Cozy And Bookish

Last Sunday I set up a table at the Cozy and Bookish Marketplace in Miamisburg Ohio. This was my first time attending the event, so as with any new venture, I had no idea what to expect.

The weather was perfect for the drive Sunday morning. And as a bonus, there wasn't a lot of traffic given the early hour.

We had to be there to set up at 8:30am, and the first VIP readers began coming around to our tables at 9:30. It was a relaxing morning for both readers and authors as everyone took their time, enjoyed pastries, and chatted about books.

At 11:30, the doors opened to the general public and things began to pick up. We had a steady stream of readers for most of the afternoon. I even ran into a fellow indie author I met earlier in the year at the Newark Book Festival.

For this event, authors and vendors had the option to purchase a full 8' table or a half 4' table. I opted for the full 8' table. With 16 titles, fitting all my books in a 4' space, while doable, is tight. I'd much rather have the space to spread out and give some separation to my titles.

...and the subgenres.

 At book signings, I like to group my books by heat level. On the left are my steamy contemporary romance titles: the Daniels Bothers series, including an omnibus of all 4 books, Strictly Professional, and Seducing Janey.

Beside those, is my Finding Anna series. I used to display Slave on a stand, but it seemed to scare some people away, so now, I leave the entire series lying down. While there is a lot of heat in the series, it is definitely a slow burn given there's not much steam until toward the end of the second book.

Then, on the right side of the table, is where I put my spiciest titles: my Serpent's Kiss series, and my most recent release, Falling for the Boss's Son. I also bring a print version of my one and only novella, Tangled in His Embrace.

I find having my books arranged like this helps readers better find what they're looking for. I have a variety of tropes, but if they don't want a lot of steamy detail on the page, I know which side of the table to focus on. Same for those readers who are looking for spice. It helps me to pair the reader with a book they're more likely to enjoy.

This was my last signing event for 2024, but I can't wait to see what 2025 has in store.

Currently Reading - How To Kiss Your Best Friend

He's a hot high school chemistry teacher living in a small town. She's a globetrotting journalist running from her past. They used to be best friends. Then one kiss changes everything.

Kate Fletcher is my kryptonite.

She's also my best friend. Former best friend? I'm not sure what you call it when we grew up attached at the hip and then she left Silver Creek (and me) to travel the world.

The important thing is: Kate is back. (Temporarily.) And I'm still in love with her. (Permanently.)

But something is different now. The attraction doesn't seem one-sided. I don't think I'm imagining the heat in Kate's eyes or the chemistry crackling between us.

But will that be enough to keep Kate here, when, for as long as I can remember, all she's wanted to do is leave?

I'm determined to give her a reason to stay. Family. Connection. Roots. And me. I'll have to start with sparks and fire, but if I take this step, there's no turning back to simple friendship. And if she doesn't feel the same way, I might lose her again—this time for good.

 

 Amazon

Currently Reading - Simply Irresistible

 

Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover. In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

 

 Amazon

Pricing Your Book At Events

Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a multi-author signing at a local indie book store. I shared a table with an author who was there with her debut novel.

 

We hadn't been there long when someone came up to our table. She ended up purchasing one of my table-mates books...with cash.

 

The other author is in her early 20's and said to me after the fact that she hadn't thought anyone would buy her book using cash, so she hadn't prepared for that. She had QR codes for using Venmo, Zelle, and Square, but no way to process cash...or give change.

To make matters more complicated, she was charging $18.99 for her book.

 

Now, this might not sound like an issue. I mean, its not uncommon for books to cost around $20 these days.

 

It wasn't the $18 that was the problem. It was the 99¢.

 

I published my first novel 14 years ago and I've done quite a few in person events. In that time, I've learned a few things and one of them is that you want to make transactions as easy as possible. Especially, when you're dealing with cash transactions.

 

After the reader left our table, I imparted some advice to the new author sharing my table. Make your book an even amount at events, so you don't have to carry change around with you.

 

I'm not talking about paper money. I'm talking about actual coins.

 

If your book is $18.99, then you'll need to have pennies on hand to give change.

 

Granted, most readers will say don't worry about it (at lease this has been my experience), but again, just make it easier on yourself and make the book $19.00.

 

For me, I typically sell my novels for $15.00 at signings. This is less than you can buy them for on the major retailers.

 

Why is it cheaper?

 

Two reasons. 

 

1) I'm not sharing royalties with a retailer. When I sell my book on Amazon, Amazon keeps 30% of the retail price, plus the cost of printing. When I'm selling directly, I don't have to pay that 30%.

 

2) It gives readers an incentive to buy the book from me right then instead of waiting.

 

Do you have to do this?

 

No. You can charge what you want for your books. But as an author who's done this for over a decade, it's something I've found has made my life easier and gives a bonus to readers when the choose to support me when I go to events.

What I'm Currently Reading - The Deal by Elle Kennedy

 

She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy…

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

...and it’s going to be oh so good

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

 

 Amazon