Shirley Damsgaard

Jo Dereske, author of The Miss Zukas Mysteries, and me in front of Book’em Mysteries in Pasadena, California.

I love bookstores! They feed my lifelong addiction to reading AND sell my books! I especially love independent bookstores. One of the biggest pleasures that I’ve had over the past couple of years is doing events at these stores and getting to know the booksellers. They do a great job hand selling new, unknown authors. With over 2,000 mysteries published a year, without the independent booksellers steering their customers toward these authors, it would be very difficult indeed for a new series to get off the ground. And thanks to them, I’ve discovered many authors whose works I wasn’t aware of.

Here’s another thing that I love about them–every store is different. Each store has its own atmosphere. Once Upon a Crime, in Minneapolis, Minnesota is located in a small business district near downtown. It’s your neighborhood bookstore and, on a bulletin board in the back, are pictures of customers’ dogs. Plus, if there’s anything you want to know about mysteries, Pat and Gary are the ones to ask!

At Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, Mary Alice and Richard have a unique bathroom! Every year after The Festival of Mystery–which the store sponsors–the attending authors are given a Sharpie and you get to write a message on the wall! (It’s the only time I’ve ever posted my name in a bathroom! ) It’s great to read what all the authors have written!

Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri, is located in a building dating back to the 1800’s. It has pegged floors and a wooden staircase leading up to the Young Adult section. Out front is a cobblestone street and sidewalk made of brick. As you browse the store, you can feel the history. The Book Vault in Oskaloosa, Iowa was originally a bank and, yes, the store still has the vault.

The Bookworm in Omaha, Nebraska, (also a “dog friendly” store) and Books and Company in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin both have coffee shops, so the first thing that greets you is the wonderful smell of fresh brewed coffee! (btw–I practiced for weeks learning the correct way to pronounce “Oconomowoc!” I didn’t want to embarrass myself at the store by garbling the name of the town!) If you visit The Mystery Book Store, also in Omaha, you’ll be greeted by Kate’s two cats, Ella and Sammy.

At Booked for Murder in Madison, Wisconsin, you might find some of Terri and Linda’s little boy’s toys lying about. The Bookworm in Bellevue, Iowa not only has books, but candles, pouporri, and gleaming crystals displayed in a glass case, and has a small-town feel to it, but The Bookstore, in downtown Des Moines, has an urban kind of an atmosphere, as does Mystery One in Milwaukee, Wisconsin .

I could go on and on about all the unique stores that I’ve visited, but instead I’ll get to my point. I read recently that the biggest bookseller in the United States is Wal-Mart. Now I shop at Wal-Mart, too. I’ve even been known to purchase a book, if I run across one of my favorite authors. It’s convenient and it’s quick–I can kill two birds with one stone as they say. But what if the only bookseller was Wal-Mart? Would their clerks be able to answer a reader’s question–”I’m looking for that mystery about witches?” How many new authors would grace their shelves? Or would it only be The New York Times best-sellers?

Not only as an author, but as a reader, I would really hate to see that happen! And it could–in the last two years I’ve seen at least two terrific independents here in Iowa close their doors. (It’s hard for the “little guys” to compete against “giants.” ) All those wonderful stores that I’ve mentioned above would be gone, and along with them, their uniqueness–one of the things that makes the mystery biz so much fun! So whenever you get the chance, please support your local bookstore!

Best,

Shirley

p.s.

If you’d like to know more about the bookstores I’ve mentioned–many of them have links listed on my website. And, yes, they do online orders!!

Ever since WITCH WAY TO MURDER was released, I’ve debated with myself about starting a blog. (Yes, Joanna, I know, they’re a great way to stay in contact with readers!) Time, of course, has been a factor. I work full time, do my own marketing for the series, have a family (they’re all grown, but still do require some attention!), have all the other mundane details of life to handle–just like everyone else, and oh yeah, write a couple of books each year! I told myself I couldn’t possibly squeeze in a blog.

But I think the real reason I’ve resisted has been deeper than that. It’s the way I’ve seen blogs being used. I’ve seen them used as a forum to vent spleen and vitriol against others. Rumors, innuendos, and insults are posted, not as opinion, but as fact. Now living in a small town all of my life, I’ve been exposed to plenty of gossip—there’s always something going on that provides grist for the mill—but there seems to be a difference between hearing a nasty comment and seeing it in print on your computer screen. It’s as if because it’s written, it has more credence. If you hear something, you pass it off with a “consider the source,” but if you read it, it’s like “wow, wonder if that’s true?” Is it because we’re conditioned, contrary to the old adage, “don’t believe everything you read,” we do anyway? I don’t know, but these thoughts were one of the things that have held me back on starting my own blog.

So that said—here’s the deal—whatever you read here is strictly my opinion for whatever it’s worth. I’m not an expert; I’m just someone trying to pursue her dream. And I’ll really try and follow what my mother always told me when I was a kid—“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all!” (However I do believe a good whine every now and again is good for the soul!) And my sense of humor is somewhat off-kilter, so please take whatever I say with a grain of salt—I’m probably just joking around!

I’d love to hear your comments, questions, or any suggestions for topics that you’d like to see discussed.

Okay—let’s have some fun!

Shirley