About Us

Our Mission

Adventures by the Book® offers worldwide opportunities for readers and book clubs to connect with authors and their books on an intimate basis through unique, interesting, and adventurous travels and events.

Our Story

Adventures by the Book® was created in 2011 by Founder and CEO Susan McBeth, the name behind some of the biggest literary events and travels around the world. Susan couldn’t escape the feeling that traditional book signings were missing meaningful opportunities for authors and readers to connect more intimately through the superpower of books.

Susan launched Adventures by the Book® to connect authors and their books with the local reading community through custom designed, interactive, and what she likes to call “multi-sensorial” literary events. Adventures by the Book® has since created literary magic in eight U.S. states and five continents around the world for passionate readers, published authors, aspiring writers, and others who enjoy engaging cultural events and the written word. The fact is: when readers and their favorite authors share an Adventure, magic happens!

With the incorporation of Novel Network® in 2018, Susan has designed a global space dedicated to connecting authors with book clubs as well. By merging these two literary forces, she and her team are excited to connect people and communities around the world, one book at a time!

Meet The Team

Susan McBeth

Founder & CEO

Adventures by the Book® founder Susan McBeth has specialized in event planning for over 30 years. Before launching Adventures by the Book® in 2011 and NovelNetwork® in 2017, she was the Director of Marketing and Events for one of the oldest independent bookstores in the United States.

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Through her career, she has had extensive experience working alongside publishers, publicists, agents, authors, and readers. Her experience and creativity led her to develop a dynamic brand of “multi-sensorial” literary events designed to connect people and communities through the magic of books.

Susan has contributed to Midge Raymond’s Everyday Book Marketing and has been contributing editor to international online magazine Wine Dine & Travel, with her column “Travel by the Book.” She has been featured on NBC San Diego, KPBS, The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Magazine, Women’s Radio, IDBA’s Independent Magazine, and many more.

She is a former facilitator for the Osher Institute of Higher Learning at San Diego State University; she sits on the advisory committee for KPBS’s One Book, One San Diego; and she is a member of the esteemed Writing Women of San Diego. Susan holds a Masters in Comparative Literature from San Diego State University; her thesis was titled “The Historicity of Fiction in Holocaust Literature.”

Susan has two adult children who are the light of her life, and she enjoys reading (of course), traveling, gardening, the outdoors, spending time with friends, listening to live music, and lemon drop martinis.

Fabiola Inzunza

Literary Accounts Manager

Fabiola Inzunza’s addiction to books began as a small child by fervently reading Highlights magazine and by buying books from the Scholastic book club flyers. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Fabiola loves to read in both languages; focusing on memoirs, historical fiction, and fiction in general. She has recently started a book review page on Instagram as a new hobby, so please follow her for simple and quick book reviews: @thebooktattoo.

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Native to the San Diego/Tijuana region, Fabiola has lived on both sides of the border and has self-appointed herself as an honorary ambassador to Tijuana and to Valle de Guadalupe (Mexico’s wine region).

Fabiola is an English/Spanish translator and has an MBA from IPADE Business School in Mexico City and a B.A. in International Business from San Diego State University. She has held different positions across different industries: finance, manufacturing, insurance, and most recently, packaging compliance. During her free time, Fabiola enjoys reading (of course!), hiking, and traveling with her husband, Omar, and has recently acquired a new love for horticulture. Her next challenge is walking the Camino de Santiago sometime soon!

Amber Reinhart

Communications Coordinator

The written word is Amber’s passion, plain and simple. She has over five years of experience in editing, publishing, researching, and writing. Her position as Publisher & Editor for the Undergraduate Research Journal of SDSU helped her acquire strong research and writing skills.

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More recently, she was a Paralegal and an Investigative Assistant, where she drafted legal documents, performed research and managed the marketing content for their press. In tandem, she was also a writer for Society 19 magazine, where she wrote, edited and optimized over 50 articles.

Currently, Amber is a Communications Coordinator for Adventures by the Book® .

