Some writers are adept at making deep connections with audiences, working across multiple platforms to share their message and extend their reach; Jen Hatmaker is one such dynamo. Her talent as a best-selling author flows over to her role as a popular podcaster, a sought-after public speaker, and an engaging educator, one with her own book club, nonetheless! Fans and new followers will get to meet her in Bowling Green Thursday, April 30, at a free presentation at The Capitol that starts at 6pm.
With 15 books to her credit – including 5 New York Times best sellers – Hatmaker is a familiar face to many. With an evolving perspective on life, this mother of five now-grown children has written on a gamut of relatable topics, with titles that connect with readers’ hearts, minds, and even their stomachs (via her cookbook, Feed These People: Slam Dunk Recipes for Your Crew). From detailing her family’s effort to combat overindulgence (Simple & Free) to helping women break the cycle of people pleasing (Fierce, Free, & Full of Fire) and realize their true selves (Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life), Hatmaker is both insightful, inspirational, and humorous to boot.
Her award-winning For The Love podcast reaches out to a largely female listening audience, inviting women to “show up for their own lives,” through conversations that aim to face the truth head on, challenge unjust systems, and ask difficult questions with confidence. Now, with almost 300 episodes, podcast guests “talk about everything that is good, right, wrong, hard, fun, confusing, wondrous, and thought-provoking,” according to Hatmaker’s website.
Awake, her 2025 memoir, became an instant New York Times best seller. It is described as “a deeply personal and provocative memoir that’s told in raw, real-time vignettes… the story of upheaval, reinvention, and the unexpected freedom found in starting over.” Free copies of the book will be given out at the event, first come, first served. Free tickets are available through the library’s calendar of events (warrenpl.org/calendar) or through The Capitol’s website (capitolbg.org/events).
Another author in the April lineup, one who we are pleased to welcome back to town, is Rea Frey, who will speak at the Bob Kirby Branch Library Monday, April 27, at 6pm. An award-winning author, Frey has written a number of domestic suspense novels, women’s fiction, and nonfiction books. 50 free books penned by Frey will be distributed to the first 50 in attendance.
Known as a “book doula,” she helps other authors “birth their books” into the world through workshops and VIP coaching sessions. “What I’ve learned in the publishing industry – from eight traditionally published novels with the ‘Big 5,’ to four traditionally published nonfiction books that (somewhat) crashed and burned – is what it takes to be a successful author, how the publishing landscape continues to change, and how vital it is for authors to understand all the moving parts if they want to birth their own books into the world.”
Frey’s most recent title, the mystery / thriller Dear Mother (release date: April 28) – follows up an impressive list of publications which includes When She’s Gone (2025), In Every Life (2024), Don’t Forget Me (2024), The Other Year (2023), Secrets of Our House (2022) and others listed on her website (www.reafrey.com/books). Tickets are free and available through the library’s calendar of events.
As a reminder, here’s how to keep up with everything that’s going on at WCPL through the year:
•Like our page or follow us on social media (@warrenpl) on Facebook, Instagram, X, or Threads.
•Browse our online calendar of events (warrenpl.org/calendar for a monthly view or warrenpl.org/events-list for a weekly view).
•Subscribe to our online newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/WCPLNews.
•Pick up an activity brochure at any of our library locations (warrenpl.org/location).
•Check out our ad in the weekend edition of Bowling Green Daily News.
•Grab a copy of SOKY Happenings every month to read our article and browse library events included in each edition’s events list!
-by Ashley Fowlkes
Digital Content Manager
Warren County Public Library
