Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day At Greenlight Bookstore

Heather Chin -

Book-lovers, this is our day! Take a stand in support of neighborhood booksellers at the first annual Independent Bookstore Day!

Our local shop, Greenlight Bookstore, is participating with a full agenda of author readings and signings, portrait-making by children’s book illustrators, prizes, art, super sales, exclusive items, and more.

Here at Greenlight (686 Fulton Street), there will be several local authors on the itinerary, including Elisha Cooper, Betsy Lewin, Ryan Chapman, Elisa Albert, Jeffrey Rotter, Toure, Marie-Helene Bertino, Saeed Jones, Lev Grossman, Brendan Sullivan, and Michael July — and those are only the ones who have RSVPd; living in Fort Greene, who knows what literary neighbors might show up.

RSVP here for the Greenlight festivities, full schedule below:

  • 10:00 AM – ongoing: Exclusive Indie Bookstore Day merchandise for sale (click here for images and descriptions). Items include maps, broadsides, tea towels, exclusive signed books, clothing, boxed sets, stencils, prints, one-of-a-kind anthologies*, and more. (*Funny Ha Ha features Fort Greene’s own Betsy Lewin, who will be drawing portraits at 11am!)
  • 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Drawing tickets with purchase
    Anyone making a purchase during the first hour we are open gets a raffle ticket; winners will be drawn at the evening party (must be present at the party to win). See below for prizes!
  • 11:00 – 12:30: Caricature drawing with children’s illustrators
    Get your own silly portrait created by awesome local artists Elisha Cooper and Betsy Lewin! Get your favorite book, toy or activity in the picture too.
  • 2:00 – 6:00: Author photo booth
    Get your photo taken with awesome authors in our festive photo booth! Strike a pose, get crazy with props, or get your favorite book in the picture. These authors might sign a book for you, or even recommend one!
  • Schedule of participating Photo Booth authors (click to see their books):


2:00 Ryan Chapman

2:30 Elisa Albert

3:00 Jeffrey Rotter

3:30 Toure

4:00 Marie-Helene Bertino

4:30 Saeed Jones

5:00 Lev Grossman

5:30 Brendan Sullivan

  • 7:30 – 9:00 PM: Greenlight’s Bookstore Day Cocktail Party

Enjoy champagne, snacks, and mingle with your fellow bookstore lovers, with music by DJ and author Michael July! Prize drawing for ticketholders at 8:30; prizes include:
Private dinner for you and a friend with Tiphanie Yanique!
Tickets for you and a friend to see David Sedaris at BAM on May 12!
Tickets for you and a friend for Book/Plate dinner event with Jim Shepard on May 17!
Tickets for you and a friend to BookCon on May 31!

  • BONUS! 9:00 PM – 11:30 PM: Bookstore Day Afterparty! At powerHouse Arena at 37 Main Street
    Sponsored by Tumblr, Book Riot, & Literary Hub
    Beer Sponsor: Brooklyn Brewery
    Snacks from Luke’s Lobster
    Join hosts Emma Straub, Jami Attenberg, & Angela Flournoy in a bookish bash for the ages sponsored by Literary Hub, Tumblr, & Book Riot at the close of the first ever national Independent Bookstore Day. Beer generously provided by Brooklyn Brewery, snacks from Luke Lobster’s, featured in their new book Real Maine Food, and more at this not-to-be-missed celebration of NYC’s bookstores and surrounding communities.
    Free with RSVP to info@bookstoredaynyc.com.