I received a wonderful note from Alice mavin, author of The Drover – a coffee table book I strongly recommend newsagents stock
My name is Alice Mabin and I am the author of The Drover. I was at newsXpress Beechworth today and Vaughan showed me the post you put on your newsagency blog.
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your comments. I see you have a very strong following on the blog and your message really helped with my book sales leading up to Christmas.
It has been a real challenge but rewarding at the same time, to self publish and distribute my own book. The fact that bookshops have not stocked my book has been a bit of a blessing in disguise as it has made me think outside the box to promote and distribute my book and still make it a success.
The newsagents that have got behind it have been wonderful and have even been active in following through with the merchandising ideas I have given them to help with promotion.
Alice is supporting our channel with access to her book, autographed copies and retail support. Newsagents I’ve heard from say it is selling very well. This is a good Aussie story for us to get behind.
This truly is a beautiful book.
We don’t sell books but we have sold 8 copies in just over a week, not a bad little earner for a spot in our window, an $8 bale of hay from local co op and a set of stirrups borrowed from a staff member (Alice’s suggestion).
Even though not everyone who picks it up to have a look at this book is purchasing, it is generating a lot of interesting conversations from our customers.
Mostly we are busy just selling anything to make money so it’s a nice change to slow down and hear others stories and learn a little bit more about the lives of some of our older customers.
Jenny you’re right. This book is opening wonderful conversations. It’s a unique opportunity for newsagents.