I did it! I’m doing it! I have officially joined the world of…

This past Saturday (October 11th, 2025), I set up a table of my books at the second annual Intergalactic Flea Market in Auburndale, Florida. It took months of preparation, countless hours fussing over graphic designs, and a financial investment I was entirely unprepared for, but branching out into the world of face-to-face sales was inevitable.

“Inevitable?” you ask. “With all of today’s technology? Online marketplaces? Social media? Ebooks and print-on-demand? Why would you inflict this on yourself and others?” Believe me, as a world class introvert I found myself asking these same questions. Anxiety was had.

Why? Because I’m a real person with a real face and entertaining stories to tell. Because I want to look people in the eye and smile and stumble awkwardly over questions about my own books, calling into question my veracity as the author. But mostly because my sister said, “Dude, you should set up a table at the sci-fi convention!”

(We totally call each other dude.)

My mom quickly jumped on that bandwagon with a bullhorn, followed by my husband and teenage daughter with trombones and cymbals. At that point I was helpless (and metaphorically deaf) so I shakily climbed on board and scrambled into the driver’s seat.

This happened over the summer and the sci-fi con in question is only in February, so that gave (gives) me oodles of time to prepare for it. Then, to get my feet wet, I signed up for two more events: the Intergalactic Flea Market and a Friday street market in November.

Reader, this recent event was a hoot! (I can call things a hoot now, I’m middle age.) My table was directly facing the stage where I got to witness a Bigfoot calling contest, a lightsaber demonstration, a costume contest, and a little alligator wrestling because Florida flea market. I even got to pet the alligator! His name was Nugget and according to his handler he was having a feisty morning.

SO. Did I sell a lot of books? Depends on your definition of “a lot” but…no. However, it wasn’t zero! I actually sold more than I expected and even picked up a few new subscribers. (Hello, new subscribers!) I learned a lot about what worked and what didn’t, I think I have a pretty kicka** table, and I am feeling reasonably prepared for Main Street Bartow’s Friday Fest on November 21st. Wish me luck!

Here are a few pictures from the event. Some pics are mine, some my husband’s, and a special thanks to Jose A. Roldan Jr. for the pics [credited] and shoutouts on his socials.

Thanks for reading.

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