Amber is published in the academic journal SPLICE, the Mail Tribune, the San Diego Poetry Annual and Society19 magazine, among others. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and English. Her background in public media, journalism, publishing, civil litigation and grassroots advocacy strongly prepares her for a career in communications.

In her free time, Amber enjoys hiking with her Chihuahua and reading Stephen King novels.

Sara Canelon

Administrative Assistant

Sara Canelon’s love for writing and books began at a very young age. Originally from Venezuela, she used books as a learning tool and a lifeline through her experience as an immigrant to the United States. As she grew older, her passion for rhetoric and literature grew.
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She explored these interests through her job as an English tutor for community college students, which merged both her love of writing and her passion for helping others. After an internship with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency in the summer of 2021, she solidified her desire to work within the publishing industry.

Her passion for books also inspired her to create a literary blog in 2016. It featured book reviews, discussions on publishing news and trends as well as personal stories on her relationship with her favorite novels and authors. Today, Sara continues to share her dedication through social media. Her background in publishing, public media, interpersonal communication and customer service has prepared her for her role as Administrative Assistant at Adventures by the Book®.

Sara holds an Associate’s Degree in English from Grossmont College as well as a Bachelor’s Degree also in English as well as a Creative Editing and Publishing Certificate from San Diego State University. She maintains connection to her roots by listening to Latin music, eating cachapas and arepas and constantly texting on WhatsApp group chats. During her free time, Sara enjoys reading (obviously), singing, dancing and re-watching old favorite television shows over and over.

Meet Our Ambassadors

Simon Chibuk

Edmonton,
Alberta Canada

My name is Simon Chibuk. I reside in Edmonton, Alberta Canada (Western Canada). I’m quite the avid reader. My go to genre is historical fiction, but do branch out if something catches my interest.

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Of course, reading is not my one and only interest. I love watching movies, sports, and hanging out with family and friends.

During the COVID pandemic, I joined the Third Thursday of the Month historical fiction virtual book club. We have had great discussions and even had the experience of having authors attend, including some from NovelNetwork! I have been part of this book club since December 2020. We have a large, growing membership list as people hear more about our group, and we are open to accept new members.

Having used NovelNetwork’s service since being introduced to it by a book club member in spring 2022, and developing a virtual connection with Debbie Harpham, I also saw the ultimate goal of bringing readers and authors together to discuss literature and in some cases, an outlet to reality even if just for an hour

Simon’s book club, Third Thursday of the Month:

Third Thursday of the Month Book Club formed on Facebook in December 2020 as an outlet for historical fiction lovers to come together amidst the pandemic. The club currently has over 900 members from across the U.S. and Canada. Each month, 20-50 members log-in to our Zoom discussion of a historical fiction which has been suggested and voted upon by members. We enjoy author visits to enrich our discussions and introduce our members to the craft of researching and writing about a wide spectrum of historical events, people, and time periods.

Janis Robinson Daly

Barnstable,
Massachusetts

Janis Robinson Daly Book Lover—Researching Them, Writing Them, Reading Them. 

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Inspired by genealogy research where I learned an ancestor helped found the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1850, I discovered the stories of early graduates of the school. 

Realizing those women’s stories have lingered in the shadows, I wanted to bring them forward by writing The Unlocked Path, my debut historical fiction. Published in August 2022 from Black Rose Writing, book clubs have embraced the story, celebrated the characters, and discussed many topics around women’s health and women’s rights to advance choices in their lives.

I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Wheaton College, at the time, an all-women’s college. At Wheaton, I developed a fond appreciation of the supportive relationships established between students, faculty, and alumnae and a heightened awareness of female-centric issues. Both directed my writing of The Unlocked Path. Splitting my time between Cape Cod, New Hampshire and Florida gives me great flexibility to schedule in-person and Zoom meetings with book clubs near and far from my current address at any given time.

Marilyn Dashe

San Diego,
California

Marilyn Dashe is a passionate reader, editor, and connoisseur of all things literary. She has a B. S. from the University of Michigan, and an English and writing degree from the University of Minnesota. 

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A book club member for over 40 years, she loves reading, critiquing and discussing books, and leading book club discussions.

