The Power of the Paperback

Where Fleur ponders how cheap she really is but also gives things away

I’m a cheapskate, I won’t lie. If there’s a penny to be saved, I’m on it—and of course I like it even better when I can save a dime instead. This quality has served me well over my considerable lifetime; I used to apologize for it, but don’t anymore.

Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.

Now, don’t mistake that for not being generous. I like to think of myself as that too, a quality that has also served me well so far. If I have something to give away, I probably will. Clothes, household stuff, tools, books? If I think someone else can make use of it, I quickly make a donation run. Time, I try to be more careful with, but that’s a post for another time. (I’m also generous with puns, a quality that gets me mostly eyerolls.)

As a frugal person, I love it when one of my books comes out in paperback. Partly because of my love for a good bargain, but mostly because I know that more parents, teachers, and kids will be able to afford to read my books. Not everyone has twenty bucks to spare for a book, but at less than half the cost it becomes more doable. I once did a pro-bono author talk in very low-income area of Los Angeles, and the kids bought more paperbacks than I could bring, with rolled-up dollar bills and coins from their piggybanks.

Humbling, I will also not lie about that. This is a (grainy) picture of the school librarian Ms. Dudka, who managed to make the school library amazing on a shoestring budget.

Educators are the best; my author friends will agree.

Daybreak on Raven Island is out in paperback this week, which I know will mean that more people will be able to afford it. But it also means that it’s easier for me to share it with the world without busting my budget, so…

If you’re a teacher, enter this 5-book signed classroom set giveaway (starts 8/21).

If you’re a reader, enter to win a signed copy of Daybreak on Raven Island by commenting below…

And if you’re in Colorado (or at Bouchercon in San Diego), come see me at one of these events. You don’t have to buy the book, just say hi. I’d love to see you!

And finally, if you made it this far: thank you for the continued support of all books, reader friends.

You are my favorite people.