Borders Bookseller, Ellen . . . Welcome to Borders True Romance Blog!
by sue on Oct.20, 2009, under Book Chat
Borders Bookseller: Ellen, California
There are a lot of things I enjoy about selling romance. I like seeing the new books as soon as they come out, shelving and straightening to satisfy my slight obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and I get a little thrill when I can find a book for a customer when she doesn’t have the title or author, just the plot or a description of the cover. But the best part of selling romance is talking to other romance readers!
On the selling floor I don’t get to chat as much as I can during our romance readers group meetings, but my shifts at the store are the only opportunities I have to talk about romance books in-depth. When I find someone browsing in the romance section I always ask if I can help them and make a special effort to engage them in conversation. Some customers seem reluctant to talk until I tell them it’s my section and I read a ton of romances. But once we start talking about what we like and dislike, we end up exchanging recommendations and our TBR lists get longer and longer. I especially enjoy it when a customer comes back and says, “I loved that book you recommended!”
I don’t know how many times I nagged one readers group member to read Nalini Singh, but because she didn’t read paranormals at all she resisted all my efforts. She finally gave in and read Slave to Sensation 
and got hooked on the series and read them all in about a month. I also recommended Shelly Laurenston to both her and another reader, and now they’re both hooked. I love it when that happens J.
I also appreciate the recommendations I receive from customers, hence the ever-growing TBR pile. After The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
by Jennifer Ashley received rave reviews from a member, several people in the readers group bought the book. Actually, they bought out my remaining copies and a couple people were left wanting (I had to order it from borders.com for myself!). All the feedback I receive from customers and the readers group also help me to make recommendations to customers whose preferences are different from my own. Some authors who are often mentioned are Diana Gabaldon, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and of course the many other big-name standards like Nora Roberts and Linda Howard. But I especially like to give and receive recommendations for authors who aren’t yet household names, and of course, our great local authors.
That’ another perk of my job-meeting authors, from bestselling, established authors to those who are just starting out. Over the years, we’ve had many authors come to sign at the two stores at which I’ve worked, including Julia Quinn, Lisa Jackson, Susan Wiggs, and most recently Brenda Novak and new author JoAnn Smith Ainsworth. We’re also lucky enough to have local authors who sign for us whenever they have a new release, some of whom are regulars at our meetings. At our October 29th meeting we’ll have Jami Alden, Bella Andre, Mardi Ballou, Lucienne Diver (young adult author), Jasmine Haynes/Jennifer Skully, Paty Jager (who is flying in to join us-thanks Paty!), Crystal Jordan, Diana Orgain (debut mystery author), Kate Perry and Veronica Wolff. So if you’re in the South San Francisco Bay Area, please stop by the Los Gatos Borders (10/29 at 6:30 p.m.)!
So from a customer POV, what makes a store romance section a great romance section? What draws you to a particular romance section in a particular store? As a bookseller I don’t have carte blanche with the section, but I’d like to do what I can to make it as inviting as possible !
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About Sue & Borders True Romance Blog
Sue G - Borders True Romance Host - Borders Romance Buyer, reads romance. For her JOB. No, really. You can email Sue at sgrimshaw at bordersgroupinc dot com.
Borders True Romance Blog is a community, developed for you, the romance reader, to find out more about the books you love; the authors who write them & where to buy them :) Borders.com
Shape-shifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realizes he might have met his match. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, Samia realizes that Dev just might be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.
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October 21st, 2009 on 3:34 pm
I really love talking to other romance readers. When I was on the floor briefly yesterday, I talked to a woman to whom I had recommended MaryJanice Davidson a while ago. I ended up hand-selling Shelly Laurenston’s The Mane Event, G.A. Aiken’s Dragon Actually, and C.L. Wilson’s Lord of the Fading Lands (she mentioned she liked fantasy books) to her. Yay, another repeat customer who enjoyed a book I recommended!
