a blast!
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I certainly did!
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This looks like it was an amazing event! I wish I could’ve been there.
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It was wonderful! Next time!
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Ah, it sounds like it was an amazing event. Wish I could have been there!
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It was incredible!
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This looked like such a fun event. I am glad you had such a good time. It is interesting for events to be held in a café-type setting, but it sounds like it would be so much more meaningful.
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Yeah it was different to have it in the cafe but it made the conversation have more meaning and it felt more like a conversation between friends
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Definitely! I hope to come across some events like this! It sounded like a lot of fun.
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Lol Kimi in the background! Sounds like a great event 😊
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Isn’t the video excellent!
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He look so happy! I’m glad you was able to do a recap of this event.
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They were both excellent!
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It sounds like a lovely event and it is nice that it was more intimate in the cafe. I will definitely come to future events it is just hard when it is still 2hrs driving each way for me. You are lucky to have such a great Waterstones nearby.
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It was a lovely event. I’m so lucky to have a great Waterstones nearby and I will never take it for granted. Hopefully you will get more events near you!
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im so sad i couldnt make it ;; looks like it was a rly good time tho!!
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It was such an excellent event!
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Sounds like a fab event, Jack of Hearts is on my tbr 😊
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It really was!
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