When Your Bookstore Purchases Potentially Cancel Out Your Sales

My novel, Trip Through Your Wires, launched in March 2015, and since then I've learned that touring a book takes stamina. Touring with kids takes double that energy. Still, it was a wonderful experience for my husband and me to introduce the boys to new places and bookstores across various states. And when I traveled alone, I felt compelled to bring a little something back. 

So, a brief photo essay: Some favorite souvenirs from book tour, or: Things I Bought on the Road While Selling My Own Thing. #breakingeven  #badatmath  #buymorebooks

Souvenirs modeled by my children, the recipients of quite a few of these purchases. 

Handmade knitted Ninja Turtle hats/masks from one of the Missoula, Montana farmers markets; I counted three. This awesome vendor had the boys' favorites - Donatello, Raphael - in stock. Above the piano is a picture I took with my phone on the last day of the Montana Book Festival. I was shooting between the holes in a fence on a pedestrian bridge. 

We brought the kids to my reading at Talking Leaves Books in Buffalo, N.Y., my husband's hometown. They picked out these superhero gems -- perhaps you are noticing a trend about the interests of three and five year olds?

Browsing Ben McNally Books in Toronto, The Bus Ride by Marianne Dubuc caught my eye. I also picked up All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews for myself, on the recommendation of Ben himself. (Heartbreaking while being hilarious, and worth the read.)

 

A puzzle of favorite book Steam Train Dream Train. Sold! At City Lit Books in Chicago.

Miraculously, I bought this in June and saved it until Christmas. Also possible: I forgot I bought it and rediscovered it at an opportune time. 

 A bit of a desperation gift at the AWP Conference in Minneapolis: a pair of pens purchased at the hotel gift shop, along with $11 traveler's eye drops. But a popular and useful item nonetheless.

 

Gotta love a freebie DOGS beer cozie from Buzzfeed Books' Isaac Fitzgerald (with me, left), at the AWP Bookfair. Modeled by husband, right, featuring Sun King Wee Mac, and some bagels atop the fridge. I think I've just found the title for my memoir of middle age: Still Life with Beer, Bagels. Just playin'. Am about to go for walk.

Speaking of free. The best part of this whole book tour for Trip Through Your Wires was connecting with readers, reconnecting with old friends, and getting to share it all with my awesome and supportive family. 

Barnes & Noble Cleveland

Talking Leaves Books, Buffalo

 Thank you, one and all. Peace, love, and appreciation to you in 2016. 

Local Author Day, B&N Noblesville

On Sunday, Dec. 6, I'll be at Barnes & Noble Noblesville from 1-3 for Local Author Day. Happy to sign books, chat, have coffee, etc. etc.

Things I will NOT be doing, but may have done lately:

-Listen to a child in a car scream-chant "I want a drink of water RIGHT NOW" for a half-hour.

-Slice my thumb on a cheese grater. (Did you know shredded cheese may have wood chip filler in it?)

-Bake banana bread

-Buy janky dollar store solar-powered candlelights for the front windows

-Make a peanut butter sandwich dinner alternative that is described by its young eater as "a little sour"

-Yoga (hi Barb!)

-High skipping reminiscent of Ye Olde Volleyball Drills, on the Monon Trail, when nobody else was around (I hope)

-Stress-eat my kids' Halloween candy while grading

-Get a charley horse while situating a child on a rest stop potty

See you here? http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061746839-0