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Photo by Kevin Baird
Dear Violets and Vinnies,
Mary and Robin are back in the building! And, very glad to be here with our favorite "peops!" Hope you all had a marvelous week.
I had an exceptional time frolicking in Fresno, California with some amazing School Librarians and their staff. Which I followed with a truly Don Knotts moment when after cramming ninety junior students into a smallish cafeteria, my Power Point presentation would not come up. No way, no how-- despite praying a number of Hail Marys directly into the USB port. I would have to face the assembled mass totally unplugged for a full hour with no fun slides, visuals, soundtrack, or Youtube-- just uh, ME... middle-aged dame and all.
This was actually the second time I had a techno-malfunction in the span of about six weeks. The first time was with a group of kindly adults who did not have Must Have Media written all over them. I punted and things went fine. I think they would have been good if I'd burst into a hour long rendition of Kumbaya-- those kind of great students.
With my hoard of 90 pre-pubescents, however, there was the chance that things could get ugly. Their School Librarian was looking as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a rocking chair factory. God love her, she kept apologizing as if it were her fault. I briefly considered whippping off my boots, and fashioning a couple of quick sock puppets. Which might have worked if the students were three, and not twelve-going-on-seventeen. So I took a big bracing breath, pretended it was whiskey, unhooked the mike from the podium, and moved closer. I took all the concepts from the non-existent slides, and instead embed them deeply in story. Within moments I had the tribal fire crackling, and the universal power of story saved the day.
As a P.S. to this, I also had not received my shipment of author postcards in time for my trip, so I made a quick trip to Costco and bought ninety Hershey bars, which I signed with a silver Sharpie. Which the kids loved a lot, and before long, I was signing hands, forearms, and the rubber soles of their shoes. (Nervous School Librarian now sweating profusely). I had a few requests for other body parts, which I politely declined. :-] All in all, a seriously great day was had at Raisin City Elementary. Smart, funny kids. If you ever get invited, g-o.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's an even quicker tool for assessing introversion and extraversion that I heard recently:
If you are interrupted while reading and you are irritated, you're an introvert.
If you are interrupted while reading and you are grateful, you're an extravert.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am looking for someone to read and review the book entitled The Shy Writer by C. Hope Long for our blog. Interested? I'll send you a copy of the book to keep--along with your very own autographed Hershey bar! Email me at Pick me, Mary!
We are just about five weeks away from the start of our Third Annual National Independent Bookseller Month here at SVP, a month long festival in which we pay homage to the extraordinary work of our indie bookstores. Each year we have selected a an indie staff member as our Bookseller of the Year, and treated them to dinner at their favorite swanky restaurant and presented them with a very also swanky certificate. These come coupled with our undying loyalty, and servitude for the year. (Robin, have we remembered to tell them about the servitude part?) In 2007, we selected and celebrated Vroman's Bookstore's Kris Vreeland and in 2008, Alex Uhl of A Whale of a Tale Bookshoppe in Irvine, Calfornia took the honors.
Start thinking about 2009 nominees now! Our last two winners have both been from California. We'd love to see some nominees from other states. Everyone that submits a nominee will be entered in our drawing to win a Indie Bound gift certificate. If your nominee is selected, we're talking big loot.
Lastly, but never leastly, time for another Milestone Monday-- a random Monday dedicated to giving each of you an opportunity to practice a bit of self-promotion. The road to publication can be long, years long, and we want to celebrate your triumphs along the way with a cyber hoot and holler. So, pony up to the line with your tribespeople, and let us know your good news.
Let's hear it for your path--
Mary
. . . goes to . . . WAIT!!! Stop the press! We haven't gotten your entry yet!
I know! It's hard when your eyes are spinning from the orgy of indies we've been teasing you with all month. Serious brain candy, I know. But now it's time to get down to some VIB. (Very Important Business).
It is time to select our Bookseller of the Year! That very special person of yours that has toiled for you, your friends, your family, your readers, your fourth grade class, for the elderly woman that takes forever to pick a book, and the lonely guy that waxes on about his old hometown bookstore --that special bookseller that happily climbs over the stack of kids splayed in the aisles, that really is the Yentl for books and readers, that never tires of talking up a a new work, that will jump on that sliding ladder to get you the book you need from the very tippy top shelf-- yeah, that's them. That's the person we need to know about. And, how will we know if you don't tell us??
