Happy New Year

Thank you to all my loyal customers for a wonderful 2010! I look forward to seeing you in 2011 and beyond!
January is often a time for people to take stock of the past year and
think about what goals and hopes they have for the new one.
To assist in that endeavour, Mackerel Sky Book & More is discounting
all new Health & Wellness books, Cookbooks and Diet/Excersize books
by 20% for the entire month!
Stop by and check out all the ideas and support available to you!
As you all know, if it isn't in stock, it can be ordered! Your order will
be at the shop in a matter of days so you can get started on the new
year and, if it is your goal, a new you!
Upcoming:

Author Visit at HCS, Children's Author Laurie Keller on Tuesday January 11.
Ms. Keller's books are available for sale at a 10% discount and can be pre-ordered.
Contact the school library for further information.

More artwork from the talented students at HCS!

I am always looking for new authors, artists, artisans and photographers to exhibit and/or sell work at the shop. Very fair consignment terms! If you are, or know, one of our many talented residents, please feel free to stop in or call!

New Winter Hours are as follows:
Sunday 10-3
Monday 10-5
Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 10-7
Thursday 10-7
Friday 10-5
Saturday 10-5

Thank you again for all your support!

Happy Time!

The Holiday Shopping Madness is in full swing! Stop down to the shop to see all the great gifts available at great sale prices! Everything in the store is at least 10% off, new Childrens' and Holiday books are an additional 20% off and all Gifts are an additional 25% off!  If you prefer shopping on-line, there is still time to get your decorations, gifts and more on the website, http://www.macksky.com/! Shop at 3am in your jammies!!
All orders placed before December 16th will go out in time for pre-Christmas delivery.
Check out the pics below to see just how fine we look for the Holidays!

Welome!



Ornaments! Cards! Books! Art!





Yes we are Open seven (7) days a week until Christmas!

 



Stained Glass by Heather Gillette

 

Holiday decor, gifts and more!



ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR!!

All Righty, Folks..... This is it! The time of year when you can shop with no guilt! There are deals to be had and its all for your favorite people in the world!
On the Mackerel Sky website, www.macksky.com, from Thanksgiving Thursday, November 25, 2010 until Cyber Monday, November 29, 2010:

30% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER!

30% OFF SHIPPING ON ORDER OVER $100.00!

Fiscally responsible shopping, in your pjs at 3:00am!

JUST DO IT!

November at Mackerel Sky

All right, folks! Its November and that means Thanskgiving, snow and one more thing... MY BIRTHDAY!! Everyone gets to enjoy November on line with 20% off EVERYTHING on the website! Shipping deals until the end of the year!!  Check it out: http://www.macksky.com/

Here in the store, all the new children's books, new holiday themed books are 20% off until November 30th!! ALL GIFTS are on sale at 25% off, too, until the end of the year!

Coming Soon: Artwork from the talented students at our own Honeoye Central School!

CATALOGS!! I have two great Holiday catalogs for you, FREE! One for BOOKS and another for HOLIDAY GIFTS AND DECOR!

Best way to make a wish list... mark a title or item in either catalog and leave it laying around for someone to 'find'.

Holiday hours will begin after Thanksgiving, so be on the lookout!

Enjoy your turkey and stuffing, get accustomed to the wintery weather....

October

...is almost over already?! I haven't posted anything on here in more than a month?!
Halloween is nearly here, got a great little event happening on that very day, right here in the shop:

HALLOWEEN THING 
Sunday, October 31 from 11:00am until 3:00pm
Free stuff for the kids!
Spooky Story Time at Noon and Two
Raffle for a Bucket o'Halloweenish Swag - enter the drawing with the donation of a non-perishable food item to benefit the Honeoye Community Food Pantry.
Make It & Take It Crafts
All New Halloween and Inspirational Books - 20% off
Pirate Swag - 25% off

November is around the corner and the Holidays are just weeks away.

