Yes, summer technically ends on September 21st, but we all know it really is officially over when the sun sets on Labor Day each year. Instead of “Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome,” it’s all “So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, did you remember to pack the towels from the outdoor shower?”
OK, well at least that’s what I heard from Mr. Bethanne yesterday as we untangled dog leads from tote bags and vacuumed sand out of the car after a week on Cape Cod.
All good things, like summer and vacations, must come to an end. For the past few months I’ve been busy helping Shelf Awareness—our wonderful industry information source—to launch a version of its bookseller email newsletter for readers. It’s been a lot of fun, and in particular, I’ve loved getting the chance to work alongside my colleagues Robin Lenz and John Mutter.
I’m moving on, now, although not so very far. I’ll still be contributing the feature I developed, “Further Reading,” to each issue, and I’ll also continue to write author interviews and book reviews in Shelf Awareness for Readers. If you have any questions about this new publication, you can direct them to editor in chief John Mutter: john@shelf-awareness.com.
My own dance card is happily filling up with new projects. Next week I’ll be at the 2011 Southern Independent Booksellers Association (SIBA) Conference, talking with some of the country’s best booksellers about social media with my partner in business and crime, Rebecca Joines Schinsky of The Book Lady’s Blog. We’ll also be talking up October’s Club Read retreat (can’t wait to be there with Book Club Girl Jennifer Hart!).
Of course, one of the things we’ll also discuss at both places is FridayReads, a burgeoning community of passionate readers that is also a business supported by the publishing industry (for more information on that business and on how you can take part, contact business development director Erin Cox). If you’re reading this and don’t know anything about FridayReads, check out the Twitter hashtag #fridayreads, the Facebook page (#1 on Technorati’s Best Facebook Pages for Readers!), or the FridayReads web site.
Should you be interested in talking with me for an interview about social media (here’s an example) or books (here’s an example), or to discuss a project with me, you can reach me here: thebookmaven@gmail.com.
