Panicking That I'm Not Going to Read the New T.C. Boyle Before the Event on 2/24--Good Thing Jason Already Did

After two blog posts where I talked about books that I'd read in preparation for an upcoming event, I now I'm feeling more under the gun that I should read every single book for events. I'm clearly not able to do that; not even all the big events. But I feel guilty about it.

And there's another wrinkle. Often on big tours, there's sometimes no choice to be among the first stores to host an event. That makes it hard to hand-sell the book beforehand. Fortunately these authors often have backlist available, which is why you see piles of T.C. Boyle books on our author case. In Mr. Boyle's case, we're probably event #3, as his new novel, When the Killing's Done, goes on sale 2/22, and our event is Thursday, February 24th, at 7 PM, at Boswell. It is not ticketed--we welcome all Boyle fans, whether you borrow him from the library or download him on your e-reader. That said, we need to sell books in order to keep getting authors of this stature--just saying.

You say you don't like novels? Short stories are your thing? Well, how convenient, as Boyle is considered a short story master, and his new collection, Wild Child, will be out in paperback for the event.

The new novel is a story set off the coast of Santa Barbara in the Channel Islands. On one side is Alma Boyd Takesue, a National Park Service biologist hoping to preserve the native animals from interlopers like feral pigs and rats. On the other is Dave LaJoy, a local businessman, who, with his partner the folksinger Anise, is fiercely opposed to the killing of any living creature. The violence escalates in a battle of crossed environmental causes. There's also the story of Alma's grandmother, the sole survivor of a 1940's shipwreck, and Anise's mother, a sheeprancher, whose tales play into the story. The past weighing on the present, and all that!

So the good news is that our buyer Jason Kennedy read and loved When the Killing's Done:
"Two environmentalists are attempting to save two different species on the Channel Islands—one through killing rats to protect the birds, the other is trying to save the rats, birds be damned. Boyle expertly alternates perspectives as Alma Boyd Takesue attempts to eliminate the invasive species from the islands and Dave LaJoy attempts to thwart her at ever crossing. Through escalating violence, they both forget that Nature is by far the bigger force here. Boyle has some of the quirkiest characters, and their obsessions lead them far astray from the people they think they are. A fantastic novel that will have you wanting to read more Boyle."

If you haven't seen Boyle, it's an event not to be missed. Think Sherman Alexie. Way more than just a dry reading and a couple of questions. This is one of the highlights of our winter season.

There's another nice spin here. On our just-released winter 2011 book club recommendations (the complete list is on a forthcoming blog post), I am recommending T.C. Boyle's The Women, his previous novel about Frank Lloyd Wright. It's out just in time for the new Milwaukee Art Museum Frank Lloyd Wright show, which opens February 12th. Everything will be Wright with the world come February, and a good juicy novel can further the mood. I'm suggesting that book clubs read the novel in conjunction with a visit to the show.

So mark your calendars now, reserve a copy of the book (The Women now, When the Killing's Done later, Wild Child when you are in the midst of a big project and only have time for a story here and there), get tickets to the show, and maybe buy a plush Frank Lloyd Wright doll.

Shopping for a Cause with Our Upcoming Shopping Nights

One idea that I was enthusiastic to carry over from Schwartz (Thank you to Mary, Nancy, Doug, and whomever else was involved in putting this together) were shopping nights, when schools and other nonprofits would get folks to come to an event at the store and get back a percentage of the purchases.

During my tenure at Schwartz, I helped tweak the program a little. The original plan called for private Sunday evening events only, but that only worked when the event was a blowout. We changed it so the purchase was coded through the Schwartz Gives Back program, thus making it something we could do anytime the store was open. And we carried that system over to Boswell Benefits

When we host a shopping night, it's up to you. Either your purchases is coded to Boswell Benefits, giving you back a $5 coupon for every hundred dollar purchase. Or your purchase becomes part of the shopping night, and 10% goes back to the organization. Folks who know book retail follow that 10% of the gross comes out to about 25% of the net. Like Boswell Benefits, it doesn't accrue on our lowest margin items, like newspapers, markdowns, and textbooks. It does, however, accrue on Boswell's Best and book club selections.

My other change was to help these events along by working with them on programming. When possible, I've tried to pair appropriate authors with the event. And we've tried to be creative at offering them. I'm not likely to pair a superstar author with a shopping night, but for our middle level authors, why not help each other? We get more turnout (which makes the publisher happy) and we bring in people who might help the cause (which makes the partner happy).

Here's what we've got going on for the season:

Wednesday, November 10th, 7 PM--Wisconsin Humane Society.

This is in conjunction with event for Dogs and the Women who Love Them, with Linda and Allen Anderson. This event has a lot going on:

--Linda and Allen will talk about their book.

--Dog lovers are invited to bring pictures of their canine companion for a photo contest. The winner gets a prize from Ecopet on Brady Street.*

--Said lovers will be encouraged to speak about their special dog experiences

--The Wisconsin Humane Society will have a table. Among other things, they are conducting a raffle to win a Mini Cooper.

