Books Inc. Alameda is a very busy book store. However, my reading was doomed as it was scheduled to start when the Warriors were something like a 25 points a lead in the last Championship game -- and it was during the 3rd quarter. Talk about bad luck for a book event. Friday night was iffy to begin with! But, this particular Friday night event more so. When 7:30 rang round -- there were a people in the store though they had not come to here me. But they kept checking the phone screens for the Basketball score. Pretty much everyone in the Bay Area was watching the WARRIORS GAME -- I would have been. A wonderful friend from her and my daughter's youth helped chat up the book to those around the store while we set up.
The formal lecture style set up was not going to be helpful--in fact it made the event a GLARING failure since most seats were empty. We put a few chairs in a circle and eliminated some. In a stroke of genius the store cashier who is also a teacher shouted out loudly to the scattered patrons of the bookstore" --This evening we have September Williams Author of Chasing Mercury and she is going to read for you. And, then I did--right there standing on the floor of the store in a space I randomly occupied. I couldn't have done better if I had planned it. As an added bonus President Obama, Billy Holiday,, Ta Nehisi Coats and others works were --also randomly-- in my background with a Big sign that says Black Excellence. People bought books -- some had to hustle to their dinner dates, ate some snacks and a new style of book event was born -- a take it to the people - Guerrilla Style Meet & Greet... I sold some books and the Warriors also won The Championship!