The only thing I like about crafts fairs is attending them, because the first and last one I displayed at over 25 years ago left me deeply scarred, rejection gashed into my self esteem. All day long people walked right past my display of original oil paintings, a gem of a display, within the jungle of bobbles tuned out in neighboring booths. The cha-ching of sales rung up by hawkers of pot holders and beach glass earrings –only empty sighs registered from my booth
When I was invited to sell my books at a large and well know crafts fair this weekend my immediate reaction was No Way, will I ever again subject myself to such humiliations. Besides, serious things like books aren’t what people are looking for among the knitted hats, jars of pickled garlic, turned bowls, hammered copper salmon, and goat soap. I accepted the invitation because it came from a good friend and great humanitarian who originated and still manages this fair 25 years later.
I packed along 15 books thinking I might be lucky to sell two. I sold out long before the fair closed for the day and went home buoyed by this little success and the connections made with the people who bought my book.
Later, in my office littered with a new mess of checks and cash, I found my email contained greater richness. The subject was Oh… from a Susan Gilman.
Ms. Wakefield,
You owe me two night's sleep.
Why? Because I received your glorious book on Thursday and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I LOVED it. I stayed up until2 a.m. this morning finishing it, and then I actually dreamed about it, too. It's a TERRIFIC read, and please know that I don't say that lightly.
I have praises to heap and questions to ask. That said, since I live my life in front of a damn computer writing all day, I prefer real human voices to email correspondence. And so, be forewarned. I may try to call you this weekend, the 9-hour time difference between us notwithstanding.
If I can't reach you, you'll get the bombardment electronically. But know that your book -- and your story -- are remarkable.
Thank you for including my own work in yours.
With effusiveness & admiration,
Susan Jane Gilman
You owe me two night's sleep.
Why? Because I received your glorious book on Thursday and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I LOVED it. I stayed up until
I have praises to heap and questions to ask. That said, since I live my life in front of a damn computer writing all day, I prefer real human voices to email correspondence. And so, be forewarned. I may try to call you this weekend, the 9-hour time difference between us notwithstanding.
If I can't reach you, you'll get the bombardment electronically. But know that your book -- and your story -- are remarkable.
Thank you for including my own work in yours.
With effusiveness & admiration,
Susan Jane Gilman
What? You do not know about Susan Jane Gilman, this smack in-your-face-wit of a crafty writer? Blog on…
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