June Newsletter: Part1

Greetings book lovers! This month there’s just too much to talk about, so I’m going to split the newsletter into two parts. I’ve got some great recommendations for upcoming titles in the next installment, so watch your in-boxes closely. For now I wanted to let everyone in on some new opportunities the staff have been cooking up just for you.

“High Tea … Hot New Titles” – Hosted by Stanley @ Market Block Books
June 25 4pm-5pm

Come join Stanley the last Saturday of the month (June 25th) from 4 to 5. Enjoy an afternoon book discussion of what’s new in the world of books and what’s coming up for the Fall of 2011. What surprises are awaiting us? Are your favorite authors coming out with anything new? Will that series you’ve been reading finally come to a worthy conclusion? And yes, there will be tea and maybe even crumpets!!! (Of course, there will be cookbooks to talk about as well!) This free gathering is open to all but we’d appreciate a heads up if you’re planning to attend. Please let us know if you’re interested by emailing us at books@marketblockbooks.com, and putting “Attention Stanley” in the subject line. Of course you can also call the store for more information at 518.328.0045.

eBook Workshop – Hosted by Kurtis @ Market Block Books and The Book House
Date and Time TBD

Join Kurtis (your humble newsletter author) for a free workshop to learn just how easy it can be to enjoy eBooks AND support you local bookstores. We know times are changing, but we want everyone to know that we’ve made it easy for our customers to enjoy great Book House / Market Block service for their e-reading devices as well as all of their tradition book needs. Bring your eReader (SORRY – NO KINDLES) to the store for help setting up an online account with us to download books from our website. I will try to answer any questions or concerns you may have with our eBook services or give you my opinions on what reader you may want to purchase.

Dates and times for these workshops haven’t been decided on just yet, but feel free to email me at kurt@marketblockbooks.com if you’re interested. Please put “Workshop” in the subject line. As I mentioned above please refrain from bringing Kindles, as they are incompatible with independent bookstores such as ours.

June Book Club Meeting – Hosted by Susan Taylor @ The Book House

Susan would like to know when folks are interested in scheduling the June meeting. The choices are June 8th or June 15th. Please let her know via email at smt@bhny.com.

Pitchapalooza Workshop – @ The Troy Bookmakers

Did you attend Pitchapalooza? Well there’s going to be a follow up workshop June 11 in Troy. This step-by-step, soup-to-nuts workshop will remove the smoke and mirrors from the murky world of publishing and give writers a compass and map to a successfully published book. Topics covered include:

•    Choosing the right idea
•    Creating a blockbuster title
•    Crafting an attention-getting pitch
•    Putting together a selling proposal/manuscript
•    Finding the right agent/publisher
•    Self-publishing effectively with ebooks, print-on-demand or traditional printing
•    Developing sales, marketing and publicity savvy
•    Producing a video book trailer and helping it go viral
•    Building a following through social media

Tickets are $100 if purchased in advance, $125 the day of the event. Please visit http://www.thebookdoctors.com/ for more information. Advance tickets may be purchased at The Book House in Albany or Market Block Books in Troy.