Parties

Ain’t No Party Like a Sally Rooney Book Party! Inside the Buzzy “Premiere” of Intermezzo

September 19, 2024

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It’s Sally Rooney’s party—and she can stay home if she wants to. “I think Sally is probably the only author of my generation who you could pull throwing something like this off for without them being here, because her name is so ubiquitous,” Belletrist co-founder Karah Preiss told Vogue. The ‘this’ in question wasn’t the type of established book party the industry has come to know, rather it was a redraft in the form of a Book Premiere, pulling in flashier tactics typically reserved for a red carpet outing to unveil a new movie. And judging by the buzz, Rooney’s incoming fourth novel, Intermezzo, is set to be a box office smash in its own right.

Preiss and lit-loving actress Emma Roberts, who launched Belletrist in 2017, teamed up with storied publishing house FSG to host the bash at the Irish Arts Center on 11th Avenue on Wednesday. Rooney lives just outside a small town in the west of Ireland—similar to the fictional one inhabited by her passion-addled Normal People protagonists—and prefers to let her work be the star of the show, hence why she was not in attendance. It was, therefore, up to the evening’s hosts to put on the type of warm welcome the Irish are known for. Mini shepherd’s pies, imported homegrown cocktail sausages, pints of Guinness, and all.

Preiss, the daughter of a literary publicist and a writer, said that while she grew up fully aware of the importance of marking a new publication, that concept doesn’t feel quite right for the readers of today anymore. “I think the book party—especially as the publishing landscape has changed—has lost its luster a little bit. But I think there’s something provocative about a book premiere insead.” Roberts agreed. “Since COVID, it’s been hard to get Belletrist events going again, but now we’re in a place to get people in a room listening to a DJ and talking to Sally’s editor. Just because it’s a book party, why should the party be quiet?!”

The chance to hear from Mitzi Angel, who’s now FSG president (the first female to hold the role), was a major draw for the crowd. “I published her first novel when I was working in the UK, and I have been working with her ever since,” Angel told Vogue. “I precisely remember reading Conversations With Friends for the first time. The first page made me laugh. There’s something about that moment when you encounter a certain line, a line that seems to contain so much humor, intelligence, and flair, but there’s a control there. Within a few paragraphs, it was apparent that she had that storyteller s gift. The ability to bring characters to life economically, in very few words. That instantaneous moment of recognition happens very rarely, but when it does, it’s one of the great joys in publishing.”

Angel said that FSG doesn’t tend to “do parties like this” often—but a Rooney release is a very special occasion that brings out a dedicated fanbase, ready to be inspired. Similarly, the Irish Arts Center’s director of programming and education, Rachael W. Gilkey, likened the celebration to an evening in 2019 that honored recently deceased novelist Edna O’Brien. Fitting, because arguably, without a trailblazer like O’Brien, there wouldn’t be ensuing generations of Irishwomen keen to dip their pen into the inkwell of life.

Following a panel between Angel, Preiss, and Roberts, which teased what to expect from Intermezzo, attendees gathered at the Happy Medium beading station, weaving chess-themed friendship-style bracelets. New adornments on their wrists, they then hopped into a photo booth to get strips of Intermezzo-branded snaps. (The perfect souvenir bookmark to take home, one might say.) ‘#BookTok’-famous DJ Books, aka Adam Beaser, who mixes electronic dance music with audiobooks, also made his IRL debut at the event. “He’s probably the only DJ who went to the Iowa Writers Workshop and was a Rhodes fellow. He has major chops,” Preiss laughed.

Ruby Slevin, an Irish tailor and the founder of Banshee of Savile Row, was one fan enjoying the scene—fresh off a plane from London. “I thought it was too exciting to miss—I can’t wait to read my copy while I’m here for meetings this week. Look how stunning the cover is!”

Not since Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2013 show for Louis Vuitton has a style-conscious millennial crowd seen this much furor around yellow and gray checkered squares. Thankfully, this lent itself nicely to the merch opportunities. As well as their bracelets and Majestic Photobooth memories, guests took home enamel pins, pencils, Post-Its, a scarf, and a tote.

And, of course, a coveted copy of the book—the accessory you’re about to see everyone you know carrying around from September 24.