As Covid Lingers Boston Author Gets Creative with Book Tour

BOSTON - Oct. 19, 2021 - PRLog -- Jenn Bouchard moved more than eight times before college. Her father was a career Naval officer. Starting over in new cities developed her resilience and a network of friends across the country. When she was thinking about how to get the word out about her debut novel, First Course, Jenn turned to this network. The #FirstCourseLFLProject was born.

The LFL acronym stands for Little Free Library, those small neighborhood bookcases that hold a wealth of free reading. A nonprofit organization based in Hudson, Wisconsin, Little Free Library is the world's largest book-sharing movement.

Bouchard mailed copies of her book to friends (and sometimes friends of friends). When she was done, Jenn had "ambassadors" in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. These ambassadors agreed to place their copy of First Course into a local Little Free Library and take a photo.

Throughout September and October, Bouchard has been posting a photo from one state per day on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. In Instagram posts, she also tags a local indie bookstore. With each book donation and photo, Bouchard can highlight a LFL location. Yesterday's post was DC.

A high school social studies teacher for the past 22 years, Jenn loved the idea that in addition to sending her book nationwide, First Course would be available free to readers who might not otherwise have access and help build community.

Since she first had the idea, First Course has been earning steady accolades. It was recently chosen as a finalist in the 2021 American Fiction awards as well as earning Honorable Mentions from 2021 Paris Book Festival and the 2021 San Francisco Book Festival.

Like many authors, Jenn had hoped to promote her book in person this year. With limited opportunities to do so, she had to get creative. This project is a way to reach more readers and establish her name as an author. "I am on track to finish the draft of my next book by the end of the year," she said. "I hope that by the time it is published, many people will have read First Course and be excited for what I write next."

Set in coastal Maine, First Course celebrates the central role food plays in our lives. The main character Janie is an incredible cook, and her delicious creations serve as a connection for the Whitman family as they deal with a tragic accident, infidelity, and a host of other issues. Reminiscent of Nora Ephron's classic Heartburn, First Course is about family dynamics, life's second acts, and savoring a delicious antipasto, with plenty of humor and love.

To learn more visit  jennbouchard.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @JennBouchardBOS.  To learn more about Little Free Library visit littlefreelibrary.org