I was browsing Twitter when I saw a post from thriller author, Joseph Finder. Yes, I follow him; he doesn't follow me. He came up with a great idea and floated it out on Twitter.  He wanted to create a day for people to support Independent Bookstores. I'm probably one of many who suggested that he set up an Event Page on Facebook. Clinton Bookstore in New Jersey, also on Facebook and Twitter, quickly responded with an offer to help. May 1st was quickly chosen as the day for the "event."  As soon as it was set up, I surfed over, joined, clicked on Share and posted on the wall that everyone could use the "share" function to share the page on their own Profile page, hence getting the word out even faster and further. Then I invited hundreds of my facebook "friends," or, as my best friend refers to them, my "nearest and dearest."

I was amazed by how many people said they "may be attending" and how many more, including authors, said no.  Did they not read for comprehension? They could surf to an independent bookstore from their computer; many have their own website and abebooks.com features many independent bookstores. If there isn't any indie near you, there's certainly one as far away as your computer.

Don't want to buy a book? Buy an audio book, a CD, a DVD, buy something! Yes, the economy is terrible but how can we not support independent bookstores? We've already lost too many of them. If there's a book you want, please buy it from an indie on May 1st. 

Joseph Finder had a wonderful brainstorm. My only regret is that I didn't think of it first! I certainly intend to support it. If you're on Facebook and want to assert that you'll "be there," and share the page with your own Facebook friends, you'll find the page at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=69541033165

I hope this becomes an annual event.  I'll certainly be there and I'm telling everyone I know. I hope you will, too.