A luminous and comforting vision of the afterlife as told by Denise, Heaven's Receptionist.About this Event
Third Place Books welcomes beloved content creator Taryn Delanie Smith to our Lake Forest Park store for a conversation about her new book, . Combining humor and sparkle with Taryn's own grounding in philosophy and religion, Welcome to the Afterlife is both playful and profound—a comforting meditation on grief, grace, and the invisible threads that bind us to one another. Taryn's longtime manager Shoshannah Cutler joins in conversation.
What you need to know:
- All tickets come with a copy of Welcome to the Afterlife.
- This event will include time for a book signing.
- Tickets must be purchased through Eventbrite. Pre-ordering the featured book will not grant you access to the event.
- If you are unable to attend the event, your book will be placed on hold at our Lake Forest Park store. You may request to have your book transferred to our Ravenna or Seward Park neighborhood stores.
Copies of Welcome to the Afterlife will be available for purchase at the store.
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About Welcome to the Afterlife. . .
From beloved content creator Taryn Delanie Smith, comes a luminous and comforting vision of the afterlife—told through her beloved character, Denise, Heaven’s sharp-witted and big-hearted receptionist.
For millions of followers, Denise has become a guide to the great beyond: welcoming new arrivals at Heaven’s front desk, answering their most pressing questions, and offering reassurance with humor, grace, and a knowing wink. What is there to do in Heaven? Can our loved ones still sense us? What about our pets? Do we get to choose our eternal outfit? Denise has heard it all—and she’s ready with answers that are as thoughtful as they are disarming.
In Welcome to the Afterlife, Smith expands the world that has captivated those who know her from social media, inviting readers on a richly imagined tour of the “Upstairs.” From horseback riding and bingo nights to flying lessons and long-awaited reunions, Heaven is revealed as a place of joy, restoration, and deep connection. But Denise doesn’t shy away from the harder questions: What happens to unfinished business? How are babies cared for? How do we forgive ourselves—and each other—once we’ve crossed over?
Along the way, we meet unforgettable souls, and with each encounter, Denise gently reminds us that love endures, and that those we’ve lost are never truly far away.
Warm, funny, and unexpectedly wise, Welcome to the Afterlife offers solace to anyone who has loved and lost—and a hopeful reminder that what awaits us may be far less frightening, and far more beautiful, than we imagine.
Taryn Delanie Smith is a writer, performer, and creator who started her career as a receptionist in New York City, a job she worked while earning her master's degree in communication and intercultural studies that later inspired her creation of Denise, Heaven's Receptionist. Smith's charcater has since amassed over tens of millions of views across social media, becoming an unlikely home where those experiencing grief can find humor and human connection. A Seattle native, she lives in Hudson Valley, New York, with her husband and their Great Dane, Bruce. Welcome to the Afterlife is her debut book.
Shoshannah Cutler is the founder and CEO of Shoshalmedia, a creator and media consulting company specializing in management with mentorship. Through her work across many facets of the media and entertainment industry, she has developed a unique approach to management, a rapidly growing industry sector. She works with creators and public figures like Taryn to guide them in their careers, leading with superb client service and relationships. Prior to launching her company in 2021, Shoshannah was head of partnerships at Overheard New York / LA and Betches Media. She also managed brand collaborations at Complex Media and NBCUniversal. As Taryn’s long-time manager, she is excited to bring a unique perspective to this event.
About Third Place Books
Founded in 1998 in Lake Forest Park, Washington, Third Place Books is dedicated to the creation of a community around books and the ideas inside them. With locations in Lake Forest Park and Seattle's Ravenna and Seward Park neighborhoods, Third Place Books is proud to serve the entire Seattle metro area. Learn more about their event series at thirdplacebooks.com/events.
Event venue
Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way Northeast, Lake Forest Park, United States
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