Welcome to Part 2 of a series that recognizes booksellers who have been
especially helpful to my author clients as they seek to promote their books. In
this series, I focus on those booksellers who are always ready to help both
independent and traditionally published authors by offering signing events and
meet-and-greets, promoting authors to their local communities, carrying the
authors' books in their stores, and operating as advocates, advisors, and
cheerleaders as authors seek to find reading audiences for their work.
The booksellers that appear in here are the best of the best, my go-to resources for events, promotion, guidance, and support for my author clients.
The bookstore featured in Part 2 of this series is Orange County’s Book Carnival, which is a genre store specializing in mystery, romantic suspense, and related fiction. I chose this store to be part of the series because it has been a long-time favorite of my Southern California clients for author appearances.
The booksellers that appear in here are the best of the best, my go-to resources for events, promotion, guidance, and support for my author clients.
The bookstore featured in Part 2 of this series is Orange County’s Book Carnival, which is a genre store specializing in mystery, romantic suspense, and related fiction. I chose this store to be part of the series because it has been a long-time favorite of my Southern California clients for author appearances.
What makes this store special are the paired book signings that the store owner, Anne Saller, creates for authors. To help ensure that signings are well-attended, Anne uses her extensive knowledge of the market, and her connections with both traditionally published and indie authors, to create combined signing events. Anne tries to match up authors who are compatible in genre, or who have some element in their platforms/backgrounds that complement each other. Oftentimes, she will combine a lesser-known author with a best-selling author, to help bring an audience to the event. At her signings, both authors benefit from the joint marketing and the camaraderie they share, and events are usually packed with patrons excited to see both authors.
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| Anne Saller, Book Carnival |
Anne
works hard to promote events at her store and to ensure that authors and
attendees are comfortable and have a good time while they’re there. She is
fierce about promoting the store events. both in the local community and to her
customer base, and is always willing to order books, create displays, and
handle event logistics for her authors. She is one of the best resources for
Southern California authors today, and her store is a true treasure.
As part of the series, each bookseller has agreed to answer three questions about the store. Here's what Anne has to say about Book Carnival:
How did your store come into being?
I purchased Book Carnival in August 2010; it has been in existence since 1981, and I shopped there for a good 20+ years. My dream during my 'corporate' years was to retire and own a bookstore. The day that came true was a very happy day, indeed!
As part of the series, each bookseller has agreed to answer three questions about the store. Here's what Anne has to say about Book Carnival:
How did your store come into being?
I purchased Book Carnival in August 2010; it has been in existence since 1981, and I shopped there for a good 20+ years. My dream during my 'corporate' years was to retire and own a bookstore. The day that came true was a very happy day, indeed!
What is special about your store?
Book Carnival is a niche store - we
specialize in mysteries, romantic suspense, and author events. We are delighted
to have many well-known authors who return year after year, but we’re also
thrilled when we find a new author and series that makes us sit up and take
notice. Established authors are so generous; they are always willing to do joint
events with one or two less well-known authors, who we know are going to go on to
do great things. It's a special, giving community, and I'm thrilled to be a
small part of it.
What words of advice do you have for
authors who would like to have their books featured in your store (or
bookstores in general)?
Well,
generally, the book needs to be a mystery, thriller or romantic suspense novel.
The author should send us an email message with a synopsis, or drop a copy of
the book in the mail. Authors should also plan to speak with their fellow
authors who have been here before, so they can learn more about what to expect.
We receive a number of books sent to us by authors interested in events, so we
often face a deluge of mail. I try to read them all but, happily, our authors
are patient with us - there are just so many hours in the day!
Book Carnival
348
S. Tustin Street
Orange,
CA 92866
714-538-3210
http://www.annesbookcarnival.com
Many thanks to Anne for participating in this series and for always being there for authors – Book Carnival is definitely one of the best bookstores for author signing events in Southern California!
Many thanks to Anne for participating in this series and for always being there for authors – Book Carnival is definitely one of the best bookstores for author signing events in Southern California!
