bookstores – Norma J. Hill

Book Signing at Coles at Cherry Lane Mall, Penticton

Busy Summer Break!

Oh my, again! It’s September 9^th … 2 months and 3 days since my last posting. In my last post, I mentioned I’d be doing a book signing on July 12^th at Coles, but they accidentally double-booked for that date, so I agreed to move my date to September 6^th. It turned out to be just as well, as it gave me more time to prepare for a trip to Haida Gwaii in July, a short break to catch my breath, a quick cross-border jaunt to Spokane to pick up our son and his little family, and then lots of family members arrived (15 people counting my husband and I) to spend most of August with us. Then a week to recover from a wild and wonderful summer (I was pretty exhausted!) and time for the book signing …

Book Signing at Coles at Cherry Lane Mall in Penticton

The south Okanagan had an almost smoke-free summer … until the start of September! So the Cherry Lane Mall had quite a lot of people there on Saturday. Most of them were getting away from smoke and heat … and getting exercise (walking back and forth, back and forth multiple times past Coles … but not, unfortunately, planning to buy books … Some had just come to the mall for their daily walk, and did not bring money with them. Overall, though, I had a lot of fun chatting with people, selling some books … and a number of teens stopped by to look through the photo albums and scrapbooks, which I thought was pretty awesome!

I had advertised on local Facebook Summerland history groups, on my own Facebook and Bluesky and Instagram accounts, on local Facebook writers’ groups, and the day before the signing, at a local writers’ meeting—pointing out that A Summerland Stories Scrapbook: Memories and Memorabilia 1930s-1960s would make an excellent Christmas gift or birthday gift for folks with Summerland roots. I did manage to sell several copies of the books to people who were buying for that very reason. I also met the location Penticton Regional Library librarian, and she urged me to bring some copies to the library, as they are building a strong local history collection. And I left half a dozen books at Coles which will go on their local authors shelf. I also contacted the Okanagan Regional Library in June about my book, and they acknowledged the form I filled out, but didn’t respond beyond that. So now I have contacted them again! If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

The lady at Coles was happy, though, as most of the people who stopped in to check out my book, also decided to browse the store as well, and most ended up buying other books, too. She also really liked my display, and she was pleased to see that I stood and greeted people passing by and chatted with them, whether or not they were buying. She mentioned that quite a lot of writers are shy/introverted, and many just sit by their book display and hope people will stop. I was shy when I was young, but then became a schoolteacher, so I had to learn to be more outgoing. Anyway, if any of you authors plan to do a book signing in future, do make an effort to greet people and be friendly, even if it isn’t easy for you.

Notes About Printers

I mentioned in my last post that I had signed up with Ingram Spark, and was waiting for their sample copy of my book. It did arrive, eventually, and I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in the quality. It looked okay, but the paper was relatively thin and the cover wasn’t as bright as the copies I bought direct from the printer in Vernon, https://www.getcolourcopies.ca/ who did an excellent job of my books. Their prices were reasonable, too!

Other Forms of Marketing I’ve Been Doing

As I mentioned in my previous post, I was carrying around a small backpack with copies of my book and selling copies here and there. I didn’t do that over the summer, but it’s time to start doing so again. I originally purchased 100 copies from the Vernon printer, and I have only 17 left, so I feel pretty good about that. I have also sold a number of copies, both print and digital formats, through Amazon, and it’s fun to get a deposit into my account every month!

I have continued to post historical Summerland photos on the two Facebook history groups, of course also mentioning my book when I do so. Oh! And I mentioned in my last post about how I had included a dedication in the book to one of my past tutoring students. He graduated in June, and his family invited me to a big family and friends graduation party. They told the guests about the book, and I got some requests for books there, too.

And oh yes, as well! I wrote an article for the most recent issue of Archivos: Journal of the Okanagan Archive Trust Society (Spring/Summer 2025). The article is called “Gathering Memories and Memorabilia” and focuses on ways to learn more about your family and their history. If you are thinking of gathering, researching, and recording family history, whether for your family and close friends, or to write an autobiography, memoir, or historical novel, you might want to check out the article! E-mail info@oldphotos.ca

Ideas for Future Marketing

I may sign up for a local pre-Christmas craft sale, if I still have copies of my book at that time (or perhaps even order some more …). I’m also thinking of offering to do some “talks” about Summerland mid-20^th century history (and have my book for sale) at various venues such as the “Brown Bag Lunches” at the local library; at the Okanagan College speakers’ series here in Penticton; at meetings of local history groups; at local seniors’ centers; at local museums; and so on.

Please Share Reviews!

If you are one of the wonderful people who has purchased a copy of my book, I’d of course be delighted if you could post a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads! Thank you!

Norma J. Hill

a pen and paper mama site

Category: bookstores

Summerland Stories #24 – Back From Summer Break; Coles Book Signing

Share this: