NYC Book Events Blog

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In the Spotlight: Public Events

Our bookstore partner, Greenlight, has some fantastic public events coming up! Here's a small sampling:

This thursday, Greenlight will host Liel Liebowitz for a discussion of his book BROKEN HALLELUJAH: Rock and Roll, Redemption, and the Life of Leonard Cohen, preceded by a screening of the documentary Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen.

On Tuesday, May 6, Greenlight will host Colson Whitehead at St. Joseph's College for a launch event for his new book THE NOBLE HUSTLE: Poker, Beef Jerky, and Death.

On Wednesday, May 7, Greenlight hosts Michael Cunningham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of THE HOURS, for an event with his latest Brooklyn-based novel, THE SNOW QUEEN.

For a full list of events, check out Greenlight's events calendar.

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On Our Radar: John Pollack

In his forthcoming book SHORTCUT: How Analogies Reveal Connections, Spark Innovation, and Sell Our Greatest Ideas, John Pollack (who once worked as a presidential speechwriter for Bill Clinton) explores how the analogy--the seemingly straightforward comparison of one thing to another--is actually a driver of human cognition.

Pollack shows how analogies can drive human thinking into innovation and breakthrough, by providing a recognizable starting point to understand something unknown. An example? Steve Jobs once said he envisioned the Macintosh computer as a "bicycle for the mind." Really, though, analogies are everywhere (political rhetoric, advertisements, legal arguments) and Pollack's book will provide readers with a deeper understanding of how analogies can be utilized to make breakthroughs in innovation, communication, sales, advertisement, and a deeper understanding the world around us.

John Pollack worked as a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and is a winner of the O. Henry World Championship Pun-Off. Shortcuts is a follow-up to his critically-acclaimed The Pun Also Rises. If you're interested in hosting John for an event at your company or organization, or to learn more about the other speakers we're working with, contact NYC Book Events today!

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On Our Radar: Clive Thompson

That technology is changing the way our minds work is undeniable. Could this possibly be a good thing? Among a chorus of naysayers and doomsdayers, Clive Thompson explores the positive influence of technology on our cognitive functions in his critically-acclaimed book SMARTER THAN YOU THINK: How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better.

Thompson starts by putting our current technological revolution in a historical context: everything from the printing press to the telegraph induced the same kind of panic that things will never be the same, or as good, as they were before. He then provides real life examples of people who are using technology to improve and expand their minds.

Clive Thompson is a New York Magazine contributing writer and Wired magazine columnist. If you'd like to host Clive for an event at your company or organization, or to find out about our other available speakers, please contact NYC Book Events today!

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On Our Radar: Elizabeth Woyke

This September, The New Press will release Elizabeth Woyke's new book THE SMARTPHONE: Anatomy of an Industry. In this much-needed book, Woyke offers a comprehensive analysis of the device that has exploded in popularity and drastically changed the way we live, all since Apple introduced the iPhone just seven years ago.

Woyke explores the smartphone's design and manufacture, the exploited labor and electronic waste involved in the process, as well as the new avenues for tracking our movements, actions, and preferences that smartphones create.

Elizabeth Woyke has been a technology reporter since 2007 and worked as a staff writer for Businessweek and Forbes. If you'd like to host Elizabeth  for an event at your company or organization, or to find out about our other speakers, please contact NYC Book Events today!

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Inside Look: Client event with Bill McGowan

On April 3, we hosted Emmy award-winning correspondent and CEO of Clarity Media Group Bill McGowan for a client event we co-hosted with our West Coast partner, Kim Ricketts Book Events.

Bill's new book, released just this week by HarperBusiness, is called Pitch Perfect: How to Say it Right the First Time, Every Time. At the event, Bill gave us some useful tips on public speaking. Ever notice how, when you're in front of an audience, you suddenly don't know where to put your arms? The trick is to hold them in front of your chest. Ever wonder how to keep your voice from quavering? Try yoga-style breathing.

It was an interesting experience watching a public speaker speaking about public speaking (got that?) and Bill's confidence gave me confidence in his tips for building confidence (got that too?).

Want to learn more? Read the book! Order your copy of Pitch Perfect from Greenlight Bookstore today.

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On Our Radar: New Authors!

NYC Book Events just sent out the March edition of our Upcoming Author List. We've added a bunch of great new authors available for events, including:

-Jared Cohen, Director of Ideas at Google -Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Senior VP at Charles Schwab -Philippe Petit, the famous World Trade Center tightrope walker -Nina Planck, bestselling author and founder of the London Farmer’s Market -Austin Kleon, the 2014 SXSW Interactive keynote speaker -Dan Barner, executive chef at Blue Hill -Michael Pollan, bestselling author of The Omnivore's Dilemma -Dan Savage, author and LGBTQ personality -Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn -Kip Tindell, founder and CEO of The Container Store

--and more!

Contact Us if you'd like to know how your company or organization can host these and other speakers!

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NewYork.com Article Series

NYC Book Events founder Weston Clay wrote a ten article series for the inaugural edition of NewYork.com's DIY Business section. Through the series, Weston explores the trials and tribulations of starting his own business in New York City, addressing issues including the navigation of licensing and registration, forming strategic partnerships, keeping a low overhead, and more! Each article aims to provide tips, suggestions, and resources for other entrepreneurs.

Head on over to NewYork.com to check it out. You will also find the first article by Radix Media founder Lantz Arroyo, who continues the series.

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Inside Look: Client event with Governor Bill Richardson

How to Sweet-Talk a Shark is packed with Richardson’s stories of negotiating with the world’s most influential and intimidating political figures. He brings his signature charisma and approachability to his story-telling, all while giving practical tips on negotiation that can be applied to more everyday situations in business and life.

Order your copy of How to Sweet-Talk a Shark from Greenlight Bookstore!

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Welcome to the NYC Book Events blog!

The purpose of our blog is to keep our friends up to date on what’s happening in the world of books and especially the realm of NYC Book Events.

We’ll feature new releases that speak to our mission of providing continuing education to NYC’s professionals and books by authors who we can bring to your company’s offices for in-house speaker events. We’ll also offer glimpses into our private client events, giving you an idea of how NYC Book Events works to enrich and enhance workplaces in New York City!

We’ll also spotlight the great public events at our bookstore partner, Greenlight, as well as those that we organize down the road.

As always, it is our goal to bring books, authors, and readers together in new ways and in new settings. If you want to know more about NYC Book Events or how we could work for you and your company, contact us today!