Opening Doors = Opening Opportunities
How this author made a few connections and sold a few books.
Remember the Encyclopedia salespeople from days gone by? Oy. That doesn’t age me or anything. But they’d lug their suitcase full of books from house to house, selling one A-Z set at a time. I felt a little like that last weekend, shopping my books to local bookstores. But what else is an author to do?
I boxed up my books, eight copies of Best Kept Secrets, Deepest Secrets, and Forewarned and one set of the romance series. I put together dozens of bookmarks and pens, and drove around Madison with my wares, feeling like a door-to-door saleswoman. I hit (hit, targeted, or pitched, there’s no better way to say it) four stores and unloaded 7 books. Not as many as I would have liked, but now you can find all but the romance series at The Garden Wall in Verona.
Go there.
I highly recommend it, especially for the children’s book section upstairs! And The Garden Wall is easy to find, on the corner of Highway M (Main Street) and Main (151 Business route).
Despite the fact the three other stores didn’t take my books off my hands (lucky I didn’t carry my suitcase in there…) the experience wasn’t a loss. I met the owners, and the book sellers. They directed me to their website where I told them about my books. There, they can order them if they want without telling me, “Um…no. This really isn’t a book that we want to carry.” On my way out of the stores I purchased books and gifts for my friends, showing support for my local stores.
Now that I have six —soon to be 7—books in the marketplace, I’ve put a reminder on my calendar to visit local bookstores once a month. Maybe more often than that… Some will always be my repeat stops to chat with the owner, check the stock, talk about events. In the meantime, I need to show my face, introduce myself, and show support to as many bookstores as I can reach in a day.
Once a month.
Because Authors need to be their own advocates sometimes and get their books directly to the book seller.
And in the reader’s hands.
And speaking of…
I have a really big book sale to celebrate! I got a Bookbub Featured Deal!! And…drumroll…
Best Kept Secrets is FREE for 5 days, only on Amazon! TODAY! July 20-24, get your copy of Best Kept Secrets on Amazon!
Indie Authors- how do you get your books into bookstores? Share your experience, and your ideas in the comments. Together, we all soar higher!
On Top of my TBR List:
The Light Between Us -by Laura Lynn Jackson. Non Fiction.
Bat Eater and Other Names For Cora Zeng- by Kylee Lee Baker. Horror! Lately I’ve put more horror on my TBR list. It feeds my trauma brain and feels closer to what I write than cozy mysteries with bakery and puppies.
What I’m reading:
Secrets Lie in Wait -by Daniella Burnett. A fun spy vs spy mystery with a stolen jewel and murder most foul. This book contains a lot of humor and arm chair travel to Amsterdam. Look for my interview with Daniella in August.
The Port of Destiny - the long awaited historical novel by Saralyn Richard, based on true events. It’s not out yet- I’m lucky to get the ARC! And so far, this is going to make my top of ‘26 reader list!
What I’m listening to:
Mother Daughter Murder Night -by Nina Simon. Sounds like fun. I’m only two chapters in!
What I’m watching:
The woman in the Window -with Amy Adams. A fantastic thriller.
Pride and Prejudice- the 2005 version with Kira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen. Again.
Brazen - based on a Nora Roberts book -with Alyssa Milano. (Not great. I don’t recommend it.)
What I’m writing:
Since I’m unable to write and publish at the same time, I’m currently getting another stand alone, Safe Keeping, ready for you readers. Available by the end of August, I hope it gives you goosebumps! When I’ve finished formatting it, I’ll dig into the next stand alone.Cover art for Safe Keeping and a sneak peak at the first chapter in my next newsletter!
And here are Ivy in a sweater, and Moon in a box.
Thx you Saralyn!
Rooting for you, Tracey! And thanks for sharing your reading list and photos of the kitties. Very adorable.