On Michigan Avenue, visitors take photos in front of the River, and Chicago residents rush to their next destination. Yet, tucked away in the center of 400 N Michigan is Semicolon Bookstore—a bright oasis for book lovers. About 50 people gathered on August 12th in the brand new space for a book event with Edward Kelsey Moore to celebrate his novel, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, adapted into a Hulu film this August.
The modern bookstore is spacious and polished with pops of color and a lovely view of the water and the bridge. The shelves highlight a range of diverse authors and literature. It is a comfortable space to browse or sit down on a couch and read, and for this purpose, a perfect event space. Among the event’s attendees, there were writers, podcasters, advertisers, general fans of literature, and a combination of those who have read the novel and those who have not. The hosts were quick to invite everyone into the space and provided beverages and appetizers. People were chatting and taking photos in front of The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat poster. The overall ambiance was relaxed yet lively.
The event officially began with Moore reading the second chapter of his novel: an introduction to Odette, the fearless leading protagonist. Listeners were enthralled in his reading. You could hear the distinct intonations and flow of his voice and the perfect delivery of hidden jokes.
He then transitioned into the Q&A portion where hands shot up immediately. One would expect a musician and writer to be introverted, yet Moore’s presence displayed the opposite. He expressed how he has not hosted a book reading since before the pandemic, though he loves interacting with readers and discussing his projects. Attendees shared inside laughs with Moore when he indulged everyone with the reality of being an author: roadblocks, rejections, and a failed mystery novel where an orchestra player is shot by a harp bow.
There were a few writers in the audience who were curious about how he perseveres in the face of rejection. In his music and writing career, he shared that being constantly rejected is the norm. Artists naturally develop a thick skin. He accepts rejections and moves on. Regardless, he will continue to write novels and short stories because of his love for writing.
When Moore wrote The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, he did not anticipate its bestselling success. If the industry did not pick up his book, Moore half-joked about a backup plan in which he would load his car with book copies and hand them over to those who were interested. The success of his novel and its adaptation into a film is only an added celebration. Moore also shared his relief that he loves the movie since it was put in the hands of brilliant creators and perfect casting.
Hearing an author speak with such humility, warmth, and humor makes it even more wonderful to witness his successes. Moore signed book copies and took time to chat with each person addressing them directly. These communal events prompt thought about the power of art and how it brings people together—a group of strangers connecting over beloved characters and sharing stories.
Stop by Semicolon Bookstore, pick up a copy of The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, and make sure to catch its release on August 23rd on Hulu.
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