“Well, that was fun,” said Kit.  We had just spent six hours on Saturday standing behind a table offering our novels for sale.

Although we both felt tired, I readily agreed with her because vending at markets is more than selling novels to us. We meet and chat with interesting people who frequently have compelling  experiences to share. And shoppers bring plenty of friendly dogs to outdoor markets who love the noise and activity. One young woman carried a hairless cat like a baby. The cat didn’t appreciate the commotion, and especially not the dogs, but enjoyed being cuddled.

Some people ask our advice. On this day, I helped three would-be writers. Kit coached a young couple on marriage. The previous week a young man who aspired to aeronautics lingered at our table soaking up my encouragement on becoming an engineer. His grandfather watched with approval. People seem to sense that we genuinely care about them.

At every market we return to, previous customers approach saying how much they enjoyed our novels and looking for a new one. We’ve sold nearly 7,000 printed novels now plus eBooks and audio. In every story, our characters learn valuable lessons about relationships and life. Our hope is that an interesting story and relatable characters will plant positive ideas, especially in young readers. And the printed novels are likely to circulate long after we’re gone.

Finally, I believe the massive exposure to different people is making Kit and me better, especially more empathetic. I hope every retired couple finds something as fun and meaningful to enrich their years.

Drew