Party at a Bookstore Near You

Independent Bookstore Day is this Saturday, April 29th. Please remember to visit the local bookstore nearest you and buy some books! Better yet, buy a book from an indie author!

Many bookstores will have refreshments and be giving away swag, too. So it's a good time to hang out with other readers and browse and, well, buy a book.

SUNDAY, April 10: Indie Author & Book Fair

Wowzers! It's here! 

Sunday, April 10th will be here before you know it and so will twenty-three (23) local authors from Washington and Oregon. Many of them are from the north coast area.

The event directly follows the Get Lit at the Beach event and attendees of the event are encouraged to come on over for the meet and greet.

All the authors will be available to discuss their books, their craft and sign their work.

Several of the authors participating have new books out.

Come on out, 12:30 to 3 p.m., Sunday, April 10 in the Garret Sea courtyard behind Jupiter's Books, 244 N. Spruce in Cannon Beach, Oregon. They'll be nearly a hundred indie titles and live music by Timothy Carroll (banjo and flute), too.

Self-Publishing Workshop Offered in Cannon Beach

Enlarge the poster above by clicking on it.

Here's your chance to learn all you need to get YOUR book published. 

Whether you want just a few copies for family and friends or you want the next bestseller, here is a place to begin.

And publishing your book can cost you very little--even nothing. Find out how. Come to the workshop. (Read more at the left.)

Workshop will accept walk-ins (until capacity is reached), but please, if you can, let me know you'll be coming. Maximum enrollment is 25; first-come-first-served.

North Coast Indie Author & Book Fair 2 Months Away

We're expecting 24 Washington and Oregon authors to join us for the second annual Indie Author & Book Fair on April 10, 2016. Eighteen of the twenty-four author spots have been reserved (we still have room for eight authors and expect the spots to fill quickly*).

The event follows directly on the heels of the Get Lit at the Beach event and creates a nice ending for the the weekend. To learn more about Get Lit click here.

*If you're an author wishing to participate contact: gregory.zschomler@gmail.com

The Page is Turning: On the Future of the Bookstore

The Espresso Book Press

Anyone who buys or sells books these days is talking. They're talking about the future of books and book sellers. And they've been talking for a while now. 

Meanwhile, changes have been taking place.

We've seen many of the mega "brick and mortar" bookstores close; Barnes and Nobel, Borders and others have shut their doors across the nation.

Still, others (like Powell's and Books-a-Million) somehow manage to hold on.  Some small indie book retailers continue to do business, while others close up shop. We can probably all name a favorite indie bookstore that has disappeared.

Many blame the advent of e-readers and online shopping (Kindle/Amazon), which could well be the case. However, that doesn't explain why some stores manage to thrive while others cannot survive.

Certainly, Amazon has made a major effort to undermine (by underselling) the competition and has, therefore, contributed to the demise the local bookstore. One (now closed) retailer I know said, "Not a day went by when someone didn't say to me, 'Oh, I'll just buy that online.'" (As a side note I must add: How evil is that!?)

And now that the local competition has been driven into the ground it seems that Amazon has plans to open multiple "brick and mortar" bookstores nation-wide; having opened their pilot store in Seattle with a measure of success.

Still, for their version of the local bookstore to work, wouldn't it have to be quite different from the traditional model? What was "bad" or "wrong" with the traditional bookstore? And what's "good" about online shopping? And, finally, how can the two be integrated or hybridized to make a better product?

If Amazon (or anyone else, for that matter) wishes to succeed on the local scene they're going to have to offer a retail experience that combines the best of both worlds and becomes something altogether new and better.

One of the major concerns for any bookstore, big or small, is what to stock. No matter how big you are there are always more books than you have room for. In the USA alone there are more than 300,000 new titles published per year--that's printed books and does not take into account e-book-only titles. Amazon currently lists 32.8 million titles (hardback and paperback) and there's a new book added every five minutes! (Keep in mind that many of these are no longer traditionally published.) You can have that kind of volume in virtual retail, but not in a physical space.

Traditionally, retail stores stock only what sells well. At least they try to. There's a whole model for the traditional book business that, for reasons of length, I won't go into here. (Perhaps at another time.) Suffice it to say that if books don't sell the publisher buys them back and that, in the past, the publishers assumed all the risk (which is why they are reticent to publish just any old thing).

BUT, the industry has been challenged by the advent of e-books and the self-publishing impetus. And Print on Demand (POD) has revolutionized the book business.

