An Evening of Conversation with Kayla Branstetter

Please join author and professor Kayla Branstetter as she discuss her most recent book, ‘Don’t Be An Athena.’

This event will include a 30-minute moderated interview with an audience Q+A and signing to follow.

Tickets:

Tickets:

• $12.50 (general admission)
• $16 (general admission w/ paperback copy of Don't Be An Athena)
• $23 (general admission w/ hardcover copy of Don't Be An Athena)

NOTE: Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred, if you are unable to attend.

About Don't Be an Athena:

Athena of Greek myth was a goddess revered for her strength as much as her wit. With stern wisdom, she struck fear into enemy hearts while providing steady counsel to kin and cult alike. But in wielding her power, Athena punished a pious maiden for being raped by Poseidon. That victim mortal's name was Medusa, and Athena made her into a monster. The mistreatment of women, particularly at the hands of other women, is unfortunately not confined to ancient myth—such abuses are present in modern society as well.

Author Kayla Branstetter presents a series of interviews conducted with female individuals across the spectrum of age, race, sexual identity, marital status, health, and profession to shine a light on the systems and individuals that have unjustly punished or harmed them, just as Athena did to Medusa. Manifesting most glaringly as acts—whether intentional or not—of medical misogyny and weaponized social traditionalism, Branstetter brings the personal narratives of these women to story.

This book gives voice to the struggles that so many others now have, or might experience in the future, with a unifying call to action: Don't be an Athena.

About Kayla Branstetter:

Kayla Branstetter is an award-winning writer, English instructor, TEDx speaker, and doctoral researcher whose work explores the intersections of storytelling, health, identity, and resilience. Her writing has appeared in more than forty literary journals worldwide, and she is the author of Don't Be an Athena, a work of creative nonfiction examining women's health, medical bias, and the complicated expectations placed on modern women. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two daughters, where she is usually writing, teaching, traveling to softball tournaments, or searching for the next great story.

About Hummingbird Books:

An independent, local bookstore, Hummingbird Books is a community destination known for its extensive collection of adult and children’s books. The store features a thoughtfully curated mix of local favorites and widely loved titles, making it a magical place for readers of all ages to discover their next great book.

At Hummingbird Books, reading is more than a pastime—it’s a way to connect with new ideas, perspectives, and worlds beyond our own. In addition to its book selection, the store offers a variety of gifts, games, candy, and stationery. Hummingbird Books also hosts a range of in-store programs, including story times, author events, and book signings.