I had the great privilege of receiving a call last month from the White Rabbit, the only bookstore selling new books in my county. The owner invited me to participate in an author event to celebrate Independent Bookstore Store Day on April 24, and I was thrilled to say yes. This is the first author event to which I’ve been invited since the 2018 Author Fair at the Lexington Park Library. This reminded me that for authors, every event is a good event.
Independent Bookstore Day
As noted on the Indiebound.org website, Independent Bookstore Day “is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April.” The event highlights authors and special events in independent bookstores recognizing the contributions of indie booksellers.
I shared the author event with my friend JR Rhine, and a new friend, Wanda Etheridge. Both JR and Wanda are children’s authors, though JR is also a published poet. And since JR is also an elementary teacher, many of his students, their parents and his colleagues came by to see him, and by extension, Wanda and me. Perhaps even better for White Rabbit, those people came to the bookstore and many purchased books and other items. Independent Bookstore Day is, after all, about promoting bookstores and authors so that everybody wins.
White Rabbit is highlighted as a children’s bookstore, though it has expanded to offer more adult and young fiction items. Wanda read excerpts from Mae’s Big Adventure, an adventure book written in limericks. JR read from his newest release, Jimmy Loves His Long Hair. The children’s literature vibe was strong that day, and while I was something of a fish out of water, I still sold books!
Exposure
Another reason to participate in author events is exposure. Even patrons who won’t buy your books may know someone who would. In my case, I provide a tease by asking passersby to sign up for my newsletter Those who do receive one of my previously published short stories. My hope is that the story may spark their interest in learning more. Three of the four people who received short stories thanked me for them, so that’s a plus!
But where I fall short is in the area of “swag,” those items such as buttons, action figures and other giveaways that are more likely to remain in plan view than a simple business card or bookmark. JR had cool buttons he passed out, which are great for young kids. Wanda passed out cookies her daughter had baked and decorated with scenes in Mae’s Big Adventure. Now, that is some swag.
Short of baking cookies of either starships or service weapons, I’ll need to create something else to pass out next time….