So, if variety is indeed the spice of life, and you can stock only so many books, a hybrid is the only reasonable answer. Two guiding truths will shape the future of booksellers: One, in order for a book to sell it has to be seen (exposure) and two, in order for a seen book to be sold it has to be deliverable, and the quicker the better (immediacy). Exposure and immediacy means that the browsing and buying experience must go hand-in-hand.

If you know what you want, you need to find it. If you don't know what you want, you need to find something that appeals to you. Basically, that's why online shopping works so well, you can search by title or author or by any other set of parameters (search terms) you choose. You can either find exactly what you wanted or get a list of suggestions that might fill the bill. That kind of browsability must be available in the new book-shopping experience. But then, the problem with shopping online is that when you find an item you want to buy you have to wait for it.

In order for the shopping experience to be completed (immediate product delivery) what has been sought must be bought and then walked out the door right then and there.

Enter the POD Book Press (see photo above). Those familiar with CreateSpace know that your indie/self-published book isn't printed until it's ordered. Once ordered only the copies requested are printed and shipped. No stock on hand, no wasted paper sitting around in your garage or taking up shelf space. What's more every book added to the data-base--"out-of-print," rare, new, classic--will always be available (until the dystopian future, anyway).

Now imagine that POD Press in a bookstore like Powell's. You walk in, browse a kiosk for the book(s) you want, select them on the touch-screen, slide or bump your credit card, touch the "complete order" button and then go order a cup of joe or browse the internet. Five to ten minutes later you pick up your book hot off the press--every bit the quality you've always expected.

Think what this means for the traditional publishers (willing to survive the new model): less, risk, no waste, no back-orders, less overhead and more authors. Think, too, what it means for the indie-authors: more exposure, more availability, more sales and less footwork.

It's the model I foresee. The only model that will work well for publishers, authors, booksellers and readers. We live in a microwave, fast-food, instant gratification society and, in this model, everyone gets what they want...when they want it.

Click here to learn more and see a VIDEO of an Espresso Book Press in operation.

TWENTY LOCAL AUTHORS GATHER in Cannon Beach

The first ever (hopefully to become annual) Cannon Beach Local Indie Author & Book Fair will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 9 at Jupiter’s Books, 244 N. Spruce, Cannon Beach, Ore.

All twenty participating, independently-published authors are local to the Pacific Northwest and many live on the North Coast. A few have new works they will be debuting and signing at the event (denoted with an asterisks*).

Authors include: 

• David Robinson from Cannon Beach,Ore.
• Gregory E. Zschomler from Cannon Beach, Ore.*
• Jeva Singh-Anand from Seaside, Ore.
• Chip MacGregor from Manzinita, Ore. 
• Holly Lorintcz from Manzinita, Ore.
• Melissa Ousley from Warrenton, Ore.
• Paula Judith Johnson from Hammond, Ore.
• Tricia Gates Brown from Nehalem, Ore.
• Travis Champ from Nehalem, Ore.
• Julius Jortner from Pacific City, Ore.
• Jan Bono from Long Beach, Wash.
• Thomas Gondolfi from Yelm, Wash.
• Andy R. Bunch from Vancouver, Wash.
• April Bullard from Vancouver, Wash.*
• Traci Leigh Taylor from Gaston, Ore.
• Montgomery Mahaffey from Portland, Ore.
• Jessica Cox from Portland, Ore. 
• Rita Traut Kabeto from Portland, Ore.
• Maquel A. Jacob from Beaverton, Ore.
• Donald McEwing from Tigard, Ore.
• In addition Matt Love of Astoria will have his books available.

The event is brought to you by Jupiter’s Books and the Read Local Indie movement, a cooperative between indie bookstores and the indie authors around them.

Contact: gregory.zschomler@gmail.com

BEACH BOOKS CELEBRATES INDIE BOOKSTORE DAY

It's a celebration of books and book lovers. Join us as we party morning, noon and night. 

Beach Books, in Seaside, Ore. starting the morning with scones and mimosas at 9 a.m., cupcakes at 1 p.m., and wine and hors d'oeuvres for the Art Walk at 5 p.m.. 

There will be lots of prizes - scratch-offs for the first 50 kids and first 50 adults, a scavenger hunt, cool bags for the first 20 people who spend $50 or more.

Plus there will be face-painting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with authors dropping by (including moi) signing books, "and who knows what else might happen?"

I will be at the store from noon to 2 p.m. I'll be debuting my brand new book Louie, the Lonely Lighthouse.

