Third Place Books welcomes acclaimed local author Joy McCullough—author of the Washington State and Pacific Northwest Book Award-winning novel Blood Water Paint—for a celebration of Enter the Body, McCullough's new novel-in-verse, in conversation with Seattle-based theater director Amy Poisson. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required in advance.
This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!
Click here for more about our COVID-19 policies for in-person events.
Having trouble accessing Eventbrite? Click here.
for this in-person event
Enter the Body gives voice to a cast of the young women who die in Shakespeare's plays. Focusing on the stories of Juliet, Ophelia, and Cordelia, bestselling author of Blood Water Paint Joy McCullough brilliantly weaves retellings of Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, and King Lear into a larger story about how young women can support each other and reclaim their stories in the aftermath of trauma.
“At once tender, poetic and ferocious, Enter The Body breathes new life into the Bard’s most tragic heroines. More than a tribute to Shakespeare, this kaleidoscopic, ambitious novel-in-verse gives Juliet, Ophelia, Cordelia, and Lavinia the chance to tell their own stories full of passion, justice, sisterhood, and love. Simply spectacular.”
—Michael L. Printz Award Winner Laura Ruby, author of Bone Gap
"A strong, powerful look at the bonds women share and the power telling stories has to unburden us all."
—SLC, starred review
Joy McCullough’s debut young adult novel, Blood Water Paint, won the Washington State and Pacific Northwest book awards, as well as honors including the National Book Award longlist, finalist for the ALA Morris Award, a Publishers Weekly Flying Start and four starred reviews. She has since written picture books and young adult and middle grade novels that have been Junior Library Guild Selections, Indie Next Selections, finalists for the Washington State Book Award, and a New York Times bestseller. She writes books and plays from her home in the Seattle area, where she lives with her husband and two children. She studied theater at Northwestern University, fell in love with her husband atop a Guatemalan volcano, and now spends her days with kids and dogs and books.
Amy Poisson (she/her) is a Seattle-based director and developer of New Work. She has served as the Producing Artistic Director of Macha Theatre Works since 2017. Amy has been involved in development and directing of Macha’s 17 Minute Stories a Live streamed Season, The Fifth Wave and Happy, Happy, Happy… by Jenn Ruzumna and Lisa Every. Blood Water Paint, Smoke & Dust, La Tofana’s Poison Emporium by Joy McCullough. Sheathed (2019 Gregory Award winner for Outstanding New Play); The Flight Before Xmas, The Clockwork Professor, The Tumbleweed Zephyr (2016 Gregory Award nominee for Best New Play) and A Hand of Talons (2016 Gregory Award winner for Costumes) by Maggie Lee. The Twelfth Story by Rebecca Goldberg. Fast Company by Carla Ching (2014 Seattle Times Footlight Award). These Streets by Gretta Harley & Sarah Rudinoff at ACT Central Heating Lab.
Want a signed edition of the featured book, but can't make it to the event? Order through our website or over the phone, and write your request for a signature or personalization in the comments field at checkout. Please call the hosting store if you're placing your order within 24 hours of the event.
Third Place Books Events Code of Conduct: Third Place Books is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of event attendees and guest authors, during both online and in-store events. By registering for this event, you are agreeing to refrain from engaging in inappropriate behavior and harassment of any kind throughout the course of this event (i.e. racial slurs, profanity, hate speech, spam comments, etc.). Please note that any participants who engage in inappropriate behavior or harassment of any kind will be immediately ejected from the event.
For media inquiries, access inquiries, or questions about our Covid-19 policies, please email events@thirdplacebooks.com or call our Lake Forest Park store at (206) 366-3311.