HOLIDAY CATALOGS FOR BOOKS & GIFTS 
Free to all... stop in next month and pick 'em up!
November 1st through 30th:
Children's and Holiday Books - 20% off!
ALL GIFTS - 25% off
(does not include consignment art or jewelry)
Mackerel Sky is close to home, right in Honeoye!
or
Shop on-line in your pj's at 3:00am!!
http://www.macksky.com/

Septemberrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

Join me at Captain Redbeard's Feast on Saturday, this weekend... September 4, 2010!

The Mackerel Sky booth will be offering Pirate Swag at 25% off, used books with a semi-not-really-but-kind-of-pirate theme (like One Drop of Blood by Thomas Holland and Caribbean by James Michener), calendars, journals and all manner of pirate-like attitude. You even get to see me in pirate-like garb! Such a thrill cannot even be imagined...
Never mind the rain or cool temps or algae blooms.... a good time will be had by all so come on down to Sandy Bottom Park and join the Krewe!!

http://www.captainredbeards.com/

September's sale at the shop is on Cookbooks and Craftbooks 20% off!

A Little About Me...

Just recently I became a member of NAIBA, the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association. They are a regional group that allows booksellers to connect with other booksellers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, DC. As part of joining up, the following Twenty Questions survey was sent along so current members can get to know 'moi' . Since I get a lot of questions from customers and other business people, like, "Why are you doing this, you silly person?" (insert John Cleese-like voice complete with accent) I thought I would share my responses with all you lucky, lucky souls. Feel free to chime in with your answers, might be fun.

Question #1 What was the path that led you to bookselling?

Like a great many of us, I am an avid life-long reader. In college, my major was English Literature, Language and Pedagogy (high school English teacher) with a minor in Theater Arts. As a student and afterwards, most of my jobs were in some form of retail. I had finally come to a point where the annoyance factor of working for someone else far out-weighed the rate of compensation. This small town had no bookstore but they had a lake and I owned a nice house within viewing distance of same. A seed of insanity planted itself and that is how I came to open my own very own bookstore and gift shop here in the beautiful Bristol Hills of Western New York.

Question #2 How did you prepare to become a bookseller?

First thing was to get a business plan done. With the help of the SBA in Buffalo, NY, my home town, that was completed and financing came through that connection as well. Inspired by the on-line story of two women opening a shop in New York City, I chose my distributor, Ingram Book Company, and things took off from there. I got a lot of instruction and support from the SBA, Ingram and Booklog. The rest I have learned on the fly.

Question #3 What didn’t you expect when you opened/bought your store?

So far, I have been lucky. Nothing horribly unexpected has occurred, well, aside from the coffee shop next door, one of my earliest supporters and cheerleaders, deciding to give up the fight and close their doors for good. It was a bit of a shocker since part of the reasoning for choosing this particular space was the coffee shop/book shop dynamic. Other than that, nothing else of an unforeseen nature has taken place…… yet. It has only been four and a half months after all.

Question #4 What was the best advice you’ve been given about bookselling?

Keep your chin up, market your brains out and take one day at a time.

Question #5 What advice do you give to new booksellers?

See above and get in with a good distributor, make sure you have good software to keep your inventory straight and enjoy yourself.

Question #6 Who is/was your mentor in the industry?

That’s hard to say, I have had a great deal of help from my salesperson at Ingram. My contacts at Booklog have also been very informative and willing to help. I read ‘The Bookshop Blog’ but other than that, I don’t really have one ‘go to’ person.

Question #7 What categories sell best in your store?

Fiction is the big seller, for the most part. A lot of people look for history, both fiction and non-fiction, especially local history which I make sure to provide. The used books get at least a once-over by almost every customer that comes in the door, as well.

Question #8 What is your best advertising vehicle?

So far, the most mention has come from articles printed in local newspapers. First was an article on the new business in Honeoye from the Canandaigua paper (nearest city), then the local Honeoye Herald asked me to write up a press release, the majority of which was used in an article entitled, ‘Holy Mackerel!’, again about the shop opening. The next was an article done by the Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle for their ‘Women to Watch’ feature. This one was in the paper and also on-line (http://www.herrochester.com/article/20100723/WOMEN_TO_WATCH01/307240001/-1/women_to_watch). The other item that brought in several people was a coupon flyer in the local Pennysaver. In conjunction with my Grand Opening hoopla, that one flyer produced a lot of word of mouth and actual customers.

