By Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

Almost every writers conference has a bookstore. Some are big and some are small but all exist to serve the conferees of the conference in several ways.

The obvious reason the bookstore exists is to help both faculty and conferees sell books and to help customers discover books that will make a difference in their lives. Obviously you can’t attend a conference, go to workshops, meet with faculty, and shop or sell your books all at the same time. You can’t really do that many things simultaneously and do a good job of any of them. The bookstore personnel and volunteers are there to stand in for you, to introduce your books to those who come to the bookstore. Usually books are brought in by the authors only for the duration of the conference. This is a little different from a bookstore that exists all year long. But at BRMCWC bookstore, we try to offer the same service, professionalism, and expertise that other bookstores do. There are several other ways we try to serve our customers.

1. Connect with all those who come in the bookstore. Conferences are all about networking so when you start out to do a little networking, don’t forget the bookstore. BRMCWC wants to know you, your books, and what you are interested in. Let us help you find a book that can take your writing to the next level or one that will take you to a faraway place when you need a break.
2. The bookstore is seen as a gathering place. People come in just to chat, browse, or get out of the crowd. Occasionally, someone comes in who has just had a discouraging meeting, a critique they don’t quite understand, or a rejection from an editor. The bookstore is a good place to come and regroup. We want to encourage you not only to buy a book but also to hang in there, work hard, not get discouraged. We know you can do it and would love to be on your cheerleading squad.
3. Make sure it is run as a business. That is the reason we ask you to fill out forms when you bring in books, not remove books from your inventory, and give us your 30-second pitch so we know what your book is about. We want things done right for you.
4. If you need an inventory form or bookstore guidelines, click here.  Please print your form, fill it out, and bring it with you when you check your books in. Be sure to include your name, address, and cell phone number.
5. All books/other products should be priced with removable price stickers.
   1. Round price to nearest dollar
   2. If you plan to have extra books/products in a box under the table, be sure to have all books/products priced with removable price stickers (these must be included in the total inventory)
   3. Conferees will be able to use credit/debit cards when purchasing books. 
   4. Display space is limited. Bookstore personnel will be glad to rotate stock from beneath the table for you.
6. In order for things to run smoothly, we ask that you schedule a time to check your books in. If you would like to request a time to check your books in, please email Johndgilden@aol.com. Make sure you tell him what time you will arrive at Ridgecrest and on what day and he will send you the time for your appointment. Please do your best to keep your appointment but if you are caught in traffic or for some other reason late, please just let us know. John – 864-316-3962, Linda – 864-706-5250. We will reschedule you for a later time.
7. When you come to check your books in, you will make an appointment to check your books out at the end of the conference. At your assigned pick-up time, you will need to confirm the book/product count with the bookstore personnel. The inventory sheet should be signed by both you and the bookstore personnel to confirm quantity sold. (No payment will be made unless the form is completed and signed.)
8. If you are shipping your books they must arrive no earlier than 5/14 and marked “Hold for BRMCWC 5/23.” (Shipping charges are your responsibility.)

Ship to:

Attn: MelissaInman

Ridgecrest Conference Center

1 Ridgecrest Dr. 

Ridgecrest, NC 28770

Remember, when deciding how many books to bring, you will be responsible for getting them back home. The bookstore does not ship.

Thank you for entrusting us with selling your books. Please don’t “borrow” any of your books/products once they are checked in. If you want to have copies of your books for any reason, please do not include them in the book store inventory. This minimizes confusion and you don’t have to remember to bring the book/s back to the store.  

Looking forward to seeing you. You are a blessing and your books will bless others.

Linda Gilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, writing coach, and personality consultant.

She is the author of several dozen books including the Love Notes series, Mommy Pick-Me-Ups, Mama Was the Queen of Christmas, Personality Perspectives, Called to Write, Why You Do What You Do, Words to Live By, Called to Speak, Articles, Articles, Articles!, Linked Quick Guide to Personalities, and many ghostwritten books.

With over a thousand magazine articles to her credit, Linda Gilden is a regular columnist for thewriteconversation.com, almostanauthor.com, Just18summers.com, presidentialprayerteam.com, and Fox News’ Todd Starnes. She loves to share a great story.

As a freelance editor and writing coach working with publishers and individuals, she encourages others to make their writing the best it can be. Linda enjoys helping others polish their speaking and writing skills on their journeys to clear, concise communication.

As Director of the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, Linda helps many writers take the next step in reaching their writing goals.

Her favorite moments are those spent with her family and six cutest grandchildren ever where she finds lots of good writing material and speaking illustrations. Linda and her husband live on a farm where sometimes even the chickens are the stars of her writing.

You can find Linda at www.lindagilden.com.