In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day and inspired by a recent debate on the interwebs, I’ve compiled some thoughts on the role of bookstores: how they are (and aren’t) changing, the conflicts between profit and discovery, physical versus online sales, and their future.
STOCKING WHAT SELLS VS PROMOTING NEW VOICES
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Here are some things I’ve learned as an author giving readings of my work:
Do not select a piece that fills your entire reading time. If your reading slot is 30 minutes, PREPARE A 15 MINUTE PIECE (with a 5 minute extension prepared in case you end up rush-reading it and are left with extra time). If your reading time is 1 hour, select at most 30 minutes of reading material with a 10 minute buffer (though that much time just sitting quietly and listening to you read can be a bit much to put an audience through).
What about the rest of the time?
You will need a few minutes to say hi and do intros and get started.
If the piece you are reading needs some setup and context, you will need time for that.
And you may want some time for questions and answers after the reading, to engage with your audience and increase their interest in you and your work. Be prepared with a few example questions to help prime the pump and get the Q&A rolling as the audience may be shy at first in asking questions. Or loosen up the audience with some trivia questions, anecdotes or jokes.
Read moreEaster. There is a real chance for celebration and creating a modern miracle here by not forgetting where this day comes from, and by celebrating that in a very real way.
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Author, relapsed sarcasm addict, Clarion West graduate, milkshake connoisseur, winner of Writers of the Future, and member of Dungeon Scrawlers.
Randy’s humorous contemporary fantasy series from TOR (US) and Titan (UK) includes:
Bigfootloose and Finn Fancy Free,
now available for purchase, reading, and use in questionable acts.
In this sequel to Randy Henderson's acclaimed debut novel, Finn Fancy Necromancy, Randy Henderson spins another tale full of adventure, magic, and laughs, exploring in more depth the magical world and characters introduced in the first book.
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“… it’s an urban fantasy, one that takes place in and around present-day Seattle. But even though it deals with sinister magic and family tragedy, it counterbalances that darkness with something that’s become increasingly rare in fantasy fiction: laughs, laughs, and more laughs.” -- NPR
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