The Business of Authoring
is not just about selling books
I was in our nearest city, which is Windsor, for an appointment this morning. It’s a 45 minute drive, so I thought I’d make something of it. I stopped in at two independent bookstores. This could be a piece about stopping myself from buying more books.
Little local shops are always so much more eclectic than the big box retailers.
My first stop was Biblioasis, which would be a gem even if they weren’t also a great local publisher. They put out such engaging books. My current favourite is the late Harold R. Johnson’s The Power of Story. (I’ve purchased multiple copies for my family.)
I’ve been a fan of Biblioasis for years, and recommend it even more highly because as of Tuesday they will carry my book.
My next bookish stop was Storyteller’s Bookstore. Linda, the owner, is a big booster and good friend to many local authors. She’s already stocking, and selling my book. Today she handed me real money, which actual humans parted with, in order to have my book. This touches me at a deeper level than the sales on Amazon. (Although I am very grateful for those!)
(Here’s the link to Amazon, in case you want to go there)
https://a.co/d/4DoY43Y
People left their homes, went to a bricks and mortar store, and bought my book.
This is a mini-pilgrimage I’ve made for most of life. Libraries and bookstores (most of them) are sacred places where we seek treasures and delights, insights and surprises, and at times, relief or escape from the confusion and weirdness of existence.
From the tips of my typing fingers to the bottom of my book-loving heart, I hope when folks read my novel they find a measure of what I have so often sought.
Linda at Storytellers has invited me to do a signing event. I chose a date in mid-November. That will hopefully give me time to figure out who I’d invite.
Every time I’ve go into these stores to talk about my book I’ve met other authors.
Linh Nguyen was in Biblioasis to sign copies of her book. We chatted briefly while the friendly desk person convinced the computer to produce a copy of my consignment agreement.
Linh described her book as a YA portal fantasy. It looks intriguing.
We have a new independent book shop in Port Dover called The Beach Reads Bookshop - great place and she carries my book too. They are so supportive of local authors.
I love independents. I admit to hating marketing my book. I did pitch it and succeed for a place called "Toadstool" books in Peterborough, NH on Saturday. I do find the work of promoting books very exhausting ... I would prefer to just write the next one!