I’m late again. I almost skipped the newsletter this time because I don’t have a burning subject I have to get off my chest, but I have all the other months of 2026, and it’ll bug me if I miss one.
This past Saturday (April 25) was Independent Bookstore Day. I made it to four of them—including a Barnes and Noble and an ancient used bookstore on the Ave, neither of which was participating. I have to go to at least one more to win a discount. They gave us ten days so …
I thought the B&N store was the University Book Store, which, according to the clerk, was Seattle’s first independent bookstore. They turned operations over to B&N to survive. I was a little saddened by that, but I’d rather they still be there than not. And honestly, I shop at B&N all the time. Still, I love independent bookstores, and I love that they love local authors, a group I hope to join soon.
My first foray into the independent publishing world will be with The Algorithm’s Edge (first chapter coming soon). I’m working with an artist I found on Reedsy for the cover, and the early drafts are awesome. You can see more of his work here.
My marketing plan is giving away bookmarks, not earth moving, I know, but for now it’s all I have. The second book I’m currently writing should be ready to publish by the end of the summer. Much of it takes place here in Wallingford, and area businesses have agreed to let me use images of their stores on my bookmarks—all of which have a QR code directing people to my web page.
Once I have a physical book I can sell, I’ll reach out to all those independent bookstores to sell my book on consignment, then try the festivals. I’m keeping it local and in person. I know I’m not likely to sell as many books this way, but my soul will remain.
So that’s all I have going right now. I’m still writing on Medium, and you can find friend links to my essays here.
If anyone wants a bookmark and they aren’t related to me or live in Wallingford, send me a note and your address and I’ll send you one. Check my new bookmark page here for examples.
I almost forgot the best news! I invested in a camera. A Canon R50—ubiquitous and basic, I know, but I love it.
Cheers
Let me know what you think.