A Novel Concpet and the inspiring owners behind it.
Owners Elise Jajuga and Christine Peffer pondering what to prep next for their Kinshop event at A Novel Concept on October 24th, 2025 in Lansing Mich.
A Novel Concept is a queer, feminist indie bookstore owned by two incredible women, Elise Jajuga and Christine Peffer. A Novel Concept opened its doors in 2022 and has been such a highlight in the downtown Lansing community. They strive on giving books written by women, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and international authors a chance to be read. They carefully select what books to put into their store. They care so heavily about the community and how to make their place a home and a way to bring people together. They host many events like book clubs, children's reading, author events, and collaborating with other businesses in the area. This story really matters to me because I have always loved reading and it brings me a sense of peace. As someone who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community and as someone who prefers to shop indie stores, they felt like a breath of fresh air. I have lived in Michigan now for 4 years, and I was never able to find an indie bookstore that sold an inventory that I really felt good about, but after reading about A Novel Concept and doing some research they felt like great subjects. They have such incredible values and are truly just some of the most genuine people. What I learned from this experience was my love for being able to tell a story through photos and learning more about what it means to hold events for the community. Just from being over their shoulders, it was very obvious they care about every single person that enters their business, if that isn't community, then I don't know what is.
Everyone fully engaged and listening to their fellow member discuss how they connected to their book during the November Book Club meeting on November 20th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
Christine Peffer alphabetically sorting Kinshop orders for people to pick up at their event at A Novel Concept on October 24th, 2025 in Lansing Mich.
Elise Jajuga giggling over the comments a member of the book club was making over their book choice for the month during the November Book Club meeting on November 20th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
A warm hearted man who went up to the mic to read a poem off his phone at A Novel Concept's poetry slam with the Poetry Room on September 19th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
Elise Jajuga, cheering on a first time poet at A Novel Concept's poetry slam with the Poetry Room on September 19th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
The logo of A Novel Concept taken on November 20th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
Christine Peffer, resting her hand on a book display while trying to map out what books should go on this table for their Kinshop event prep at A Novel Concept on October 24th, 2025 in Lansing Mich.
Elise Jajuga receiving an answer to her question about a member's book of choice in the November Book Club meeting on November 20th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
Olivia Gatewood, a published poet and writer reading some poems from her book "Life of the party girl" to the audience at A Novel Concept's poetry slam with the Poetry Room on September 19th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
Owners Elise Jajuga and Christine Peffer overlooking the layout of the store to make sure their customers have enough room to move as they please at their Kinshop event prep at A Novel Concept on October 24th, 2025 in Lansing Mich.
The entire club passing around a book one of the members brought from their childhood and admiring the illustrations during the November Book Club meeting on November 20th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
Christine Peffer giving Owner Sara Pulver of Dear Ollie and Co. a huge hug as they say hello and begin their preparations for this fun Kinshop event at A Novel Concept on October 24th, 2025 in Lansing Mich.
A member of the book club having a pen and notepad ready to take notes on the books discussed during the November Book Club meeting on November 20th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
A son congratulating his father after a stellar performance reading his comedic poem that made the whole room laugh at A Novel Concept's poetry slam with the Poetry Room on September 19th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
A member of the Poetry Room reading a new poem for the incredible audience at A Novel Concept's poetry slam with the Poetry Room on September 19th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
A member connecting the book she read this month to other book she read previously during the November Book Club meeting on November 20th, 2025 in Lansing, Mich.
Christine Peffer double checking which orders go into each bag for their customers during their Kinshop event prep at A Novel Concept on October 24th, 2025 in Lansing Mich.