Printed books, a dying art in a dying world?

Wyntercon was officially a blast. I loved being back inside, what at times seemed like another dimension. I frequently got the feeling that I’d fallen down the Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit-hole, as characters from my favourites films, and TV shows trooped by, together with bizarre creatures, and individuals made up from inside their own imaginations. Awesome! Okay I didn’t sell too many of my books, but the sights, sounds, and people surrounding me, more than made up for it. (See my Past Conference page for some brilliant photos.)
 
Following on from Wyntercon, last weekend I was pleased to have work selected for my first ever exhibition. Nathalie Banaigs, the power house that is Kent Creatives, put on the Home is a Feeling exhibition at the Alexander Centre in Faversham. 
It’s an interesting concept, Kent based artists, makers and designers exhibit their work showing art as part of everyday life. All work is presented in situ, in a room, transformed into a living space. With furniture, paintings, ceramics, tableware, soft furnishing, jewellery etc. the exhibition highlights how much art and design we have in our homes. We are surrounded by art and yet many do not realise how much is there, and what an impact it makes on our environment, and our moods.
Again, it didn’t make me rich, though I’m pleased some of my creative pals did okay. You definitely need to be putting some higher priced items out than my measly £8.99 books. I fell in love with several things and purchased a couple of small items, making yet another dent in my loss margin. I didn’t begrudge it, the things I purchased were lovely; cards of dogs made in 3D with felt and two large coasters one featuring a hare, the other a duck and its duckling – so cute.

And now I’m off to Reading Comicon for 27th & 28th November. I’m expecting a similar vibe to Wyntercon as I’m whisked away to another futuristic location. I hope my selling will go a bit better. Our hotel is on site so that’s less petrol and less chance of shopping in town. I do recommend attending a Comicon if you’re into everything, not of this world.

After that I’ve four more events in December, two further Christmas fairs with Eventissima at the Alexander Centre in Faversham on the 5th and 12th. An evening pamper fair (18+) at the Grosvenor Casino in Westwood Cross on the 8th. Entry for all is free and the Casino one offers a free glass of Prosecco on arrival.

So, what’s the fourth one? I hear you say—if you’ve read this far. The book launch of my fifth novel of course. Quest for Courage is released on Saturday 11th December. Only one snag, I haven’t found a business willing to let me hold the launch yet.
Waterstones didn’t answer my emails—nothing new there. Every time I visited the shop the manager, “just popped out, in a meeting, having her break, not on duty.” I got the hint—eventually.
I discovered a potential place in Ramsgate, but likewise, they haven’t answered my emails, despite me filling in their complicated application form before they’d  even consider a book to be sold there.

Now, I’ve resorted, yet again, to asking chums on Facebook, like I did for book three Gristle's Revenge in 2019. Fortunately, book four What If? was during the Covid era and I launched that outdoors at the Boating Pool Cafe in May 2021.

I’m wondering whether its going to be like this forever? I’ve at least ten more books in the pipeline that I'd like to see published, two of those in the wings already. I’m guessing it might be. I can see why folk only publish online these days. It’s an absolute headache.
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Printed books, a dying art in a dying world?      Not if I have anything to do with it.
 

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