Gold rush

It’s an odd experience to stand inside the entrance of a bookstore and peddle your wares. It can feel a little crass, like you’re a sales rep flogging hot tubs or magic dusters at a Better Living Convention. And it can feel a little lonely, like you’re a dinosaur in search of other giant lizards to engage in social interaction. It’s very humbling.

People are busy. People have only so much time. They’re on lunch or a break. They have to meet someone. They don’t buy print books anymore. They didn’t put money in the meter.

Then — and I’ve learned there’s no predicting how, why or when it will happen — someone stops to talk. The conversation might go anywhere, from why this person’s job makes him feel like crap, to the fact that Flin Flon is the only place in Canada named after a fictional character: Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin. Josiah, from The Sunless City, was a grocer turned explorer who built a submarine that took him through the Petrified Forest, the Hall of Jewels and the Sea of Earthquakes, to the Valley of Gold.

As a writer turned travelling shelf-talker for my book, for bookstores, and for books at large, my valley of gold today was when a woman explained to me that she has sworn off print books for eBooks (except for cookbooks). Can I purchase this as an eBook? she asked. (Yes, I told her, or you can buy it here, now.) Then she had a sudden change of heart or momentary lapse of resolve and bought a copy of my book. Maybe because I offered to sign it and throw in a button and a bookmark! I don’t know. But I like to think it was because no matter how you slice, dice or pretend nice it, a little face time triumphs anonymous exchange a million times over. As all good nurses and whores can attest.

If you’re in Kelowna be sure to visit Mosaic Books. A family-owned and staffed bookstore with a fantastic inventory of books, magazines, CDs, vinyl and cards. Sarah, Michelle, Trevor and Rob, thanks for a wonderful day in your beautiful store.

And thanks Kelowna for Spring Pale Ale.