Question #9 What are your best non-book (sideline) sellers?

I carry local artists, photographers and gifts. I suggest doing a little research on local authors and artists to bring in work and products no one can find anywhere else. Also, any book related items, bookmarks, book ends, puzzles or games enclosed in a book-like box are always nice to have. You can check with your book distributor.

Question #10 What ways do you put your store in the public/community eye?

I regularly e-mail the teachers and administration at Honeoye Central Schools. Due to my previous life as a flea-market/craft show vendor, many people already know me and know to find me at a brick and mortar place in town. I use the local media (see entry above about advertising) and make sure I have flyers or rack cards at other local hotspots, restaurants, B&Bs, the grocery store and bank, among other things (Golden Oak Alpaca Farm! The Wizard of Clay!).


Question #11 What do you do particularly well as a bookseller and a bookstore?

Getting the books people want to the people who want them in a timely fashion. Special orders are big business here since my shop is not what you would call large. There is no extra charge for the service and I make sure to order regularly so everything comes in within five business days. I make sure to smile at and greet everyone, no matter the weather or dearth/masses of customers. Lord help me, I am a people person. And generally ‘perky’. And always helpful, directions, publication dates for new work by favorite authors, even getting everyone their own ‘Captain Underpants’ name (http://www.inthe00s.com/archive/membersonly/smf/1111764873.shtml).

Question #12 What ways have you developed to upsell to customers?

Buy one, get one promotions. If they mention they are buying a gift I suggest an art card to go with it. If they are interested in a book that is part of a series, I make sure they have them all and let them know the date the next one is coming out or mention another book series by the same author.

Question #13 What are your personal handselling favorites?

Whichever book a customer asks for. I just go to the shelf and pull it out for them. I’ve been lucky that way.

Question #14 What are your biggest rewards in bookselling?

Meeting the people in town, visitors from all over the world, the artists and authors. Just being around books and art all the time.

Question #15 What is the biggest challenge or threat facing your store at the moment?

The closing of the coffee shop, the economy and oh, the economy.

Question #16 What change would make it more manageable?

Having someone take over the coffee shop, it is for sale.. anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Also, winning the lottery would be of great help to me, both personally and professionally.

Question #17 What new skills or knowledge are most needed among your staff and/or new hires?

Right now, I’m the staff, latest hire, chief cook and bottle washer. Probably getting to know the Booklog program would be the first and most important order of business if I were hiring.

Question #18 Have you recently undergone any physical changes to your store (such as moving, renovating, downsizing)? If so, why? And how has it affected your business?

Just opened April, 2010. I re-arrange often, does that count?

Question #19 How is your time divided in the store? (ie: buying 40%; customer service/floor time 5%)

I do it all, baby! I just take it as it comes. Juggling tasks is a skill, it may not be mastered yet, but I am getting there.

Question #20 What are the big and small changes you’ll be making for your business this year?

Adding author visits and a storytime for children. Probably going to have to start serving coffee, too

Quiet Days

As the summer spins out it's later days, activity in town and at the shop has gotten slower. The coffee shop next door, my neighbor since I opened in April (and for three years prior to my arrival in Honeoye) is closing at the end of this month. The hours have been cut back over the past few weeks and both yesterday and today, it wasn't open at all. People who come looking for their java fix, or smoothie fix, depending on tastes and temperatures, are left sadly unfulfilled. It wasn't in my plans to provide coffee, especially since the Red Coyote Coffee House and Mackerel Sky Books & More share an entrance,  back door too, as a matter of fact. However, for my own enjoyment and possibly that of my customers it may be something to consider.
The school across the road will be welcoming the students and teachers back from vacation in just a couple of weeks. Hopefully, this will increase foot traffic and sales. E-mails and updates have gone out in advance of the 2010-2011 school year beginning and the elementary school librarian had alerted me to her plans for an author visit to occur in a couple of months. We hope to coordinate a sales program in conjunction with the event.
As town residents find me here, due to word of mouth, from ads or stories in local newspapers and finally noticing the big blue BOOKS banner hanging in front of the shop, sales have gradually increased. I hope to capitalize on my convenient location, right nearby the only drugstore, grocery store and convenience store in town for the holiday season. It's much easier to come to the local 'retail center' than to drive 18 miles or more in snow or ice to shop for anything other than groceries and aspirin. Even though this shop is small, all my customers know that any book or gift item they are looking for can be ordered and delivered in a timely manner.
As summer runs out, the seasonal renters return home and the trees begin to take on their fall finery, I am working to make sure the autumnal leaf peepers and returning school-age-kid families will take advantage of 'that cool little shop over by Subway'.

