Guerilla Book Tour Day 2: Always Be Closing!

After the bittersweet finish to Day 1 of the Book of Ages 30 Guerilla Book Tour—in which a good time was had by all but no commerce was actually transacted—we resolved to do better for Day 2. Unfortunately, due to crappy fact-checking, the Barnes & Noble location—Third Ave. @ 54th St.—was erroneously reported in this space as @ 52nd St. And so we waited at the top of the escalator by the "New Releases and Old Favorites" table (pondering which category BOA fell into) for a misdirected JVG to arrive with the signs.

Yes, the signs. To stimulate increased interest in this wonderful gift item, JVG stayed up late the night before to create Guerilla Book Tour signage. The first move was to position the "MEET THE AUTHORS" sign, which was accomplished with minimal interference by the B&N staff. (Indeed, given that a staff member stood a mere six feet away while we redecorated his section of the store, we felt assured that the day's event had been sanctioned by the powers that be.)

Unfortunately, due to his creeping color blindness, JVG had opted to use a red marker on a cardboard background for the type, rendering the signs unreadable for those standing more than two feet away. But no worries, mate! We had another secret weapon in our bag of tricks.

People, if you want to sell books at your Guerilla Book Tour, we suggest you invite Jen Chung. Known to many for her work at Gothamist, Jen leads a second life as a highly persuasive deal closer. After browsing the romance section with partner-in-crime Tamara L.—and then joyfully seizing a copy of Messier on sale nearby—Jen got down to business. First, she lectured JVG on proper sales ettiquete.


Then, she identified sales prospects for the book, thrusting it into the hands of one thirty-something couple. "Looks cool, but really, I'm trying to forget my thirties," the man opined. "Much worse than my twenties." Um, yeah.

Some might be deterred by such negativity, but not Jen. As prospective purchaser upon purchaser passed the table, they were met with the pleasant question, "Are you here for the book tour?" JVG gave the business to one older woman who seemed rather displeased with the whole affair, but otherwise, even in rejection, the merry crew spread The Good Word about The Good Book.

As yet another woman strolled past, Jen again made the pitch. "Sure, I'll buy it," the woman said after about five seconds. "I have a friend turning 30 in January. I'll give it to her as a gift." Bingo! And like that, the authors burnished their pens and signed the book for her.

Then, Day 2 of the GBT complete, it was out to the curb to sign books for our special guests. And get drunk.

Special Guest: Jen of Gothamist
Attendance: 4 (Tamara, Thirtysomething couple, Lucky Buyer)
Books sold: 1
Books signed: 3
Posts about the event on Gothamist.com: 1 (a real good one!)

Join us on Monday for the third and final day of the Book of Ages 30 Guerilla Book Tour, when we ask the immortal question, "Is anyone here not sick?"