Don't know their name? Call your bookstore right now. Uh-huh, n-o-w. Find out. And, then email us their name and why you think they should be Bookseller of the Year. Do you really want us to have this contest without your bookseller entered?
We will be announcing the winner on Saturday from Book Expo America. Don't miss it.
Breathlessly,
Mary & Robin
I had the great pleasure of both meeting and recently interviewing indie bookseller
Heidi Erdahl of the
Magic Mouse Toys in Seattle. The store is located in the historic, underground part of Seattle, home to many restored, spacious buildings.
Heidi is, among other things, responsible for the store's children's book collection, which is sizeable, taking up almost half of their basement level floor. The store is owned by Pam and Walt Powers, who have run the store for "thirty plus" years. Heidi loves meeting with the books reps that come to the store, studying the catalogs and making book selections based on what she knows her customers will enjoy. She says the classics continue to be big sellers, as well as the poetry books for children.
Heidi is currently getting more acquainted with the 'tween genre, reading Gossip Girls and some of the newer titles. When pressed for her favorite author, and I did have to squeeze a bit, she said she was a big fan of Kate DiCamillo's. Excellent taste!
Her favorite indie bookstore is
Powell's in Portland
-- and I hope we get time this month to feature them as well. That place is truly a reader's mecca.
I asked Heidi if she'd ever want to own her own bookstore, and she says she goes back and forth on that. She knows first hand how much work it is, but thinks it would be a great life experience. She's been with Magic Mouse for twelve years and loves her work-- loves all the variety and fitting the right book to the right customer.
Her favorite customer is "um, the polite kind". :-)
Magic Mouse Toys
603 1ST Ave
Seattle, WA 98104-2209
Phone: (206) 682-8097
Website? These great folks are busy hand selling books and haven't yet set one. Gosh, I guess we'll just have to go to Seattle and visit in person.
Thanks, Heidi-- it was great talking to you! And, big thanks to Tracy Patterson for recommending the Magic Mouse!
:] :}
Mary & Robin
Violet Tour 2008
So just who is our Mystery Indie Man? Meet Clark Kepler, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of KEPLER'S BOOKS in Menlo Park, California.
A resounding high-five out to
Amy Rea who cracked the case in record time. Amy has a $25.00
Books Sense gift certificate winging its way to her now. And, hats off to our runners up to
TadMack, Thalia Chaltas and Jennifer Bertman. Man, you guys are good! I thought I might have you stumped for a few days! I can see I'm going to have to pull out my dusty 17-pound manual of
Really Brutal Contest Challenges. You've driven me to this.
If "Kepler's" sounds familiar, they should, because they were just awarded the Lucile Micheels Pannell Award for BEST FAMILY BOOKSTORE-- in the nation! Very impressive. And, our mystery man, Clark Kepler, was awarded Bookseller of the Year by Publisher's Weekly in 1994.
After spending some time on their website touring their many events, photos, community projects, charitable donations, author interviews, books clubs, staff picks, I can see why this bookstore gets such stellar marks. This is a veritable hub of literacy, outreach, and rich tradition.
Here is a photo of authors Shannon Hale and Libba Bray cavorting at a Kepler's sponsored event--
And where else but Kepler's might one buy a Jane Austen Action Figure?? I don't have one of those yet!
Not to be missed-Kepler's 1010 El Camino Real
Menlo Park CA,
94025
(650) 324-4321
Til tomorrow, friends--
8-] {(:-]
Mary & Robin
Here's the deal. Guess the identity of the bookseller above and you will win a $25.00
Booksense.com gift certificate! Your prize goes right back into the hands of the people that we've been honoring all month. See how great that works out?
Here are your clues:
1. He loves to read.
2. He is wearing khaki pants. (This could potentially be a red herring)
3. He's been working in the same indie for 29 years.
4. Publisher's Weekly recognized him in 1994 for something significant.
5. His bookstore has a motto but if I gave that to you, you'd be able to Google it, so just never you never mind.
6. Barbara Walters was in this indie during the past week.
Mary & Robin
(Having way too much fun! :-) :->)
The old girl looks pretty good, doesn't she? Meet THE ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP in S. Hadley, Massachusetts recommended by D. Dina Friedman. (Thanks D-- good luck in the raffle!)
