What is the Afterword “Books & Booze” membership?
Our quarterly membership service is a splendid way to become acquainted with authors, wines and spirits you may not otherwise discover, all the while supporting your local Kansas City bar & bookshop.
Oh, and it’s not just books we offer...pair your membership with two hand-selected bottles of wine or a unique bottle of liquor so your book isn’t lonely!
For details on costs and membership options, navigate to our online shop.
Are you the type of voracious reader for whom a paltry book per quarter just won’t cut it? Drop an email to christian@afterwordkc.com and we can work out a custom schedule to support your biblio ambitions.
What type of book should i expect?
First, you have a choice to make, dear future member. “Books and Booze” has several membership options:
“Assorted Fiction” encompasses the compendium of fiction! Selections will be varied, and may include subgenres such as Indie, Contemporary, Literary and Historical.
"Genre be Damned!" There are no hard boundaries here. Selections may begin with a Spanish translation one month, then jump to a local Kansas City author before transitioning to an approachable exploration of octopuses.
“Mysterious Mysteries & Thrillers” will pull from the vast world of, yes, mysteries and thrillers, as well as delving into occasional supernatural / horror picks.
You must choose, but choose wisely; your quarterly book will reflect the selected genre and will be hardcover, unless not offered by the publisher.
But how do we choose the books, you ask? The staff at Afterword picks several intriguing titles, books that have seized our attention and are shouting for a space on our shelves. These books are then pitched to our formidable panel of literary arbiters, who review and then cast a vote for their pick. Voila, the victorious book becomes our book selection.
We’ll post full bios of our literary arbiters in the coming days, but we’re fortunate to have six individuals here in Kansas City - published authors, news contributors, book club moderators and leaders - participating as our judges.
What type of Wines shouLd I expect?
Each quarter, our staff will hand select two seasonal wines. Our focus will be on fun, unique, small production wines with a good story; and hopefully something new for you to try!
Expect a selection of unique varietals like País, Torrontes, Carignan, etc., as well as some exceptional examples of crowd favorites like Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and more from both Old and New World producers.
All wines will be accompanied with an “About Me” sheet that will include tasting notes, information on the producer, fun facts, and pairing suggestions.
What type of spirits should I expect?
As with our wines, our quarterly bottle will be hand selected by staff with a focus on fun and unique small producers with exemplary products. We’ll be sticking to base spirits - think whiskey, gin, etc. - and the occasional cordial to ensure you can use your bottle in a plethora of ways.
Each spirit will be accompanied with an “About Me” sheet that will include tasting notes, information on the producer, fun facts, and cocktail suggestions.
*If you subscribe to the spirit option and are gluten free, please let us know! We’d be happy to ensure we have a gluten free product for you.
How do I get my book, wine and spirits?
Books, wine and spirits will be ready for pick-up at Afterword Tavern & Shelves on the below dates. A reminder will be sent about 2 weeks in advance via the phone number and/or email address provided when signing up.
Quarterly pick-up dates:
January 22, 2022
April 23, 2022
July 23, 2022
October 122, 2022
January 21, 2023
Can you send my books and booze in the mail?
Not at this time. Apologies!
Nooooooo, I already have this book....can I return it?
If one of our selections is a title you already have sitting at home, you can swap it out for another book of equal or lesser value during your pick-up.
Once the book departs Afterword, however, no exchanges are permitted.
I didn’t like the book that was selected - may I return it?
We will not be able to accept returns.
When signing up for Afterword’s “Books and Booze” membership, you are joining a program of curation. That’s part of the allure, isn’t it? The variety of titles, authors, subjects, characters and styles. We see this as part of the beauty of our book membership program and fervently hope that you love each book.
What happens if I forget to retrieve my monthly membership?
Remember, we will send you a reminder each quarter! But if you still forget, we will hold all books, wine and spirits for one month.
If you do not pick up the book within that time frame, we will charge your credit card a flat rate of $5 and ship the book to the address provided at time of membership.
We are unable to ship alcohol - forgotten wine and spirits will be forfeited.
Ok, but what if I’m away from home on an epic vacation or get stuck somewhere else for a really long time?
Just give us a call or send us an email. We’ll figure it out.
What are the other perks of the “Books & Booze” Membership?
Free menu sneak peeks and samples on pick-up weekends! 20% off all book purchases when you pop in to pick up your quarterly membership!
Wait, I still have questions!
Send an email to christian@afterwordkc.com.