--Friend of Boswell, Anne Reed, the Wisconsin Humane Society's executive director, will introduce the author. You should all know that Anne was one of my angels, helping me with legal issues when planning Boswell, and this is a big, big, big, big, big, big, big thank you to her.

--10% of designated purchases go back to the WHS.

Tuesday, November 16th, 7 PM--Milwaukee Public Library.

It's an everything but the kitchen sink extravaganza, for a Boswell favorite, Tom Franklin's, Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. This program grew out of a conversation that we were having about collaborations. We do a lot of great programs with the library (oh, just wait till you see who we have for the Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library luncheon!) but wouldn't it be fun to have a library program at the store?

--Paula Kiely, director of the Milwaukee Public Library, will introduce Franklin

--There will be a table where you can get info on the library (I'm pretty sure that nearby East is getting their Saturday hours back) and you'll even be able to sign up electronically for a library card.

--It's the launch of Fill the Shelves, the Katie Gingrass Gallery partnership where folks can buy books for the library. Head book acquirer Tom (an old friend of ours--he used to be one of my sales reps) came up with a list of most-needed titles. After tonight, the program will move down to the gallery, where it will stay through Christmas.

--And yes, 10% of designated purchases that night will go back to the Milwaukee Public Library.

Saturday, December 4th, at either 11 AM or 2 PM, depending on when the basketball game is scheduled--St. Robert's School in Shorewood.

One of the first things I did at Boswell was visit St. Robert's School for their semi-annual student reading. We did a little brainstorming and experimented with moving the reading to Boswell.

--So many kids sign up that we usually set up three stages. The students can recite an original work or read from one of their favorite books.

--10% of designated purchases go back to the school during a three hour period around the event. It's quite fun and we actually had some attendees last fall who didn't even know the kids.

Sunday, December 5th, 5-8 PM--Maryland Avenue Montessori School Pajama Party

--This has been the traditional seasonal launch of the Maryland Avenue Montessori art exhibit in the store. I'm not sure where we stand with that this year. I'll find out.

--There are refreshments and storytimes, and yes, a little bit of chaos

--A designated percentage of purchases go back to Maryland Avenue School, directly into a Boswell gift card that helps teachers buy books for their classroom. It's a more complicated formula than our other shopping nights--the percentage is higher but the purchases are not made at the normal school purchase order discount.

Thursday, December 9th, 4-9 PM--Shorewood SEED Foundation, which helps the Shorewood public schools.
We've been working with SEED since the store opened, and this year we're taking it to another level. I was talking with Elaine Schmidt, a Shorewood resident who has written a book called Hey Mom, Listen to This: A Parent's Guide to Music, and since we'd already been taking about bringing in some student musicians for our SEED event, I asked Schmidt if she'd consider becoming involved. It's still a little tentative, but I can tell you what is likely:

--Schmidt will talk at 7 PM. I think is confirmed, but I'm not ultra-positive.

--We'll have several student groups perform beforehand

I do need to firm this down, as our December press release is almost due.

Oops, I just realized I was having a conversation back and forth about a talk with the Milwaukee Hurling Club, but I have nothing on paper. That's why at least part of our talk has to to be on email, so I have a record! I wonder where we are on this...

There's not much more we can add for this year, but it's not too late to think about next year. Here are our requirement:

1. This is a program to drive people into the bookstore. We only do a limited amount of marketing for the program. We will allow an 8x11 sign in the vestibule and will mention it in an email.

2. It's fairly staightforward--10% back in a check on designated purchases, or 15% in a Boswell gift card. No discounts apply to the gift card.

3. There needs to be some sort of programming involved.

4. No soliciting of customers you don't know in the store, please.

I'm Supposed to be Writing the Email Newsletter--A Preview?

Like many booksellers, I have subscribed to a number of other bookstore email newsletters. One thing I have noticed is that lots of folk don't say quite as much about each event. I really have to think about writing shorter newsletters more frequently. And that double-column thing is quite controversial. I'm practicing writing less, but I want a feature! While I'm gearing up, why not lay out some upcoming events and today's new releases?

First I'd tell you about some events in the store. All our weeknight events are at 7 PM, and our weekend event is at 2 PM. Except for the Cake Boss signing, which is at Noon.

Tonight (11/2) is Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'n' Bitch Superstar Knitting. We're hosting the event with Loop Yarn Shop on Humboldt (but to make it clear, the event is at Boswell). Patricia is going to introduce. The talk is structured like a free lace-making class. There's no admission fee.

Tomorrow (11/3) is Scott Buer from Bolzano Artisan Meats, who was named one of America's Best Butchers. The event is part of the national launching of Primal Cuts: Cooking with America's Best Butchers. The event is cosponsored by Slow Food Wisconsin Southeast--they will have a table. Also, one of Buer's farmes is attending.