This has got to be one of the most interesting indie histories I've read so far! The Odyssey Bookshop is reported to have been established in 1963 by a French-Canadian, Romeo Grenier, an immigrant who was a passionate reader. In 1935 he had became a pharmacist, and in 1957 he bought Glesman's Pharmacy, across the street from Mount Holyoke College. Soon, his drugstore became a literary gathering place. The soda fountain booths, and round tables were filled with students, faculty and townspeople discussing books and current events. Romeo decided to move the toothpaste and aspirin aside to create a book department in front of the drugstore. He began his new venture with 500 Penguin titles.
In 1991, the store passed to Romeo's daughter, Joan Grenier, who now runs the store with co-owner Neil Novik, who joined the business in 1998, bringing his expertise in management and technology-- and the crime fiction genre.
In the years since, the Odyssey has lived up to their goal of bringing readers and writers together, with a literary event schedule including more than 150 events a year for adults and children, attended by more than 2,500 people annually. (!!Wow!!!)
The Odyssey Bookshop
9 College Street
S. Hadley, MA 01075
Phone: 413-534-7307
1-800-540-7307
If you have a sec, do send Joan & Ken an email and wish them a Happy 45th Odyssey Anniversary!
8-] '->
Mary & Robin
"We don't mean to brag (ok, maybe we do but just a bit) but we are the premiere bookseller for children in the Atlanta area."
What a pleasure it is to introduce the Little Shop of Stories in Atlanta, Georgia. We have our reader SamMiddleBurger to thank for waving a flare for us on this one. The Little Shop opened in 2005, and offers a strong selection in children's and young adult literature, poetry, and non-fiction, as well as a unique, handpicked, collection of adult fiction and non-fiction. Store "mothers", Diane and Lynne, have done a bang-up job in just three year's time of bringing stellar programming and events to their store.
And, the Little Shop of Stories has spawned the
Little Blog of Stories, which is big fun.
"We love kids and we love books for kids. We love it when kids write reviews of books for us 'cause then we don't have to work so hard."
And here is where you can find them, next time you're in Atlanta!
Little Shop of Stories
515 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
404.373.6300
Let's give it up for them, shall we? Hoooo-RAH!
Back soon, friends--
Mary & Robin
Official Indies Fan Club Co-Chairs
Welcome to our first island indie! Since 1974, Island Books on Mercer Island, Washington has been serving the Mercer Island community and the greater Seattle area. They cite "staying connected" as their thirty plus year goal.
You won't find the proverbial on-line shopping cart on their website-- and why? "...we honestly prefer to have you come into our store. We love talking with you, giving book advice, and swapping stories. We have chosen rather to invest in an intelligent cadre of booksellers who average more than 12 years of bookselling each. They delight in answering challenging book queries and finding gifts for the enigmatic, rushed, or needy. They like to listen, and they give pretty good advice."
Their desire to connect and create community is evident from the photos above with their permanent chess table in the travel section, and Pajama Time Story Hour. (Man, I could use one of those tonight!)
Where can you find these cool people?
3014 78th Ave. SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
800.432.1640 206.232.6920
Thank you to our reader, Alkelda, for nominating this island indie! Alkelda says that Island Books booked her for her first storytelling gig outside of the library.
Congratulations to
Melissa Wilkins, the first to correctly guess that the
Indie Formerly Known as Yearning Toast is actually the
Learning Post in Urbandale, Iowa. Melissa has won her own SVP coffee/tea mug, and is entered into our big end of the month drawing.
Tadmack, Boni, Shari, Kristi, Amy, Ampace4 and Jennifer B also correctly guessed the mystery indie, and are all being entered into the drawing. Best of luck to everyone to one and all!
Let's launch some official whooping and hollering for Island Book Owners, Nancy and Roger, and all their fine staff. Thirty-four years of dedication in service of books. Amazing.
Anchors Away!
Mary & Robin
You're going to have to guess the name of today's indie-- that is, if you want a chance to be in the drawing for our aMaZiNg prize at the end of the month . . . TEN new children's books, your very own Shrinking Violet coffee/tea mug, and a signed 8x10 of Robin's *new* author photo. (I may be teasing about one of those prizes.)
INDIE NAME: Rhymes with YEARNING TOAST
CITY: Eladnabru (You'll have to crack the code)
STATE: Got corn?
MISSION STATEMENT:
~Where children are special and learning is fun!~WEBSITE: To be announced later
The
YEARNING TOAST is the largest store in state of ________ specializing in educational materials, toys, games, and books for teachers, parents, and children. You can visit their great on-line store, or shop at either of their two locations, Eladnabru or Ynekna. The shop was started in April of 1977 by two educators, and they are still at it.
