Rochester Author Hosts Community Launch Event

New Book Offers Comfort to Women Experiencing Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss

Rochester, NY — Local author and former clinical social worker Sarah‑Elizabeth Pilato is releasing her book, The H.U.G. Book, a gentle, comfort‑centered resource created for women navigating miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Blending lived experience, professional insight, and heartfelt encouragement, the book is also a collaborative collection of stories from more than twenty women and a handful of men who have walked through pregnancy loss themselves. Together, these voices offer a simple but powerful message: no one should walk through loss alone.

What makes this project especially unique is its mission. The H.U.G. Book is 100% community funded and will be distributed free of charge nationwide to hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities, and other settings where women may be experiencing pregnancy loss. While the book is available for purchase as a gift, its primary purpose is to be placed directly into a woman’s hands in the very moment she is experiencing loss, ensuring she has immediate comfort and does not face grief empty‑handed or alone.

To celebrate the release, Pilato will host a community book launch party on January 22^nd  at Fairport Brewing Company on University Ave, and members of the media are warmly invited to attend. The event will include a reading, comfort‑themed activities, light appetizers provided by local community businesses, and opportunities for guests to write short messages of encouragement that will be included in donated copies.

Pilato is available for interviews before, during, and after the event.

“The H.U.G. Book was created to be handed to someone in their hardest moment,” Pilato says. “This launch isn’t just a celebration — it’s the beginning of a comfort movement that will reach women across the country.”

Event Details:

Date: January 22, 2026

Location: Fairport Brewing Company, 1044 University Avenue, Bldg. #2 , Rochester, NY

Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Admission: Ticketed - $10  (Free for media/press)

Media: Interviews available upon request; media welcome at the event

About the Author:

Sarah‑Elizabeth Pilato is the founder of Faith Sparks and a professional encourager with over 20 years of experience supporting women through grief, transition, and healing. She lives in Rochester, NY, where she continues to build comfort‑centered resources for women and families.