Excitement on a Sunday!

 Just the latest and greatest news from Mackerel Sky Books & More;

Tried something new today and must simply tell EVERYONE! If you would like to purchase books from me but don't live in Western New York or if you DO live in Western New York and find it difficult to take a road trip to visit in person OR if you would like to send books as a gift to friends and family living in another part of the country IT CAN BE DONE!
Mackerel Sky provides a service called 'Direct To Home'. My distributor can send a book(s) directly to you or your designated recipient! This can be handled via the phone (585) 229-2665 or e-mail at info@macksky.com. Shipping is as inexpensive as $2.65 for Media Mail via the USPS or $4.50 for UPS Ground. Other options are available as well, just let me know what you would like to do.
Don't forget all the gifts available at http://www.macksky.com/... its an amazing selection which can be sent directly to your home. Catalogs are available in the shop if you would prefer to order in person or just give me a call.

More new books in the Poetry section, the Historical Fiction section and the Used Books are spilling over the shelves.
More new artwork from Heather Gillette, check out the Facebook page for pictures.
New card collection from Chapworks along with those useful and amazing Walking Sticks.

Have a wonderful week...
Thanks to everyone for supporting your local independently owned bookstore and gift shop.

Making Changes

As many of the regulars know, this shop gets re-arranged on a regular basis.

The shelves remain in place, too heavy for my puny strength and besides, I like the way they are set up. The artwork, books and gift-y type items are moved at least once a week. It was time to work a little more diligently on the blog here so, of course, that includes changing up the template and playing with colors and pictures and stuff.
Been here a little over three months now, people are getting to know there is a bookshop in town. Several lucky souls have saved themselves a trip to the mall or to Canandaigua since they decided to check out the 'new' shop in town. Many visitors are passing though or just here for vacations, the selection of local books, art and information has been a draw... they tell their friends who tell THEIR friends...
Still working on better advertising, articles in three local papers, coupons or ads locally and flyers have been my go to options. These are working in a limited fashion. My internet presence is on Facebook and the website, http://www.macksky.com/. Its a very slow process attracting more views and fans. Heavens to mergatroid! I don't even have any followers on this blog. Sad.....
Must. post. more. often.
The next level is to have readings and/or signings but deciding when and how to draw as many people as possible has held me back on scheduling an event of that nature.
Any feedback would be most welcomed!

Carol

Its just like being there!

Even if you are far away, you can feel just as if you were here at Honeoye Lake.

Honeoye Lake South

Just In Time for July

Whew..... its hot hot hot in Honeoye this month. The fireworks were AMAZING, not just the planned town exhibition at Sandy Bottom but all around the lake! It was hard to know where to look, sparks and color and explosions from every direction. Poor little dog was terrified but was safe in the bedroom with his master who shut the door and turned the radio way up. It was fun outside, though!
This month we have the top 5 New York Times Bestsellers at 20% off (list in shop) and the sometimes strange but wonderful collection of salt and pepper shakers also on sale for 20% off.
C'mon in and check it out, new art, new books and more 'stuff'. Nice and cool in here today, even though it feels like the Fires of Hades are burning outdoors.

June Changes

Warm enough for ya? It is for me! Glad to see the sun and warm weather finally get to this corner of the world. The boaters are out in force, enjoying Honeoye Lake!

