When we purchased the bookstore that seeded our new endeavor, we ended up with many books in genres we knew we would not feature...like romances. Now, before anyone accuses us of being elitist, let me (Jessica) freely admit that I've read my share of these. But, those of you who've visited the store know that we have a finite amount of room and a large list of books we want to feature. So, long story short...no room for romances. "Romance, we have room for," Jerry adds as he reads over my shoulder.
Anyhoo, we ended up with more than a cord (that's a firewood cord 4'x4'x8') of romance novels. That's several thousand tomes of lust, love, like, dislike, like again, bodice ripping, rippling muscles and assorted examples of pulchritude and prurience. What to do?
The very number of volumes cried out for a large event, maybe even a world record! Enter the Guinness World Records. Yep, you heard it right...we've applied and been accepted to set a world record for the most romances sold in one business day by a brick and mortar independent bookstore. It took a week or so to get our claim number, but now we can tell the world.
My brother, Matt, has built us a big frame and he's busy stacking it full of books. (pictures show stacking in progress) The big event, which we are calling Hearts in A(c)Cord (yes, we know it's cheesy) is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 from 10am to 6pm. Paperbacks are $1 each and hardbacks are $2. Some volumes are first editions worth up to $25.
Once we have all the books in the box, we'll begin a contest to see who can guess how many books are in the stacks. The winner will be the one who guesses closest without going over and will win dinner for two at Colette's.
We've got two other records slated for that day...the most romances sold in one minute and the most romances sold to a man. -K-DOCK will be broadcasting live during the sale. But wait, there's more....we have also put out a Call to Artists for an art piece that incorporates at least one romance novel (the actual novel). Any medium is allowed. The pieces must be submitted by March 31...juried and hung in time for the April ArtWalk. The People's Choice will be voted on by the public and awarded at the end of the evening.
Half of all proceeds will be divided between the Women's Safety and Resource Center and Food Share which supports the local Food Pantries.
You don't read romances? Buy a bag and hand them out to your friends, use them as white elephant gifts, donate them to a local shelter or make art out of them. Remember, romance is not dead and romance novels never die, they just get recycled for a good cause.
Jerry and Jessica
"tycoonistas
No comments:
Post a Comment