When Twin Cities authors Heidi Shertok and Julia Carpenter debut their new novels at a joint launch on Dec. 2, they hope the celebration will highlight the growing visibility of Jewish voices in literature, coming at a moment when many in the community are seeking stories that affirm identity, resilience and joy.
“We have just been on a writing journey,” Carpenter said. “It’s been such a joy, and we’ve supported each other through all the books and through everything.”
Leslie Fhima from The Golden Bachelor will emcee the event at Semple Mansion and the evening will include readings, behind-the-scenes stories, a Q&A, and a book signing.
Shertok and Carpenter have been on a writing journey together for 13 years. Their friendship and mutual support have been a bedrock through drafting, editing, and dreaming, and now the timing of their releases has beautifully aligned.
More than a decade ago, when Shertok launched her very first book, Carpenter was there to plan and organize. Fatefully, this year, both authors finished their romantic comedic novels around the same time, and naturally, they turned it into a joint celebration.
“We decided to have some fun, build on the positivity and have a joint book launch,” Carpenter said.
Missed You the First Time, described by Carpenter as a heartfelt Jewish rom-com, dives into themes of love and second chances. Carpenter emphasizes that her story centers on Jewish characters navigating not only romance but identity and belonging.
Shertok’s Match Me If You Can, follows a young woman navigating her Orthodox Jewish community’s matchmaking world who discovers that while helping others find love, she might just find it for herself.
What makes Shertok’s story particularly poignant is how she adapted it in response to recent events.
“The book just changed completely because of October 7. I ended up making the hero a Jew of color, an Ethiopian Israeli,” she said, noting that she made this choice intentionally “to combat the false dialogue of Israeli white colonialism.”
Shertok explained that weaving in traditional Jewish customs, rituals, and humor isn’t just about setting, it’s a recipe for comfort, especially during turbulent times.
She says she hopes many readers will lean into the Jewish literary world right now as an act of resilience through storytelling.
Both authors agree that their books share more than just genre; they share purpose.
“Both books have Jewish females and Jewish heroes, too. And of course they’re both rom-coms,” Shertok said.
They see their writing as extending a long tradition of Jewish storytelling: one that affirms identity, builds community, and challenges stereotypes.
“Especially during this time, post-October 7, Jewish authors are sort of being pushed out of this space more and more,” said Shertok, who emphasized why she thinks representation matters now more than ever. “The best way to combat antisemitism is to read books where Jewish people are just like everybody else. It humanizes us.”
Carpenter agreed.
“People will see themselves in the characters, and then hopefully that’s what can eliminate some antisemitism,” she said.
They hope that by showing both the similarities and the unique richness of Jewish experiences, they can foster empathy across differences.
Shertok and Carpenter described their novels as love letters, not just to readers, but to their heritage. They want their stories to contribute to a broader sense of Jewish pride, as well as to affirm that joy, humor, and love are central to Jewish life.
“It’s so important right now to take our narrative back and to turn that darkness into something that’s light, as an act of resilience, that we’re joyful,” Shertok said. “We remember our ties to our indigenous land, and we don’t allow other people to tell us what our story is or what our values are. From babies to bubbies, it’s great to be Jewish, and we have so much to be proud of.”
They hope that their joint launch will feel not only celebratory but also deeply connective.
“We both really share the love of a good sense of humor and just wanting to bring people joy and make them smile and laugh,” said Carpenter.
The Dec. 2 book launch is free and begins at 7 pm.
Reserve your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-love-tickets-1962623649167
