tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post19945211394339958..comments2024-02-28T12:45:42.761-05:00Comments on Hoosier Ink: Will My Christian Bookstore Always Be There?The ACFW INDIANA Chapter Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07282742986179364847noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-54874619425794188662011-07-22T09:45:20.073-04:002011-07-22T09:45:20.073-04:00I am working on an article now "Book Signing ...I am working on an article now "Book Signing From a Store Manager's POV" which will give you some insight onto that side of the equation in order to help you target the right person to get a signing set up.Darren Kehrerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00277600931530139691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-23444549182925317182011-07-21T11:25:13.957-04:002011-07-21T11:25:13.957-04:00Someone should also do a blog soon on book signing...Someone should also do a blog soon on book signings in bookstores. From what I've observed, lots has changed with book signings in recent years, no matter how high up on the author totem pole an author is (with, of course, some exceptions). . . :-)Millie Samuelsonhttp://www.milliesbooks.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-50052995144204362722011-07-20T21:58:22.234-04:002011-07-20T21:58:22.234-04:00I guess my next post topic should be "Mom and...I guess my next post topic should be "Mom and Pop Christian Bookstores vs Chain Christian Bookstore: The Differences." :)Darren Kehrerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00277600931530139691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-77376932317964153002011-07-20T20:20:25.031-04:002011-07-20T20:20:25.031-04:00It's the smaller stores that do a MUCH better ...It's the smaller stores that do a MUCH better job at it. I won't mention any chain stores here, but I know from experience that they have to run everything by a "higher authority" and are not allowed to do anything on their own. It's very sad, but true. When I managed the Carpenter's Son, we were ALWAYS welcoming author signings as we knew who was writing the books we were selling.Darren Kehrerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00277600931530139691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-31317851840401223372011-07-20T17:33:04.713-04:002011-07-20T17:33:04.713-04:00I have to say that I have seen that to with the &q...I have to say that I have seen that to with the "chain bookstores" as the smaller ones know it's in their best interests to do book signings. I have experience managing both, and always tried to push the limit in what my DM would let me do without permission from big brother and all.Darren Kehrerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00277600931530139691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-55145321382744407692011-07-20T16:59:56.596-04:002011-07-20T16:59:56.596-04:00I hate to throw a wet blanket on the discussion, a...I hate to throw a wet blanket on the discussion, and trust me, I'm a positive person, but... I have one chain Christian bookstore near me (which shall remain unnamed). The former manager was helpful and informative, but her staff didn't have a good working knowledge of even the most popular Christian authors (Kingsbury, Dekker...you get the idea). I found I knew more than they did, but then again, I'm a more informed consumer than the average reader. Then a new manager came, and when my book released, the door was firmly slammed in my face. "We don't do local author booksignings," I was told. I still shop there, but I honestly think the manager purposely avoids me when he sees me come in the door. It's a real shame. There's a smaller, family-owned Christian bookstore near me. You'd think they'd be my best friends, but they've made it clear that unless I'm published by one of the big CBA houses, they won't feature my books. It's not just that issue, though (but I'll spare you from the details). Darren, I'm so sorry about YOUR store, and it sounded like the "perfect" Christian store. Unfortunately, in my experience where I live now, the Christian stores leave a LOT to be desired. SIGH. Sorry, but that's the way it is.JoAnn Durginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712026123374929939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-27019972190546093072011-07-20T10:03:14.499-04:002011-07-20T10:03:14.499-04:00You're absolutely right, Darren. I cherish the...You're absolutely right, Darren. I cherish the Christian bookstore near me (they're so helpful with signings). When the one in my former hometown closed, the entire county mourned.Rachael Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02000599424258251598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-43755970503524138862011-07-20T08:52:43.618-04:002011-07-20T08:52:43.618-04:00I needed to test the new posting interface, so I r...I needed to test the new posting interface, so I redid my last post. I didn't have any issues....Darren Kehrerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00277600931530139691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-69800840069482176162011-06-05T18:10:40.361-04:002011-06-05T18:10:40.361-04:00Christian bookstores are great! I often shop in th...Christian bookstores are great! I often shop in them. But I also love shopping for Christian books and items in "regular" stores and bookstores. I hope both ways can continue somehow. . . :-)Millie Samuelsonhttp://www.milliesbooks.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2676691386361883927.post-59215619377767768002011-06-04T18:00:57.407-04:002011-06-04T18:00:57.407-04:00Very useful post, Darren.
Actually, my wife and I...Very useful post, Darren.<br /><br />Actually, my wife and I stopped at a Christian bookstore this past Monday, though it is one of the bigger chains (Lifeway). One nice thing about Lifeway -- it has a small section for local authors. <br /><br />(Once when we were there, Becky pointed to the endcap of a shelf where they feature local authors and said my book could be placed there. However, I happened to be on the long side of the same shelf and looked at the heading I saw, which was "Clearance".)<br /><br />When I lived in California, I hung out at a handful of Christian bookstores, including Maranatha Village which had a phenomenal music section (including some more local artists). <br /><br />One problem facing the Christian bookstores is the same problem facing local newspapers and record stores -- internet availability. Why go to Lifeway or Family Bookstores or your smaller store when you can sit back in your air conditioned (or heated, depending on the time of year) and log on to Amazon?<br /><br />Thanks again.<br /><br />JeffJeffrey C. Reynoldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03260244563274650475noreply@blogger.com