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 By Gregg Parker  
Published 6:04 am Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21

MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Books, 14 Main St. on Oct. 21.

Madison Arts Alliance and Blue Apple Books are collaborating for Hatmaker’s visit to promote “Awake.” Hatmaker will share with audience members about the book’s inception and impact.

Hatmaker will perform in three sessions for her VIP Meet-and-Greet Reception on Oct. 21: 4:30 to 5 p.m.; 5 to 5:30 p.m.; and 5:30 to 6 p.m. Ticket price is $125.

A limited number of tickets will be available for each time slot. Ticketholders for the VIP Meet-and-Greet Reception will receive a code that allows purchase of discounted tickets to the keynote address that evening (detailed below).

A ticket Includes a signed copy of “Awake”; attendance for one performance; heavy hors d’oeuvres; and one cocktail/ mocktail.

To avoid possible blockage by a train downtown, attendees driving from north of downtown can continue south on Hughes Road and turn west on Will Halsey Way. Attendees driving from I-65 can take Sullivan Street, drive north to Shorter Street and turn east. Guests can park on Main Street or Martin Street.

Following the Madison sessions, Hatmaker will present a keynote address at Columbia High School Auditorium, 300 Explorer Blvd. NW in Huntsville on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.

A ticket will include a reserved seat and a copy of “Awake” that Hatmaker has signed (pickup in auditorium lobby from 6:15 to 6:55 p.m.). Lobby doors will open at 6:15 p.m., followed by house doors at 6:30 p.m. Guests can purchase concessions, souvenirs and additional books.

To open this event, the special guest speaker will be Mary Katherine Backstrom of Huntsville. Signed copies of Backstrom’s book, “Not That Wheel, Jesus,” and Hatmaker’s other books and merchandise will be available for purchase before and after the keynote.

Attendees can park in Columbia’s lot. Enter the auditorium, which is left of the school’s main entrance.

A portion of all ticket sales will benefit Madison Arts Alliance, a 501(c)3 organization, and its efforts to support and sustain creators of fine, performing and literary arts in greater Madison. MAA’s mission statement states that the organization “champions and cultivates the arts in the City of Madison by encouraging community engagement and developing opportunities for artistic expression.”

Blue Apple Books operates as a benefit corporation, providing opportunities for local artists and groups to meet, sell merchandise and mentor each other as they create their work. As a business, Blue Apple Books partners with various individuals and organizations to foster a sense of inclusion and creative community; its articles of incorporation include intentional goals to provide various means of support for these efforts.

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