Meet the Author

I attended an author event at our local library this week - it was... interesting. The library was using the event as a fundraiser. I love libraries, and feel like it's important to support my community (especially through books!) - but really, $75.00 per person? In this economy? Ouch!



It made me think though.... do authors want to do more or less of this type of event? Would they be willing to do book events (signings, discussions, workshops) at a used bookstore or is this sort of thing reserved for stores selling new books?



The better question though, - do our customers want to meet authors at our store?



Hit the comment button below and let me know what you want.

Inspiration

I was walking this morning, trying to work off the ice cream I promised myself I wasn't going to eat anymore, and when I got over the guilt about that, (took about 10 seconds!) - I moved on to more important stuff.

I was, as usual trying to come up some interesting way to promote my business. I feel as though I can't just sit and do nothing, I'm sure someone younger, (half the population!) more energetic or with a better idea will come along and run me out of town on a rail. I worry that the economy will drive me into the dirt, or worse, my own ignorance will do it!

So, I read a lot of books about running a business, being more creative, thinking differently or working smarter. I subscribe to Blogs, get newsletters or email, I visit other businesses to see what they're doing better then me (that's a long list!) and I listen to my customers.

From that whole list the most important advice I get is from the customers - I love all the people who come to the store or use the website, you guys give the best advice and are the most help to maintaining the business. I answered the phone yesterday and a gentlemen with a wonderful Texas drawl told me that he'd been trying to order some books on my website but there was a problem that I should check into. Two minutes with my website tech and the problem was solved - but I might not have found it for days if it hadn't been for my customer.

Don't assume that we don't want to hear from you ~ WE DO! We want to know what you think about everything - the store, the books, the website, this Blog, the newsletter, our service - anything and everything - if you're willing to take a moment to share what you know - we're willing to hear it and try to make things better!

Speak Up! Speak Out! Share! We want to give you what you want most in a bookstore - you just have to tell us what it is!

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Send me an email: sellsubooks@gmail.com
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Drop by the store! 904 John Marshall Hwy, Front Royal VA 22630

What I Learned From the Wedding of the Century

So, my daughter got married last Sunday, I survived the ordeal and I'm here to tell you that throwing a wedding is probably right at the top of my list of "Holy Cow! Events"... In case you haven't had the pleasure yet, I thought I'd share some helpful tips about what I learned along the way.

1. No matter how organized you think you are, no matter how many lists you make, no matter how many meetings you have, emails you fire back and forth, phone calls you conference, books you read or advisors you have - you are going to forget stuff.

2. No matter how many times you say, "I will NEVER act like so-and-so's mom!" - yes, you will.

3. No matter how many times you say, "I will not pay that much for....." - yes, you will.

4. No matter how many fittings you go to - you will cry when you see your daughter in the dress.

5. Surround yourself with friends and family, keep smiling, ask for help, plead for help - and no matter what else you say no to - say a resounding, "yes!" - to the open bar.

6. PS - get an amazing photographer - you will be stunned at the stuff you miss!

At this point - you should all be feeling very sorry for me - and you should all run down to the bookstore and buy at least $10.00 worth of books to help me feel better.

The Buzz....

Just thought you might like to know that it's definitely fall in upstate New York! I just got back from a book trip near Rochester - it's absolutely beautiful going up through the Finger Lakes Region right now - the trees are just starting to turn, the weather is perfect, dry and cool and every little town seems to be having a fall festival of some sort - delightful! If you have a little free time, its really worth the drive up.

We've added over 4000 books to the inventory in the last 10 days! This is impressive because I'm so busy trying to plan a wedding that I hardly have time for anything else! But I've discovered that if you give up sleep you can get a lot more stuff done! So, there are hundreds of mysteries, thrillers, romance, history, children's books.... you name it - I've added some to the inventory!

Now that it's fall -- you have a little more free time - do something nice for yourself.... come browse your favorite bookstore and take home a stack! You deserve it!

Cheers! ~ Judy

Where did the Summer Go?

This has been one speedy month! I try to update the Blog early in the month -- somehow I totally missed the 'early' part! Oh, well -- you guys are creative - pretend I wrote something pithy and interesting that stimulated some fabulous dinner conversation.

I'm actually in the middle of planning a wedding - our second one this year! I'm completely confused by all the rules, details and drama associated with throwing a wedding. What it boils down to is - a big party with a fancy dress. Now if someone could just explain to me how that should equate to a minimum outlay of $25,000 I would definitely give you a free book!

I'll keep checking my email for your replys!!

Read On - Get Smart!

Whew! We Work HARD!

We spent this last week installing new shelves (eight of them!), and opening boxes - it's been like Christmas around here! A total of just over 2200 books have been added to the database - Classics, Romance, Westerns, Self Help, Mysteries and Sci-fi made up the largest numbers - but there were lots of history, education and Autobios as well.

We're working as fast as we can to fill the shelves - stop by or visit the website soon to get the first pick before the one you really wanted gets snapped up!....... 300 boxes will go faster then you think!

See you soon!

The Sunshine State

We have made our last official trip to Florida! For those of you who are new to us.... we bought a bookstore in Florida - 70,000 books! One of those, too good to pass up kinda deals. We packed it, stored it, loaded it on to a container truck, it was hauled here by train where we unloaded it - and now - FINALLY we'll be adding the books to our growing store! The last load that we hauled up here was 11,800 lbs - whew, do I feel strong or what??

You might want to plan on visiting the store to pick up a book or twelve....

I don't know - I'm just saying.