BookPeople Presents: Vaishnavi Patel - Goddess of the River

BookPeople Presents: Vaishnavi Patel - Goddess of the River

BookPeople welcomes Vaishnavi Patel in conversation with Ehigbor Okosun to celebrate the release of Goddess of the River.

By BookPeople

Date and time

Starts on Sunday, May 26 · 7pm CDT

Location

BookPeople

603 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX 78703

About this event

  • 2 hours

Please welcome Vaishnavi Patel and Ehigbor Okosun to celebrate Goddess of the River!

This event is free and open to the public.

  • Start time: 7:00 P.M.
  • Run time: 45-60 minutes, followed by a signing line.
  • Location: The second floor of BookPeople.

The author will be signing and personalizing copies of the book after the speaking portion of the event.

  • To get a book signed, a copy of the event book or an item of equal value must be purchased from BookPeople.

Guidelines:

  • Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • There will not be a live stream or recording available.
  • BookPeople reserves the right to cancel or postpone this event if necessary.
  • If you have any other questions, please visit our Eventbrite FAQ. If your question isn't covered in the FAQ, feel free to email us at online@bookpeople.com.

About the book:

A powerful reimagining of the story of Ganga, goddess of the river, and her doomed mortal son, from Vaishnavi Patel, author of the instant New York Times bestseller Kaikeyi.

A mother and a son. A goddess and a prince. A curse and an oath. A river whose course will change the fate of the world.

Ganga, joyful goddess of the river, serves as caretaker to the mischievous godlings who roam her banks. But when their antics incur the wrath of a powerful sage, Ganga is cursed to become mortal, bound to her human form until she fulfills the obligations of the curse.

Though she knows nothing of mortal life, Ganga weds King Shantanu and becomes a queen, determined to regain her freedom no matter the cost. But in a cruel turn of fate, just as she is freed of her binding, she is forced to leave her infant son behind.

Her son, prince Devavrata, unwittingly carries the legacy of Ganga’s curse. And when he makes an oath that he will never claim his father’s throne, he sets in motion a chain of events that will end in a terrible and tragic war.

As the years unfold, Ganga and Devavrata are drawn together again and again, each confluence another step on a path that has been written in the stars, in this deeply moving and masterful tale of duty, destiny, and the unwavering bond between mother and son.

About the author:

Vaishnavi Patel is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller Kaikeyi. A lawyer specializing in civil rights, she likes to write at the intersection of Indian myth, feminism, and anticolonialism. She grew up in and around Chicago and, in her spare time, enjoys activities that are almost stereotypically Midwestern: knitting, ice skating, drinking hot chocolate, and making hotdish.

About the moderator:

Ehigbor Okosun (Eh-hee-bor Oh-koh-soon), or just Ehi, is the #1 Sunday Times Bestselling author of FORGED BY BLOOD, the first in a Nigerian mythology epic fantasy duology. Raised across four continents, she now resides in the Southern United States, where she writes speculative fiction, mystery thrillers, and contemporary novels for adult and YA audiences. She writes in hopes of doing justice to the myths and traditions she grew up steeped in, and to honor her large, multiracial and multiethnic family. She is a graduate of the University of Texas with degrees in Plan II Honors, Neurolinguistics, and English, as well as Chemistry and Pre-Medical studies and is a Cynthia Leitich Smith Mentorship Award finalist. When she’s not reading, you can catch her bullet journalling, gaming, baking, singing, doing yoga and spending time with her loved ones. At the moment, she is hard at work at her sequel which publishes in September 2024.

By purchasing a book from BookPeople, you are not only supporting a local, independent business – you’re showing publishers that they should continue sending authors to BookPeople.

Thank you for supporting Vaishnavi Patel, Ehigbor Okosun, and your local independent bookstore!

Frequently asked questions

How do your events work?

For most events, we will begin with an introduction at the start time, followed by a reading or moderated author conversation, an audience Q&A, and finally our book signing portion of the event. However, please check the Eventbrite details for each event for further information.

Do I need to RSVP to attend?

RSVPs are encouraged in order to reserve a spot at the event. While most of our events won't reach the capacity of our event space, certain titles and/or authors may surpass what our space can hold. In this case, customers with RSVPs will be prioritized for entry to the event.

Where are you located?

MOST of our events take place at our store at 603 N Lamar Blvd. However, please make sure you check the location for each event, as some larger events are put on in conjunction with outside venue partners. Please note that our events program is not affiliated with the BookPeople at the AUS airport.

Where do I go when I arrive?

For free events, you may proceed to the 2nd floor and find a seat whenever you arrive, though you may wish to make your book purchase downstairs before start time. For ticketed or large events, an events staff member will be waiting near the front door to check you in.

Do I need to buy a copy of the event book?

To attend the talk/Q&A portion of the event, you do not need to purchase a copy of the event book. To participate in the signing line after the talk, you WILL need to purchase a copy of the book OR make a purchase of equal value from BookPeople. Thank you for supporting our events program!

What if I already own the book?

If you already own a copy of the event book and would like to join the signing line, we ask that you make a purchase of equal value from BookPeople and be prepared to present your receipt to an events staff member upon joining the line. Thank you for supporting our events program!

What if I already preordered the book from BookPeople?

For free events, you may pick up your book at BookPeople on the night of the event (or on release date, if you keep your receipt to bring on event night). For ticketed events, if you preordered BEFORE the event was announced, please contact us at online@bookpeople.com. Thank you!

What happens if the event is "sold out"?

If we have a waitlist available, Eventbrite will give you an option to join it on the ticket purchase or RSVP page. If the event is sold out AND the waitlist option is unavailable, the waitlist has unfortunately met its cap and we are not accepting further names in an effort to avoid false hope.

What if I can't attend?

For free events, we ask that you cancel your RSVP via Eventbrite so another customer may have your spot. For ticketed events, we ask that you submit a refund request 7+ days in advance. You may also keep your ticket and pick up your book at the registers within 30 days of the event night.

Can I order a book to be signed and shipped to me?

Please place an order for the event book via bookpeople.com at least 24 hours before the event and make your request in the order notes field at checkout. Our events and Internet Orders teams will do their best to fulfill your request.

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BookPeople is the largest independent bookstore in Texas. For more information, visit BookPeople.com.