You guys are great! How wonderful is it to hear from you are.

This week was Conneticut. I'd only been here once a long time ago when I was working for CNG.

We got here Sunday and I've gone out in rain and sleet and snow and absolutely gorgeous weather. Here's what I'm finding.

Barnes & Noble is great. Most usually they say 'Yes' (so far). I go in and stand at the Information Desk and ask to speak to someone who has the authority to order books for inventory. Then I introduce myself and my work and explain what I'm doing. One said, "Oh, this is a POD book and they aren't returnable." Being face to face was great there, because I was able to explain that POD books can indeed be returnable and my publisher in particular will take returns. He said, "Oh, in that case, I'll order a couple copies right now." And he did so while I was standing there. I asked for his card and I'll post his information plus any photos I take on my blog when I get home. Others at B&N just said,"Sure." And all of them shook my hand and smiled and said, "Good Luck."

I'm 0 for 2 with Borders though. The first one said that they only got books through corporate buyers. The other one did have an inventory manager but he was in a meeting. However, they did take my materials and sounded positive. I'll try to get back in touch with them later.

Waldenbooks requires you to fill out a form and submit a book. If they like it, you get on their company database and the individual stores will order your books if you ask them to. I will be sending off that form and my book to regional office tomorrow and then trying these places again. At least two were provisional 'yeses'.

Independents are different. Friendlier. More personal...more cautious. The bookstore in Mystic Connecticut that has a GREAT location and a wonderful environment -- but he didn't want to buy. However, he did take four books on consignment..and the employees were very friendly..asking how to present the book and who to sell it to. The one in New London wanted a review book before they decided..but they were great too...kinda like excited that I visited them.

I'm going back to Pittsburgh to hit all of my homestores. (I was planning that attack for each of the last three weeks but had a cold that kept me home and silent. Feeling better now though..twinkle)

The other thing I'm trying is to choose a town/city/region that I'm going to be visiting and send review queries to all of the local papers..and to tell them I'm coming through and what I'm doing and to ask for an interview. (I can't believe I'm being SO bold. LOL)

Anyway, thought I'd share how things have gone so far. If anyone knows of any cool bookstores in your area, please let me know and we'll give it a pop. If it works for me, I'm glad to share what I did so you can try it too.

Joyce