She is also a Mentor/Coach for lowincome students applying for college with Ocean Discovery Institute, a nonprofit organization in San Diego.

Marilyn is a business entrepreneur, having owned a technical writing and training business in Minneapolis for 25 years, and having been the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX At The Coast, a real estate brokerage in Leucadia. She is currently a Broker Associate with Compass in San Diego. She’s an avid hiker and walker, and spends lots of time with her three grandchildren who live in Carlsbad.

She is very excited to participate as an Ambassador for Adventures by the Book and looks forward to meeting authors, reviewing books, and meeting other passionate readers

Jennifer Erickson

Chicago,
Illinois

My name is Jennifer Erickson, and I have a confession…I am a bibliophile obsessed with books! You, too?!! I can already tell that we’re going to be kind“read” spirits! 

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I am a member of one inperson book club and several online book clubs. I am not a published author…yet! I am currently working on my dissertation inyou guessed itliteracy! I am a regular at my local library here in the suburbs of Chicago, and I am thrilled to be an Adventures by the Book Ambassador!!! My new favorite ABTB memory is PitchFest: a“Choose Your 2024 Reads” Virtual Zoom Adventure with 21 fanfavorite authors! I love engaging with fellow book lovers from different places around the country united by our passion for the page! I want my love for literacy to be contagious, and look forward to connecting with YOU, fellow readaholics! My preferred/favorite genre is historical or contemporary fiction and my favorite authors include Nita Prose, Susan Meissner, Kate Quinn, Cara Black, Heather Webb, KateThompson, Renee Ryan (but I love meeting new authors as well!). Reading electronically gives me migraines, but I devour physical books like dessert (aka voraciously!).

Giovanna Iannace

Harrison, New York

Giovanna is the Adult Programming and Outreach Librarian II at the Harrison Public Library in Westchester County, NY.

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Before becoming a librarian, she was the Senior Manager of the Antonio Ratti Textile Center at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and conducted research projects and led group discussions at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, NY.

A proclaimed bibliophile, Giovanna served as Secretary, Vice President, and President of the Westchester Library Association from 2017 to 2021 and completed her M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Art History at CUNY’s Graduate Center and her MLIS at St. John’s University in Queens. Giovanna coordinates programs for adults and teens at the library and facilitates three book club discussions for the Global Reads Book Club, ESL Book Club, and Tuckahoe Public Library Book Club. In her spare time, Giovanna moderates the Outlander Book Club on Tapatalk, where all genres and authors are discussed on a worldwide forum.

Dorothy Minor

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

I am a retired English professor. In retirement, I lead three book clubs, two in person and one on Zoom. As an avid reader, I write book reviews on my blog as the Book Whisperer.

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Several years ago, I became involved with the Turkish community in Broken Arrow and Tulsa, OK. We have a group that meets to share cultures and food and discuss the idiosyncrasies of the English language. Our Zoom book club includes American and Turkish friends in Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, OK, and Houston and Austin, TX.

In 2016, I served four years as president of  the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries where I have served as chair of the Adult Creative Writing committee, recording secretary. I am now president emeritus and remain on the Board. I am also the co-editor of The Senior Connection, the newsletter for the Tulsa Community College Retirees.

Debby Stone

San Diego, California

After 33+ years of enriching young minds in Carlsbad, CA, this retired educator remains dedicated to the love of learning. 

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With a BA in Liberal Studies from UC Santa Barbara and a teaching credential from San Diego State University, Debby developed innovative projects and programs to make reading come alive for students in grades 3-6. Her passion for literature and history shaped engaging lesson plans that brought subjects to life.

Now, she continues inspiring the next generation of students by teaching Hebrew, tutoring B’nei Mitzvah students in writing and delivering their D’var Torah speeches, and lending a hand in preschool classrooms. Her lifelong commitment to education makes every day an adventure in learning.

As an avid reader of historical fiction, mystery/thrillers, suspended realism/fantasy, and contemporary social issues, Debby brings a wide range of literary knowledge to the table. She has been actively involved in the book loving community for the past 25 years through multiple book clubs and attending author events both in-person and virtually.

