First, Barnes and Noble is up for sale. Now nearby indie book store, Legacy Books closes. If any indie had hope, it was Legacy Books. The 24,000-square-foot store is a work of beautiful architecture, you feel right at home in the store and its amazing lineup of authors. (I took my son to see Doreen Cronin, author of Click, Clack, Moo).

All the articles say the move to ebooks is responsible. While, I have a Kindle, I’ve yet to read an entire book on it. I just find myself choosing real print over ebooks. I love what Plano Profile, a local magazine, editor Lisa Sams wrote in her editorial. She talked about an advertising campaign backed by the biggest players in consumer magazine publishing called “Magazines, The Power of Print.”

Sams describes an ad that features Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps (jokes aside) with the line, “The Internet is exhilarating. Magazines are enveloping. The Internet grabs you. Magazines embrace you. The Internet is fleeting. Magazines are immersive. And both media are growing.” Ending with… “…people aren’t giving up swimming because they also enjoy surfing.” Amen!

Why can’t we have both? Why can’t print and ebooks survive equally? Like Sams, I love magazines. I rip out pages to follow up on while recycling the rest. I actually follow through on those ripped pages most of the time, unlike bookmarks.

Read a letter to the editor about the Legacy business. The writer drove over 30 minutes away to check out the book store when it first opened and expressed disappointment. The store, to him, didn’t carry anything you don’t see at other book stores like indie publishers and university press books. Good point.

It’s a beautiful building and I thought it had something going for it with the fabulous events. But when you put it the way writer did in his letter, other book stores have author visits. They may not have the incredible architecture, but the content remains the same. The store lives less than a mile from my home, so maybe I’m biased because of its location.

The bookstore’s owner already has plans for the next phase. The book store will move to another location further away near a lot of shopping and receive a new name, “A Real Book Store.” (Site not up yet as of this posting.) One of the problems with the Legacy location is that you couldn’t see it from the road. In fact, the first time I went there, I had to look hard for it and drive around a bit. I hope the new location will work better even though I’ve yet to get over that area (near an outlet shopping center).

What do you think of the local bookstore’s future?

Joel Capparella asked a great question in Twitter. “After you’ve read a book, do you purge it or keep it?”

My reply, “Purge fiction. Keep nonfiction.” Of course, if I hated the book, out it goes.

@RobertHruzek: I keep it if I like it. I’ve still got books from forever ago!

@Vanessa_LW: I’ve been purging a lot more lately. Or better yet, getting from the library.

@elisapr: Keep!

@stenoknight: I keep it; books are my favorite element of home decor. Also, if book is worth reading once, it’s often worth rereading.

I like what @stenoknight said because it’s true in my home. My small home office squeezes in one tall bookshelf. The newish add-on loft is more of a library (and dumping ground for kid toys). AND we still have bookshelves in each kid’s room and one in the game room. I also organize the books. (You’ll see two bookshelves in the picture, but that’s not how it’s set up anymore.)

I rarely buy fiction books. Most of my fiction books from library book sales, or borrowed from the library. Besides, I read little fiction with the work I do with non-fiction books. I don’t like to read a book twice as I have too many waiting for me. Instead, I refer to a non-fiction book again as needed.

For book club reads, I buy them cheap as I don’t want to worry about library due dates. Besides, I prefer the feel of a retail paperback and hard cover over the library covers. This may sound weird, but I love how a book feels in my hands especially those with the soft paperback covers.

I’ve been making an effort to use the library more often. My son brought home the Scholastic Book Club catalog (I managed to not go crazy buying too many as it had a lot of goodies this time), and he circled a book I would love for him to read. The book was hardcover and more than I wanted to spend (almost as much as I spent for the entire order). So I’ve put in a request through the library’s online system.

When I came across a book title about applying to college (I have a 10th grader), I reserved that through the library and read it quickly. The college application process changes so much in a short time, so it’ll probably be outdated before kid #2 (5th grader) starts the college hunt.

