Category Archives: bookstores

book marketing, book tours, books, bookstores, Czech events, Czech heritage, Czech historic events, Uncategorized

56th anniversary of Prague Spring 1968

August 21, 2024 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

On this day, Aug. 21 I always observe the anniversary of the Soviet occupation of former Czechoslovakia which prompted an exodus of entire generations of Czechs and Slovaks. We were among them searching for our place in the free world. And we found it in the USA in the early 1970s.

While living in the free world, I’ve made several observations based on my experience from the old socialist and new capitalist worlds. I’ve been privileged enough to compare the two. Here are my insights.

Nothing is more valuable than personal and societal freedom; the freedom to do business and religious freedom. No one has ever considered us as “Auslanders” or outsiders in the USA as new doors opened ahead of us.

We took on new challenges and opportunities as we built on our experience in different countries including Canada and Africa. I can’t speak for the rest of the family, but I have no regrets about leaving the old country. I honor the traditions, and the past while moving ahead.

Whenever I talk about my Greenwich Meridian Memoir, memories come back to me in a good way. I use them constructively to avoid the mistakes made by many, which is not always easy.

“I feel lucky to be standing here and telling this story,” I usually conclude my talk.

Unfortunately, history repeats itself, if we don’t guard it carefully.

Stand up for freedom.

My next author’s event will be on Sept. 14- Saugatuck Art in the Park from 10 am to 4 pm in Wicks Park at 449 Water St.

Prague Spring, 1968 Part II

books, bookstores, literature, local author, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 4

November 4, 2022 emmapalova 1 Comment

Even though the clouds moved in, we still held onto the upper 60s with rain in the afternoon. The November weather definitely made its mark on the start of NaNoWriMo.

Like on a real roller coaster, I pushed the story forward with a jerk to the ‘Singapore is Ours’ declaration by the protagonists and left it with a new chapter opened. I logged in 2020 words. Again I like the number, but I wish I could have pulled off more.

I am going to flip back to the beat sheet plotting method rather than the roller coaster, which is more like a labyrinth. This morning it led me to these dead-end streets and side streets.

In my other role as a journalist, I am working on a story about a hometown salon celebrating its 10th anniversary. The salon survived the Covid horror and competition from other salons.

You can buy my books locally at Shabby Chicnanigans next to Curtis Cleaners and Bettie’s Pages on Main Street just in time for holiday shopping.

Thanks Michelle.

Shabby Chicnanigans opens next to Curtis Cleaners

books, bookstores, Greenwich Meridian memoir, historical fiction, Shifting Sands Short Stories, Shifting Sands: Secrets, Uncategorized

Girls Night Out in Lowell

October 14, 2021 emmapalova Leave a comment

Visit the new delightful bookstore in downtown Lowell during the Girls Night Out this evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and at any time you can. It’s located on Main Street next to Station Salon.

Bettie’s Pages opened during the pandemic and survived the lockdown. Owner Nicole Lintemuth is one of the “Unsung Heroes” that fits this year’s GNO theme.

I asked Lintemuth if business was back to normal.

“I don’t know what normal is,” Lintemuth said. “We didn’t have Girls Night Out last year. We were closed during the pandemic.”

You will find all genres here plus charming gifts. My books are here in both, the fiction and non -fiction sections. My new “Greenwich Meridian Memoir” and the Shifting Sands Short Stories series are among the store’s inventory.

“I am so happy that we finally have a bookstore in our town. It’s just as bad as not having a coffee shop,” I said.

The store is located at 216 E. Main Street.