June is Audio Book Month (according to my distributor, Ingram Books) so for the entire month:

New audio books are 20% off the regular price!!

NEW HOURS BEGINNING JUNE 2ND:

MONDAY: 9:30-5:00

TUESDAY: CLOSED

WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY: 9:30-7:00

SATURDAY: 9:30-3:00

SUNDAY: 10-3

FYI: The shop will be closed 5/31/10 for the Memorial Day Observance and will be open Tuesday instead.

Four Weeks Ago.....

Hey World! Its almost a month later and everything is going along swimmingly. The opening was very successful and more people are finding Mackerel Sky Books & More to be a great destination for gifts, books and a nice place to relax with a cup of coffee from The Red Coyote next door. Right now, I'm coming up with new hours for the summer into fall. The shop will be open everyday but Tuesday and evening hours will be reserved for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Maybe Saturday as well, I'll have to see what transpires as time goes by. The Bargain Of The Month for April and May was 20% off all new books and gifts. Once I decide the BOTM for June I'll post it here and in my e-mail newsletter. If you would like to sign up for the e-newsletter, drop me a line at info@macksky.com.
Welcome to summer, folks... the great weather is on its way!!
Watch this spot for updates and what's on sale this coming month.

The First Day

A very satisfying day...lots of people, lots of looking and chatting with customers. There was a fair amount of buying as well! The store looks wonderful (not just my own biased opinion) and everyone had a great time browsing the books and gifts and artwork. Carol and Bill Ewert are the first to have a show in the gallery and their paintings, sculptures and cards were a hit.
Come on down, grab a coffee from The Red Coyote Coffee Cafe next door and spend some time under a mackerel sky. :)

OPENING DAY

This is it!! Tomorrow is opening day and the store is just about ready. I'll be in a bit early to put the last of the shelf labels on and sweep the floor.
Hope to see many of you there, 6 Honeoye Commons is Honeoye, NY!!

The Books Are Here The Books Are Here!!!

Delivered on time and as expected! One hundred and one boxes of books, all to be opened, checked in, inventoried and shelved... lots of work to do!

ANNOUNCEMENT

GRAND OPENING SET FOR MAY 1, 2010

Mackerel Sky Books & More will open for business on April 17, 2010 and the Grand Opening Celebration will take place May 1, 2010 - May 7, 2010.
Come on down and see the store!
See the Books!
See the More!
Cheap yet tacky souvenirs will be provided. Great Grand Opening deals will be available.

Check out the link below for access to Google Maps and Directions.
MackSky.com Directions

The Latest on Mackerel Sky, Books & More

Exciting news...
The renovation of the store at 6 Honeoye Commons is complete!
The bookshelves are there, the book order is in (thank you to all who completed a survey, it was instrumental in the decision making process) lots of gift-y stuff is there, the lease is signed and much of the behind the scenes work (like arranging for heat, electricity, incidentals like that) is locked and loaded.
How amazing it has become, to find the dream alive and coming true, little by little, step by step. It is surreal! Maybe I fell down a rabbit hole....
As soon as the shelves are set up and things are in order, unlike the higgelty-piggelty (its a word, look it up!) type state the shop is in currently, there will be more pictures! The weather is improving here in the beautiful Finger Lakes, among the sunny Bristol Hills.
Onward and upward to us all!
See you, probably right around-somewhere in the neighborhood of-hoping and working for, April 17, 2010!!
Please wait to get out the stone carving tools. Remember, 'Man plans and God laughs'.

Warmth on a cold and snowy day

I just LOVE the color of the walls in the store! Stopped in today to check out the progress of the work being done in there and was just blown away by how far it has come in just a week! So much has been going on outside of the renovations as well:
Setting up the phone and internet service
Working on credit card acceptance service
MOVING!
Signs, decals for the doors and promo gifts
Its very exciting, and VERY expensive, to start your own business. :D

Don'tcha just LOVE it!!

Stuff.. its Friday night and its cold!

