I have been a member of Mountains and Plains since BEFORE I opened my bookstore. Without their support, education and “indie” book selections, I would not still be here! As a board member, I am particularly excited about a new event…OPEN TO THE PUBLIC…being offered at this year’s trade show. I will be there, and…maybe…you would want to attend this event, on Saturday, September 25!! (call me if you have any questions!!!)

Writers & the Independent Marketplace
A Candid Conversation between Authors, Booksellers, and Publishers

For independent authors, navigating the path from completed manuscript, through printing and bookstore placement, to finally establishing a readership, can be a significant challenge.

That is why Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association has assembled a day-long event to help get you there. Panels of experts in printing, publishing, bookselling, and marketing will share their industry knowledge, unique perspectives, and practical advice at the Writers & the Independent Marketplace conference, which will be held at the Marriott Denver Tech Center on Saturday, September 25.

The first ten people to register will have an opportunity to pitch their book and receive a critique from industry panelists at Pitchapalooza: The “American Idol” of Books.

Earlybird and special discounts are available. Registration fee includes a luncheon and a banquet with notable authors including Nevada Barr, Ian Frazier, and Connie Willis. For complete information and registration, click here http://www.mountainsplains.org/independent-marketplace.aspx

(I have registration forms at the bookstore…and more details…stop by soon!!)

We are over-whelmed and forever thankful for all of the support and donations received these past 4 weeks…oh my!!

More than 150 people, some from out-of-state, have come into the store with a donation…some gifts arriving in the mail! Yes…because of YOUR support, we were able to raise the five thousand dollars needed for property taxes…AND, even start a savings account for next year’s taxes. “A Stand for Independents” as my friend Tanis Bator has said! Thank you, thank you…everyone! This truly is YOUR store…a community, locally owned, independent store with many, many friends as “in kind” shareholders!!! And…we will continue to value your support, your reading choices…and our local authors and craftsmen.

A special “thank you” to these people, who encouraged me to look to all of you for help in fund-raising: Kay Broderius, Roger Johnson (former teacher/coach at Greeley West High School and now author!), and Chalice Springfield. Oh and when Dan England (Greeley Tribune) called to ask if he could do an article about the store and the donations…I was so surprised…and now, forever grateful for such a concise and kind article….thanks Dan!!!

A great idea came from a former teacher/friend of mine…Juvana Wheeler. She suggested that I put up a “wall of fame” in the back of the store where I can post names of my wonderful supporters. So, look for your name in the next month or so…and know how much YOU have done to keep this little bookstore open…and how much you are loved!!!

Notice the warm weather, the spring days, and our hand extended……asking for your help!
 
The continuing downturn in the economy, the loss of a local bank, and foreclosures, have affected ALL of us.  Soon I will be the only business in this building, just as I was when I opened in October of 2006.  In time,
this corner, once again, will be one of the best locations in Greeley…and our store, through all of this economic turmoil… will still be meeting the reading needs of our community.  I am so proud of the store and its
accomplishments as a truly locally owned INDENPENDENT business. We thank so many….JUST SO MANY…of you for your continued and needed support!!
 
Now, I NEED YOUR HELP.  What we need most….RIGHT NOW…. is financial support.  What I am asking is for 100 people to give $50 as a contribution to An Open Book.  Specifically, I need cash contributions the rest of the month of May and the first week in June so that I can keep the circle of book lovers as loyal customers of AN OPEN BOOK.  If anyone is interested in being a partner/investor or can help us obtain a reliable source of funding, that would help immensely. Your help keeping this wonderful community bookstore alive, throughout the current business recession, is so appreciated! 
 
Some of the changes I am sadly being forced to implement include the “sun setting” (temporarily I hope) on our Customer Loyalty program.  Please use (or lose) your $10 credits by June 30th.  So many of you already have asked us to keep that credit…and have asked how else you could support us.  We thank you for that!
 
Also, we are asking for pre-payment on any USED book order that is placed.  No pre-payment on new books, and we will hold all special orders for two weeks. Please let us know if you need an extension of time and we’ll be happy to hold the book longer for you.
 