In keeping with her energetic and enthusiastic spirit, Debby is dedicated to elevating new voices in fiction while connecting fellow book lovers in meaningful ways as an Ambassador for Adventures by the Book.

Testimonials

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There’s nothing else quite like Adventures by the Book® , with its unique literary travels & events immersing readers in the total experience of a book. But don’t take our word for it. Scroll down and check out some of our favorite testimonials from authors, publishers, businesses, book clubs, and of course, our dear Adventurers!

Adventures by the Book® in the News!

Radio Interview

Maureen Cavanaugh with Author Marivi Soliven & Susan McBeth.

Play Nice But Win

A CEO’s Journey from Founder to Leader with Michael Dell, Mark Cuban and Susan McBeth.

Podcast: Wider Worldview

Adventures by the Book & Experiential Travel with Susan McBeth.

Between the Lines

Eating My Words (with a gourmet lunch) – Alice Lowe, author Jill McCorkle, and Adventures by the Book® owner Susan McBeth.

SDSU Alumni

Susan McBeth: a guide to reaching dreams.

ShoutOut LA

Meet Susan McBeth of Adventures by the Book® in Orange County.

Anchorage author exchange

Susan McBeth is part of a group of authors who will visit Anchorage through an author exchange program sponsored by Adventures by the Book®.

SDSU Alumni Community Highlights

Susan McBeth: a guide to reaching dreams.

Meet Susan McBeth

Meet Susan McBeth of Adventures by the Book® in Orange County.

A Novel Idea

It’s true that books can take you anywhere— just ask Susan McBeth, a bookstore marketing director turned literary tour guide.

Travel by the Book

Take a love of reading and books; a craving for adventure; and the chance to get together with friends; and what do you have? The key ingredients of two-time SDSU alum Susan McBeth’s company, Adventures By the Book®.

Independent Book Publishers Association

Meet Susan McBeth of Adventures by the Book®.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Adventures by the Book® and NovelNetwork® merge?

The exciting answer is YES! Merging two literary forces allows us to streamline, simplify and expand our services, and provide more opportunities for readers, book clubs, and authors to connect.

What kind of Adventures do you offer?

  • Travel by the Book
  • Virtual via Fireside and Zoom
  • Live and in-person
  • Corporate
  • Non-profit ( i.e., library, fundraising)
  • Book club author visits
  • Workshops
  • Special events (i.e., SuperBook, Book Bingo, Inside the Author’s Studio)
  • Private or Custom
  • and more!

How can I contact Adventures by the Book®?

Contact us via our General Inquiry Form.

How can I learn about upcoming Adventures?

What services do you offer for authors?

  • Through our Author Membership program, we offer promotional opportunities, book club concierge service, priority event opportunities, engagement with more readers, and much more.
  • Customized Adventures by the Book® experiences (i.e., book tour events, new book launches, and travel).
  • Or, if you have your own idea, let’s brainstorm and create an Adventure together.

Is there a fee to attend events?

Each event is uniquely created. Some events are offered at no cost, while others vary by price depending on the Adventure. Visit our events calendar for details.

Where do I find NovelNetwork®?

Take a look at our Book Club Services to find out more.

With the merge, did my NovelNetwork® membership change?

Authors:
If you are not already logged in, you can log in here with the same email address or username that you used for the old Novel Network website, but you will need to create a new password – use the “Lost Password?” link to reset your password. We will also contact you with more details about your membership.

Book Clubs:
Your book club membership has transferred to the new website. If you are not already logged in, you can log in here with the same email address or username that you used for the old Novel Network website, but you will need to create a new password – use the “Lost Password?” link to reset your password.

How do I schedule an author visit?

Go to the Book an Author Visit page and click on “How to Book“.

Two ways to find an author and book a visit

How do I register my book club?

See our Book Club Membership page for details.

How do I recommend an author for an Adventure by the Book®?

Please complete our General Inquiry Form.

How do I hire an Author through Adventures by the Book®?

Please complete our General Inquiry Form.