San Diego Entrepreneur Expanded Book Club Access

Susan McBeth founded a company in 2011 that connects authors with thousands of readers across the globe.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Food and Drink

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Susan McBeth's San Diego-based firm, Adventures by the Book, has connected over 100 authors with 1,200 book clubs since its founding in 2011. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you attend an immersive literary event to meet an author rather than a traditional reading?

Since 2011, San Diego-based Adventures by the Book has matched over 100 writers with more than 1,200 book clubs. The firm facilitates virtual and in-person connections to enhance reader engagement.

Why it matters

The service addresses the need for improved author discoverability and provides a social, multisensorial alternative to the traditional solitary reading experience.

Adventures by the Book has matched over 100 writers with more than 1,200 book clubs across 11 countries. Authors pay an annual fee between $300 and $700 for these services, with most event tickets priced at $75 or less.

The players

Susan McBeth

She is the founder of the San Diego-based literary event coordination firm Adventures by the Book.

Debby Stone

She serves as a volunteer organizer who will be hosting book club events next month.

The details

Adventures by the Book coordinates literary events and appearances, often utilizing Zoom to bridge the gap between authors and reading groups. Publishers and writers engage the firm to handle scheduling and marketing for these interactive sessions.

Timeline

  1. Susan McBeth founded her San Diego-based business in 2011.

  2. A breast cancer awareness book event is scheduled to occur in November.

  3. Volunteer Debby Stone will host two separate book club meetings next month.

Industry Dynamics

This business model reflects the broader shift in the publishing industry toward virtual author-reader engagement platforms. By moving beyond traditional signings, such companies compete in a global market by replacing solitary reading with interactive social experiences.

Readers can participate in intimate book club discussions with authors for ticket prices typically capped at $75. These events allow fans to interact directly with writers, often from the convenience of their own homes via digital platforms.

The takeaway

Readers looking to deepen their connection to literature can utilize organized platforms to turn solitary reading into a social activity. These services provide an accessible way for casual readers to engage directly with authors through structured, interactive events.

Further reading

For more on local community events, explore the Food and Drink section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.

Live Poll

Would you attend an immersive literary event to meet an author rather than a traditional reading?