Another Market, Another Day For Heat Stroke

If you are wondering, yes, I am like Taylor Swift, and I am hinting that I will write 33 books in my lifetime.

Markets are wonderful places! If you have written a book and want to get the word out there — head to a local market. You’ll meet so many interesting people!

Some will buy your book. Some will join your mailing list. Some will search up your website. 

And some will wish you luck. 

This market was quite different to the last one. This time round, I had a lot of people come up, have a look, and wish me luck. 

For two hours.

I really thought I wasn’t going to make a sale. So much luck was wished upon me, so there had to be some form of hope, right?

Eventually, after the first two hours, a man came up and said he liked supporting indie artists and told me he thought I was ‘punk rock’ for publishing a book. 

I quite liked the compliment. 

Everyone I’ve told has laughed their heads off. Apparently, they don’t think I’m very punk rock. 

One man donated $10 to me and told me to keep writing. I wasn’t sure if he was being nice or just had so little faith in my abilities. 

The very kind stallholder next to me reckoned he was being kind. 

The stall holder next to me was selling some honey, water filtration systems — which he installs on farms — and a citrus cleaning product.

I bought some honey, and it was the best-tasting honey I’ve ever put in my mouth. Check it out here.

Another man came up to my stall and questioned me all about my story, my word choice and font. Quite odd questions for a reader. After our conversation, he let on he’s an author as well — that made sense! 

He didn’t give me his name, so I can’t put a special mention here — but he said he’s from Australia.

After another long spell of people looking at my book and wishing me luck, a woman (finally, my audience), came up and had a look. She looked as though she was taking a special interest, so I opened my mouth to begin selling, when — 

Another woman came running up to the stall, taking photos of the book and bank account details, “My cousin wants one!” She almost shouted, “Do you have any left? I have to get one for her! And she wants it signed. Can you sign it?”

“Of course she can have one, and of course I can sign it.”

The lady — my mother — was off again in a flash. Not unusual for her. She’s full of energy and full of life!

The woman looking at the book was joined by a man, and he asked if she wanted one. She nodded. 

And just like that, I was sold out.

Mothers, they are the best salespeople around. 

Shortly after this, my mother came back to my stall still frantic from trying to get her cousin a copy. It wasn’t a show; she was genuinely worried she wouldn’t be able to get a copy. 

I’m not sure if my mother realises the author is her daughter.

As I handed her a copy for her cousin, another man approached the stall. He was also with his mother. 

I talked to him about my book and let him know I’d just sold out, but he could buy online.

His mother informed me that this man is a producer and created his own film back in 2016 — so he understood how hard it was to create something. 

I asked all about his film, a New Zealand Sci-fi Comedy — check out his website here.

I watched his film just this afternoon and can say I laughed out loud almost all the way through! I highly recommend checking it out. It’s called:

This Giant Paper Mache Boulder Is Actually Really Heavy. And his name is Christian Nicolson

He was so kind. And so was everyone in his family.

As I handed my mother the last copy I had and said goodbye. He told me to hang on a minute and to make sure I had a copy for people to look at to entice them to search it online. 

His advice was priceless.

And my mother was kind enough to leave her cousin's book with my stall.

As the day went on, I realised I hadn’t packed any water and my throat was deathly dry. And my skin was burning — from yesterday's sunburn and probably a fresh one today. My head started to feel a little lightheaded, and I prayed I would find a watering hole within the next few minutes. 

Just in that moment, friends showed up with freshly picked strawberries to quench my thirst. They made me pull out my “Free Make Your Own Bookmark” station I was hiding, and they had a great time creating their own bookmarks. 

They’re enthusiasm was infectious because I noticed a lot more people looking over and taking photos of my signage. 

An excellent day!