‘A Tale of Two Besties’ brings all the feels to Tempe

Let’s talk about the ongoing, amazing, HelloGiggles book tour. The A Tale of Two Besties tour hit Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, last Tuesday with an event that emphasized what we love most about HelloGiggles: Our community. In addition to talking about her new book, (you know, A Tale of Two Besties) author and HG co-founder Sophia Rossi  welcomed readers and showered us with goodies! Brownies from the super-delicious Wildflower Bread Company, an HG gift bag filled with party favors from The Honest Company and The Little Market, and totally gorg posters by illustrator and HG contributor Maritza Lugo.

Local HG contributor Stephanie Sparer joined Sophia for a chat on supporting new writers and how she first came to write for the site. “I brought a pie over to Molls’ house,” Stephanie said about how she got involved. In other words, she became a contributor over desserts with co-founder Molly McAleer. Stephanie is a freelance writer whose first book is available now: Maybe I Should Drink More, about breakups, dating failures, and trying to become an adult.

Third in the convo trio was HG contributor Brighid Constable, a former middle school teacher and current marketing professional who’s written some AMAZING stories for this here site. “When I was a teacher, I used to print out stories from the site and hand them to my student because I liked the positivity,” Brighid said. “I would say to them, get involved in this!”

Brighid talked about how HelloGiggles helped her recognize the power of sharing her own story.  In April, Brighid published a story on HelloGiggles about how Bruce Jenner’s interview with Diane Sawyer helped her relate to her own father, who came out as transgender at the age of 66 earlier this year.

Brighid said she hopes her story can help trans individuals know they’re not alone, and help their families accept their loved ones with open arms. Her piece is ultimately uplifting, but it’s also really honest—which is part of what makes it so compelling.

“I love anything that has to do with being vulnerable and showing your feelings,” Sophia said, echoing how moved she was by Brighid’s piece. “That’s what I’m most proud of with HelloGiggles.”