More wisdom gleaned from the book signing roller coaster:

1. Don’t break anything, particularly on your person, before an event. I learned that the hard way after crushing my left great toe under a 100 pound, portable loading ramp.  Though I tried gamely to mingle with the customers at the Bemidji and Detroit Lakes Book World stores, my hobbling gait gave my aspirations away. Potential buyers often beat me to the exit before I could approach them with my spiel.

2. Never schedule anything during the Minnesota State Fair.  Though I suspected that the Fair might cut into attendance at my signing last weekend, I never realized its impact until I saw all the cars headed south on I-94 all the way from Minneapolis to Detroit Lakes.

3. Never prejudge who might purchase your book(s). Marketing guides and my own experience say that my typical reader is female, college-educated, and middle- to upper-middle class in background and income. One customer who entered the store in Bemidji was a dissheveled, unshaven, white male wearing a weather-beaten farm implement cap and a flannel shirt in 90 degree heat. I barely had finished my throw-away rendition of the plot for Metadata Murders when he responded with “Sounds good. Can I buy a copy?”  

Thanks to all of you who took the time during the brilliant, sunny afternoons of late August and decided to browse the book store rather than drowse in a hammock alongside Lakes Detroit or Bermidji.  And thanks to those who listened to my spiel and decided to purchase a copy of one of my books. My particular thanks goes to those folks who decided to buy copies of both.

Salut!