On Being A Bookseller

When I was a little girl, I could not learn to read. My first-grade class was part of an experimental group that was learning to read by colors (I still remember that magenta was the “schwa” sound.) Apparently, I was not the only one for whom this was a complete failure. I have never met another person who learned to read by color-coding the sounds. My mother eventually taught me to read at home with good old-fashioned phonics. Then I was off and running. Books brought me immense joy throughout my life. I was never bored or lonely growing up because I always had a pile of books to read.

As an adult, books continued to give me entertainment, relaxation, and an escape to new horizons. When I became a parent, I wanted to share my love of reading with my boys. They enjoyed books; however, it was not their passion. As a result, I gathered a group of sixth grade girls at my sons’ school and began a weekly book club. These ten girls were like me — rabid book fanatics. We discussed books, went on field trips, had authors to visit the school, and had a weekly literary adventure.

The girls were invited to book events all over the Twin Cities, and were even featured in a New York Time’s article when they attended a huge launch for a famous author. I facilitated girls’ book clubs at the school and the local public library for eleven years and it brought me a wonderful community and a lot of happy times. For so many young readers, this was their first opportunity to connect with an author in real life — and that moment is often magical. One of my favorite memories is hearing a 12-year-old respond, when asked if she enjoyed the literary event, “I think my heart is bursting.”

When my boys were grown and I was ready to return to work, I knew that bookselling was the career for me. I had worked closely with my local independent bookstore while engaged with the book clubs. As a result, I had the opportunity to network and connect with booksellers, authors, and publishers. My friends thought my experiences sounded interesting and often expressed a desire to attend an event where they too could meet authors and get the insider scoop on their life and writing.

And thus, the Literature Lovers’ Night Out™ program was born. This semi-monthly ticketed event brings authors and publishers to suburban Minneapolis so readers can connect with them on a personal level. There is a moderated program, but also plenty of free time to interact with the speakers on a casual basis.

The program was so successful in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, hosted by Excelsior Bay Books, that Valley Bookseller invited me to partner with them and bring Literature Lovers’ Night Out™ to the suburbs east of St. Paul. Each month hundreds of readers are introduced to new books and publishers, and can talk with beloved authors and exciting debut writers. These two completely women-owned and operated book stores have a brilliant collaboration and have made the event even more attractive to participants.

Another perk of my job is hosting traveling authors in my home and sharing meals with them during their visits. It is as much fun spending time with the writers as it is to read their books. These are the best kind of slumber parties. Friendships are forged over late night wine and cheese, or sitting around in bathrobes having coffee and scrambled eggs. My husband enjoys these visits too, and has a note of enthusiasm in his voice when he asks each month “Who is staying at the house this time?” He makes a great co-host at the Hotel Horn.

It is also very gratifying to see visiting authors forge friendships with each other. Two women who participated in the same program bonded during their time together and ended up collaborating on a book. Authors give each other feedback and tips during the down time between programs. I have been witness to brainstorming sessions as well as one writer talking another off a cliff of anxiety. Spending time with creative and interesting people is a huge gift to my life. It is also a gift and an honor to have been in the acknowledgments of several novels and my last name immortalized on the pages of another.

I am often asked if I want to write a book. I do not have a story inside that is yearning to be free. I would much rather read the work of the many gifted authors I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years. Each day my job brings something new and interesting. The book selling community is incredibly generous and supportive and loves to see us each thrive. When there is so much negativity in the media, it is a joy to find hope, spirit, and comradery in the world of books.

Book selling will not make me a millionaire; but I cannot imagine a richer life.

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Pamela Klinger-Horn has been a literary event planner since 2012. She is also currently on the Board of Directors of Rain Taxi Literary Review and the Excelsior Friends of the Library. She has experience as a children’s Book Club facilitator at  Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School and the Excelsior Public Library. Pamela enjoys attending and promoting literary events throughout the Twin Cities and beyond, and has been nicknamed the “Local Literary Fairy Godmother.” 

Find out more about Pamela on her website https://www.lit-lovers.com

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips