Events
Thank you for joining me at these events. All events were open to the public unless otherwise noted. If you have a book club or another event you’d like me to attend in person or via Zoom, please get in touch at elisamariesperanza@gmail.com.
Feb 7 to Feb 8
Book Publicity Workshop--Virtual
Sat, Feb 7, 2026 2:00 PM Sun, Feb 8, 2026 2:00 PM
Elisa Speranza’s online workshop “Planning and Executing a Book Publicity Strategy” is part of the Islanders Write Immersives Series. 2-4 PM Eastern Time on February 7 & 8, 2026 via Zoom. $100 Registration.
You’ve been toiling away on your book, and you’re excited to get it out into the world. Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to get an agent and a publisher, maybe you’re in the querying trenches, or maybe you’ve decided to go the independent route and hybrid- or self-publish. This Islanders Write Immersive will demystify and help participants navigate the world of book publicity, providing practical and creative advice for developing your book launch (or re-launch) strategy. It’s never too soon or too late to find your readers. This interactive online workshop is for you if you’re a writer working in any genre on a book you plan to publish and sell, and you need a road map for the way forward. We will touch on social media, but won’t focus on paid advertising or optimizing algorithms online.
This two-day Islanders Write Immersive will combine information-sharing and time for individual work. Slides used during the class will be provided after the workshop, along with templates for identifying goals and objectives, finding your target audience, and brainstorming key foundational questions.
Jan 13
Author Talk with Chip Lococo and Vicki Salloum--Free & Open to All
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Jefferson Parish Library--East Bank
Chris Smith will moderate a discussion with local authors Chip Lococo (The Devil’s Jazz) and Vicki Salloum (A Gathering Place), and Elisa Speranza (The Italian Prisoner) about their New Orleans-set novels. Books available for sale and signing after.
Dec 11
Ancient Gods on Campus Book Launch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
6:00 PM 7:30 PM
Octavia Books
Join me for a conversation with local author L.L. Gertler as we discuss his debut historical thriller, Ancient Gods on Campus. Find out more about the author and the book at llgertler.com.
Sep 28
Washashores Review--Reading & Celebration
Sunday, September 28, 2025
4:30 PM 6:00 PM
Featherstone Center for the Arts
A celebration of the release of the Washashores Review, an anthology of Martha’s Vineyard-inspired fiction, poetry, and essays released in August 2025. Elisa will be one of 24 contributors reading short excerpts from their work in this first volume published by Featherstone Center for the Arts. Copies of the anthology will be available for purchase, with proceeds going to support the Literary Arts Program at Featherstone.
Mar 15
Islanders Write Conference: Going Indy—Finding a Path to Publishing and Marketing Your Book
Saturday, March 15, 2025
3:15 PM 4:45 PM
Featherstone Center for the Arts
In this interactive, in-person workshop for writers of all genres, we'll review the different paths to publication and demystify the world of book publicity. Writers can expect to leave with actionable strategic and practical ideas for their book launch and marketing strategy. Click here for more information about all the workshops that day and here to register for free.
Mar 13
Learning Before Lunch--Author Talk about The Italian Prisoner (open to the public--$5 ticket at the door)
· Thursday, March 13, 2025
· 10:00 AM 11:00 AM
· Alumni Center--University of New Orleans
Elisa Speranza shares a presentation about the fascinating backstory to her debut novel, The Italian Prisoner, a work of historical fiction set in New Orleans’ Sicilian community during World War 2. The program is open to the public. A $5 payment at the door gets you coffee and a breakfast roll along with the presentation. Elisa will have copies of the book for sale and to autograph.
Feb 8 to Feb 9
Your Book Is Not Going to Sell Itself: Planning and Executing a Book Publicity Strategy (virtual via Zoom)
· Sat, Feb 8, 2025 1:00 PM Sun, Feb 9, 2025 2:30 PM
This interactive online workshop sponsored by Featherstone Literary Arts on Martha’s Vineyard is for you if you’re a writer working in any genre on a book you plan to publish and sell. It’s never too soon and never too late to find your readers. Instructors: Kate Feiffer and Elisa Speranza. Two 90-minute sessions, February 8 and 9, 2025 from 2-3:30 pm Eastern Time. More info and registration here.
Feb 3
In Conversation With: Kate Feiffer, author of Morning Pages (free and in-person)
· Monday, February 3, 2025
· 6:00 PM 7:00 PM
· Octavia Books
Join us for a discussion of Kate Feiffer’s debut novel Morning Pages, a comedic and heartfelt coming-of-age story about a woman in the sandwich generation. Kate has worked as writer, illustrator, television and event producer, photo editor, and ice cream scooper. She is the author of eleven highly acclaimed books for children, and the 2024 humorous novel Morning Pages. She is also the illustrator of the poetry/parody The Lamb Cycle, published in April 2023.
Jan 30
In conversation with: Allison Alsup, author of Foreign Seed (free and in-person)
· Thursday, January 30, 2025
· 5:30 PM 7:30 PM
· Two Fish Books
Join me for a conversation with New Orleans author Allison Alsup about the fascinating backstory to her debut novel Foreign Seed. Learn more about the book here. Two Fish Books is inside The Coffeehouse in Arabi, St. Bernard Parish.
