Featuring her latest novel How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle
From Cosmopolitan's Cosmo Reads imprint and the author of the smash hit Call It What You Want comes a fresh, charming romcom about the chaos of dating in your twenties, the ache of a brutal breakup, and the hilarious lengths one romance writer will go to get her spark back—including staging her own meet-cutes. Local author Alissa DeRogatis has created the perfect read for fans of Katherine Center and Emily Henry's Beach Read.
Join us for a moderated conversation with the author led by actor, storyteller and artist Tiffany Bryant-Jackson.
How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle will be published by Cosmo Reads on August 4, 2026.
Event Details
Monday, August 24
Doors at 5:30 pm, Program at 6:00 pm
Town Brewing Co.
800 Grandin Rd
Charlotte, NC 28208
Light refreshments will be served.
Copies of Alissa DeRogatis’ books will be available for purchase at the event. Plenty of free parking is available in the parking lots surrounding Town Brewing.
To register, CLICK HERE.
About the Book
If you can't write a good meet-cute, maybe you need to live one first…
Ainsley Green writes happily-ever-afters for a rabid fanbase of hopeless romantics. In real life? Her boyfriend just broke up with her, her editor wanted a new book yesterday and she's starting to wonder if love actually exists beyond the pages of her favorite novels.
So when Lucas, Ainsley's best friend and biggest cheerleader, insists the best cure for writer's block is real-life inspiration, she's ready to try anything. Enter: the meet-cute plan, a mission to take her head out of her heartbreak and force meet-cutes IRL to spark some new ideas. But as failed missions bumping into strangers at the airport and spilling coffee on men at the cafe result in nothing but embarrassment and stained clothing, Ainsley begins to wonder if maybe the romance she's been chasing already has a leading man.
Because the truth about falling in love? It never goes according to plan.
Equal parts heartbreak, humor, and hope, How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle is a fresh, flirty send up of dating in the modern age and a reminder that love finds us when we stop performing and start living.
About the Author
Alissa DeRogatis is an author and digital creator based in Charlotte, North Carolina, though she’ll always say she’s from the Jersey Shore. Before she ever wrote a novel, she was a kid who read everything she could get her hands on—then started writing songs the minute her dad taught her guitar chords. From music to journal entries to personal essays, the medium changed, but the impulse stayed the same: tell the truth, even when it’s messy.
She graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Communications and Journalism. Before her writing career took off, Alissa worked as a social media manager for some of the internet’s most beloved food brands, including Goldfish, Milano Cookies, Cape Cod Chips, Pop Secret, and Bojangles.
Her debut novel, Call It What You Want, was originally self-published in June 2023 before going viral on TikTok and earning a traditional re-release in June 2024. The book hit #1 in New Adult and College Fiction and reached #38 in all books on Amazon. Her sophomore novel, How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle, will be published by Cosmo Reads on August 4, 2026.
Across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and her Substack newsletter Probably Oversharing, Alissa has grown a community of more than 50,000 readers and writers. She is also the founder of Hot Girls Who Write, a writing collective offering monthly workshops, write-ins, and author conversations for emerging creatives. Her content blends writing, dating, and pop-culture commentary with the kind of honesty women often only admit after a few glasses of wine. She is known for her raw, contemporary voice, weaving themes of girlhood, messy relationships, and self-discovery with equal parts humor and heartbreak.
Outside of writing, you can find her reading, rewatching her favorite rom-coms, Listening to sad songs, or spending time with her two dogs, Asher and Oliver.
About the Moderator
Tiffany Bryant-Jackson
Tiffany is an actor, storyteller, teaching artist, and arts advocate with a deep passion for community engagement. As a Charlotte transplant, she has dedicated herself to creating inclusive spaces for meaningful conversations through the arts. Her journey in theatre and education led her to witness firsthand the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of accessibility in the arts. As a book club facilitator, Tiffany brings her love of literature, dynamic storytelling, and commitment to fostering thought-provoking discussions that connect readers to new perspectives and each other.
About the Venue
Town Brewing Company
Town Brewing Company started the way many great ideas do—with a few friends, a few beers, and a bold dream. On a typical Saturday brew day in 2010, four homebrewers gathered in a garage, crafting their latest batch. As the sweet aroma of malted barley filled the air, someone threw out a thought: “We should start a brewery.” A chorus of “Hell yeah” followed, glasses clinked, and a vision was born—one that was taking root in garages across the country at the time.
Fast forward to Fall of 2018, and that dream finally took shape—once again, in a garage. This time, it wasn’t just any garage, but an old automotive shop in Charlotte’s Wesley Heights neighborhood. After countless hours of renovations and planning, Town Brewing Company opened its doors, becoming the first brewery in Wesley Heights.
Since then, Charlotte’s craft beer scene has exploded, and Town has been lucky enough to grow right alongside it. From South End to Uptown, NoDa to Plaza Midwood, and beyond, we’ve made friends, welcomed customers, and become part of a thriving community.
Our little neighborhood has evolved, too. Wesley Heights is now part of the larger Freemore West district, and the entire West Side is booming. Town Brewing has expanded, with statewide distribution across North Carolina and even reaching into South Carolina. It’s incredible to think that what started in a garage has grown into something so much bigger.
We’d love for you to stop by, grab a pint, or find Town beer at your favorite local spot. More than anything, we hope that one day, a six-pack from our garage makes its way into yours.