The advent of online shopping and digital stores in recent years has increasingly threatened the existence of more traditional shopping in what retailers call brick and mortar stores. Watch the news and one regularly sees announcements of another store liquidating its merchandise and closing its doors, leaving behind a vacant, rectangular building made of stone. Line three or four of those empty structures up next to each other and we have a modern image of a Virginia City, Nevada ghost town.
Which is why I’m so excited to be joining four others for an Inspirational Authors Panel this week at the local Barnes and Noble bookstore. The store is a survivor in this purchasing climate, having remained in the community after Borders closed its doors a few years ago. Only a handful of independently run bookstores compete with the Barnes and Noble franchise, making it stand out in the community.
Authors Jane Kirkpatrick, Karen Barnett, Rebecca DeMarino, Christina Suzann Nelson and I will give insights into what it means to write inspirational fiction. We will address writing in general, in our genre, and specific story lines. Nick Harrison, former editor of Harvest House Publishers, will moderate the panel. Questions will be taken from the audience.
Opportunities for purchasing books and having them signed will also be available. This is our way of supporting a brick and mortar store, helping to insure its continued presence in our community, and making a statement about the importance of bookstores in our ever changing world. My newest release, A Kite on the Wind, has been ordered and will make its debut appearance that evening.
Two of the other authors also have new titles making their introduction.
Hope to see you.
Barnes and Noble bookstore
1163 Valley River Drive
Eugene, Oregon
Tuesday, September 18
6-8 pm