“The RoseBouquet”

Selling my novel in person has suddenly become quite easy! Wow, this is fun!

My new church has evening services on Sundays (except for holiday weekends). There are not many churches that do that any more, but I like it for a couple of reasons. One of them is the chance to socialize with other Christians before and after the evening service. At this church they have a buffet of snacks ready and everyone is welcome to take something with a cup of coffee or tea or juice and sit down at the tables for a snack and visit.

Well, a few weeks ago I was chatting with the wife of one of the pastors and we got to the novel I wrote, Ruthe’s Secret Roses. She said she’d like to see it. So the following week I dropped a couple of copies in the book back where I carry my Bible (each new book in a used bubble-pak envelop for protection), and after the service I went to show her a copy of my novel. In a moment she was asking me the price and handing me the money.

I ended up sitting at a table near another woman, the first that had really befriended me in this church. When I had a chance I pulled out the other book and asked if she’d like to see this, as I thought I had told her about it. She took a look, and said, “This would be great for when we go to Florida! How much?”

“Twenty-five,” I said, almost holding my breath. It was too-high a price for my budget, but in selling these I had to cover my costs, including the shipping and exchange rate on the US dollar, plus customs fees.

She checked her purse and came up with the twenty-five in no time flat.

As I was about to drive away in the parking lot another woman called out that she heard I had a book. I promised to bring one for her next time.

The Sunday of the Family Day weekend, however, we did not have an evening service, but were told that we could go hear Marie Ens at Westgate Alliance. I knew of her but had never met her in person, so I decided to go there, and again, I slipped some copies of my novel into my book bag. While looking at Marie’s books at her table in the foyer, I got to talking with another woman I had just met about my own book-writing experience. I pulled one out to show her and another woman listening to me. While we were talking she absently handed it back to me, so I slipped it back into my book bag. I certainly didn’t want to be pushy or press my book on anyone.

I took my cookies and hot water to sit down at a table, and suddenly the woman came back and said, “Oh, I meant to buy your book.” Happily I took it out again, and even signed it for her.

This last Sunday I brought along a couple of books again to the evening service, and took care to show one to the woman who had shown an interest in the parking lot two weeks earlier. She quickly called for her husband, and helped him rifle through his wallet and change purse until they had $25 for me.

I tell you, I thought selling my book would be a lot of hard work and maybe take expensive advertising and going on a speaking tour, but this is so easy! It amazes me! Because I’ve promised the Lord the profits from this book I’ve put it on a back burner, thinking I have to somehow earn my basic living budget before I can spare time to promote it. Now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t rethink my whole marketing strategy.

What if my life suddenly takes a whole new turn?