Event Recap: Ozark Book Club

Ok, first Event Recap of the new website/blog, so it's getting the same treatment as the Monthly Recap is getting (which you won't have seen yet, but trust, it's a mild step up from the previous formatting). So while there are elements on here that perhaps aren't super 'book club meeting' appropriate, it is getting the full convention treatment so that I can set my 'template.' That bit of housekeeping out the way let's dive in!

Last night I had the pleasure of speaking to my second ever book club, the Ozark Book Club! And honestly, it was a stupidly amazing experience!

As for how this came to be? My understanding is one of their members, Adam, recommended my book when they were going to vote on their next read. Much debate ensued, and somehow mine came out on top. That led to Brittany, the woman who runs the club, reaching out to me to see if it was possible I would want to attend. 

I obviously said yes! The fact that it was in Ozark just made it all the sweeter. 

You see, to a degree, this was almost like a homecoming for me. I have spent a lot of time in Ozark over the years, including getting two of my tattoos there. But I had not been down that way since not long after the LadyWife and I got together, so easily 5 years or more. Until such point as I do an event in Troy or Crenshaw/Butler County, this is about as hometown as I am likely to get.

Before the event proper a few of us met at a local ice cream shop where I got an amazing meat heavy sandwich (yall know how I roll). After about an hour it was time to head over to Loose Brick Coffee, which was a fantastic meeting space. They stay open late for these monthly book club meetings, and thus I devoured a tasty chocolate pastry. 10/10, would recommend if you are down that way. 

Brittany and crew did an amazing job promoting the event. They clearly got the word out, and I was told this was the largest group they have had attend outside of their annual Christmas book swap. There were a number of new folks there, who had been lured out by the siren song of 'meth wizard.'

Honestly I was blown away. Folks showing up because my book was the choice that month was one thing, they would have shown up no matter the book chosen, because that's the point of a book club lol. But to have folks show up specifically because I was going to be there? That was pretty rad, I'm not going to lie. Several people had already read past book one (the assigned book), and a couple had already binged the whole series! Stay humble King!

So we did what was mostly a Q&A session with me answering their questions about myself and the book(s). There were some really insightful questions, more than a few that I had never been asked before, which is growing increasingly rare as time goes by. So that was very much appreciated. 

Afterwards we adjourned to the sidewalk where I sold folks books, and signed the ones that those who had already purchased had brought with them. I have signed hundreds of books at this point, but honestly it's rare for me to sign ones that have already been read. One copy in particular was clearly very well read, and a little banged up. And that made me very, very happy. 

All in all I don't think I could have asked for a better way to spend a Tuesday night: surrounded by rad folks, books, and pastries? What more could a portly South Alabama author want?

So many, many thanks to all the Ozark Book Club! Dee, Brittany, Adam, Kristin, Faraj, Hayley, Samantha, Katy, Tabitha, Emily, and all the other folks whose names I've already forgotten because I am a shit person, you are all rockstars in my book!

I have a few small thoughts.

• I have been saying for a bit now that I need to come up with goodie bags. This event just further emphasized it. I would like two types: one that is a general purpose goodie bag to give out more or less in bulk, but then a slightly nicer one to give to whoever organized the event. Which is more or less what I did last night, but I need to be more organized with it.

• I think next time I do something like this, I will bring an empty crate for my Toughbuilt, so that I can make my rolling stand a little taller. Will make it a little easier for folks to see what's on offer. If you look below in the photo section, you will see that because I used a tote for inventory, and I had to be able to access that, my setup led to a lot of bending over.

No panels, unless you count what was essentially a lengthy Q&A session.

Frankly, I was blown away at my sales numbers. I guessed that I might sell 100 bucks worth. Which to be clear, I don't do events like this to make money. But to sell almost 400 bucks? I have had numerous events, some of them day long events, where I didn't sell 400 bucks. Heck, TezalCon was a two day event that I made less at than I did in what was basically a two our event. 

I was very happy at the number of Southern Saudades I sold. Those mostly went to folks who had already read the whole series and wanted more. But any event where that is my best seller by count? Yes please.

Daily Sales Numbers:

• Tuesday: $370.00

Total Sales Numbers By Item:

• Bringing Home The Rain: 2

• Omnibus 1: 4

• Omnibus 2: 2

• Southern Saudade: 5

• Create Your Way To Freedom: 0

• Zines: 0 (I didn't bring any)

• Ultimate Bundle: 0 (I didn't bring any)

Total:

• $370.00

Fixed Expenses:

• Badge: 0.00

• Booth Fee - 0.00

• Parking - 0.00

• Hotel - 0.00

• Other - 0.00

• Total - 0.00

Grand Total Profit: $370.00