Are you a writer or a seller, a book creator or a marketer? Which of these modes takes precedence in your lifestyle? Do we get to pick? While we have to be both, one must take precedence over the other.
Personally, I hate being squished into a tiny three-foot space. I thoroughly dislike looking like a carnival shill with a moneybag on my hip. I do not want to stand in one place all day looking desperate, grabbing at passersby with pitiful looks of desperation.
Don’t get me wrong. I love to visit with my writer friends, but I want to be fair and honest to the people who put on the event. I make sure I buy my lunch from them if it is offered. I pay for and take classes if they are available. After all, if everyone is in a class, no one is showing up at your booth anyway. Why not broaden your mind while at the same time meet new people and form new relationships? You might even want to become a member of their organization.
My wishlist is a space where the tables are separated slightly so we authors don’t look like vultures on the hunt, even though that is what we are. My list includes pleasant smiles and genuine hellos instead of “My book is about … or I have a sale on today … or this book won an award last year.”
Of course we all think our books are worth buying. Why not? We have written our heart out for Jesus. Haven’t we? We have laboured long and hard over each page. We’ve prayed over their content, their editing, and their printing. We’ve struggled to find just the perfect artist and the right cover. We are proud of our books and rightly so.
However, now that our cupboards are stuffed with hundreds of the things, we have to sell them.
I understand that. I have those same cupboards. But, friends, let us find their new owners with dignity and generosity and consideration for the people who make those opportunities possible.
So the long and short of it is that we can and should mingle, sharing Jesus where we can. Visit and make new friends. Try not to look like salespeople. Exchange business cards. Offer a book for the draws. Put money into the organization that was kind enough to let you share their space. Most of all, remember to say thank you for the time and space you shared. Let’s pay back some of the many kindnesses shown to us on sale day.
Brenda J. Wood is a motivational speaker and author.
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