Now that I have a Kindle, I pondered this question further. Do you keep all your Kindle (Nook or whatever) books loaded and then purge if you run out of space? How do you manage them?

I also wonder how people decide what ebooks to buy, if they still read pbooks (print). I browsed the Kindle catalog and can’t decide how to handle this. It’s a shame you can’t send your print books to Amazon in exchange for the ebooks that you want to make notes on, or some way to receive an electronic copy of the pbooks you own. This would not work fairly for the other way around as paper, ink and printing process cost much more than creating ebooks.

Children’s books are another story. I move books from oldest to youngest as they outgrow them or grow into them. I’ve moved books that the youngest has outgrown to another shelf in another room. I’ll sort through them later to decide what to keep. I bought children’s books long before I had children, so they won’t all disappear.

P.S. I just returned from the library where we checked out books for my son’s book club

Welcome to meryl’s notes blog (this here place you’re lookin’ at) in Plano, Texas. We’re honored to be a stop in Laura Cross’ WOW! Women On Writing Blog tour. We’re giving away a prize. Read on to see what you can win.

About Laura Cross: She is an author, screenwriter, ghostwriter, freelance book editor, and writing coach specializing in nonfiction books and script adaptation (book-to-film projects). She writes two popular blogs, www.NonfictionInk.com and www.AboutAScreenplay.com, and teaches online writing workshops. Her latest book is The Complete Guide To Hiring A Literary Agent: Everything You Need To Know To Become Successfully Published. You can download a free chapter, view the book trailer, read the full table of contents and purchase the eBook at www.GetALiteraryAgent.com.

The Supplies You Need to Build a Writer’s Platform by Laura Cross

Literary agents and publishers are looking for nonfiction writers with established platforms. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to land a book deal or acquire an agent without one. A platform encompasses the ways you are visible and attracting potential readers. It conveys your expertise and influence. Every author’s platform strategy will be unique to him or her. One size does not fit all. You must follow a path that is natural for you and your writing. However, there are five essential components or supplies you need to build a writer’s platform:

1. Understand Your Brand Image: Establish an author identity and use it consistently throughout your material. Your personal brand is how you package and present yourself to readers to distinguish and differentiate yourself from other writers.

2. Develop and Promote Your Expertise: Are you the go-to expert in your field? You can establish your expertise through:

• Professional credentials
• Writing articles
• Being featured on radio and television, and in print media
• Testimonials and endorsements
• Speaking engagements
• Teaching workshops, seminars, teleclasses, and webinars
• Hosting your own online radio show or podcast
• Creating informational products
• Being a resource for reporters, journalists, and television producers
• Sending out press and news releases
• Creating and distributing online informational videos
• Answering questions via LinkedIn groups and YahooAnswers
• Blogging and guest posts

3. Have an Internet Presence: Every potential author needs a website or blog. If you already have a web presence when you begin approaching media you will have an edge over other writers. A blog can add to your credibility, help you establish your expertise, and provide a means to capture potential readers for your database.

4. Build A List of Contacts: Publishers want to know just how many potential readers there are for your book. The number of fans you have from Facebook, followers on Twitter, connects on LinkedIn, and subscribers to your blog provide tangible figures. Producing a weekly or monthly e-zine or newsletter is an effective way to grow your list of contacts. Your website and blog can include an opt-in page to capture subscribers.

5. Engage In Community: You can network through local and regional events, national conferences and conventions, and online social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Online networking sites give you access to connections and a platform to share your writing and expertise.

Your turn: What are you doing to establish and grow your author platform?

Win: You can win a class (choose from any of the classes — Meryl is jealous because she doesn’t qualify!) or a digital copy of her book. For a chance to win, please leave a comment at least 50 words long answering her question. Or write about your favorite character in a book. You have until 11:59pm on February 16, 2010 to qualify for the drawing. The unbiased and robotic Random.org has the honor of picking the winner.