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