Official Launch Party for my new book (above).

Why you don't want to miss this event:

Publishers, authors and artists have created special books and other items - maps, tea towels, signed prints, (why there's even a Guess How Much I Love You onesie!) just for these events. And they will only be sold on May 2 only at participating independent bookstores like Beach Books (which is the only one on the North Coast). They have done all this because it's so important to thank you, our customers for keeping us here.

"Consumers control the marketplace by deciding where to spend their money. If what a bookstore offers matters to you, then shop at a bookstore. If you feel that the experience of reading a book is valuable, then read the book. This is how we change the world: we grab hold of it. We change ourselves." -Ann Patchett, bestselling author and co-owner of Parnassus Books

Location: 616 Broadway, Seaside, Oregon

BIG Gathering of Indie Books/Authors Coming Soon

Once again many, many local indie authors and their books will be all together in one place. There will be even more this year at the Spring Portland Home & Garden Show (and the booth is bigger, too). Mark your calendars and plan now to attend Feb. 19-23. Watch here for discount admission coupons and remember parking is FREE all day Thursday and after 4 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Many of us have new books, so come on out and see us.

Don't Miss Out on This Weekend's H&G Show Discount

Come on out to the Portland Home & Garden Show this weekend at the Portland Expo for some great reads. 

At this point the are more than 25 authors represented at the show, with more than 20 making appearance to sign their books, and there are more than 60 titles in a wide array of genres to choose from.

The booth (#253) also features many other books (centered on gardening, cooking, homemaker and building topics) from a wonderful Local Independent Bookstore: Jacobsen's Books.

I've also attached a coupon for the show you can use for discount admission. It's good for Thursday and Friday only, and I parking is free after 4 p.m. (and the show is open until 8 p.m.).

Though I won't be there (my books will be), tell everyone you know to come say "hi" to my fellow local indie authors!

NEW NEWS! Preview Illustrations for "I'm Samson..."

April Bullard has (as of today) finished the last of the illustrations for "'I'm Samson,' said Sydney" and we'll be showcasing some of her work for the book at the:

Local Indie Author Meet & Greet 

at Brewed Awakenings (63rd & Andresen) tomorrow (Sat. Sept. 20) from 10 a.m. until noon.

Come on out for a preview, give us some feedback, talk to us about our process, buy one of our other books, have it signed, pre-order "Samson," enjoy a great cup of joe (iced or blended; the day will be hot and we'll be in AC)...whatever.

Plus there are other authors to hang with, too.

Local Indie Authors at PDX Home & Garden Show

My books will be available at the Fall Portland Home & Garden Show along with many other books by other local indie authors. While I won't be there, my books will be. I encourage you to come on out and check out the many titles you can bring into your home.

The admission is $10, but you can get a $2 off coupon here: http://www.otshows.com/pfhs/the-show/discount-coupon/

If you want your books by me signed you should come out and buy them this Saturday (Sept. 20) at the Local Indie Author Meet & Greet at the 63rd St. Brewed Awakenings from 10 a.m. until noon (sse the post about the event below). Five other great authors will be there, too. The event is free.

If you can't make either of those I'll be in town signing my new childrens' picture book with the illustrator April Bullard on November 22. Time and place TBA. We'll have our other books available as well. This will be my last appearance in Vancouver this year.

Pedaling Publication Promos at Patriotic Parade

Author Gregory E. Zschomler works the crowd of parade-goers.

It was a glorious day for a parade. As part of the Jacobson's Books entry for local authors of "indie-pendance" we hustled through oldtown Hillsboro, Oregon promoting our books and the bookstore. I say hustled because the two mile jaunt was quick.

While I would have liked to have had more time (I literally had to jog at several points the pace was so fast) I did manage to hand out over 400 promotional pieces. Maybe I'll garner a few sales from the effort?

In the meantime, some book sales are picking up. The cookbook sells steadily online and sales of "Lights, Camera, Worship!" are also taking off. I'm seeing some sales of the new book "The Amish vs. The Zombies," but nothing to write home about...yet.

Local Businesses Support Local Indie Authors

Did you know that various businesses about town carry my books? Sure you can have them ordered into a big-box chain bookstore [Barnes and Nobel] or buy them online [Amazon] or even direct from me. BUT...

If you're out and about you can pick one up at an indie bookstore, a coffee shop or even a shipping store (for that last minute gift). In so doing you not only get an enjoyable read and support a local author, you are also supporting a local business (because they take a cut, too).

