Hi everyone!
Last week, I spent a few days at a hotel in suburban Denver at a conference of the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association. My publisher, Sourcebooks, sent me there to promote Windfall to independent books stores in the region. The idea behind attending these kind of events is that by meeting authors in person, booksellers are better able to recommend books to readers. They also are more likely to get excited about hosting you for events at their stores. I didn’t get to see much of Denver, but it felt like coming full circle. It was the first time I’d been back to the city (other than the airport) since 2014, when I reported Chapter 9 of the book.
The first night, Sourcebooks held a dinner for fellow authors and a few booksellers. After dinner, I was asked to sign copies of my books. It was the first time I’d signed any books, and I’m embarrassed to admit that despite envisioning a finished book for nearly a decade, I hadn’t given my signature any thought at all. None. I had no idea how to sign my books. At first, I did it slowly, writing out my whole name, until a veteran bookseller, Susie at Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins, Colo., told me: “You’re going to have to get a lot faster at this!” So that night I decided what my author signature would look like: the all-caps one with a heart that I’ve used since I was a teen to sign handwritten notes. It was what felt most authentic to me, a symbol of how this book comes from my heart. You can see it here.
The next day, I participated in an author speed dating event, where I travelled from table to table to give booksellers a four-minute elevator pitch. I was so nervous before the event. It was what I’d call “good nervous,” where you’re able to channel your anxiety to power your creativity. But nonetheless, I was nervous. It helped that shortly before the event, I got an email from the publicity team at Sourcebooks telling me that Windfall got a favorable review from Kirkus. Their reviewers are notoriously grumpy, so this was a huge confidence boost before going from table to table to pitch 100 people.
And then before I knew it, the event was over. I loved doing it, even more than I thought I would, even though I was so nervous the back of my neck broke out in hives. It was so fun connecting with the booksellers—and fun figuring out how to charm each table. (Even the woman who seemed to glare at me for four minutes. Because later, I overheard her telling someone about her own mother’s mineral rights, and I thought, “Aha! She gets it!”) I’ll be doing it all over again in St. Louis this week, at Heartland, a similar event for Midwest booksellers.
I also loved connecting with people at so many independent bookstores, which are a vital part of building thriving culture and community in American towns.
If you’re in Phoenix or Tempe, Ariz., please do check out Changing Hands Bookstore. In Bozeman. Mont., drop into Country Bookshelf. If you’re in Moab, Utah, go to Back of Beyond Bookstore and say hi to owner David Everitt’s two chihuahuas. If you make your way to Durango, Colo., pop into Maria’s Bookshop. And if you’re in Fort Collins, Colo., please say hi to Susie at Old Firehouse Books. I also got to meet the management team at Ferguson Books, which now has four locations in North Dakota. And I’m excited to announce I’ll be doing a ticketed event in January right after Windfall is released at Rediscovered Books in Boise, Idaho.
So what did I learn? There are many excellent nonfiction books out there, and to differentiate mine, I need to tell everyone I meet about my book. To the point where I’m sick of hearing myself talk about it, hah! (And believe me, after 13 rounds of author speed dating, you get a little weary of your own pitch.)
I also realized that I need more help from my friends, which is where you all come in. (Don’t worry, it’s free and it will take just a few moments.) Do you have a Goodreads account? If so, I’d be so grateful if you would go in and mark Windfall as a book you “want to read.”
Finally, a giveaway! I have five signed advance reader copies of Windfall to give away! I’ll drop them in the mail them to the first five people who email me today. I’d be grateful if you ask for an ARC only if you are able to 1) leave an independent review on Goodreads, and 2) when you’re finished, please pass the ARC on to a friend who you think might love it and might also review it or 3) share it with a Little Free Library in your neighborhood so others can discover the book.
Stay tuned for something else fun coming up, just for friends, family and Windfall Dispatch subscribers. (Hint: signed bookplates for people who pre-order!)
Love,
Erika
THE NEWS
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Even more about the construction next door. For Dwell, I picked up where the last edition of Windfall Dispatch left off, and wrote about what it's like living next door to an active construction site (not great) and my support for more housing (super necessary).
The E-bike is pure joy. Couldn’t agree more. Regular bikes are great, too, but I’ve been falling in love with Portland’s e-bike network all summer. Among the things I love? You can cover more terrain, including hillier terrain. You don’t have to find a place to lock up your own bike, which means you can take bikes to places where your own wheels could be stolen or stripped of parts. You can take off quickly at intersections, making them safer to navigate. And they’re also so much damn fun.
On being a “temperate” consumer. Some intriguing ideas here on what is, essentially, mindful shopping.
Sounds fun Erika and glad others get to meet you and your bright spirit. Also I’ve had an ebike for a year and can’t stop talking about how fun it is--after Mt biking, road riding and urban-beach cruising ❤️
1) love the signature! 2) Great piece in Dwell!