To the Bone

A wide variety of distribution companies, authors and press services attended the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association convention this weekend. Numerous book store owners, librarians, and book buyers for museums and special interest gift shops were on hand to learn about the new books being released and to stock up on material they know will sell at their businesses. My mission, in addition to signing books at the event, was to find out what does sell well. Big changes are transpiring in the publishing world. Many people are by-passing printed material and opting for books that can be read on their Kindles and I-Pads. I wanted to know where they predicted the market was headed. I did find out what books sell better than others and what book buyers are craving but more importantly I learned that nothing will ever take the place of good, old-fashion personal contact. Books are more likely to be carried at a store if the author reaches out to speak with the business owners and buyer. Owners of smaller book stores want to feel they matter as much as the chain stores. It’s interesting how it comes down to the simple art of consideration. All the advanced programs in the world won’t replace that. I was off to the airport after the event and while waiting for my flight I spent some time working on a letter to send lawyer I hired to represent my brother. I write him once a year on the anniversary of my brother’s sentencing. I can’t let there be a year go by without reminding this lawyer of what happened – even if he only considers it for a second or two. “Dear Mr. Hobbs, Six years have passed since you convinced me to persuade my brother to say he was guilty of a crime he didn’t commit. I’ll regret forever making him take a plea. I was told you were a defense attorney and I paid you an unimaginable fee for work in that area. I realized too late you do little more than negotiate plea agreements. If you had been forth coming with the truth at the start I would have been in a position to make a different decision. You were less than honest in your representation. I will always think of you as a disreputable man. Apart from my own ignorant actions in this matter, I recall your duplicity every time I see my brother’s bloated, broken face. I know you don’t but you should want to make this right.” My brothers are my brothers to the bone. Some of the booksellers I met this weekend who visit my website shared with me how well they think the book about Rick is going to do. It doesn’t really matter much to me anymore. He’ll still be just as gone and I’ll still be just as much to blame.