Thursday (11/4) is Steve Paulson, editor of Atoms and Eden: Conversations in Religion and Science. It's 20 interviews with major players in the relationship with religion and science. Folks who enjoyed Krista Tippet's Einstein's God should mark their calendars.

Friday (11/5) is our Triple Lit Fest with Gina Frangello, Davis Schneiderman, and Zoe Zolbrod. All are Chicago-based writers published by literary small presses. These novels and stories are a little more experimental than what you see from major houses, though you might say that Schneiderman's Drain is sort of a Suzanne Collins style dystopian novel for adults (only). And Zolbrod's book, Currency, (I haven't read everything, I'm trying to pick up clues, reminds me of some old Denis Johnson). Frangello's stories in Slut Lullabies try are said to be alternately despairing and hopeful, sort of that pretty meets gritty esthetic. I believe this talk will have the adult language warning up front.

Saturday (11/6) is our event with Nathan Rabin. I feel like I booked this two hours ago. It's for his movie column book, My Year of Flops: The A.V. Club Presents One Man's Journey Deep Into the Heart of Cinematic Failure. I loved it. Read more on the AV Club website. Oh, and maybe you missed my blog entry.

Also on the Chicago-Boswell express, historian Nora Titone's Monday event (11/8) is for My Thoughts Be Bloody: The Bitter Rivalry Between Edwin and John Wilkes Booth That Led to an American Tragedy. I have already learned that it is the trend in biographical research to focus on the family instead of the individual. Civil War buffs, this is your event. Of course I'd feel better about the turnout if we had reenactments going on in the lot behind us, but based on the enthusiasm we had for the Robert Kennedy event, can I play the Abraham Lincoln card? You like Abraham Lincoln, don't you?

Tuesday (11/9) is our co-sponsored dinner at Bacchus for David Tanis's Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys. Chez Panisse, Chez Panisse! Oops, I should check in with John Wise to see how ticket sales are going. It's almost my last chance to order more books.

Wednesday (11/10) is our Wisconsin Humane Society co-sponsored event with Linda and Allen Anderson for Dogs and the Women Who Love them. There's a raffle with WHS. There's a photo contest with a prize from Eco Pet. It's a shopping night--10% of designated purchases (that means you have to tell us) go back to WHS, and not just Dogs and the Women who Love Them. Anything. Do your holiday shopping now. Well, at least buy your Christmas cards.

Thursday (11/11) is our Cake Boss signing at 12 Noon. I watched a marathon on Saturday. Buddy is rumored to be making a cake for every event. No, he's not. It's a straight signing. To hear him talk, you've got to get tickets to his Riverside Theater performance/demo.

And at one point, I'll lead folks to the website for events further out in the future.

If you're not a fan of admittedly amazing artisan dry-cured meat, there are also three events of note going on tomorrow (Wednessday, 11/3)

1. At 4 PM at Marquette's Weasler Auditorium (that's 1442 West Wisconsin Avneue), Robert D. Putnam will be presenting the Weasler lecture, in conjunction with the release of his new book, American Grace: How Religion Unites Us and Divides Us. This is the acclaimed author of Bowling Alone, people. Schwartz sold this very well for years and it is one of the most cited books of the last decade. He's a professor at Harvard. The event is free. We're selling books there, so say hi to me. Need more info? Here's a link to Marquette's info.

2. Not for you? Well, how about Tom Burrell speaking at Reader's Choice for his book, Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority. This talk is also at 4 PM, and Reader's Choice is at 1950 North Doctor Martin Luther King Drive. It's also free.

3. Don't forget the JCC's Book and Culture Fair, all through November. Wednesday evening is one of the highlights, Myla Goldberg with her new novel, The False Friend. Yes, The Bee Season author is at the JCC, which is at 6255 North Santa Monica Blvd. Admission is just $5. This is at 7 PM.

Here are some of the new books that came out today that I was considering writing about:

Luka and the Fire of Life, by Salman Rushdie. It's said to be a sequel to Haroun and the Sea of Stories.

Moonlight Mile, by Dennis Lehane. Back to mystery/thriller from his last historical. Specifically, back to Gone, Bab,y Gone.

Towers of Midnight, the new Robert Jordan, written by Brandon Sanderson. Readers tell me that Sanderson's last was good.

Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms, and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories, by Simon Winchester. We're shelving this in our Biography/Oceans section.

My Reading Life, by Pat Conroy. This is a bookish memoir, normally something a lit critic writes. But we booksellers gladly welcome this kind of thing from anyone.

Simple Times, by Amy Sedaris. Does to craft what I Like You did for entertaining. You heard about this and Next Chapter's event at Turner Hall on our rep night post.

Beginner's Grace: Bringing Prayer to Life, by Kate Braestrup. Look at that, a new publisher! This seems more instructional rather than her last two, which were more personal essays. Now that I don't buy the new books, I find myself, despite looking through regular and e-catalogs, to be a bit surprised.

Enough procrastination. Time to get working!