October 21st, 2009 on 7:32 am
Hi Ellen - one thing that was nice about reading your blog - it’s so lovely to see someone who is passionate about their work, and has a genuine love for what they do. Sounds like you found your calling, and we romance readers and writers are lucky to have a bookseller like you out there in the book world. As Sue says - “Happy Romance”
October 21st, 2009 on 6:33 am
I absolutely love that you interact with customers in the Romance section. That can make a huge difference for the reader, but I’m sure you know that. I wish I lived closer–would love to attend your October event. Your store sounds amazing.
~Deb Stover
October 20th, 2009 on 8:25 pm
We don’t have much extra space to put a kid’s play table or extra feature shelves, like the “If you like X, try Y” suggestions, but those are great ideas. Sue, maybe we could work the “If you like..” into an endcap display? Or something in-section if we have enough extra copies of the suggested book to put next to the first book?
I wish I had the space to alphabetize rather than shelve by size, but something in me also likes seeing all the mass markets in a neat row…
The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe was an impulse buy and I loved it! Today I bought Sarah McCarty’s Caleb and Shiloh Walker’s Taking Chances. I’ll probably start one of them tomorrow after I finish my current read.
Can’t wait for the signing (and maybe the usual group dinner afterward?)!
October 20th, 2009 on 7:20 pm
Hi Ellen!!! Chiming in suuuper late (it was a kid field trip day for me…) to say hi, and how much I’m looking forward to the signing! What I look for in a Romance section is what you offer in yours: neat, organized, with small sections of offerings pulled out. I love the Borders “if you like this…try this” section–have you ever considered trying one for Romance? Might be fun!
October 20th, 2009 on 2:33 pm
Hey Ellen! I have to say the most important thing for me in a romance section is simple: have the new books out on the day they’re released! I’ve never run into this issue at your store, but in other stores (coughborderspaloaltocough) I have had several occasions where I went to the store the day of releases to get an eagerly anticipated book, only to be told that it was in the back, still not unpacked, and no they weren’t sure where the box was or if they could get it in the time I had left to shop before picking up the kids.
Thank you for always being so supportive of us local authors and always getting our books on the shelves promptly! your reader group is so awesome, it’s always such a treat to join you guys whether I’m signing or not! (waving to Deb! see you next thursday!)
October 20th, 2009 on 1:17 pm
I love Nalini Singh’s series. That series is an auto buy for me.
I always roll my eyes a little when I walk into a bookstore and the romance section is all the way in the back corner, and it’s even hard to see because there are nine different displays clogging the only access to it.
When I browse a romance shelf, I’m always looking for author names first, so an intuitive alphabetical alignment of books by author name is a must for me, otherwise I assume the book I want isn’t there. I understand that sometimes Trade paperbacks need to be on their own, but I do like it when they’re mixed in with the mass markets by author name. It makes it easier to find everyone I want to buy.
And you know what I absolutely love? When I’ve got a clear view of some sort of kid’s play table from the romance shelves. I know I’m not the only Mom out here that just wants to get a book for me once in a while.
October 20th, 2009 on 12:44 pm
Hi, Ellen! Great blog. I love that you chat with browsers in the romance section.
I started reading Shana Abe because of a recommendation from Pam, one of the booksellers at the Borders Six Forks store in Raleigh.
October 20th, 2009 on 12:32 pm
Thanks, everyone, for all your nice comments and for your likes & dislikes. I hope all of you do stop by the store if you’re ever in Los Gatos. Besides visiting my romance section :), LG is a great place to stroll, shop and eat.
We know that romances especially are “time critical” so we do try to get them out ASAP. If I know a book I really really want to read is coming out on a certain day, I want it that day; I don’t want to wait.
I love supporting our local authors–anytime an author has a book coming out, they’re welcome to contact me to arrange a signing (usually during our meetings when they will have a captive audience). And ladies, we love having you in our readers group! I’m really looking forward to the 29th, too.
October 20th, 2009 on 11:58 am
Great post! I like a romance section that’s warm and inviting, not tucked away in the corner like it’s the book store’s dirty little secret. I think there’s still a stigma that romance is somehow ‘less’ than the other books in the store. So when the bestseller list includes romance proudly in the front of the store and the romance section is easy to find and welcoming, its a keeper.
