If you’ve been following my event calendar, you must be pooped. Poor, exhausted you. Why don’t you find a chair and rest your head in one hand while I tell you about one of my favorite recent events?
Some cities name their downtown streets after US Presidents. Shelby, North Carolina chose generals from the American Revolution. Its sidewalks and shopfronts invite strolling…….
Even in twenty degree weather.
I chattered from the car and slipped my way to Dragonfly Wine Market, partner for my Fireside Books and Gifts presentation. Given that my nose hairs froze together, I expected no one to show up for my evening appearance. In a town of 20,000, the only person I knew was Fireside’s rambunctious owner, Linda Parks.
Bookstores are tough appearances
for an indie author.
Many won’t book me without a detailed understanding of who I know in an area, because it’s my job to invite people, promote the event and dump money into cash registers. Often, the most I get from a bookstore is a passive listing on an event calendar. “Author Andra Watkins will appear on X date….blah……blah…….blah.”
Who cares?
I seek bookstore appearances to garner endorsements from people with direct access to readers, because a recommendation from a staff member convinces more people to try my books.
Fireside’s Linda Parks
runs that kind of indie bookstore.
She personally invited everyone she knew who might have an interest in my work. She recommended my titles to customers. She introduced me to each attendee and gave personal anecdotes to remember.
She treats customers like family.
I’m so lucky to know Linda and to be part of the Fireside family. If you’re ever anywhere near Shelby, stop by Fireside Books and Gifts. They’re located at 212 South Lafayette Street. Take your books around the corner to Dragonfly Wine Market, and let Jamie and his team select the perfect reading partner.
Please meet a few happy readers from Shelby, North Carolina.
The Huffington Post calls Not Without My Father
“one literary ride you don’t want to miss!”
Click to read a sample of Not Without My Father
Buy Not Without My Father now at these outlets:
12 Comments
Great pictures! Glad you didn’t freeze.
Ha! How do you know I didn’t? 🙂
Yep. She knows hares, sure enough.
Hehe!
You truly do bring great people to you. 🙂
You’re one of the greatest, Lori. I’m so glad Kellie helped me find people like you.
Looks like fun, despite the cold temperature. Wine and books go together so well, don’t they?
Absolutely. Jamie (owner of Dragonfly Wine Market) had an ancestor on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Really, really cool for me. 🙂
A little wine, a bit of prose
To the bookstore
Miss Andra goes
Fun and wit
Goes well with lit.
Lovely poem, Lou. Hope you and Miss TK have a relaxing weekend planned.
Sounds like such a fun time, Andra!
Each event is a new adventure, Linda.
And speaking of that, I’m going to be in Chicago NEXT WEEK!!!!! Any way I can meet you?
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