Have a novel idea?
Let's make it happen
novel happening
noun. NO-vəl hap-uh-ning
original or striking event considered worthwhile, unusual, or interesting.
Authors. Publishers. Publicists. Readers.
Have a wild idea for a book event, or looking to get inspired? Come to us with your big, ambitious, 'is this even possible?' ideas and we say yes.
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ABOUT US
A home for joyful, one-of-a-kind bookish experiences
Novel Happenings is a creative producing company that brings the magic of literature to life through live events, original programming, podcasts, retreats, and theatre. Founded by Jason Blitman, the company sits at the intersection of books, entertainment, and community because everything we produce is, quite literally, a novel happening: something new, something bookish, something worth talking about.
WHAT WE DO
Services
From literary game shows to full-scale productions, here's how we turn a novel idea into a novel happening.
The Lit Games
Original live game-show formats built for literary festivals, publisher events, and author programming with familiar formats, entirely reimagined for the book world.
Custom Event Production
A full-service producing partner for authors, publishers, publicists, and literary organizations. From ideation to execution and everything in between.
Retreats
Curated multi-day retreats for book clubs and reading communities. Feat. guest authors, themed programming, and community built into every day.
Theatrical
A theatre-producing arm for literary properties developing work from the page through production partnerships.
RECENT HAPPENINGS
Proof it's possible
LIVE GAME SHOW
Author Feud, Palm Springs Book Festival
L-R: Kate Schatz, Lara Love Hardin, Lily Brooks Dalton, & Jonathan Capehart
BOOK LAUNCH
The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley
At dog-friendly Boozehounds in Palm Springs
PODCASTS
Gays Reading featuring spoiler-free author conversations entering its fourth year. Recent guests include Ann Patchett, John Irving, Fredrik Backman, Patrick Radden Keefe, Stacey Abrams, Roxane Gay, Katie Kitamura, and many more.
SOME PREVIOUS GUESTS
Best authors. Best banter. Every week.
What Are You Reading?
Originally a series within Gays Reading, What Are You Reading? is expanding into its own standalone show under the Novel Happenings umbrella. Authors, bookish friends, celebrities, and cultural figures join Jason to talk about what they’ve been reading lately and the books that have shaped them. Recent guests include Steven Rowley, Felicia Day, Pulitzer Prize winner Jayne Anne Phillips, RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Sapphira Cristal, and internet-favorite Misha Brown.