Two weekends ago I sold my books at a craft show.
Well, actually, I tried to sell books at a craft show, but when there's no one to sell to, you don't sell much.
It was the slowest, least-attended show I've ever been to. I managed to sell enough books to cover the cost of having a table, but not much else.
But I got a great new jacket and a wonderful experience out of what otherwise would have been a pretty bad day. Here's the story:
The booth next to mine was manned by Holly Woelber, whose business, m-g designs, creates beautiful blanket-jackets. They were colorful, looked warm and comfortable, and very, very southwestern. (Indians have been making jackets out of their blankets for a long time.)
I told Holly that I was writing a Civil War book set in New Mexico and would like one of her jackets to wear while talking about it, but I would have to sell some books before I could buy one. A little later, Holly (whose sales were no better than mine, for the same reason) bought The Bent Reed from me and began to read.
A little later she walked over and told me she hated the mother in my book. Towards the end, she came back again. This time, there were tears in her eyes. She told me she understood why the mother was the way she was, and that she loved the book. She then asked me which jacket I was planning to buy, and when I picked one, she gave it to me, and encouraged me to keep writing.
I will be forever grateful to Holly, not only for the beautiful jacket, but for her encouragement.
Well, actually, I tried to sell books at a craft show, but when there's no one to sell to, you don't sell much.
It was the slowest, least-attended show I've ever been to. I managed to sell enough books to cover the cost of having a table, but not much else.
But I got a great new jacket and a wonderful experience out of what otherwise would have been a pretty bad day. Here's the story:
The booth next to mine was manned by Holly Woelber, whose business, m-g designs, creates beautiful blanket-jackets. They were colorful, looked warm and comfortable, and very, very southwestern. (Indians have been making jackets out of their blankets for a long time.)
I told Holly that I was writing a Civil War book set in New Mexico and would like one of her jackets to wear while talking about it, but I would have to sell some books before I could buy one. A little later, Holly (whose sales were no better than mine, for the same reason) bought The Bent Reed from me and began to read.
A little later she walked over and told me she hated the mother in my book. Towards the end, she came back again. This time, there were tears in her eyes. She told me she understood why the mother was the way she was, and that she loved the book. She then asked me which jacket I was planning to buy, and when I picked one, she gave it to me, and encouraged me to keep writing.
I will be forever grateful to Holly, not only for the beautiful jacket, but for her encouragement.
Holly and I will both be at the La Cueva Craft Show next weekend. Come see us!
