One of the activities that most writers do, and pretty much all independent authors, is go to week-end book signing events. These events can take many shapes and forms.

For example, one thing I haven’t done yet is set up an individual signing at a bookstore. Maybe in the Fall I’ll try that, at a Barnes and Noble (if they’ll have me) and a few independent bookstores. That’s where I have a small table, maybe give a reading from my book and/or answer questions beforehand, and then sell and sign copies. Usually, when you do that, you’re the only author, which is why I’m hesitant. I don’t think I have the name recognition or clout yet to pull that off yet. I might try it anyway, though.

Then there are book festivals, like the “Creative Slingers of Ink” festival in Novi, about a week-and-half ago, which featured fifty different authors. We set up tents at the Crossing Walk Mall in Novi, and got a fair bit of traffic. Or the “Third Coast” festival I did in Grand Haven back in March.

Those are fun, and you get to meet other authors, but … actually those aren’t the best sales days, ironically. I only sold eight books at the recent Novi festival, and the people at the booths near me sold far less. The lady next to me didn’t sell a single copy of any of her books all day!

My best sales days seem to happen at … SURPRISE! … Farmer’s Markets.

Becka and I braved the 100+ heat index this past Sunday and set up our tent at the New Baltimore farmer’s market. We were between the guy selling overpriced fancy cutting boards and a nice couple who claimed their herbal tea could cure gout in horses. Not making that up. Everybody there was very nice and we chatted a lot between sales and helped each other here and there.

Best sales day I’ve ever had. We went through a lot of bottled water and Gatorade, and needed to take air conditioning breaks once in a while, but it was worth it, and a lot of fun too. Farmer’s markets … who would have guessed?

So I’m taking this week-end off from that, but then doing markets next Thursday and Friday nights. It’s just something authors have to do until they “make it,” whatever that means. But it’s fun!

And another cool thing is I can sell both books at them. Technically, my sequel Crying Call doesn’t come out until February 2026, or at least it won’t be on Amazon, B&N, or bookshelves until then. But as the copyright owner, I can sell it myself anytime I want — here on my website or live at book events. About a couple dozen people have read Crying Call in advance now. No reviews yet that I’m aware of, but they’ll be coming.

That’s about all for now. Still only about a quarter of the way through the first draft of Drawing Dead (Book 3), and about 40% done with my first book of crossword puzzles. The artistic grind continues….