Happy 31st Anniversary, Yearning Toast!
And, good luck to all of you that are going to take a shot at Name That Indie! You can enter your guess as a "Reply" or send it privately to
Mary, I think I've got it!. If you are the certain person with the initials SS that nominated this indie off-line to me a while back, you're already in the drawing. You can just sit back and let the others sweat trying to figure it out.
;-] ~'-]
Mary & Robin
Your SVP Cruise Directors
We briefly interrupt our celebration of indies to pass on some important information!
First off, I wanted to let readers
Jen Robinson and
Debbie Freedman know that I just discovered that they had also submitted recommendations for both
Hicklebee's and
The Alphabet Garden. The two of you are I-N the big raffle, along with Becky Levine and Jennifer Stewart, who were listed in the blog. Mea culpa for the oversight. The train is back on track!
Secondly, as we move into Week 2(.5) of our celebration, I want you to be thinking hard about potential nominations for the
Bookseller of the Year. This special award goes to an individual who works at an indie, who in your opinion epitomizes all the best qualities of a bookseller-- a love of books, great customer service, expertise, and enthusiasm.
Does that sound like someone that works in your favorite haunt? And, if so, and you don't know their name, just call the store and ask. We'll do the rest! If your bookseller wins, we will do a blog all about them, and send them a dinner certificate for their favorite place to eat in their town. I'm going to try to nab an interview with our reigning Bookseller of the year,
Kris Vreeland from Vroman's in Pasadena. And, if you bookseller wins, you'll recieve one of our classic Shrinking Violet coffee/tea mugs. So, get those nominations in!
We mentioned in a recent post about
Book Sense and I want to make sure everyone knows what this is, and how you might use that to support your indies all year long.
Book Sense is a community of independent booksellers across the country who share five attributes that "... collectively distinguish them in the bookselling marketplace." The attributes are
Knowledge, Passion, Character, Personality and
Commitment to Community. Many of these stores offfer Book Sense gift cards, which is a wonderful alternative to-- let's say, oh, I don't know, a chain store gift card. If you want to send a gift to a friend in another town, or state, you can go on to the
Book Sense website and enter their zip code. Booksense.com will send you to the indie local to their area, and you may be able to purchase them a gift card for their nearest store.
You can also sign up to become a Book Sense affiliate and put their logo and link on your author/illustrator website. Your customers can then purchase your books directly from an independent bookstore. This is a great additional option for you, instead of sending them exclusively from your site to a chain store that might start with the letter "B", for example, or a maybe even an "A". :-) I have both on mine so people can make a choice.
(ABA) which is the national trade association for independent booksellers. BookExpo America (BEA) is the industry's premier trade show. Held annually, it is a great opportunity to get a sneak peek inside the world of bookselling at their biggest national bookselling event of the year. In addition to the floor show, where exhibitors show their Fall titles, there are education and information sessions, author breakfasts and lunches, and a number of special events. Robin will be signing books their this year, and I will in tow wiping her brow and drying the sweat of her pen.
Lastlier, or lastliest, I am thinking that our reader TadMack should be voted Head Cheerleader for the Indies. Tad, are you game? Need a squad to help you? As HC, you get to pick. Get ready for try-outs, everyone!
:0] ~'-}
Mary & Robin
The Alphabet Garden (Where Young Minds Blossom) is a full-service children's bookstore. They carry books for all ages, including grown-ups. And, they are happy to special order anything. Don't you love that about a book store?
The AG offers storybook-themed birthday parties, storytime, a full range of speakers, authors/illustrator signings, and a Teacher's Only Night with free classroom materials and discounts, and snacks!
Pictured above is the Owner/Manager Karlene Rearick. She looks very happy, and if I had my own independent bookstore, I'd look that happy, too (Sigh)
Today's indie comes to you courtesy of SVP reader, Jennifer Stewart who is now in the running for our big prize-a-rooney.
You can find The Alphabet Garden at:
132 Elm Street
Chesire, Conneticut, 06410
Phone: (203) 439-7766 Fax: (203) 439-7768.
Check them out, give them a howdy and congrats at
their website.
Let's hear it from our SVP cheer squad! Give me an "
A"! A "
B"! A "
C".
What's it spell? ALPHABET GARDEN!
