Hi all,
I am sooooo tired.
Moving an entire bookstore on the same week that my book was published was… a choice.
(Except obviously it wasn’t a choice. Sometimes these things just happen.)
In any case, I am absolutely exhausted, but I also have lots of NEWS to share, so I hope you’ll forgive me if this newsletter is a little more staccato and unhinged than usual.
NEWS #1: The Confessions is a USA Today bestseller!! That’s right, first week sales propelled the book straight onto the national bestseller list! I’m beyond stunned, and grateful. Obviously those numbers include a lot of pre-orders from Best Bookstore customers so a special huge THANK YOU to everyone who bought a copy in advance. (Haven’t bought yours yet? That’s ok! You can order a signed copy here, with free shipping. It’s also out in audio and ebook, wherever you get those. And in the UK too!)
NEWS #2: If you’re in La Jolla/San Diego this Tuesday (tomorrow!), I’m doing a book signing/conversation at Warwick’s - aka one of my absolute favorite bookstores in the world, with one of my favorite booksellers, Cristina Gurtman. The event starts at 7:30pm and is free/open to all BUT you can reserve a seat and book here which is even better. See you there!
NEWS #3: The new store location at 113 La Plaza is ALMOST ready (see blurry screenshot of shelves-in-progress above). We still have to get approval from the city/fire inspector but I’m hoping to open the doors in the next few days. The old location on Tahquitz will be open for a few hours today (Monday) to sell the last few books on the shelves at 60% OFF!! HURRY!!
NEWS #4: Moving is a bit more expensive than I thought! We had to hire a professional moving team to move the heavy shelves and books, plus there are various fees to move utilities, clear out the old location, and install extra fixtures and fittings in the new one. Also, unsurprisingly, our old landlord is keeping our security deposit in exchange for letting us out of the old lease. And of course we’re doing all of this, completely unexpectedly, during our dead summer season :-(
To help pay for everything, we’re opening up a few more slots on our SUPER-AMAZING SUPER-EXCLUSIVE in-store mural. We’re also printing an extra dozen supporter shirts.
As a reminder, if you are generous enough to donate $1000 or more to the moving fund, you’ll get your name (and that of a partner, if you like) included in our custom designed mural on the inside wall of the store.
We have eight mural supporters already, and space for two or three more. We have an AMAZING Palm Springs artist lined up to create the mural and this is your absolute last chance to be part of the fabric of the store forever! (Mural donors will also get an exclusive t-shirt - see below - and 10% off everything in store, for life! And yes you can donate in the name of a company or organization!)
Don’t have $1k to spare? (Neither do I!) If you donate $100 or more to the moving fund, you’ll get an exclusive (designed by Sarah) t-shirt to show your support. You’ll also get 10% off in store any time you wear it!
To donate any amount to the moving fund, and get your exclusive reward, click here!
Ok, now I’m going to sleep for a hundred years. Or at least eight hours before I do it all again tomorrow!
More soonest!
Paul