Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Tales of a Craft Show Drop-Out & Book Fair Announcement!



Many moons ago, I was a florist.

I decided to start my own business when I lived in Vermont. I made dried wreaths, gift items and wedding stuff. My house looked like a bunch of flowers exploded on the second floor. (My hubs was super nice about the whole thing). Anyway, during this time of my life, I decided to participate in one of the most dreaded undertakings known to mankind.

Yes....The Craft Show.

(Hubs likes to call them The Craps Show).

Anyhoo, I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for my first show. I had wreaths displayed. Some of my wedding work was there for folks who wanted to place orders. I had a portfolio with photos. I sat at my little chair and watched people walk by. And then walk by some more. And then avoid eye contact. And pretty soon I felt like the Biggest Loser On The Face Of The Earth.


And I swore, as I packed up my car to head home after making a piddly amount of money, that I would NEVER put myself through that humiliation again.

Which brings me to the next announcement....The Book Fair!

You know what I'm about to say. You've walked through the book fair room, avoiding eye contact with authors sitting next to a huge stack of books. You've suffered through the awkward conversation with a big name writer, who is sitting next to Miss Nobody with the sad puppy dog eyes. You've dished out cash for books you really didn't want, just because you couldn't take it anymore.

Hee heeee.......

Wellllllll.........I would like to invite you and your super guilty conscience to the Literacy Book Fair at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, MA on Saturday April 28, at 4:30 pm. (How did you like that introduction? Are you feeling a compulsion yet?) Some big name authors will be there--Hannah Howell, Kristan Higgins, Annette Blair, Marie Force, Judith Arnold, Meg Maguire/Cara McKenna and more. (And some small name authors, including yours truly, attempting to hawk my Christmas book in April. I'm bringing a mini xmas tree and some candy canes).

It should be a frolicking good time, and a great way to end the conference weekend. Marley Gibson is also giving a Ghost Hunter tour of Salem after the book fair.

Any New Englanders interested in meeting some of their favorite authors (and making fun of Penny Watson, the nutball selling a xmas book in April), please stop by and say hello!

The NECRWA hopes to see you there!


Don't feel bad. Seriously.



Sure, just walk on by. It won't hurt my feelings.



You don't want to read a Christmas story in April? That's OK. *sniffle, sniffle*



Don't worry about me. It's nothing a cocktail (or 42) can't cure.


Did it work yet?

Having no shame,
Penelope