After lunch last Friday, I visited a bookstore in North London (Postal code N22). The staff told me that the bookstore is launching a section for self-published books. I thought this was finally “up my alley” until he mentioned that it was for novels only. I glanced over the stack of books that he was arranging around the counter and I saw a cookbook. I then asked him “It looks like you are also selling self-help books for example, I can see cookbooks there!”. Unfortunately, he disagreed that cookbooks belong to the category of self-help. I added, “I can also see travel guides there. They are certainly self-help books without a doubt”.

At this point, I saw the rolling of the eyes. I put on a “professional” face and uttered thank you before leaving the store with an unresolved question that cookbook is a self-help book or not.

After a quick re-composition of myself after the first negative result, I walked to an independent bookstore in the same area on my list. It was supposed to open at 11am, but when I arrived sharply at 11am, the door was not open. I marched up and down the block try to avoid passers-by mistaking me for visiting the licensed sex bookstore next to the independent bookstore (Perhaps they are both independent, but I did not think the sex bookstore would be interested in carrying my book there). A lady finally arrived 7 minutes later on a bicycle and she apologized because she was stuck at the post office. She promptly opened the door of the store and explained to me that I can leave my book for review and pick it up 2 weeks later. I looked around the book shelves and told her that my book is on the topic of adult learning. She replied, “Oh, this is a special bookstore for photography books!” I politely thanked her for thinking that I could pass for a photographer and left holding my head high (not sure why!).

 

Later that day, I went to another bookstore close to King’s Cross. After being directed to the manager’s desk, I did my usual introduction and the manager replied “Your book certainly sounds interesting, but this bookstore is specialized in selling books related to POLITCS.” I stood there undeterred and asked her if she knew of any other “normal” bookstores. After a few minutes of scratching her head, she gave me a pamphlet called “The London Bookshop Map – 107 independent bookshops”.   That very evening, I put that pamphlet on the post to my executive assistant (a good friend) Gary and asked him to compile an ACCURATE list for my next sales trip (and put him on probation!).

 

I took a day off from work yesterday to promote my self-published book. 

The first store was a big bookstore in Piccadilly Circus, a very touristic area in London. After fighting off my habit developed in the last decade shopping in the area (this time I only went into one shop instead of usual 10+, not counting the distraction from window shopping), I stepped foot into the bookstore. It was around 10:15am, perhaps a bit too early for work. The two staff were very much engaged in a conversation of last night TV series EastEnders (a popular British TV soap). After standing in front of them for 5 minutes, they noticed my “invasion”. I “broke the ice” and their EastEnder conversation,  for that matter, by saying “Good morning!”. I introduced myself and asked them if the store would take books directly from authors. They answered negative and explained that they only accept books from major publishers. They wasted no time to return to their discussion on EastEnders and when I left the store, the discussion progressed onto another British TV series Downton Abbey.

What did I do?   I took refuge in retail therapy since I was in such an advantageous area, but I rebounded promptly after reminding myself that the negative response was nothing personal. Marching onto the next bookstore!

Knowing that my sense of direction is close to non-existent, I thought it would be wise to strategically work out the route on the internet to my short-listed independent bookstores before embarking the journey. I decided to focus on Central and North London (around 9 bookstores in total). Guess what I found on the list when I checked the internet?

A luxury watch store specializing on Rolex watches!
I was a bit puzzled why it was on the list “disguised” as an independent bookstore for me to visit. It did not take me long to realize that my Executive assistant Gary wanted to subtly remind me that a Rolex watch would be a good gesture for his help (I did vaguely recall him talking to HIMSELF about it because obviously this sort of comment came from one of my ear to the other!) A careless mistake of Gary – I think not!

Well Gary, as I told you before (I know you are reading it), I can offer a Casio or Timex watch (of my choice) if my first sales target (paid copies) of 1,000 is met in the first 12 months. For a Rolex, the sales figure will have to be in 6 figures. But our dear readers can judge if he even deserves a Casio watch or not after reading the future blogs on my first sales trip!

To all my Jewish friends including Jesus!

 I visited 2 bookstores in North London (N11 – North of Finchley Road) which apparently is a Jewish neighborhood. Both bookstores were closed for Jewish New Year. I can understand. It is time for celebration!

My long walk (25 minutes from the closest underground station) will not be repeated next time because I realized that there is bus from the station which I took on my way back :>

 The rest of my day as a book salesman? Oh, come on, it is the Jewish New Year. I also need to take a break. Will report starting tomorrow. Is it ok?

