Sunday, April 20, 2008

Festival of Faith & Writing = Good :)

The conference was AMAZING. I can't describe it all now, but I'll share more later. Just a quick fun story and then I've got to get some sleep:

I'm walking through the concourse at the Detroit airport (a mere 67 gates or so) when I see Allison Winn Scotch's book in the bookstore. Allison blogged recently about why her publisher changed the cover for the paperback edition, and it was fun to see the new one in person. Without thinking, I whipped out my camera and snapped a picture, which drew several puzzled stares from other customers. "It's my friend's book," I explained (leaving out the fact that Allison and I only know each other online, which might sound a bit stalkerish...) "Is it good?" one lady asked. "It is!" I said. "I bought it in hardcover and just loved it." The lady picked it up, read the back, and proceeded to the checkout counter. She was followed by another woman who had overheard our conversation. Both of these fine ladies, by the way, fit the new target demographic Allison's publishers are hoping to reach with the new front picture, so three cheers for the wise people who make book cover decisions! I love the way our online author community supports each other, and if felt great to be part of that, drawing new readers her way. Especially because, as she points out, early sales make a big difference in the shelf life of a book. Go ponytail girl!

And that was just the beginning...


16 comments:

Unknown said...

Cool!!! That's a great strategy. I'm going to go to B&N and take a picture of your book, or maybe I'll have Gavin take a picture of me holding your book....with the girls!!! I'll be sure to go at the busiest time of the day, too! I may go once a day for the first week!

......I'm totally serious.....

Rachel H. said...

That's really cool that just from taking a picture and standing there that you got two new people to buy the book! Yay!

Allison Winn Scotch said...

Trish - I love you. :) I think that says it all!

LEstes65 said...

Isn't it fun to help a friend out like that? I plan to buy more copies of your book to hand out to some church family and friends. And each time I find it in a bookstore? I'm going to turn one copy of your book so the cover is facing out. I plan to make Austin a hot bed of interest for Trish and her lipsticked frog!!!

Nilsa S. said...

Related story: I got your book on Friday (thanks!). I started reading it over the weekend ... and some people I know asked me about it. I said "I know the author." Well, kinda sorta. My fiance thinks I'm very strange for claiming you when we've never met. But, that's the modern era, so why fight it. Right?!

j said...

When I went and got your book I thought about snapping a photo because of it's excellent placement in my local B&N. End of the row and facing outwards with a BEAUTIFUL cover that would have made me pick it up if I had been browsing.

Unknown said...

glad it went well! waiting to hear more...

L Sass said...

You are really good advocate for your friend's product! Want to hawk my resume around for me?

Jen A. Miller said...

That's so cool! I've been going into bookstores and signing copies of my book (with permission of course), which always seems to draw a few gawkers (and of course I tell them about the book). My mom did this recently, too -- and helped sell two copies!

Jenny said...

I love that story, Trish. How fun!

xxxx said...

OK, seriously, the Detroit airport is RIDICULOUS!

Glad you had a good time, you good little author-supporter you! That is a great story!

Patti said...

every author needs a friend like you to jump start airport sales!

Melanie said...

I bet the Grand Rapids airport was even MORE fun for you. A whole 2 wings. :) I'm so excited that your book is out now! I'm going to go pick up a copy (or 2 or 3) tonight!

Dawn said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Larramie said...

What a great story about the new edition of TDLF, Trish.

And would you believe that your copy of HE LOVES ME... arrived today along with the one I had pre-ordered -- yes, they're shipping -- from Amazon? One of my friends will be gifted with your memoir! ;)

Alyssa Goodnight said...

Glad you loved the festival--I love Carlos Eire's idea too!

And yay for drumming up some book sales for Allison!