events

We’ve come up with what we think are some exciting events, but if you have a fun idea for our hello again books community, talk to us while you’re in the store or send an email to helloagainbooks@gmail.com. We’re open to suggestions!

One thing: Before we get into the specifics: these events may change or be modified, so we recommend you check us out on social media (Instagram and Facebook) or give us a call if you're thinking of coming in!

Let's talk events:

Past Special Events:

Banned Books Essay Contest! Open now! Submissions due by midnight on September 24, 2022!

September 18-24 is Banned Book Week, an annual campaign that promotes the freedom to read and increases the awareness of banned and challenged books—both past and present. This campaign was started by the American Library Association and Amnesty International and is something hello again books wants to promote both by selling banned books and with this essay contest. With support and generous financial contributions from members of our community, we are thrilled to offer an essay writing contest open to all high school students in Brevard County, Florida.

Essay contest details:

Topic: What is your favorite banned book? Why?

What's a banned book, you ask? Check this out: American Library Association list of banned books

Who can enter?: Current High school students in Brevard County, Florida

Evaluation criteria:

Understanding of the topic
Original thinking on the topic
Effectiveness in presenting a point of view
Literary style, grammar, and spelling

Length of essay: 500-800 words

Format: Double-spaced PDF document, including name, phone, and email address so we can contact you should you win (we will not contact you for any other reason, nor will we share your information with anyone for any reason).

How to submit your essay: Email your essay to helloagainbooks@gmail.com

Deadline to apply: All essays must be submitted by 11:59pm (ET) on Saturday, September 24, 2022, and it is free to enter. All essays will be considered.

Judging and announcing the winners:

Several cool folks from the Brevard community have agreed to serve as judges and will evaluate submissions based on the criteria above.

What you could win:

Contestants have the chance to win one of several awesome cash prizes sponsored by the law firm, Goldman, Monaghan, Thakkar, & Bettin, P.A.:

One 1st prize: $500
2nd prize: $250
3rd prize: $100
3 Honorable mentions: $50

***All winners will also receive a copy of Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" and a free banned book of their choice. All winners will also receive a $20 hello again books gift certificate from an anonymous donor. A BIG thank you to our sponsors!!!

Notice of results

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges, all members of the Brevard County community. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held at 1pm on Saturday, October 8, at hello again books, 411 Brevard Ave, Cocoa, FL 32922.

PAST EVENTS:

March 26, 10am-3pm: Historic Cocoa Village Book Fest
Enjoy a family fun literary day in the village, with local and guest authors throughout the shops & businesses. Authors will also be in Myrt Tharpe Square (the gazebo area), presented by the Space Coast Writer's Guild. In addition to authors galore, there will be a 'story walk' in which you and the little ones can walk around the village to read a children's book displayed page by page in the windows of participating stores! We'll also have a set of 6 bookmarks that you can collect throughout the day when visiting locations where authors are stationed. The Brevard County Mobile Library will also be on-site for everyone to enjoy!

April 30, ALL DAY: Independent Bookstore Day!
Join us as we celebrate the diversity, creativity, and community that makes a truly independent bookstore! We'll have giveaways and a full day of celebration and we recognize the joy that books bring into our lives and our village!
April 30, 1pm: Guest Author, Robert N. Macomber
Also on Independent Bookstore Day, we have award-winning Maritime author, lecturer, and world adventurer, Robert N. Macomber! Macomber is best known for his Honor series, "depicting thrilling highlights of the U.S. Navy's critical role in the expansion of America from a continental country n the mid-19th century into a global power in the early 20th century." The Florida Writers Association Inc., named Macomber the 2020 Florida Writer of the Year, so this is sure to be a fascinating presentation!
June 11, ALL DAY: "Be the Rainbow!" Pride in the Village
Join us for our 2nd annual LGBTQ+ Pride event! We have a full day of activities scheduled that are created to honor our diverse community - allies welcome and colorful attire is encouraged! Rainbows, unicorns, tutus... wear anything and everything that brings you happiness when you put it on!
Here's a taste of the activities we'll have this year:
- Pride Pet Parade, co-sponsored by Tails at the Barkery
- Pulse Moment of Remembrance
- Kid's Storytime
- Sticker Scavenger Hunt!

Regular Events

Mondays: Closed (sad face)

LAST Wednesday of every month: Book Club (6:30pm). We host our own book club every month and invite readers to join us for a lively discussion about the book and anything else that might come up! Also, if you want to use our space as your book club locale, send an email to helloagainbooks@gmail.com.

Random Wednesdays: Movie night (6pm). Usually related to something we've been talking about at LGBTQ+ game night or bookclub, but you never know! (follow us on FB and IG for updates!)

Fridays: LGBTQ+ social (6:30pm-8pm). Hang out, play a card game, enjoy a beverage, and if you so choose, meet some people! Allies welcome! Mainly for the 18 and over crowd, but we'll welcome a young teen or good kid now and again! (follow us on FB and IG just in case we decide to do an outing!)

On certain Saturdays: Storytime! (11:30am). Show up and listen in! (follow us on FB and IG for updates!)

On certain Saturdays (1pm): Author events. Enjoy learning about books written by local authors! They'll talk about their writing process, their book, and how they got it published. Most authors stay for questions and sell copies of their book at the event! (follow us on FB and IG for updates!)

Sundays: Sit & Knit (12pm-2pm). Bring your knitting, crochet, needlepoint, or yarn-spinning and enjoy our space while crafting with other like-minded peeps. Might be the perfect time to find a new pattern and make a crafty friend or two!

Other hello again books events:

Storytelling
Scrabble club
Crossword challenge
Theme nights, RE: Harry Potter birthday celebration, Jane Austen lovers unite, and other literary-themed events
Viewing parties for movies based on books
Current events
Creative writing groups
Resume assistance events
Homework & study groups
Events we haven't even thought of yet! Maybe you have some ideas? Let us know! We're here for YOU!
Coming again soon: Wear your Tiara Day! Come in wearing a tiara and you'll get 10% off your purchase! Feel free to add a fancy dress, suit, or other fun costume to accent your tiara - why not, right? Plus, we'll take pics and post on social media, so everyone can enjoy in a socially-distanced manner! Had a lovely Tiara Day on 1/23/21 - check out social media for pics!

For exact dates and times for all events follow us on Facebook or Instagram. If you’re not social media savvy/friendly, come to the store and talk to us!

We Support NaNoWriMo Participation

Yes! We're talking about the National Novel Writing Month event, which takes place every November. Basically, you commit to writing a certain number of words every day so that at the end of November you have a complete first draft of a 50,000-word novel. A NOVEL that YOU wrote.

Have you been thinking about writing a book? THIS is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor and be a part of a community of writers who can support you through this journey. There are events throughout the year to get writers writing... so join in anytime!

Honestly, we've been thinking about doing this for years, but have never made the time or the commitment. You know what: there's no time like the present! Let's get started, so when we hit November we are a small but supportive group of writers ready to join the thousands of others around the world who accept the challenge of writing a novel in a month!

Want more information on NaNoWriMo? Check it out here.