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December
2006
December
2 * Book
Vendor - 20th Annual Middle Tennessee Civil War Show &
Sale, Nashville, TN
Before the gates open at the 20th Annual Middle
Tennesee Civil War Show & Sale
I
was in a pickle in regards to my trip to Nashville. I had
waited too long to get an affordable hotel room in the
region and I was uncertain as to whether it was going to be
financially feasible to appear in Nashville. I came up with
a scheme to enlist the help of Greg Biggs from Clarksville.
When I was in Clarksville Greg mentioned to me that
Clarksville was rapidly becoming a commuter community for
Nashville. I decided to do something that I never would
have done a year ago. As I've said many times, this book
has changed me and the way I do business. I decided to ask
the Biggs family if I could stay with them on Friday
evening and go over to the show with Greg and his wife
Karel on Saturday. Greg was going to attend the show, but
had not obtained a confirmed table. I had a confirmed
table, but by partner for the event couldn't attend. A
match made in heaven. Greg shared my table and I stayed
with Greg and Karel Biggs on Friday. I had a blast.
To anyone who is
curious about the Show & Sale, I would say to you that
there aren't many events like it. Just about every item
present and used in the Civil War was on display and
probably for sale somewhere on the floor. To those
interested in the Civil War, it is a worthwhile pilgrimage.
Greg and I shared a table and I found out that Greg is
hooked up with Ironclad Publishing and offers their books
for sale at these events. However, Greg talks to everyone
at the show. There aren't many people who can match Greg's
command of military history, so it isn't unusual to think
it would take a gathering like this for Greg to find some
interesting people to talk to. Greg also looked out for me
and brought several authors over to our table for me to
meet them. I met Dr. Benjamin Franklin Cooling, author
of
Fort Donelson's Legacy:
War and Society in Kentucky and Tennessee,
1862-1863
After Greg took
off to talk to some of the Show attendees, I spent most of
the day talking with Greg's wife, Karel. Karel is an
intellectual powerhouse and I enjoyed the experience. For
my part, I turned on the juice and sold a good pile of
books, all for the benefit of the Fort Defiance restoration
project. I had a great day in every way. Good company, good
people, good business. I have decided to make another
appearance at the show next year. Hopefully, Greg and Karel
will take me in and we'll share a table again next year. I
did get a souvenir from the show- I got a cold a few days
later.
December
16 * Book
Vendor - Barnes & Noble, Evansville, IN
Hard at work at Barnes & Noble on December
16
My
last appearance of 2006. Selling books at bookstores is a
funny business. This was my third appearance at Barnes
& Noble within 18 months. I had done very well in both
of my previous appearances, selling over 100 books between
the two appearances. It was with this knowledge that I set
some low expectations for December 16. Boy, was I
surprised. I think I put another 60+ books through the cash
registers by the time my appearance was up at 4PM. I had
sold out all the books on the shelves at Barnes & Noble
and sold another 27 books that I had brought along just in
case. It was an amazing day. Don Johnson and Susanne Siria
came to visit me, but I was barely able to talk to them as
the action was so busy. I am overwhelmed by how amazingly
the people of Evansville have responded to the book. I am
grateful to Mariana Mudd at Barnes & Noble for giving
me the opportunity to offer my book to the public. I am
grateful to everyone who has made 2006 such a wonderful
year for me. For now, rest.
With good friend Susanne Siria, descendant of Eliott
Mefford
