Join us for an in-person celebration of When Franny Stands Up: A Novel by Eden Robins. For this event, Robins will be in conversation Britt Julious. This event will be hosted at Chicago's feminist sex shop, Early to Bed (5138 N. Clark St.). We'll also be welcoming comedian and writer Cassidy Kulhanek for an opening act!
This event is 18+. Masks required for all attendees for the duration of the event.
Women & Children First will be on-site selling books during the event. Eden will sign books after the program.
Franny Steinberg knows there's powerful magic in laughter. She's witnessed it. With the men of Chicago off fighting WWII on distant shores, Franny has watched the women of the city taking charge of the war effort. But amidst the war bond sales and factory shifts, something surprising has emerged, something Franny could never have expected. A new marvel that has women flocking to comedy clubs across the nation: the Showstopper.
When Franny steps into Chicago's Blue Moon comedy club, she realizes the power of a Showstopper—that specific magic sparked when an audience laughs so hard, they are momentarily transformed. And while each comedian's Showstopper is different, they all have one thing in common: they only work on women.
After a traumatic flashback propels her onstage in a torn bridesmaid dress, Franny discovers her own Showstopper is something new. And suddenly she has the power to change everything...for herself, for her audience, and for the people who may need it most.
Eden Robins loves novels best, but they take forever so she also writes short stories and self-absorbed essays. She co-hosts a science podcast called No Such Thing As Boring with an actual scientist, and produces a monthly live lit show in Chicago called Tuesday Funk. Previously, she sold sex toys, wrote jokes for Big Pharma, and once did a stand-up comedy set to an audience who didn't boo. She lives in Chicago, has been to the bottom of the ocean, and will never go to space. This is her first novel. Find out more scintillating tidbits at monkeythumbs.com and on Twitter @edenrobins.
Britt Julious is a writer, editor, essayist, and storyteller for publications like The New York Times, Vogue, Bon Appetit, Esquire, ELLE, Women’s Health, and others. She’s currently a music critic for the Chicago Tribune. In 2019, she won the Studs Terkel award in journalism.
Cassidy Kulhanek is a writer and comedian based in Chicago, IL. Her comedy blends slice of life observations with an absurd, off-the-wall approach. She’s opened for national headliners such as River Butcher, Amy Miller, and Niles Abston, and has featured at various clubs and festivals across the country. When not performing stand up, Cassidy can either be found performing improv and sketch with her comedy troupe KIDNAPPED! or taking naps with her little dog, Poptart.