New locations are being added over time, meanwhile here's where you can find not only my books, but other local indie authors, too:

PAPER TIGER COFFEE ROASTERS, 703 North Grand Boulevard, Vancouver, Wash., is the newest business to carry my work. They're a small local roaster, a coffee shop, an art gallery, a restaurant and they have a variety of entertainment events that include open mic author nights.

They have a few local authors represented in their small retail display which also includes hand made gifts and other treasures. Plus they have a rack of loaner books and Wi-Fi.

INTERSTELLAR OVERDRIVE BOOKS, 7732 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave., Vancouver, Wash., carries a wide array of books by local indie authors even though they specialized in used Sci-Fi reading materials. They are hosting the BOOK LAUNCH PARTY for my upcoming release The Amish vs. The Zombies on June 21. [Mark your calendars and watch for details.]

JACOBSON'S BOOKS & MORE, 211 E Main St., Downtown Hillsboro, Ore. also stocks local indie books and probably has the widest selection. If you're in the Portland area this is your best bet for indie books, games, toys and other gifts.

Located in Old Town Hillsboro along with many other delightful small businesses (a hobby store, several great restaurants, a music store, an old fashioned soda fountain, a theater, and more) it is well worth the trip. I'm scheduled to walk with their float in the city's 4th of July Parade and will be doing a signing at the store in late July. [Watch for details and plan to come out.]

SALMON CREEK SHIPPING, 14300 NE 20th Ave., D-102, Vancouver, Wash., has been carrying my books the longest. I am the only author they carry. Maybe because we've been customers (our mailbox is) there for a long time, too. They have locally made fudge and a variety of handmade gifts for sale as well as secure mailboxes for business or personal use, shipping/packing services and supplies, FedEx, USPS, DHL, stamps, stationary, greeting cards, fax and copy services and more!

The End of Publishing as we Know it?

Most everyone knows that the publishing industry is changing--even struggling. Certainly this is known by everyone who writes or publishes.

There are many signs.

Independent and corporate bookstores are closing. Publishers are consolidating. Amazon is growing. ebooks and self-publishing are quickly taking over the market.

Everywhere you see the publishing industry (publishers, editors and agents) condemning the indie market, railing against the "unchecked" movement, decrying a "gateless" freedom where anyone wanting to can now publish a book. Such prattling is a sure sign of fear on their part as cash flow continues to dwindle.

The tendency certainly begs the question: "Is this good or bad?"

That depends.

On the one hand publishers have always served as "gatekeepers," regulating the quality of grammar and "worthiness" of what the public reads. In so doing they have stifled voices and thought, but kept the "standard." They have offered a sort of "badgeing" or approval service to the public. But they have also taken the lion's share of the profits and also the brunt of the risk. The bulk of authors either get rejected or, if published, see very little of the profits (royalties rarely pay more than 12%).

On the other hand, when there are no gatekeepers, anyone can have a voice. Today people are less trusting of corporate authority than in the past. They don't want authority figures telling them what they can and cannot do. They are reticent of accepting fed information. Fewer and fewer people trust the media industry and many feel it is biased. Citizen journalism, by way of the web, is on the rise as it has been since the 90s. Most people trust what their friends say before they trust the media.

This also reflects on the publishing industry. People are now saying "you can't decide for me what is worthy of reading," and they take their friend's advice over what marketing campaigns push at them. In fact, publishers are trending toward throwing their hands up when it comes to marketing--offering less and less to new authors. Often what efforts they do make do little to boost their bottom line.

You heard it said that you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. The same is true for readers: You can lead a person to a book, but you can't make them read it. No amount of marketing is going to get people to read. Word of mouth is the most effective means of advertising.

So, on the one hand you have publishers touting their "filtering" philosophy, and, on the other, you've got a public saying we don't need you.

The industry hates the indies.

At first they said it wouldn't fly and now mock it, hoping it will go away. But it won't. It grows. And most indie books aren't nearly as bad as they say they are. Some are, but many are quite good.

Authors are wising up, too. They know they don't need to face endless rejection, that they can earn more in royalties, and that they can get books to market when they want (not wait years for the corporate wheels to turn).

Furthermore, it would be wise for the publishing industry to take the initiative to reinvent themselves to embrace the movement rather than buck it. But they won't, because, even though the trend may see their demise, they are greedy. Before you know it, it will be too late.

Publishing is no longer for the elite few, but for everyone with a voice.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/feb/28/waterstones-james-daunt-interview-books-bookshops-ebooks