Independent Bookstore Day at the NE Mobile Bookfair

Saturday was Independent Bookstore Day, and I spent a good part of the day at the NE Mobile Bookfair, having a great time meeting customers, selling books, finding new fans, and sampling the complimentary Cabot's ice cream. Owner Tom Lyons made it a special day, and it was great to see so many people coming to browse and buy books, despite the lovely Spring weather, which we so needed.

We had a few other authors attending as well. Here's Ursula Wong.

Her latest book, Amber War, is a recommended Staff Pick at the bookstore, so you know it's good.

To see an interview with Ursula, click here.

And Joanna Schaffhausen came by with family. 

Joanna's debut novel, Vanishing Season is a hit book, also on sale at the bookstore.

To see an interview with Joanna, click here.

Sara Marks has her debut novel out as well, Modern Persuasion. 

And a soon-to-be-published debut novelist, Nicole Asselin, who just announced the acceptance of her first book, a baseball mystery, out later this year.

She has good taste, holding a copy of A Sharp Medicine, my latest Zack Taylor mystery.

Why yes, I did have my table and books set out for people to check out. Sales were good, and we've got some new fans.

So we kept rather busy with all the customers, doing their best to support a local business and a local author. It was fun, and a good time to remember to shop local! 

Derry Author Fest

We had a huge crowd at the Derry Author Fest yesterday at the Derry Public Library. People stayed all day to hear speakers on writing and publishing topics, chat with the writers, and buy books.
They did a lot of advance promotion (check out the video), which made for the size of the crowd.

Thanks to Erin Robinson and the library staff for making a great day.
And we even got a mention in the local paper!

I was there along with Ursula Wong to give a presentation on Publishing Options: Choosing Your Path. We were the last show of the day, and the audience was attentive and asked great questions.
Plus, we got to sell our books in between sessions. Here's Ursula with her books:

And there were other great writers, like Dan Szczesny

Dan was on a panel talking about Marketing, 

with (L to R) Erin Moulton, Paul Durham, Erin Bowman

There was a table to hand out info for the New Hampshire Writer's Project, a group I work with.

And the bookseller there was Water Street Books, of Exeter, NH.

Business was brisk, as people bought copies to get signed.

The authors were able to answer questions and chat with those attending.

Here's Dan with a fan

The event was free, and people seemed to enjoy it, even as they learned a lot about the publishing process. 

Can't wait for next year!