**If you are just coming by our blog for the first time in a few days, make sure you read Robin's entry from yesterday about Solo Book Signings. It's terrific and I don't want anyone to miss it.**
~8-]
Mary
If you haven't yet heard, it has just been announced in Publisher's Weekly that the FLYING PIG BOOKSTORE in Shelburne, Vermont has been selected for the the Lucile Micheels Pannell Award for Best Children's Bookstore. Wow--some pig! Congratulations!
Best "general" bookstore went to Kepler's Books & Magazines in Menlo Park, and you'll be hearing more about them on another day. The Vero Beach Book Center in Vero Beach was given an honorable mention.
This award goes to bookstores that "...display creativity, responsiveness to community needs, passion, and understanding of young readers."The winners will be presented with a check for $1,000 and a framed piece of original artwork at the ABA's annual Celebration of Bookselling at BookExpo on May 29.
The Flying Pig is owned by the fabulous children's author, Elizabeth Bluemle, and her zany sidekick, Josie Leavitt.
From their great website: "The Flying Pig Bookstore carries more than 40,000 books and other goodies for book lovers of all ages. Like most online stores, our database allows you to order just about any book available in print. Plus, we offer at least 20% off all regular titles online."
5247 Shelburne RoadShelburne, VT 05482
Tel: 802-985-3999
[email protected]
The Flying Pig is also Booksense.com affiliate.
Amazing, pigs DO fly! They really, really do. And introverts can cheer-- they really, really can! Thanks to our reader Kate Messner for recommending FPB. Kate is now in the running for the cool prize that starts with ten children's books, includes a Shrinking Violet coffee/tea mug, and that's still not all. Stay tuned--
Rah-Rah!
Mary & Robin
Your Personal Indie Tour Guides
Robin and I worked on this lift all weekend long. For god's sake, it couldn't possibly be any more uncomfortable. You need the neck and ankles of Iron Man. But, we'll do just about anything to rouse up some whooping and hollering for our Independent Bookstores. Uh, like asking a lot of introverts to make some N-O-I-S-E!
As you can see, we've started our daily posting of the indie bookstores that we want to recognize-- cool places that you've recommended. And uh, it's as quiet as a church on Monday around here. Would you help us start a cyber wave here?
Every time we post about a new indie, will you reply with an e-cheer? We're inviting all the booksellers to come on by and wallow in the groovy love. And, if you'll click on the indie's link and give them a personal wave, even cooler.
SHOP your indies this month! If you can't get out, and you don't have an independent near you, you can orders books through Booksense, your on-line connection to all the independently owned bookstores. Please help us support these heroes of our literary world.
Let's hear it! Robin and I have vowed to stay in this godawful lift until we've got some happy noise going! (And, a-hem, one of us has a very busy little bladder--and her name doesn't start with an "R". Please don't leave us like this.)
So, here's to Chaucer's in Santa Barbara, the Toronto Women's Bookstore, and Maria's Bookshop in Durango! You're all THAT and a bag of books!
~(:-])
Mary
Thank you to our reader Neesha Memminger who shared with us about the TORONTO WOMEN'S BOOK CENTER in Ontario. Why not take a hike over to their site, say hello and thank them for their good work? Click here to have a look.
"We are a bookstore that nurtures diverse communities through special events and ventures. We offer a multitude of community services such as bulletin boards, reading groups, and courses. We also host author readings and book launches. Some of our previous launches include Alice Walker (By The Light Of My Father's Smile), Dionne Brand (At The Full And Change Of The Moon), Patricia Hill Collins (Black Feminist Thought), Dorothy Allison (Cavedweller), and Shauna Singh Baldwin (What The Body Remembers)."
You can find these great folks at 73 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1G4
Phone (416)-922-8744
Hats off to you, TWB, from the Shrinking Violets--Mary & Robin
Dear Friends,
As promised, we are kicking off our non-stop parade of indies during the entire month of May in celebration of our 2nd Annual National Independent Bookseller Month here at Shrinking Violets. Keep those names of your favorite indies coming. All of you that submit a bookstore name and the 4-1-1 on it will be entered into our drawing for a gift bag that starts with ten new children's books. . . but that's not all!
