Rattlesnake Roundup
The Rattlesnake Roundup is exactly what it sounds like: a long-running festival that began decades ago when people actually rounded up rattlesnakes. These days it’s more educational than snake wrangling, but the carnival rides, food stands, and crowds are still very much part of the experience.
And somewhere in the middle of all that… there’s me. With books.
This year our booth ended up in the most interesting spot possible: directly beside the carnival rides and inflatable jumping castles. If you’ve never sold mystery novels next to a bounce house full of excited children, I highly recommend it as a prime spot for people watching and an opportunity for considering your life choices.
The vendor on the other side of us was a no-show, which meant our two tents and cargo trailer suddenly looked like a giant book fortress in the middle of the festival. Visibility is everything at events like this, so no complaints from us.
Readers Find Books in the Most Interesting Ways
One of my favorite parts of festivals is watching how people approach the table.
Some readers walk straight up and say they bought a book from me last year and need the next one. Others quietly stand back and examine the covers until I suggest picking up the book and reading the back cover for the story. I’ve decided they were just politely waiting for the invitation.
And sometimes couples do something completely unexpected.
A man picked up Danger in the Clouds while his wife debated between The Librarian and Speakeasy Secrets. She decided to take both for the three-book discount. At that point her husband looked at the stack and said, “Why not make it four?”
So she added Deadly Luck.
That may be the strangest sale ever, but I wasn’t about to argue with a man who was that smart.
Romance Readers Had Something to Say
I always ask, “What do you like to read?”
I’ve never had a romance book for the Romance readers, but this year I did. Several readers told me something interesting this weekend. They’re tired of smut, and they actually said, “smut.”
More than one romance reader picked up Deadly Luck, read the back cover, and said, “Oooo… romantic suspense.”
Apparently, clean romance with an actual plot is having a moment, and finally, I’m in the right place at the right time.
Two of the readers who bought Deadly Luck were regulars who were thrilled to get an advanced copy before the official retailer release. I suspect their book club may hear about that.
Blind Dates Are Still Popular
The wrapped Blind Date with a Book packages were also a hit again.
Readers who didn’t know my books often chose one because they liked the idea of a surprise.
“Sounds fun,” one reader said.
That’s exactly the point. <insert a round of quiet applause>
A Small Moment I Won’t Forget
The most memorable moment of the day didn’t involve books at all.
A little girl, probably not even three years old, ran screaming away from the face painters across from my booth. Her mother chased after her while apologizing to the face painters and the crowd of sympathetic observers.
The little girl raced into our tent and dove into my camping chair and buried her face in my flannel shirt, paint and all.
As the little girl rubbed her face in my shirt, her mother tried to pull her away, apologizing and saying the little girl was overwhelmed, but I told her to let the child stay. The mother relaxed and breathed. The shirt was soft and comforting, and after a few minutes of hiding her face in the soft flannel, the little girl calmed down.
She sat there quietly for nearly half an hour before they finally left.
Sometimes festivals aren’t just about selling books.
Sometimes they’re about letting a tired little human hide in a safe place for a while.
And flannel shirts wash. Who cares if there’s a little smudged red paint on the blue and white plaid? It’s a memory reminder that flannel means love.
So Was the Rattlesnake Roundup Worth It?
Absolutely. Between the rides, the crowds, and the snakes, selling twenty books was a bonus.
The readers went home with stories in books, which is really the whole point, and I came home with another event story, which is what we were all waiting for, wasn’t it?
You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!
p.s.The most frequently chosen book at the Rattlesnake Roundup turned out to be Deadly Luck. Apparently, romantic suspense pairs nicely with carnival rides and funnel cake. You can order your copy of Deadly Luck from me. Just don’t expect a funnel cake. Deadly Luck
Judith A. Barrett 