by Diane Holmes

Many of you probably remember that old nursery rhyme, The Butcher, The Baker, and The Candlestick Maker. I remember the title, but that’s about all.

Now I have three individuals who are very near and dear to me – The Butcher, The Plumber, and The Clock Fixer. They are not in a nursery rhyme, but I’m writing about them because –

I penned and published two books, “Two Sisters’ Secret” about the immigration experience in Iowa based on my grandma Bernadine’s life, and “UPROOTED:  Family Is Where You Find It,” my memoir. Writing these books gave me a real eye opener and learning experience. I had to reach out to people for help with editing, formatting to KDP, cover design, and actually putting the whole books together for printing. Great people hung in there with me, and we got the job done.

Next was how do you market these books? Of course there’s Amazon.com where they’re shown, but in this day and age authors are expected to play an active role in marketing their books. What can they do on their own to bring about sales? What outlets are there to find people who might be interested in reading the books?

 I’ve learned there are several craft/vendor events and book fairs throughout the area where I live. So I decided to sign up and attend whenever there was space for me, and I was available. One vendor event I enjoy very much is the Flea Market where I rent a booth space – a two-day event Saturday and Sunday the first weekend each month. I give prospective buyers a mini synopsis of each book, and their feedback I get is rewarding and encouraging. And God bless those who buy. I’ve sold as many as 74 books one weekend, 68 another, 60, etc., at these two-day events.

Then there’s the Altoona Outlet Mall Vendor Event, usually on Saturday around the middle of each month. This event is similar to the Flea Market – renting space, telling the short stories of my books to interested buyers and selling to them

I do quite well at these two events and enjoy meeting prospective buyers. I love telling them a little bit about each book. Then listening to their responses how they can identify with many scenes of my stories from what their parents or grandparents told them. I even get monetary tips once in a while when I sell them for $30.00 and buyers buy both books at the same time. Once in a while they put down two $20’s and say keep the change! When I ask, “Is this a tip?”

They usually smile and say, “Yes.”

Then I smile back and say “Thank you” to show my appreciation.

These outings are all well and good, but I never miss an opportunity talking about my books and trying to sell them.

Take for example the other day at the meat market in the grocery store. The workers behind the meat counter are usually quite friendly. While I was looking over the selections in the meat case and trying to decide, the butcher asked me, “How are things going out there in the big city?”

I answered, “I don’t know. I’m just trying to sell my books.”

He began asking questions what my books were about. I answered telling him a short mini version of each one. He showed real interest and said, “Next time you come into the store bring in copies.”

So I did – Bottom Line – I sold one copy of each of my books to him. Authors have to be alert and jump at every chance/opportunity they get!

Next was the plumber. We needed a sink unclogged and called the plumber we used before. He unclogged the sink and began writing out the bill. A good time to catch these people in trying to sell books is when they finish their work and are making out the bill. When he completed it I asked if he was a book reader. Did he like to read books/novels? He said no but his wife and daughter did. Again, I told him a bit about my stories. Bottom Line – He bought both. Authors, take opportunities like this!

And last of all was the Clock Fixer. We had to wait a long time for our Grandfather Clock to be repaired because parts for it had to be ordered from Germany. When the parts finally arrived, the person to put them on called. We set up a time for him to repair our clock. He completed the job, and the clock ticked away seaming to be happy that all was fine once again.

When the repairman finished making out his bill I asked the same question of him. He replied he didn’t read much, but he had daughters who liked to – and added his wife did some reading, too. He was interested to learn a little about each of my books from giving him a short synopsis, and he bought both. Authors keep your eyes and ears open always!

So there you have it – not the Butcher, Baker, and Candlestick Maker, but the Butcher, Plumber, and Clock Fixer! God bless these people.

Authors, in this day and age you have to pen and publish your books, and you have to be great, alert sales persons.

I never realized the fun I’d have in experiencing the journey through writing my books from beginning to end – the researching, actual writing, finalizing everything, publishing, and marketing – and meeting helpful and kind people all through my journey –And especially selling my books every way possible.

Authors, put on your selling/marketing cap and let’s go!

Diane Holmes is a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and Iowa author who enjoys writing in her retirement. Her first novel, Two Sisters’ Secret, a historical fiction story about the immigration experience in Iowa and based on Grandma Bernadine’s life, was published and released in May of 2020. Diane works now on another story, a memoir, and just recently started blogging.

Diane was born on a farm in Iowa, attended schools in that area then studied at the American Institute American of Business (AIB) in Des Moines, Iowa. After having roots in the ground for many years, she married Lyell, a career Marine Corps Officer who flew helicopters and fighter jets, and made their home in many states, going from duty station to duty station, They raised two daughters and a son, all of whom they are very proud.

Diane and her husband returned to their roots in Iowa and now live near Des Moines. They enjoy special times with their daughter, son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, five grandsons and two granddaughters – all living throughout the US. They cherished the time they had with their daughter, an angel looking down on them now from heaven.