Vinyl, Velvet & Verses: 10 Sassy Questions with April Sheris About The Listening Crate

Darling, they asked. And you know I had to answer in style.

The world has book clubs. I wanted book couture.

Welcome to The Listening Crate—a sensual literary experience where each book is scored, styled, and sealed in slow-burning, sound-wrapped luxury.

So, grab your silk robe, pour the rooibos, and let’s get personal.

‣ Q1: April, what exactly is a Listening Crate?

A: Imagine if a novel made love to a vinyl record and was wrapped in candlelight, silk, and a splash of mystery. That’s a Listening Crate. It’s not a book—it’s an experience. And no, darling, it’s not on Audible.

‣ Q2: Who is the Listening Crate for?

A: For those who read with intention and dress their bookshelves like altars. For people who light candles before turning pages. For vinyl lovers who want their fiction to hum. Basically, for anyone who thinks luxury begins in the senses.

‣ Q3: What’s inside the crate?

A: A blacklisted or beautifully overlooked novel. An original vinyl score to match the book’s soul. A velvet or silk touch (could be a robe, a scarf, or a surprise). A custom candle or tea blend. And of course—my handwritten letter, darling. Because I’m nothing if not dramatic.

‣ Q4: Why mix books with music?

A: Because stories have soundtracks. And sometimes a sentence hits harder when there’s a bassline behind it. I believe a good novel doesn’t end—it echoes.

‣ Q5: How many crates will drop?

A: Four a year. That’s it. We’re not Costco. We’re more Maison Margiela. Each crate is seasonal, intentional, and as rare as your grandma’s old Billie Holiday vinyl.

‣ Q6: What if I miss a crate drop?

A: Then you’ll have to live with the FOMO and pretend your scented candle is enough. I warned you—it’s exclusive. Crates sell out. And once they’re gone? They’re gone like a good man in a Miles Davis song.

‣ Q7: Why are you doing this?

A: Because the publishing world needed perfume, poetry, and a little bit of saxophone. I was tired of books being treated like spreadsheets. I want opulence. I want mood. I want to romance you with the art of storytelling.

‣ Q8: Will there be events?

A: Of course. Virtual city drops, author salons, live vinyl-listening nights. Think jazz clubs meet book club meets art gallery. We’re not mailing books—we’re staging moments.

‣ Q9: Are you becoming the Carrie Bradshaw of music publishing?

A: I mean… if Carrie traded her Cosmopolitans for crates and swapped Sex and the City for Scent and the Soundtrack? Then yes, darling. I write my own headlines—and crate labels.

‣ Q10: Last one. How do we get one?

A: You whisper to the universe, light a candle, and then go to uplandstudios.com and claim your crate before it vanishes like a secret. But really… sign up. Only 250 exist per drop. Because luxury isn’t loud—it’s limited.

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Signed in silk and sealed in story,April SherisCurator of Literary Seduction™