It will be my very FIRST day that I actually put on the hat of the salesperson of my book facing the public. I am taking a day off from work to visit some independent book stores within zone 3 of London (I rarely ventured outside of zone 1) and ask them if they are willing to sell my book there. A special thank you to my executive assistant (good friend) Gary for compiling the list for me. 

What to expect?

Rolling out the Red carpet –Wishful thinking. Perhaps not straight away!

Showing me the door — Likely but I will insist on, at a minimum, leaving my business card behind.

Calling the police — Come on, the police got better things to do.

Flying shoes –As long as they are not flying daggers, I can handle it. It does not need to get violent, people.

Reluctantly accepting my pledge – The best result I can expect :>

 

Anyway, I will report my experience by tomorrow night. Please cross your fingers and squeeze your thumb for me (a German gesture for good luck)

I went to the dentist office this morning. A thought came to my mind when I was “strapped” to the dentist chair.

It was not pain, death, heaven and marriage (not that they are related, but I heard those are some of the common thoughts when people are at the dentist chair!).

I was actually looking around the dentist office for a good spot to sell my book and thinking about giving my dentist a complimentary copy for promotion. If nothing else, that thought of promotion my book distracted me from feeling the pain that went through my mouth.

Afterwards, I discussed this “brilliant” idea with a friend and he said “Well, actually you may not want people to associate your book with PAIN and people are not in the right mood to buy a book in the dentist office.” On second thought, he is right – that is probably not the ideal place to promote my book.

When I woke up this morning, I only got 15 minutes left to get out of my flat for work instead of my usual 90 minutes (Yes, please don’t think my hair style and all of it are natural and require no work!). I was in a total panic and bad mood as one can imagine (or cannot).

Then a line from my book, under the section – Kiss the negative goodbye, “You can remind yourself to stay positive emotionally irrespective of your circumstances.” (p.25 to be exact) came to my mind. Instead of letting myself getting upset that I overslept and messed up my routine (it is a big deal for more mature people, believe me!), I made a conscious decision to turn it around by having my a great breakfast with a pain au chocolat and an almond croissant together with a large soya cappuccino in the office.

I felt much better afterwards and it turned out to be a positive day for me despite a rough start!

Not sure Drama Becomes Me or the other way around (loosely borrowed from the movie title Death Becomes Her)!

There is no surprise that the international postage is outrageously expensive, but this is another level.

Last Friday, I was going to send my books to my good friend Pam in New York (my first U.S. customer) via the Royal Mail.

My book weighs 124g and for printed matters under 250g it is a flat rate of 4.75 pounds.

And now “wearing a new hat” as a savvy small business owner (my small book is my business), I put 2 books in the parcel which accounted for 248g.

Then I added 6 promotional postcards to the parcel.

I went to the post office holding my head high thinking how smart I was with this shipping cost minimization.  I put one parcel on the scale and it was 251g.  The counter staff said 7.45 pounds and for some reason, (you see , I may have hearing problem :>), I thought she said 4.75 pounds which was what I had expected. She put the stamps on three parcels.  When it was time to pay, she said a total of 22.35 pounds.  I questioned why and she said 7.45 pounds each and you saw it was 251g each.  Between 251g and 500g, the postage is 7.45 pounds.  Essentially, I was asked to pay 2.7 pounds for 1g!  I recomposed myself and told her politely to REMOVE the stamps from the parcels.  I have changed my mind.  Needlessly to say, I could see steam come up of her head and she furiously (yet carefully) peeled off the stamps (one by one).  I went home and repacked the parcels.  I went back to the same post office this morning and tactfully avoided her (when I saw that it was my turn to her counter, I “suddenly” recalled that I needed to check some packing materials and re-joined the queue 2 seconds later).

Learned from last Friday’s experience,  I left the parcel open (with 2 books inside) and put my promotional postcards into it, ONE at a time.  I actually did not see the people behind me rolling their eyes because I don’t have eyes on my back :>.

Guess what the optimal number is?

The answer is 2 books with 4 postcards in the parcel (with some of “bubbles” of the bubble wrap BURST for weight reduction!)

Yes, I know.  Welcome to the new world of “poor” entrepreneurs – every pence counts, my friend :>  I am not ashamed!

All are welcome. I meant FEEDBACK for my book (borrowed loosely the movie title from Clint Eastwood)

My editor Geoff warned me repeatedly to refrain from defending myself in particular to non-positive feedback. He said, rightly so, that even the bestsellers received negative feedback from time to time. So take a deep breath; use a paper bag if needed and as a last resort he asked me to call him before putting my response in writing. Yes, I will bite my tongue and put a lid on my not-so-small mouth (for a change). I promised I will collect and consider all feedback without starting a fight.