Here’s a little secret: When you’re an author, unless your name is Kardashian you are going to have to do some heavy lifting when it comes to marketing your book. Of course, if your name is Kardashian your whole life is a nonstop marketing event so it’s not a big deal, but for the rest of us introverts who feel incompetent when it comes to such matters and would rather hide anyway, getting used to this part of the author business can be mildly traumatic.

So I’m taking baby steps. A week ago, I asked my local independent bookstore to carry my book. Because I’m desperately shy and neurotic I emailed instead of calling, because why put yourself out there when you could hide? They’re lovely people and generally supportive of local writers so I shouldn’t have anything to be afraid of. (So many shouldn’ts.)

I didn’t hear anything back, which was out of character for them, I thought, so I went by yesterday to follow up. I cruised the store but didn’t spot my book. And although the store only had one other customer in it, I was afraid to ask anyone in an audible voice, because what if someone overheard me? So I walked laps around the store, trying to talk myself into approaching the salesperson. After half an hour, like a hero I bought $30 worth of paperbacks instead and vowed to come home and send another email.

What I did instead of doing the thing I meant to do.

I still haven’t emailed them my follow-up. Maybe tomorrow.

However, you can buy it through your independent bookstore by using IndieBound. (You can also click on the red swirly logo in the sidebar on the right.) All the convenience of online ordering, all the rah-rah superiority of being able to say you support independent bookstores instead of buying from You Know Who. Because those scary bookstore people are really nice folks doing good things for the community and they should be supported. Even if they’re not carrying my book yet.