I fully anticipate some writers upon the Legion will smash the QUIT option at the bottom of this email.
By all means, you’re free to go, but know this:
I am not running down the practice nor those who do it – it’s simply an “it’s me, not you” type of deal.
With that weak attempt at a disclaimer out of the way, here’s the reason I will NEVER turn up at a bookshop with a pop-up stall:
I find it needy and desperate.
It’s like those kids you see in the movies slinging homemade lemonade with more sugar than a bag of Haribo. Sure, some people stop by because they are genuinely thirsty, but I’d bet my crown jewels most do it out of pity or wanting to offer encouragement to the poor kids.
Book stalls are no different to me.
The thought of sitting behind a stack of my books – that, in all likelihood, will be returning home with me – with an awkward grin (😬) while a banner of my series drapes the foldable table kills a part of me.
Again, I’m not saying readers that approach these stalls aren’t genuinely curious about the book or heck, even become fans.
What I do reckon, however, is that most do it because they’d feel more awkward NOT engaging with the author than they would if they did.
That’s not the way I like to do business around here.
I’d rather people buy my stuff because they genuinely want to read fast-paced fantasy that doesn’t lean on dragons, Elvish, or door-stopping tomes.
Not because they feel bad for me.
It doesn’t mean I don’t respect the hustle of those who do this kind of marketing. More power to the ones that make it work and garner genuine interest and not pity.
It’s just not…
Me.
I don’t ask people to sample my fictional wares. I offer them the chance to, should they wish.
Big difference.
Does that make me an arrogant toad?
Perhaps.
But, again, you knew this when you signed up to the Legion. I am NOT your typical author, and so long as there’s air in my lungs and arthritis in my toes, I will continue to be so.
As will my stories.
Epic fantasy purists would be horrified to learn that my “novels” are a third of the size of a traditional book in this genre. They’d be mortified to learn I don’t include orcs, elves, flying lizards, and a hundred POV characters.
Yet, my wares continue to sell every day in my Storehouse like homemade lemonade on a scorching hot day.😉
And should any of this appeal to you, then you can get your “orcish” hands on the Starter Bundle here.
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/TDR-Bundle
DJJW