
Why Not Us? Book Release
When Jasmine’s best friend, Leslie, is diagnosed with cancer, her world splits open, and there’s no other place to run but straight into the chaos. She doesn’t hesitate—she’s all in, fiercely holding Leslie’s hand through doctor’s appointments, rounds of treatment, and each quiet moment when nothing feels certain. But T, Jasmine’s longtime girlfriend, doesn’t see the fight in quite the same way. Where Jasmine forges headfirst into the storm, T steps back, unsure of how to stay connected when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
The love they’ve fought for is at risk, caught between the heavy demands of illness and the emotional distance that’s beginning to drive a wedge between them. Torn between the needs of her best friend and her desire to keep her bond with T strong, Jasmine must navigate a fragile course to maintain balance at home and deal with a healthcare environment that often feels cold and impersonal. Facing this additional hurdle in Leslie's battle for survival, Jasmine can’t help but wonder if supporting Leslie means losing T.
And then there’s Portia—Leslie’s nine-year-old daughter who’s being forced to grow up in the shadow of her mother’s illness. Jasmine has promised to protect her like her own, but it’s harder than she ever imagined. Along the way, Jasmine and T’s couple time gets overshadowed by a whirlwind of medical appointments, after-school activities, parent-teacher conferences, and family drama that threatens to engulf their relationship.
The strain of this new dynamic pushes Jasmine and T to confront their own insecurities—about their relationship and their individual capabilities. They’re both trying to hold onto something precious, and it feels like they’re each losing their grip. As they face the harsh realities of caregiving and sacrifice, Jasmine and T realize they have a lot to learn about love, loss, and the importance of family. Can they keep it together long enough to discover if their relationship can survive the weight of it all?

ReadOUT 2026
ReadOUT is a celebration of diverse voices, stories, and authors from the LGBTQ+ community organized by OUT Arts & Culture! Annually they welcome hundreds of in person and virtual attendees and host between 40-50 celebrated authors, audiobook narrators, and other queer storytellers. Their festival programming features panels with bestselling authors, special events, signings, and more amazing opportunities to celebrate LGBTQ+ literature and our community. This year, as being LGBTQ+ in America becomes more and more dangerous and isolating, especially in Red States, they aim to make the festival even more impactful.

Spark in the Park
Park Books is thrilled to announce their 3rd Annual SPARK IN THE PARK event in celebration of Bookstore Romance Day!
Join us for a swoon-worthy day filled with romance, laughter, and connection.

Voices of Queer Fiction
A panel discussion featuring two local authors, Thien-Kim Lam and Naomi Rivers, who talk about their writing process and how they incorporate queer characters in their storytelling.


Kitchen Table Literary Arts: Paths to Publishing
Hosted by Kitchen Table Literary Arts, authors gather to share their publishing journey.

Intersecting Identities: BIPOC Queer Authors in Focus
Join a group of BIPOC queer authors as they explore the intersections of race, identity, and queerness in their work. Discover how their unique experiences shape storytelling and representation, and celebrate the power of diverse voices in literature.

Baltimore Book Festival
Baltimore Book Festival author panel sponsored by Charm City Books, “Black Love and Black Romance Writing: An Act of Resistance and Rebellion”

Woodlawn Community Reading Festival
Join us and other community partners for a celebration of reading at Gwynn Oak Park in Woodlawn, MD. Enjoy face painting, local vendors and authors, a visit from a firetruck and other fun activities.

DC Pride Writer’s Forum
Hosted by Caged Birds, we’re talking craft, community, and the business of writing with a panel of black, LGBT+ writers.

Baltimore County Author Showcase
Meet local authors from all genres of adult and children’s books. Hear from writers in the community about their books, purchase signed copies and get introduced to your next great read. Books available for sale.

Baltimore County Author Showcase
Meet local authors from all genres of adult and children’s books. Hear from writers in the community about their books, purchase signed copies and get introduced to your next great read. Books available for sale.