Taking a well-deserved lead in our parade is my favorite local indie-- CHAUCER'S BOOKSTORE right in my own 'hood. I'm just fresh in from a visit, where I was thrilled to see the new paperback edition of Robin's book, Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, along with a host of other titles from friends and children's writers that I admire. (Hey, Bruce, I just read your new Snoring Beauty. It's a riot--yada yada hippity hop!)
All the best books kids need access to are there. The staff in the children's section read-read-read, and they love books. What a concept, huh? They know their stuff. No sooner than a title inquiry is out of my mouth, it's in my hands. My sidekick made our first, but not last, purchase of the month there. Let the shopping and love-in begin! If you are ever in Santa Barbara, check them out. I know you'll love them as much as Robin and I do!
Chaucer's Books
Loreto Plaza
3321 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-6787
events@
chaucersbooks.com
Link to Chaucer's
Stay tuned! We'll be back each and every day-- no kidding. =-]
Mary Hershey
This is it. The month we here are Shrinking Violets have dedicated to celebrating the eXtraOrdinaRy independent booksellers who bring so much energy and enthusiasm to the world of reading and literature!
Starting last year, we decided that these members of the bookselling community deserved an entire month of recognition.
Won’t you join us? Take a few moments this month and pay a visit to your local independent bookseller. Hey, we’re all getting a tax rebate check at the beginning of the month. Why not commit to spending a few dollars of it on a great book? Purchased, of course, at an INDEPENDENT bookstore!
While you’re there (and if you’re feeling a tad extroverted) let them know how much you appreciate their dedication to books and reading.
Please feel free to share in the comments any great ideas you’ve come up with to honor these committed individuals.
Also in keeping with the tradition we began last year, we want you to begin giving us your nominees for the National Independent Bookseller of the Year Award.
And remember to spread the word! The more people blogging about this or sharing it with their writing groups and friends, the bigger it becomes!
. . . a-a-annndd the novel Red Glass by author Laura Resau goes to our reader, Lafreya, who was one of our Milestone Monday candidates. Congrats! Lafreya shared that she had just signed with an agent. That is such an behemoth accomplishment. If you'll email me your address, Lafreya, by clicking here, I'll get a copy out to you right away. Boy, and get ready for a treat. It is an exceptional read!
Next on our list of important announcements is that we are now just three days away from the start of our National Independent Bookseller Month. There is still time for you to send in the name of your favorite indie. We plan to feature a different one each and every day during the month of May. Please help us celebrate these very deserving souls!
Robin and I challenge you each to think of something you can do this month to honor your local independent bookseller. They continue to champion our field day after day after day with their love and knowledge of literature. Do you have a writing group or writing buddy that you can brainstorm with?
Last week, the writing group that Robin and I are in went down to a local park with a photographer and had him take some group shots of us. We plan to pick one of these photos and make a big poster for our local indie to put up that will read something like: Local Children's Authors Love to Shop at Chaucer's Books. Help Us Celebrate Them During May, National Independent Bookseller Month. Once we get it done, we'll post it here so you can see it.
This is just one way that we can bring attention to the good work that they do. We'd love to hear your ideas! We challenge YOU to do at least one thing to commemorate them in May.
The clock is ticking. Get ready, folks.
Indies rule!
~(:-])
Dear Friends,
In just three short weeks, we will begin our 2nd Annual
National Independent Bookseller Month here at Shrinking Violets. We have some great fun and activities planned, but we absolutely need you. Are you IN?
Every single day during May-- omigod, posting every day? Yup!-- we will be to giving a shout-out to one of our Indies. Will you send us some 4-1-1 on your local favorite? Or, maybe one that you've visited elsewhere that you think should be included. Just send us the name and address, or website address so we can check them out. Everyone that sends one in will be entered into a drawing for a prize.
And, NOW would be a great time to start thinking about and/or telling us about someone that you think should be voted the
2008 SVP Independent Bookseller of the Year. Last year, we honored
Vromam's Kris Vreeland. WHO will it be this year?? Oh, the suspense!
You can post the info on a reply to this message or email by
clicking here.
Thanks, friends! It's going to be a great party in May-- don't miss it. Please pass this on to all the Indie lovers you know-- introvert and extravert alike. Grazie!
Mary Hershey
This falls under the heading of self-care for introverts. As in, I am needing some bad! I've had a blast these last few weeks with school visits, book signing, speaking at conferences, traveling, working, and writing. I am hugely grateful for each opportunity and all the great people I've met. This is what pro-motion looks like. Selling your next book one relationship at a time.
