This time last year we were just finishing up the Just Cause and Effect on the Beer and Books Tour of New Zealand.
Which turned out to be a great idea because, if you recall, last summer was particularly hot and talking is always thirsty work.
We spent a few days in Havelock North because it had an excellent dog friendly motel with air conditioning and a pool, as well as an excellent bakery that did the most amazing donuts, coffee and was centrally located.
While we were in Havelock North we traversed its book stores, taking a sample book along with our carefully prepared title information sheet and wholesale rates into shops where owners and managers could politely tell us it wouldn’t interest their customers. While no-one actually put their nose in the air and sniffed, let’s pretend they did cos it’s a better story that way.
Libraries were more enthusiastic (or maybe found it harder to say “no” face to face) which also turned out to be good because libraries on the whole have way better air conditioning, which (remember last summer) was important.
Why am I thinking Havelock North? Fast forward 12 months. In January this year we got a phone call from a farmer – he was reading a copy of Just Cause and Effect – Selenium Deficiency in New Zealand that he had borrowed from Hastings Library. He liked it. He liked it so much much he wanted to buy ten copies so he could share it with all the friends and family he thought needed to read it.
Naturally, we offered him our wholesale rates, then we packaged ten books and shipped them to his home. In Havelock North.