I’m in a book store in Edmonton and it’s in the middle of the afternoon, a Thursday afternoon. This is an experiment for me as I typically only sell books on weekends. So far, the store is kind of quiet with the exception of the Starbucks Coffee shop that is found in almost every Chapters and Indigo Book Store in Canada. I’ve even seen Starbucks in Barnes and Noble in the USA. I’ve propped up my small laptop on a display of Crosley turntables so that I can stand and type while monitoring the passing shoppers. It helps that I can touch type while look around. So far, no books have been sold though officially I don’t begin selling books for another ten minutes.
Occasionally folks stop to look and engage with me raising my hopes of a sale. Business cards are given out with a promise to buy my books as eBooks. The truth is, until the early evening, I don’t expect books to sell. I have plenty of time to look around, type a few words here and there, and think. The main theme that pops up in my head is that of why I am in the book store trying to sell my books. I have never sought out an agent or tried to publish the traditional route. At my age, it seems such a waste of time. In my opinion, all it would do would be create needless anxiety which would get in the way of my writing and the overall enjoyment of life.
One of the good things about meeting and talking with people is that most are interested in my “Broken Series.” Usually a good discussion evolves and time is well spent even if no book is bought. Now, it’s time to focus on the passing potential customers. Until the next time …
UPDATE: Fourteen books were sold by the end of my assigned time at the Indigo store. All-in-all, a profitable Thursday. Gas [one way, and lodgings have been paid for with some of my meals paid as well for this opening move. Three more book-signing events to go for this weekend.