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2022 Signatures Author Series luncheon featuring author Elin Hilderbrand was a best-seller for The John Cooper School

By: Sean K. Thompson
| Published 12/13/2022

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THE WOODLANDS, TX – The 18th annual Signatures Author Series event, presented by The John Cooper School, was a smash success recently at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. More than 800 fans came to dine and be regaled by bestselling novelist Elin Hilderbrand, author of The Hotel Nantucket and more than two dozen other novels.

800+ attendees came to lunch, learn, and laugh


The star-spangled event included a press conference with Hilderbrand, a VIP reception where special attendees could get copies of Hotel Nantucket signed by the author and their photos taken with her, the opportunity to interact with dozens of local authors and vendors, a delicious catered lunch, a keynote address by Hilderbrand, and a special raffle drawing.

In keeping with its tradition, a portion of the proceeds from the Signatures event is given to a local nonprofit organization. In the past 17 years, more than $63,000 has been donated to local organizations to promote literacy in our community. The beneficiary of this year’s event was Children’s Books on Wheels, a literacy-based organization located in the Tamina community east of The Woodlands that serves a population that is predominantly at or below the poverty level. Rita Wiltz, executive director of CBOW, told Woodlands Online, “It’s such an honor to again be a recipient of this wonderful event.”

Once the VIP Underwriters’ Reception was completed and attendees stopped by the tables of the numerous Visiting Authors and other vendors, the grand ballroom was opened, festooned in blue lighting and many nods to Hilderbrand’s style depicted in her novel, including a ‘penny wall’ and Hotel Nantucket-themed food and drinks.

Dr. Stephen Popp, Head of The John Cooper School, was elated at how the event turned out. “This is so exciting to have a wonderful author like Elin Hilderbrand sharing her stories with a group of wonderful fans and people who just love reading and learning,” he said. “It’s a celebration of our reverence for books and how when we come together as a community we can just do wonderful things in the spirit of literacy.”

The co-chairs of the event, Lisa Hollingsworth and June Kolesar, welcomed the attendees and made announcements before the luncheon, which was capped off by Hilderbrand’s keynote address.

“I’ve never seen such a setup with all these decorations in all my appearances,” said Hilderbrand, marveling at the layout and scope of the event. She then told stories of her history of writing and of her life in Nantucket and sometimes the difficulties of being a novelist writing about a small town that she lives in. Next, Hildebrand, who has been named ‘the queen of the beach read’ by New York Magazine, took questions from audience members, which included a group of people who called themselves ‘Hilder-FANS.’ Sakina Davis, the leader of the group, couldn’t hide her excitement. “We really love her. We went to see her at the actual Hotel Nantucket in an event this June, and we’re going to her ‘bucket list’ event in January. We are true fans, not an official fan club, but a group of local Woodlands-based fans.”

The festivities inside the ballroom concluded with a raffle drawing with the names drawn by Hilderbrand herself. Raffle prizes included an autographed chess set, Fendi and Gucci accessories, a Lagos key pendant necklace donated by Thomas Markle Jewelers, and a first prize of an island adventure. Numerous sponsors contributed to the event, with the top ‘Pulitzer Prize’ sponsorship level being provided by The Bourque Family. Woodlands Online was a Newbery Award-level media sponsor.

Afterwards, attendees were treated to a book-signing by Hilderbrand. Troye Skipworth, chief advancement officer for The John Cooper School, was truly satisfied with the event and already looking forward to next year’s. “We are so excited. We had 800-plus people attending,” she said. “It’s one of our largest events since 2020, and we’re so excited to be back. Elin Hilderbrant has an amazing personality and we are ready to celebrate with her.”

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