I’m pretty much at the end of my tour for Fox Creek. It’s been a great ride! The vast majority of my more than thirty events were with small, independent bookstores. And here’s why.
When I was a kid, I lived in a number of small towns across the country. Every town had a bookstore. When I moved to a big city, I found that many neighborhoods had their own local bookstore. Then Borders opened its chain, and we lost some of those wonderful stores. Barnes and Noble came along and we lost more. And finally, Amazon reared its huge head and we lost even more.
But Borders is gone. Barnes and Noble continues to struggle against Amazon. If B&N were to drop out of the game, who would be left? Amazon, of course, for whom books are like everything else they sell online, just units to be moved. But the other players would be the independents, who are in this business because they understand the importance of books and because they truly love what they do. In the decisions that will be made about what will be available for us all to read, I know who I want in this game.
So I sign mostly at independent bookstores, many of which are in small towns. I do this not only because the audiences, large and small, are so enthusiastic but also because I want to help in any way I can to make sure the independents thrive, and this is what I can do. You can do your part as well by buying your books from your own local independent. We will all fare better in the end, I promise.
The Bookworm, Omaha, NE
Paperbacks and Pieces, Winona, MN
Mystery To Me, Madison, WI
Mystery To Me, Madison, WI
Centuries & Sleuths, Forest Park, IL
Boswell Book Co., Milwaukee, WI
Love your work. There is something about a physical book,( feel, smell, touch), that an e-book just can’t replace. Book stores are my very favorite place to be
There is a wonderful book store in Scottsdale Az called “The Poison Pen”. It has a heart for writers and readers. If you get a chance to do a book signing there be sure to do it.
Gerry F
Please come to Flat Rock, NC!
There are a number of bookstores near me in New England. I know because I just did a Google search for “bookstore near me”. I was pleasantly surprised at the number there are. I don’t visit them much anymore as my vision is such that reading is no longer the constant pastime it once was. My older daughter once told me that she found my having had books taken from me very sad. HOWEVER! Thank goodness for recorded books! which is where I met your books. And for public libraries where I can borrow recorded books. I do still own some real books, as a house without books is just that; it is not a home. But I have given away many I had collected over the years.
I hope you will do a book tour in New England some time soon. If you do, please consider southern New Hampshire as a stopping place!