Since the release of Jingle the Brass, I began establishing a relationship with the Community Relations Manager (CRM in Barnes & Noble-speak) at my local B&N. Over the years he has asked me to various in-store events such as Local Author Appreciation Day. Now that Nugget on the Flight Deck is for sale, my CRM turns to me in a variety of ways.

B&N’s new bookfair/fundraiser concept for schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations provides a way for the store to sell books and for organizations to raise money. Organizations that arrange a B&N bookfair will receive a donation based on a percentage of total sales over a given period of time. Because of my CRM’s outreach program, several schools schedule a bookfair/fundraiser and request an author to visit their school. My CRM is now the initial contact for several school visits. Sometimes I visit a school for an entire day, sometimes for a singe assembly. But my CRM is the point-person, getting the word out about local authors and connecting us with schools.

This week, I participated in three Educator Receptions as part of B&N’s educator appreciation week. At each reception, the CRM features a panel of local authors who speak about their school visit programs. After the panel presentations, the authors and teachers meet, chat and network.

If you write/illustrate for children and you have not yet met your local B&N CRM, you’re missing an opportunity!