An Evening with Kathleen Rooney: Man Overboard!
An Evening with Kathleen Rooney: Man Overboard!
Wednesday, July 8 | 6:00 PM | Liminal, 915 Elmwood Ave, Evanston, IL 60202
Drift into the deep waters of memory, survival, family, and dark comedy with nationally bestselling author Kathleen Rooney as she joins us for an unforgettable summer evening at the Chicago Literary Salon.
In her sharply funny and deeply human new novel, Man Overboard!, Rooney introduces Patrick “Kick” Kilpatrick—a former college swimmer who finds himself stranded in the open ocean after falling (or jumping?) off a Thanksgiving cruise ship somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico. As he fights to stay afloat hour by hour, memories begin to surface: a volatile father, a distant mother, simmering family tensions, and the accumulated heartbreaks and absurdities that brought him to this impossible moment.
By turns hilarious, tender, surreal, and profound, Man Overboard! explores what keeps us alive when life feels unbearable—and the strange mix of fear, humor, regret, and hope that shapes the human experience. As Kick drifts through shark-filled waters and conversations with his own past, Rooney crafts a story about survival in every sense of the word: emotional, physical, familial, and existential.
Your evening includes:
A signed hardcover copy of Man Overboard! from Three Avenues Bookshop
An immersive evening at Liminal featuring:
A welcome cocktail and thoughtfully curated menu inspired by the novel
A lively conversation with Kathleen Rooney exploring themes of dysfunctional families, mother-son relationships, fear of the ocean, mental health, comedy as survival, and the fragile, stubborn instinct to keep going
Intentionally crafted conversation prompts to spark reflection and connection—no prior reading required
Whether you’re drawn to emotionally layered literary fiction, stories about complicated families, or novels that balance humor and heartbreak with remarkable precision, join us for an evening that dives beneath the surface—into the fears, memories, and relationships that shape who we become.
A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to Rose Metal Press, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit independent publisher dedicated to literary hybrid genres.
Seating is extremely limited. Reserve your place today.
Event Terms & Acknowledgment
By confirming your reservation, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Tickets to the Chicago Literary Salons are non-refundable. However, reservations may be transferred to another guest.
To request a name change, please contact us at ashley.hasty@gmail.com within the designated window. We regret that we are unable to accommodate any changes within 48 hours of the event.
In the unlikely event the author has to cancel, the event will still take place and signed bookplate will be provided.
Food & Beverage Accommodations
This event features a thoughtfully curated menu in partnership with a partner restaurant or caterer. Dishes may be served individually plated, family-style, or as a self-serve buffet.
By attending, guests acknowledge that the hosts are not responsible for any allergic reactions, dietary restrictions, or adverse effects related to food or beverage consumption during the event.
If you have food allergies or dietary needs, please indicate them during registration and contact the venue directly in advance. Final accommodations are at the discretion of the venue and cannot be guaranteed without sufficient notice.
Media & Photography Consent
This event may be professionally photographed or filmed for promotional purposes, including use on social media, websites, and marketing materials associated with the host and venue.
By attending, you consent to the use of your image or likeness in these materials.
Please review these policies carefully before completing your purchase.
About Kathleen Rooney:
Kathleen Rooney is a founding editor of Rose Metal Press, a publisher of literary work in hybrid genres, and a founding member of Poems While You Wait, a team of poets and their typewriters who compose commissioned poetry on demand. She is the author, most recently, of the novels Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk and Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey. Her latest poetry collection Where Are the Snows, winner of the XJ Kennedy Prize, was released in Fall of 2022 by Texas Review Press and her latest novel, From Dust to Stardust, came out in September 2023. Her debut picture book Leaf Town Forever, co-written with her sister, Beth Rooney, was released by University of Minnesota Press in the fall of 2025. Her fifth novel, Man Overboard!, is forthcoming with Gallery, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, in July of 2026. She lives in Chicago with her spouse, the writer Martin Seay, and teaches at DePaul.
