A longtime favorite customer published a book last week with a very local publisher. The book looks lovely. The publisher threw a massive book launch at the Inn at Shelburne Farms (see a previous post to see how beautiful it is). Mary, the author, is a stately older woman, who was basking in the glow of more than a hundred friends celebrating her book release.
The store’s copies of the book were delivered the following morning by 11. Mary had already called at 10:30 to make sure we were getting our copies that day. Something has changed in Mary. Gone is the book-buying Mary. She has been replaced by anxious local author. Please understand, I love Mary. She’s been a good customer and I’m thrilled for her book.
As with many brand-new local authors, she calls every day to see how we’re doing on stock. She came in Saturday to check the placement of her book. Elizabeth had smartly faced out our stack of 10 in the Vermont section which is right by the front door. Honestly, better placement is hard to find.
Well, Mary came in and saw the case and asked Elizabeth if she might have better placement. Elizabeth deftly handled the situation by saying that after our event it would move to the register. Elizabeth asked Mary what she’d like to see, and Mary said with dead seriousness, “Well, I want someone standing there by the door, holding the book.” And then she smiled impishly.  I burst out laughing.
Honestly, I’m still laughing.