Jamie Anderson Silver, owner of Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books in Duck and Downtown Books in Manteo, is well known for her energy and enthusiasm on the Outer Banks literary scene. Not only does she run two of the favorite independent bookstores on the Outer Banks, but also she lines up book signings and author events around town all year round. From book signings with local authors to Q&As with national bestsellers, Jamie is the Outer Banks book queen – though she calls herself a “professional bookworm.”
She has coordinated two big author events for the first week of February.
An Evening with Andrew Lawler
Tuesday, February 4, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall, Town of Duck
New York Times bestselling author Andrew Lawler is offering a multimedia presentation and discussion of his brand-new book, A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, his Black Allies and the Crisis that Spurred the American Revolution, in Duck. After the presentation, Lawler will be answering questions and signing copies of the book.
Lawler is the author of a book about the lost colony, The Secret Token: Myth, Obsession and the Search for the Lost Colony of Roanoke, which is one of the top sellers at Duck’s Cottage and Downtown Books, as well as Under Jerusalem and Why Did the Chicken Cross the World. As a journalist he has written more than a thousand newspaper and magazine articles for, among many others, the New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic and Smithsonian. He is a contributing writer for Science and contributing editor for Archaeology magazines and lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
A Perfect Frenzy is the largely untold story of rebellion in Virginia that will forever change one's understanding of the American Revolution. The just-released book has received much advance praise including this from Pulitzer Prize winner and author David Zucchino: “A riveting and illuminating account of a pivotal episode in American history – a polished gem of a book.” See the New York Times' review of the book here.
Copies of A Perfect Frenzy will be available for purchase at the event and signed copies can be pre-reserved by calling (252) 473-1056. The event is free, and registration is not required.
An Evening with Angel Ellis Khoury and Celebration of Manteo: A Roanoke Island Town
Thursday, February 6, 6 to 8 p.m.
Veterans Hall, College of the Albemarle Dare in Manteo
Downtown Books is sponsoring this event in conjunction with the Outer Banks History Center and Manteo Preservation Trust. The event is celebrating the reissue of Manteo: A Roanoke Island Town, the seminal history of Manteo, by Angel Ellis Khoury. Khoury will offer a discussion about the rich history of Manteo followed by a reception. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Khoury, a 45-year resident of the Outer Banks, is the former founder and publisher of Outer Banks Magazine and the author of Between Tides, a novel set in Manteo, Cape Hatteras and Cape Cod. Originally published in 2000, Manteo: A Roanoke Island Town is a popular local book that combines a wealth of historical photos with history and remembrances of local characters. It was out of publication for many years and its recent reissue coincides with the Town of Manteo’s 125-year anniversary. Khoury is extremely knowledgeable about Roanoke Island history and is an engaging speaker.
“This event offers a unique opportunity for locals and visitors alike to connect with the community’s history and the author who brought it to life,” Jamie says.
The event is free, but registration is requested so that they can be prepared for the number of guests. To register or pre-reserved signed copies of Manteo: A Roanoke Island Town, call (252) 473-1056.
Author Angel Ellis Khoury with her book at a book signing event in 2024.
Coming Up in 2025
Downtown Books brings in featured authors for book signings during every First Friday in Manteo from April through December.
“I can already tell you that we will be featuring Robin Daniels Holt, who just published a WONDERFUL book about Outer Banks history from a female perspective, in April, Hatteras author Jan Dawson in May and most likely John Railey in June,” Jamie says.
For the Dare Day local Authorpalooza on the first Saturday in June, Downtown Books will feature local authors Robin Daniels Holt, Levern Davis Parker, Angel Ellis Khoury, John Railey and Judith Fearing.
A Deeper Connection to Books
Jamie says part of her mission statement for Downtown Books is to “offer authors the opportunity to engage with readers and readers the opportunity to engage with authors.”
“To that end, we are always looking for ways to bring writers to our town or highlight local authors’ accomplishments and give Outer Bankers a chance to hear a writer share the personal story of their book,” Jamie says. “It isn’t easy – we are out on the ends of the earth, and most of the big publishers don’t include anything but big cities on their author tours.”
Additionally, a small independent coastal bookstore like Downtown Books cannot commit to selling hundreds of books or tickets for even a big-name author.
“But in our cozy little store on a First Friday or in the gallery of Dare Arts or in a tent at Dare Day, readers can discover a local author whose book they have been wanting to read or a regional author whose book was just released,” Jamie says. “And sometimes they may even find themselves starstruck in front of a best-selling author. And they’ll get a little one-on-one time with that person, maybe even a selfie, and walk away with the biggest smile and a deeper connection to that book they have in their hands. And that is why we do it.”
Jamie Anderson Silver with national bestselling author Matthew Quick at an author event and book signing in Nags Head in 2023.
Of the numerous literary events she has hosted, Jamie says it is hard for her to pick one that stands out as her favorite, but she says she loves the enthusiastic fans that come out for authors like Mary Kay Andrews or Kristy Woodson Harvey.
“I get a huge kick out of how excited their fans are to be in the same room with those wonderful women,” Jamie says. “And of course it will always be hard to top the time we did the drive-through signing with Vivian Howard at Outer Banks Distillery (our rummy friends are always fun to play with).”
To stay connected with author events or to shop for books by local, regional and national authors, be sure to follow Downtown Books and Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books.
If you’re not local but still want to support an Outer Banks independent bookstore, Downtown Books is affiliated with bookshop.org, a distributor that now offers a way to support independent bookstores and read e-books.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
