Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Wilding
Hi Natalie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I never expected to become an event planner, let alone an entrepreneur. While I had always had an interest in events, I originally went to school to pursue Dental Hygiene, but upon graduating with my Bachelor’s, discovered I had no passion for it. It became profoundly important to me to find a career that I was passionate about, and yet I had no sense of what that might be.
A couple of years before starting Book Bound, a good friend of mine moved to the east coast. To keep in touch, we started a book club and began reading the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series by Sarah J. Maas, which was gaining a lot of traction on BookTok at the time. Although I had always loved reading as a child, I had found myself in a deep book rut as an adult. Starting this book club not only reignited my love for literature but also allowed my friend and me to stay connected despite the distance, as we were engulfed by the series and discussing it.
As readers, we all dream of living inside the worlds of our favorite books. The idea of stepping into these fictional worlds and sharing the magic of reading with others was something I couldn’t let go of, and thus Book Bound was born. I wanted to bring the magic and connection my friend and I experienced while reading to a wider audience. My ultimate goal was to create immersive experiences where attendees could not only live out the stories they love but also offer them a place to connect with others who share their interests and passions.
To my absolute joy, I found that many others were just as enthusiastic about these events. When I began posting about Book Bound, my videos quickly gained traction, and the outpouring of love and excitement from readers around the world was overwhelming. This fueled my passion to work even harder and make my events the best they could be. I felt it was important to create a space for attendees to get to know one another before the balls, enhancing their experience and fostering connections. To achieve this, I launched a virtual book club.
This book club was designed not only to serve as a space for those attending my events to make bookish friends and connect with fellow readers but also as a haven for anyone lacking a community that shared their interests. Our members not only enjoy the benefits of our online hub, featuring book of the month voting and discussion, popular book discussion rooms, book basket exchanges, writer’s room, DnD group, and more, but also have the opportunity to meet up once a month to discuss our book of the month and forge new friendships with book lovers in their city. Since Book Bound’s inception, we have planned 5 balls of various themes, have grown our virtual book club to over 500 members, and opened 25 in-person book club chapters in different cities across the US.
Book Bound has become a testament to the power of literature and community. It has shown me that when you follow your passions and share them with others, you can create something truly magical. As we continue to grow and evolve, I am excited to see how Book Bound will bring even more readers together, creating unforgettable experiences and lasting connections.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While I consider myself fortunate that much of Book Bound’s journey has gone smoothly, there have certainly been challenges and setbacks that have pushed me to grow as a businesswoman and entrepreneur. I started Book Bound on my own with no business experience, and all of my savings. With no guarantee of success, I took a leap of faith, believing that readers were just as eager for a community and unique fantasy experiences as I was.
My lack of experience as a first-time entrepreneur was challenging, and I had to rely on my creativity and determination to navigate the unknowns of launching and running a successful business. Instead of giving up when faced with problems, I focused on finding solutions. I’ve learned that success is less about achieving perfection and more about persevering through setbacks, viewing mistakes as opportunities for growth, and committing to continuous improvement. There is always room for growth, and I am dedicated to making the Book Bound community the best it can be for all our attendees and book club members.
We’ve been impressed with Book Bound, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Book Bound is a visionary events company based in the United States, renowned for crafting extraordinary immersive fantasy experiences that bring the magic of reading to life. We provide guests with the rare opportunity to step into the tales that have long captured their imaginations, transforming beloved stories into vibrant, interactive realities.
What started as a dream of a passionate book lover has evolved into a captivating venture, fueled by the remarkable support of our followers, attendees, and book club members. Our events are meticulously crafted to appeal to both seasoned book enthusiasts and newcomers eager to experience a grand Ball.
Beyond our immersive events, we proudly manage a national book club with over 500 members and are vastly growing. Our book club community features many dynamic benefits including monthly virtual discussions, voting rounds for the Book of the Month, optional book basket exchanges, exclusive membership discounts on our Book Bound Balls, access to the Book Bound Court Sorting Quiz and their corresponding court chats and lore, DnD Group, Writer’s Room, and more.
Members also enjoy full access to any of our in-person book club chapters, where they can participate in local gatherings, discussions, and hangouts. Since launching our book club chapters in June 2024, we have expanded to 25 cities across the U.S. Our in-person book clubs offer two distinct chapter types. Beta Chapters host complimentary monthly gatherings with lively discussions, while Alpha Chapters feature themed events for an additional fee, including refreshments, themed activities, and unique book-inspired adventures.
What sets us apart is our dedication to delivering exceptional value at our events and within our book club community. In addition to our grand ball, each event offers group dancing and lessons, an in-depth travel guide for each event city, an immersive scavenger hunt to explore the locale, themed goodies, and free access to the Book Bound Book Club leading up to the event. Our events also feature special performances, interactive activities, contests, and prizes, ensuring a memorable experience for every attendee.
Additionally, we are committed to giving back to the community by partnering with local and national charities. We’ve raised awareness and funds for Room to Read, which supports literacy development for children in low-income communities, and Lighthouse Charities, a nonprofit that aids refugees and immigrants by providing essential tools for their integration into a new society through job and educational programs.
Our goal has always been to blend the magic of reading with immersive real-life experiences. We are so proud to have a part in making literary dreams come true and fostering a global community where book lovers can forge lasting connections.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’d love to share how deeply grateful we are for the support and enthusiasm from our community. At Book Bound, we believe that reading is more than just a pastime; it’s a gateway to extraordinary experiences and lasting friendships. Our mission is to merge the enchantment of literature with immersive, real-world adventures, creating unforgettable moments for book lovers everywhere.
Whether you’re joining us for an immersive event or participating in our vibrant book club, our goal is to offer an experience that goes beyond expectations. We’re dedicated to constantly evolving and improving, driven by the feedback and excitement of our members.
If you’re passionate about books and eager to step into the worlds you’ve always dreamed of, please join us at one of our upcoming events! We have a three day Jane Austen Literary Convention coming May 23-25, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah featuring a Pride and Prejudice watch party, Morning Promenade, a scavenger hunt for Lady Book Bound, Author/Vendor Bookish Fair, Grand Ball, new regency identities, and more! We are also proud to announce our Haunted Hearts Ball this October in Denver, Colorado. This ball features a dark romantasy theme, where guests will solve the mystery of the manor, participate in group dances and bookish trivia, come as a member of their distinguished Court, determined by our Court Quiz, and other exciting events we have planned.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
Pricing:
- Book Club: $10/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bookboundevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookboundevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookboundevents
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookboundevents
