Sometimes Out Of Nothing, Comes Something!

As I sat in front of the computer watching the annoying blinking from a cursor that anxiously waited for me to begin, I realized in reality that I had nothing. Nada. Zilch. Not even a HINT of viable possibilities to incorporate into this Thursdays blog entry. Oh, such is the life of a writer. Sometimes it comes; sometimes it doesn’t.

In an effort to distance myself from freaking out too much – due to an earlier promise of providing the masses with TWO posts a week – I decided to get up from my desk and grab one of the multitude cups of coffee I’m accustomed to drinking every day. A practice that would also give me an opportunity to check my phone for any emails or messages. Now, in the past I really wouldn’t have been that interested in any communication received, but I had recently been trying to line up some out-of-town book signings – so I made more of an effort than usual to stay on top of incoming emails and such.

Well, amid the emails focusing on erectile dysfunction, Russian escort services, weight loss systems, free credit scores, coupons, female hygiene, slow computers, and an assortment of dating sites, there it was – an email from one of the major booksellers in response to possibly hosting a book signing in that area. And so, with a sense of its contents being that of good news, I eagerly opened it.

However, that wasn’t the case.

You see, due to my books being print-on-demand, and not published by a ‘regular’ publishing house, that particular bookseller – as probably are others – declined my offer. Why? Well it seemed that due to previous signings done by other indie authors, they have had to financially ‘eat’ any remaining copies (and by that I mean, those books that the bookstore pre-ordered but didn’t sell during the signing).

Now folks, I TOTALLY understand where the booksellers are coming from. I really do! It’s just unfortunate that the above scenario happens to be the case with pretty much all indie artists trying to sell their wares this day and age. And though some avenues ARE available, needless to say, those are extremely crowded – and that’s not going to be changing any time soon.

Then that’s when it hit me! Why not the creation of a chain of stores that catered solely to independent authors, composers, bands, etc.? The financial structure would be based off the same principles as a consignment establishment, with the store first receiving an initial fee and then a small percentage off each sale after that. As for the stock, the books/CDs/or whatever would then be shipped by the creators themselves from the print-on-demand or other houses – making the cost per item extremely inexpensive. The stock would include the top tier sellers (either rated by local patrons or general national interest), some mid-range sellers, definitely ALL local artists, and then new releases. There would also be computers available for ebook information.

During the day, the stores would host a multitude of book signings and be a social gathering/reading/coffee/lounging type of environment. There would also be a side room to host book launching events. As for the evening? Well, that’s when the store would come alive by spotlighting songwriters, local bands, etc. (laid back music throughout the week and then the other styles during the weekend.)  

Okay… I’m gonna stop. I’m getting WAY too excited thinking about the possibilities! I mean, talk about a great opportunity and an important, much needed avenue for all independent artists. No more selling books or cds from the trunk of a car, and finally a place where the public could actually discover new and exciting talent. Oh my gosh!

In closing,… well it looks like I penned a blog entry after all, huh? I guess it just goes to show that sometimes out of nothing, comes something.  Oh, and for anyone out there with dark thoughts? Sorry but the above idea/concept has now been protected. Cheers.