Each event generates a flurry of emails from kids or students, which I love, but it is depleting. I have one more school visit next week, and then I am signing off for a bit. Going to say no (Introversion 101) to a couple of new event requests. Time to refuel. I don't have a single, solitary toot left in me right now. Maybe one pathetic raspberry, but that's about it.
This week is going to be about napping, journaling, restorative yoga, an artist date or two, and I want to catch a few of the great movies that were awarded last night at the Oscars.
And then there is one of my favorite renewing activities-- tooting my horn about someone else!
Which brings us to National Independent Bookseller's Appreciation Month which is coming in May. Robin and I have begun making plans! For those of you that have been visiting us for a while, you will remember that last May, we dedicated the month to honoring our Indies. (For our new friends, check out some of the fun we had at this link.) We are going to do the same this year, only we'd like to expand the scope and reach. We are hoping to get into the Chase Book of Days so that May will be officially designated for Indie appreciation nation-wide and forevermore. They truly deserve that. Indies are to the book world what introverts are to the human race-- don't you think?
And, we absolutely can't make this happen without you. Yep, you. Will you help? It can be something as simple as visiting your Indie in May and thanking them for their great work. Or, you may want to do something a bit grander. Maybe sponsor a weekly book drawing of local authors? Or, run an add in a local paper thanking them for their work. Perhaps you will be inspired to bake the staff some cupcakes or muffins. Right now, we really could use some of your brainpower. What ideas might you have for actively supporting and expressing your appreciation?
Robin and I sent an email out to about eight of our favorite booksellers and asked them to give us some feedback about some of our ideas. If you have a connection with your local Indie, would you gather some intelligence for us from them as well?
Thanks, everyone. This is our opportunity to give something back to them. Let's put a strong think tank together on this, shall we?
And speaking of horn tooting, it's Monday and that's the day we love to celebrate milestones around here. Anyone have anything they'd like to share? Could be a milestone of any size from finishing a challenging scene to winning the National Book Award. We're open. :-) All entries will be entered into a random drawing to win a copy of Donna Gephart's As if Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother is Running for President, which we blogged about last Thursday.
Hope you all have a renewing kind of week--
Mary Hershey
It's the good teachers in this world that make a huge contribution to our world's future, and the future of our children. Who was that special teacher in your life? The one who motivated you to work toward reaching your potential, as well as help you find your place in the world?
I started the seventh grade in the Deep South in 1973, at a recently integrated Junior High School. It was a sticky situation for everyone working in the school system in the southern United States during the early seventies, no one knew how to act or what to do. American History’s portrayal of the civil rights movement in our country really doesn’t do justice to the horror of living in the south during those decades. Almost as soon as my new schools front doors swung to a close, I began to understand more about the world, and my place in it. Their wasn't a school in the south, exempt from racial tension. So you can appreciate the challenge presented to teachers, who spent most of their time breaking up fights, and sending students to the office. I really don’t understand how these teachers managed to cope, but they did, and handled whatever obstacles were tossed in their direction, setting an impressive example to their students, about how important tolerance is in our society.
Our classrooms were often a free for all, with paper thrown in the air, and across the classroom, acts few teachers were equipped to handle, however thanks to everything good, my favorite teacher, Mrs. Wilkins, sailed through the experience. She could hold the attention of her high strung 13 and 14 yr old students, crammed in over crowded classrooms, and at the same time articulate what she expected of them. I , on the other hand, had fallen prey to my environment, and began to smoke cigarettes with a group of kids considered “cool” to seventh graders in 1973. I was vulnerable to my peer’s opinions toward what was cool, and fell in nicely with a popular smoking crowd. However, since Mrs. Wilkins taught my favorite subjects, (besides smoking), I still loved her class. I constantly asked questions off the subject, a quality that irritated most teachers; but, Mrs. Wilkins actually answered my questions, with a small smile on her face. For example, I asked her one time, why our textbook implied that the pilgrims treated Native Americans with decency and respect? Usually when I asked teachers these types of questions they thought I was trying to be funny, and my fellow students did laugh, however I literally wanted to know the answer. As a result of these misunderstandings, I was often sent to the principals office without an answer to my questions.