Check out my fish! Right next to this post.....
Become a Fan on Facebook : search for Mackerel Sky
Check out the Gift website: http://www.macksky.com/

WOW!

Went to visit my space today and HOLY COW! Its really coming along. The back storage area is closed in, the opening for the door from the store to the back is in and the electrical work is progressing. Its really starting to look like what I've planned! Audrey at the coffee house made me a lovely sign, placed nicely on the entrance door telling everyone what's 'coming soon'. Note to self: Got to take more pictures.

Here's a couple  of the bookshelves to start:

Welcome All Mailing Listers!

Hello!
If you are reading this, you probably got an e-mail from me testing out the e-update process.
I promise not to bombard you with daily or even weekly messages, but please be sure to let me know if you DO NOT want to get any messages at all.
In future, these updates will contain coupons and early notification of events and sales at the store.
To address a few of the inqiries and suggestions you very kindly noted when filling out the Reader Survey available around town, here's some information.
The book selections will include many genres and our littlest visitors will have lots of childrens books to choose from. Under fiction you'll see Mystery/Detective/Suspense/Espionage, Romance, Thriller, Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical and Classic Literature. You'll find Biography, History, True Crime, Religion, Humor, Fashion, Art, Current Events and much more in the non-fiction section. For book-lovers who find reading difficult these days there will be large print and audio-books in several genres including general fiction, non-fiction, Classic Literature, Westerns, Romance, Biography, History and, again, much more!
Anything you may want that you don't see can be special ordered.
As for decor, it's going to be pretty eclectic. I've got all kinds of 'stuff' to populate the shelves, walls, tables and windows, mainly fish. There will be a cozy reading area with chairs, a couch and coffee table. Since Mackerel Sky is located right next to The Red Coyote Coffee House (where all the famous people meet) there will be coffee and yummies to enjoy. You won't even have to go outside! I'm sure you will be careful not to spill anything on the books, of course.
Aside from books, there will be gifts and art so I'm sure everyone will find many things both interesting and unusual to enjoy.
I look forward to hearing from everyone and seeing you at the store when we open (I have the sign!) in the spring.

Coming along...

Little by little, its coming together!
Decided on POS program, Booklog wins! They have a great interface, works with Ingram and its easy to use. I should be able to learn it fairly quickly. They have some neat touches too, like a dinosaur icon for checking 'history'!
The bookshelves that can be built here at the house are done. The wood for the big shelves is cut and drilled, the staining and varnishing is nearly done. Way to go Dave!
Still plugging away at the worksheet for my initial bookorder. Man, that is a struggle! I'll be getting some expert help on Tuesday from my sales rep at Ingram. I need it!!
More to come.... I'll keep you posted.

Bookshelves

We (mostly Dave) are working away on the shelves that will house all the wonderful books Mackerel Sky will have to offer!
I'm also working on my initial store order with Ingram Books, the supplier of choice!
In the pipeline is a decision on Mackerel Sky's POS (point of sale) software. In other words, how I'm going to keep all the inventory under control!
My 'Reader's Survey' left about town in the Hamlet of Honeoye Lake has been a great help with the initial store order. I plan to keep on using it, with modifications of course, to help make sure Mackerel Sky's customers have a continual voice and choice on the books and other items offered for sale.
Remember, you can always see loads of gifty-type stuff at www.macksky.com, follow us on Twitter and/or on Facebook!

The news is out....
Mackerel Sky, Books & More will become a brick and mortar store in April, 2010! New and used books, gifts, handcrafted items and installations from local artists. Right now, the shop is under construction. I will post pictures as the re-model continues, the first will be up as soon as I can figure out how to post pictures on here!
Needless to say, excitement reigns supreme. Lumber is cut, drilled, getting stained, varnished and built into gorgeous bookselves by Dave (with a tad bit of help from me, and when I say 'tad', it really does mean a very small, almost non-existent amount). Paperwork is being completed and sent to the appropriate outlets daily, connections connecting, networking working ... step by step.
I'll keep you informed as the plan comes together.
OK, no place to post a bunch o'pictures here... check it all out on facebook: Mackerel Sky