Jan 18
"Your Book is Not Going to Sell Itself: Planning your Publicity Strategy" from New Orleans Writers Workshop (in-person)
· Saturday, January 18, 2025
· 1:00 PM 4:00 PM
· NOCCA Foundation
In this interactive, in-person workshop for writers of all genres, we’ll demystify the world of book publicity. We’ll cover both practical and creative advice; writers can expect to leave with actionable ideas for their bookaunch and its marketing strategy. Snacks provided. Register at New Orleans Writers Workshop here. Cost: $80 / Early Bird through Jan. 6: $72
Jan 7
Orleans Club Book Talk (private)
· Tuesday, January 7, 2025
· 11:00 AM 3:00 PM
· New Orleans, LA
Dec 9
Book Club (Private)
· Monday, December 9, 2024
· 11:00 AM 1:00 PM
· Jason's Deli
Nov 16
Book Publicity Workshop--Free and open to the public
· Saturday, November 16, 2024
· 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
· East Bank Regional Library
You finished writing your book—now what? Planning and Executing Your Book Publicity Strategy
You’ve toiled away on your book, and you’re finally ready to get it out into the world. Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to get an agent and a publisher, maybe you’ve decided to go the independent route and self-publish. Either way, it’s unlikely there’s a marketing team ready to help you, so how will anyone beyond your friends and family find out about your book? This workshop will help demystify the world of book publicity and will provide practical advice for developing your book launch and marketing strategy.
Oct 22
Book Club (private)
· Tuesday, October 22, 2024
· 5:30 PM 7:30 PM
· Oak Bluffs, MA
Oct 9
Tulane University Women's Association Book Club (private)
· Wednesday, October 9, 2024
· 7:30 PM 8:30 PM
· Virtual
Sep 24
Upisland Book Group (private)
· Tuesday, September 24, 2024
· 6:30 PM 7:30 PM
· Aquinnah, MA
Sep 19
In conversation with Allison Alsup, author of Foreign Seed
· Thursday, September 19, 2024
· 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
· West Tisbury Free Library
Join me for a conversation with author and writing teacher Allison Alsup as we discuss her debut historical novel Foreign Seed.
Learn more about Allison’s book.
Aug 19
Islanders Write--Book Publicity Workshop (free and open to the public)
· Monday, August 19, 2024
· 2:30 PM 3:30 PM
· Featherstone Center for the Arts
You finished writing your book—now what? Planning and Executing Your Book Publicity Strategy
You’ve toiled away on your book, and you’re finally ready to get it out into the world. Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to get an agent and a publisher, maybe you’ve decided to go the independent route and self-publish. Either way, it’s unlikely there’s a marketing team ready to help you, so how will anyone beyond your friends and family find out about your book? This workshop will help demystify the world of book publicity and will provide practical advice for developing your book launch and marketing strategy.
This workshop is part of the wonderful Islanders Write conference held annually on Martha’s Vineyard.
Jul 22
Book Club (private)
· Monday, July 22, 2024
· 3:30 PM 5:30 PM
· Oak Bluffs, MA
Entre Nous Book Club (Private)
· Friday, March 22, 2024
· 10:30 AM 12:30 PM
· Metairie, LA
Mar 19
University of Holy Cross Book Club--FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
· Tuesday, March 19, 2024
· 6:30 PM 8:00 PM
· Blaine Kern Library
Feb 17
Saturday Writers' Clinic--FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
· Saturday, February 17, 2024
· 9:30 AM 1:00 PM
Unlock Your Writing Potential - A Writers' Clinic with Elisa M. Speranza and Vincent 'Chip’ LoCoco. Join us on Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 9:00 am to 10:45 am at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave. in Metairie. The clinic is free and open to all (even to those who haven’t yet dared to call themselves “writers!”). Local authors Elisa M. Speranza and Vincent “Chip" LoCoco will share some craft tips and tricks, demystify pathways to publishing, and provide advice on how to find your readers.
Feb 14
OLLI "Coffee & Lagniappe" Author Talk--FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
· Wednesday, February 14, 2024
· 2:00 PM 4:00 PM
· East Baton Rouge Parish Library
For more information: OLLI Baton Rouge
Jan 21
"Coming to America" Lecture Series--FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
· Sunday, January 21, 2024
· 2:00 PM 3:00 PM
· Deutsches Haus
Dec 7
Author Talk--FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
· Thursday, December 7, 2023
· 5:30 PM 6:30 PM
· New Orleans Public Library--Latter Branch
Nov 15
Pageturners Book Club (Private)
· Wednesday, November 15, 2023
· 4:30 PM 5:30 PM
· Gonzales, LA
Oct 5
Book Club (Private)
· Thursday, October 5, 2023
· 1:30 PM 2:30 PM
· Quincy, MA
Oct 4
National Organization of Italian American Women--DC Chapter (Public--Virtual))
· Wednesday, October 4, 2023
· 6:00 PM 7:00 PM
· Virtual
Sep 9
Salem Literary Festival
· Saturday, September 9, 2023
· 1:00 PM 2:30 PM
· Salem Academy Charter School
Gathering and Connecting: Italian Heritage as a Creative Touchstone
Linda Dini Jenkins, Becoming Italian: Chapter and Verse from an Italian American Girl
Jennifer Martelli, The Queens of Queens
Elisa M. Speranza, The Italian Prisoner
Moderator: Christine Paladimessi, Bridge of Love
Jun 29
Book Club (Private)
· Thursday, June 29, 2023
· 6:00 PM 8:00 PM
· Louisiana