A 1% discount for all purchases paid with cash or check will begin June 1. (It is amazing how much businesses have to pay to swipe a card…debit or credit)
 
We will continue to give schools and book clubs their 20% discount… Our center monthly “theme” table will hold additional books at 20% discount.
 
We all share the love of books and reading and the wonderful atmosphere of An Open Book lends itself to other ways to expanding our clientele.
 

• Consider starting a book club and meeting here.
• Host a birthday party, wedding shower, or baby shower in our cozy bookstore.
• Register your baby shower book requests at An Open Book LLC
• Join the circle of happy knitters at our open knitting sessions every Monday from 4-6pm.
• Come to our author events.
• Tell friends and acquaintances about our store.
• Bring your office staff for an early morning meeting…coffee provided!

Thank you all for making our Day with Greg Mortenson, February 10, 2010 a true success! Our store was able to give Greg and The Central Asia Institute a check for $3500. YOU all gave so much…and then, on our special book signing…Greg gave BACK so much. Will we ever forget the quality time he gave to all of us…the delicious and intimate VIP luncheon, some of our bookstore friends attended…and then, the grand event at Butler Hancock, where more than three thousand supporters stood and cheered when Greg took the stage!!?? This was the first event in our county for Greg’s cause, and Greg told me that he would be back. He truly seemed to have had a good time…especially with the small group meetings in Eaton, and at the end of his day, with students in Greeley.

Of course, we have all 4 of his books, and will continue to have our “penny cup” on the counter. Please, please…if Greg’s message resonated with you…your heart, your “intuitive spirit”…then go to his website and make a donation. I have a monthly amount that I donate…such an easy way to educate so many.

www.threecupsoftea.com

Click to view all of my photos from Greg’s day in Greeley!

The store is as busy as it has ever been….with support like we are receiving from all of you, we can continue to grow and give back to this great community of “readers!” Our Marvelous Mondays series has been a huge success, due to our excellent presenters, and once again…your interest and attendance. a BIG THANK-YOU to Chalice Springfield, Kay Sandmier- Broderius, Carol Ann Kate, Ann Jamison, and this month’s guest speaker, Jan Scott!

Look for our next email in your August inbox. Oh…we always have ice water and cookies on our back “door” table. On Tuesdays, we have “tea and cookies.”

A big THANK YOU and many compliments to Barb Blehm, gourmet baker extraordinaire…who continues to surprise and amaze with her baking skills…during the summer we will have her “delectables” in our Free Cookies on Friday basket!

We will start our third series of Marvelous Mondays, in September, with an author from Denver, who has also written: Mother, Are You There? How will you cope with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer? This book will show you several simple strategies.

We will start our third series of Marvelous Mondays, in September, with an author from Denver, who has also written a book about Alzheimer’s called: Mother, Are You There?

But wait…we have a returning author! Doris Steffy is back!!

This is a busy month at all bookstores!! It seems that publishers have saved their “best and biggest” titles for the spring. Our store has new events and offerings as well…and, as always…we THANK YOU for supporting our cozy and INDEPENDENT bookstore!

There are so many of you who are committed to the treasure of the written word ~ our thanks for your support and enthusiasm for your independent, neighborhood bookstore!!

Our neighbors have arrived…and they are busyand ready to meet you!

SHENANIGANS is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner ~ Monday through Saturday. They have a unique menu, a full bar, two TV’s…yet a quiet, cozy atmosphere for conversation. It is nice to have our shared door open again!! Our best wishes go out to Jonathan, Fran and Lenny!!

Minimal living…cooking…buying? Enjoying the simplicity of life…times with family, friends, a nice cup of coffee…a new book ~ to hold, feel, savor. January brings all of us a chance to begin again. “We are all, always becoming…” And, with that, we look forward to many positive changes in 2009. Just in December, more than 100 new customers joined all of you at An Open Book. What a privilege it is to know you!

All of us here at An Open Book LLC appreciate your friendships and loyalty, especially during these unsettled times. Your commitment to literature, local business…and encouragement…that you give to us and to one another will help us see around the corner to the recovery that is coming! CHANGE is our touchstone…and we embrace it, and also…embrace all of you!