Buy Now - Something New for me

With our local bookstore, Phillips and Lloyd, closing, it will be more difficult for local writers and poets to sell their published books. Elizabeth was so good to showcase the local writers in her store and we will miss that here in Hayesville.

Too many of our Independent book stores have closed in this area in the past two years. This has prompted me to take another step with my blog. We have to continue to learn and to grow with the times. So tonight I learned how to set up a PayPal account for marketing my books. 

Look on the sidebar and you will see a new widget - a Buy Now button. To order one of my poetry books, just click on that button. An order form will appear and you can order with a credit card or on your own PayPal account.

It seems that most people now want to order online rather than order from the stores. If so, I hope this Buy Now button will take the place of Phillips and Lloyd bookstore.

I heard from an old friend today who said some people browse the bookstores to see what is available and then go home and order off Amazon.com.

That must be so disheartening to the store owners who strive to help their customers find the books they want.

Although we often find the book for sale at a discount online, as writers we should think of the authors who get very little for their books when the online dealer sells them so cheap. I try to only order used books online that I might use for my classes and then pass on to others. 

I hope our bookstores will get on the bandwagon and push their own online sales ability. It will take a new way of thinking from those who have ordered books from distributors for all these years, to see how they can hold on in spite of Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Just as I am having to learn how to use my new updated computer and set up a PayPal Merchants account, bookstore owners can be successful. Look at City Lights Books in Sylva. Maybe Chris should give an "online seminar" for other Independent bookstore owners

I plan to post other books for sale on my blogs, so look for them in the near future. Tell me what you think of this idea.

Adopt an Independent book store?

As some of you may know, our Independent Book Stores need our support during this economic depression. The big box stores are alive and well, but in our small towns we depend on the wonderful folks who run these small businesses and keep all the book lovers happy. We want to keep our Indy Book stores like Osondu Books in Waynesville, NC. Perhaps you live in a big city but can't get out to your big book store, or you live in a small town with no bookstore at all. Margaret of Osondu's sent out this request today in her newsletter.



Dear Readers:
... This week someone gave an idea that I think is worthy of consideration. He suggested that I find folks to adopt Osondu Booksellers as their independent book shop.

Do you have any friends or family who would adopt Osondu Booksellers as their local independent book shop? There are many areas in the country that do not have any indy book shops. If you know readers who may be interested you will receive a free book when they order their first book. I will offer discounts to folks who will need to have their books shipped.

Let's see how many free books you can get. I will give you one free for each friend who orders and adopts Osondu Booksellers.

Email me at margaret@osondubooksellers.com if you have an interest in adopting us.

Indie Bound

On the top of the right side bar you will see a gadget for Indie book stores. If you want to support the Indie bookstores and love them as I do, just click on the link and it takes you to the page where you can find bookstores near you. If you want to find books by a particular author, maybe Maggie Bishop, type in her name and click search. A page comes up with all her books. If you type in the title of a book, click Search, the page comes up with the book pictured and from there you have many choices.
Want to find an Indie book store nearest you? Go to the Indie site and put in your zip code. You can buy online or visit the store. A map is shown with addresses of each Indie store.

These small businesses have a struggle keeping up with all the big chain stores out there today.
We have some terrific Indie books sellers in our area. Right here in Hayesville where I live, we have Phillips and Lloyd on the square in our charming little town. They have all kinds of gifts, crafts and the latest books. And they can order whatever you want and have it right away.
Near us in Murphy NC. Curiosity Shop Books is a big supporter of our writers and they have recently opened another store in Andrews, NC. City Lights books in Sylva, NC and Osondu books in Waynesville, NC are great places to visit, have a cup of coffee and browse the books shelves. I like the homey atmosphere and personal service I get in the little book stores. Books Unlimited is located in Franklin, NC and they carry books by many local authors.
Try our search for Indie book stores, books, and authors. Let me know how you like this service.