Toward the end of the year, Mrs. Wilkins had her students write a journal, and leave it on her desk at the end of each class. I really enjoyed journaling everyday, in addition to arguing with her about Emerson, Thoreau, and other matters pertaining to English Literature, and philosophy. Then one day when I acted as the “look-out” for teachers while smoking with friends, I peered through a window, and saw Mrs.Wilkins face, ashen with disappointment. Consequently, it was too late to squash out my cigarette. I remember the sting of embarrassment, and despair I felt from knowing I disappointed my favorite teacher. When she and the vice principal walked me to the office that day, I could feel my ears change color. I cared about what Mrs. Wilkins thought, since she treated me almost like a grown up, whose opinions mattered, and were of interest to her.
As we walked toward the office to work out the details of my punishment, Mrs. Wilkins said something that made an impact on my future, and stayed in my mind forever. The vice principal was talking to her as if I were invisible, and said, “I can’t believe this child smokes, she comes from such a good family”, this wasn’t anything I hadn’t heard before, although I hadn’t a clue what it had to do with me. Therefore, I continued to worry instead, about what my mother was planning for me when I got home. Mrs. Wilkins continued with, “You know, Mr. Reach, what the real shame is? She writes beautifully!” I wondered to myself how this could be? I always had the worst handwriting when trying to write cursive, I would get papers back with red marks all over the page. I hated it! What in the world, and who, in the world, is she talking about? I thought perhaps she was talking about a different person.
When I asked her later what she meant, she explained that I had a gift, something special that I could share with others. In the years before Mrs. Wilkins, I was called dumb, or day dreamy, the child off in la la land somewhere, with her head in the clouds. My inquisitive nature only made things worse. If it hadn’t been for a teacher who took the time to read the journal of one of her students, I might have continued to see myself as dumb, without much to contribute; when the truth is we all have something to contribute. Teachers help us, by guiding us on our journey of self-discovery, encouraging us to discover our talents, and providing us with the confidence to follow our passion for our dreams. I think if children have a passion or talent, it saves them from the dangers that come from idle hands, self doubt, or just plain lack of direction. Kids depend on their role models to help them discover their talents, and give them the courage to forge their dreams into reality. Since so often this responsibility falls to teachers, it's the good ones making a huge contribution to our worlds future, and the future of our children. We all need at least one teacher who notices our talents, and expects us to work toward reaching our potential. All children deserve the blessing of at least one teacher, to help them navigate their own ship, through life's rough and unpredictable waters.
For me, that teacher was Mrs. Wilkins, do you remember who that teacher was for you?
Long tailed cat in a rocking chair factory!!! How brilliant is that? So sorry to hear of the almost Don Knotts moment and a huge Kudos for braving the situation. Tweens and teens are the most difficult audience to please. They smell inauthenticity and patronizing attitude miles away and dare you to keep them engaged.
I would love to nominate my local bookstore owner.
And oh Milestone Monday: found out last week my short story won first place in the Pikes Peak Writers Contest. I get to attend the conference with registration paid for and to hang out with other writerly sorts.
Thank God for chocolate. It saved the day!
I'll tell you the truth--I am so overdosed on PowerPoint presentations that I'm relieved when a speaker doesn't use them, and instead just talks with the audience!
I opened this post onto my desktop, and meant to come back and say what my Monday milestone was, but in the end, between revising, reading my crit partners' work, and my own, I never got back. I feel like I'm in the middle of the road. Not sure if the milestone is ahead or behind me...
Well, I lost this somewhere--hope it doesn't show up twice!
Mary, how could they NOT love you. Your energy AND chocolate? This is why I haven't quite made the move to PowerPoint, but I do at least now have it on my laptop, so I'm getting closer!
Hey, I wanted to let you guys know I passed a blog award on to you--over at my wordpress blog: http://beckylevine.com/2009/03/24/blog-award-honest-scrap/
And my Monday Milestone (on a Tuesday, because I was CELEBRATING on Monday!)--I sent my last chapters of the Critique Group book off to my editor at Writer's Digest! Yes, I know there'll be revisions, but I'm SO not going there right now!
Thanks for all everyone has shared!
Yat-Yee, wow! Congrats on your first place award for your short story!!! Stellar! I'm tossing e-confetti in your honor right now. `'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' :-]
And, Becky! Thrilled for you that you got those last chapters off your desk and to your editor. MOST excellent. Thanks, too, for the blog award. We are honored!
Tanita, you are a milestone unto yourself!
Lastly, I really appreciate all the volunteer offers to read and review THE SHY WRITER! I'll get back to you each shortly.
Namaste,
Mary