I like to write. That’s why I do it. But I also like to sell. Promote. Market. Make people aware of what I’ve written and let them decide on whether they are interested. And there is never a better time to do this than summer selling.

Summer selling includes bookstore events, library events, craft fairs, music festivals, and just about any opportunity that comes along to talk about, sign, and sell the books I’ve written. Sometimes it is with other writers, sometimes it is just me, but I am never alone.

I began my summer selling in June, three days before the official start of summer, at the Maine Blues Festival in Lisbon Falls. What could be better? I spent the day listening to fantastic blues music, working on my tan, and trying not to be blown away by the insistent wind. There were food vendors, my publisher, Eddie Vincent, came to hang out for the day, and I managed to stay away from the beer tent. And, of course, I sold books.

July has brought variety, starting with my hometown of Brunswick’s 2^nd Friday Artwalk! I was given a sidewalk location right in front of the band, Blue Fuse Gypsy Swing, sat next to a gentleman clattering out poems on an ancient typewrite, and was joined by friend and fellow author, Anne Britting Oleson, who danced a number with my dad! And, of course, I sold books.

The day after the Artwalk, I went to Books in Boothbay. I was joined in the drive by friend and fellow author, BJ Magnani, who was spending the night with my wife and I. Books in Boothbay is an author signing event broken into morning and afternoon sessions, and of course, it is wonderful to interact with the readers, but it was a true joy to see and talk with so many wonderful writer friends. I walked in the door and chatted with Kate Flora, Jule Selbo, and Bill Anthony before I even reached my assigned table. The day was filled with too many people to mention all the names, but it was, indeed, fabulous. And, of course, I sold books.

I’ve also had two library events during the month, one in Boothbay Harbor, and the other in Readfield, Maine. Both were outside, had wonderful audiences, and were hosted by terrific librarians. My Clay Wolfe/Port Essex series is loosely based on Boothbay Harbor, and it gave me an opportunity to poke around and get a feel for the town. The climax of my 2023 release, Mainely Wicked, takes place in the town of Readfield and is horrific, so it might be the last time I’m invited back, but it was a wonderful time. And, of course, I sold books.

Sherman’s Maine Coast Bookshops have invited me to do upcoming signings, one on July 30^th in Topsham, and the other on August 13^th in Damariscotta. They will be inside, but will give me the opportunity to interact with the staff of two separate stores of the best bookshop in the world. There will be another 2^nd Friday Artwalk in Brunswick. I also am planning an event at my local golf club, with music, cocktails, and food. I will be attending Killer Nashville, a book conference, where my mystery, Mainely Money, is a finalist for the Silver Falchion Award in the mystery category. The common theme? And, of course, I will sell books.

Summer in Maine is a grand thing. Especially when I’m selling books.

Matt Cost is the highly acclaimed, award-winning author of the Mainely Mystery series, the Clay Wolfe/Port Essex series, and several works of historical fiction.

Cost was a history major at Trinity College. He owned a mystery bookstore, a video store, and a gym, before serving a ten-year sentence as a junior high school teacher. In 2014 he was released and began writing. And that’s what he does. He writes histories and mysteries.
Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.