Saturday, December 28, 2013

Sustainable Saturday - The Surprise at the Farmers Market

At last Saturday's bi-monthly Winter Otsiningo Park Farmers Market in downtown Binghamton, New York, I found something I had never seen before at a farmers market.

This is what caught my eye.  The book cover was so colorful - I might not have stopped otherwise.

A local author, Jill Shultz, was selling a science fiction novel she had written.  I stopped by and there was the author, ready to talk. The e book gift card was in an insert with a sample of the first chapter, so I knew the genre right away.  It was available both in paperback and in e book (gift card) format, and the price was right.  I knew the right person for it - if the writing was good.

It doesn't surprise me that much that someone would try to sell their book at a farmers market but this is not a book I would have expected.  But, the author was local, so why not?


I wish Jill Shultz all the best, and I hope to have the guts to follow her in putting myself out there in the near future (more on that soon).

My giftee, incidentally, enjoys farmers markets, and also writes and edits professionally (but not in a book context). I told her I had not read the book.  I looked the book up on Goodreads and it got four stars.  It was basically a stocking stuffer so I took the chance.

I look forward to her reading the book, and letting me know what she thought.

You will always be surprised at a farmer's market. I came for eggs, crackers, farm made bread and perhaps a couple of holiday gifts, and also ended up with a book.

What has been your most surprising purchase at a local farmers or crafts market?

8 comments:

  1. I have not been to a farmers market in ages must go next week end wow! The book looks pretty interesting on the cover :-)

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    1. It was the cover that attracted me. I hope my giftee enjoys the book.

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  2. How wonderful to find this treasure. I may try selling my book at our local market?

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    1. Your book should be a natural for sales in a farmers market environmental. Good luck, if you try this.

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  3. I have seen some very interesting non-food items at farmers' markets. I think if it's local that is great. I would imagine the customers at these markets are open minded and interested in a broad range of things.

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    1. I agree - and why not a local author, when farmers markets concentrate on local foods and crafts.

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  4. Well, authors have to get out there and market their book, nowadays. Otherwise, it would be swamped under the huge influx of other books. So glad you took a chance. I wouldn't rely on the star ratings, though. Many of the higher marks are given by friends. I guess the best way to judge is to read the first chapter.
    By the way, I'm going to continue my blog next year. Your question forced me to decide. ;-)

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  5. I love the cover- it's very eye catching and beautiful :)

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