Comments | leebenoit: Pride Report 2011

leebenoit

Pride Report 2011

Jun 30, 2011 07:10

There were three reasons it was so fabulous. First, more authors and publishers sent me materials and books than ever before, which made for a dynamic table. Even when the same visitors wandered by more than once, the contents on the table had changed and they stopped to browse and chat a second or third time. Second, the energy was incredible. The ( Read more... )

promo, pride

Comments 20

jmcartwright June 30 2011, 11:30:32 UTC

Hey, Lee - congratulations on a successful event. Looking at the pics, I wish I had been there.

What a great accounting of what seems an incredible day. Please say that the magnets were a hit too. 8-)

leebenoit June 30 2011, 11:42:48 UTC

Heh, I was just about to email you! The magnets were a huge hit -- especially with one adorable young fellow whose progress past the booth was arrested by your poster. One of his friends (also adorable) pointed it out and they laughed. I asked why, and it turned out the young man's name was Angel. When I showed him the magnets, he swooned (but not before grabbing two!).

It was great to have so many authors represented this year, and I'm so delighted you were one of them!
L xo

jmcartwright June 30 2011, 13:53:54 UTC

Thanks for the opportunity. I may want to join you next year. 8-)

I love the Angel story - and I hope I hear from him.

Ciao!

leebenoit June 30 2011, 17:58:27 UTC

I hope we can do more events like this -- it's a great experience. And now I have a nice vinyl banner to share...

rapidess June 30 2011, 12:52:49 UTC

Wish I have been there!! (I know, a bit far away *wink*)
Thank you for sharing the report ^_^

leebenoit June 30 2011, 17:59:33 UTC

I would have been so happy to see you!

Pride ext_691846 June 30 2011, 13:12:38 UTC

Thanks Lee for representing us all so well and toting those books around! Radclyffe and Bold Strokes Books :)

Re: Pride leebenoit July 1 2011, 04:09:03 UTC

It was absolutely my pleasure!!

cdn_tam June 30 2011, 13:59:21 UTC

Sounds like a great time and congrats on such a successful endeavour. I have been considering something similar at our Pride which is the end of August. I talked to the organizers and they said there has never been a book table. So I contacted our local small LGBT store because I didn't want to look like I was stepping on toes. and he was nog interested. He said they make no money and too much work (I was willing to the do the work along with my own personal grunt - my teenager LOL). Then he tried to sell me the bookstore. LOL Now I'm not sure ( ... )

leebenoit June 30 2011, 18:07:03 UTC

It *is* a lot of work, and you definitely can't go into it thinking you'll break even on the table or booth -- people just don't seem to buy books (or anything else they'll need to carry) at Pride. But 100s of people picked up postcards, chapbooks, lollies, and coupon codes, so the goodwill and the information sharing is worth it. Plus, I don't know of any other venue where you can take the pulse of the GLBT public about books (that is, I think the audience is more generalized than you'd find at a book fair ( ... )

law_nerd July 2 2011, 13:28:05 UTC

Sounds like you're in Ottawa ... and if you are, I may have an in with that particular bookshop owner. Used to work for him in days gone by, so he might trust me with stock...

Drop me a line (pm) if you're interested in talking about options.

sor_bet June 30 2011, 16:12:33 UTC

Sounds like a lot of very hard work, but also a huge success. Congratulations!

(over here via RRW, where I'm B.Snow)

leebenoit June 30 2011, 18:08:40 UTC

If you measure success in wonderful conversations, unparalleled poeple-watching, and fun, then it was a huge success. :) (This isn't a money-making event by any means, but getting to talk to readers and potential readers in person is a unique opportunity.)