October 20th, 2009 on 11:41 am
I wish my Borders had more room for their Romance section. They also tend to have lots and lots of historicals but are a bit skimpy on the paranormals (I end up buying many of those online). So a nice mix of all the subgenres within Romance is nice to have.
As for staff - I agree with some of the other posters, the “snooty vibe” is a real turn off but I haven’t had to deal with that much at my Borders. I get it more at our local independent bookstore. I’m not trying to put down the independent bookseller, I think it’s more about training of the staff.
I would love a readers group like Ellen’s at my local store! All the book groups I’ve joined in the past just want to read depressing “Oprah Club” type books. Blech…
October 20th, 2009 on 11:36 am
Okay, I left a message before but I think this doesn’t like me.
I’m looking forward to my visit to the Los Gatos Borders and meeting romance readers and authors. Some of the authors I’ve met on my blog and other blogs so it will be fun meeting them face to face.
I enjoy meeting booksellers. I have a good relationship with an independent book store owner in my area. (We don’t have a Borders)
I’m interested in your answer to Crystal Jordan about shelving historical paranormal since I’ll have one out next year.
Paty Jager
http://www.patyjager.com
October 20th, 2009 on 10:56 am
Hey there Ellen! Great blog. One of my favorite nights every month is the Romance Reader Book Group in Los Gatos. I’ve made such great friends there and it’s wonderful to attend as both a reader and a writer. It is hands down the most supportive group of romance readers in the world! Not only smart women, but funny and welcoming too.
Really looking forward to the signing on Thursday the 29th! Hot As Sin will have just come out that Tuesday so it will be fresh on the shelves and I’m looking forward to meeting some of the authors that are new to me.
Thanks for everything you do to promote romance, Ellen! You’re the best.
Bella
HOT AS SIN ~ coming October 27th!
October 20th, 2009 on 10:18 am
Ellen, your store sounds wonderful for romance readers. Personally, if I walk into a store that doesn’t have the guts to have a separate romance section I leave, but not before I let a worker know why I’m leaving and how critical romance is to the publishing industry. Okay, off my soap box
I like it when the bookstore gives recognition to local writers. I’ve seen this done with a small tag under the book that is facing out. I know a lot of local authors and love going to the store to support them.
So glad to hear Nicole will be there on the 29th. She is a sweetheart. Great job on your store Ellen. If I get out there anytime soon, I will definitely stop in. Thanks for being so supportive of romance readers!
October 20th, 2009 on 9:55 am
This is a great post, Ellen! I can’t wait for the meeting on the 29th!
October 20th, 2009 on 9:43 am
I like it when the new releases are separate from the older releases. My BAM (we don’t have a Borders) does this, and it makes it MUCH easier to determine if they have the book I’m looking for. (All my shopping at Borders is at the website.)
Also, I like when the new releases are released at the right time (or early–just NOT LATE). If an author I love has a new release coming out and I stop by and then it’s NOT THERE??!! I have issues with that.
Your store looks lovely, and if I’m ever in the area, I’ll be stopping by.
October 20th, 2009 on 9:42 am
I am truly envious … our local Borders (San Rafael) has a wonderful, really comprehensive romance section. Plus, they did something really smart: they made the shelves taller and they do shelve all romance together (instead of separating out tall/oversized/hardcover/paperback).
They just integrated it i.e., laid it out side by side with the mysteries, which is brilliant because when I bought the new Courtney Milan anthology, I picked up the new Georgette Heyer mystery — and Sue was asking about covers and spontaneous books purchases — I often buy mysteries just on a whim, whether it’s cover, back description … but never romance. Strange. Anyhow, in all my years of going to Borders, no one has ever suggested anything to me altho their help desk is always very helpful in locating titles. As for our premier independent bookstore, they’re rather snotty about stocking romances and actually, because of that, I’m rather reluctant to buy books there.
I wish you would do training sessions in all the Borders in the Bay area!!
October 20th, 2009 on 12:35 pm
Sue and I just visited the SR Borders a couple of weeks ago–it looked great! The general manager Michelle and the sales manager Stephanie are both romance readers so I know the store is very supportive of the genre. They’re great, too
October 20th, 2009 on 9:23 am
Hi Ellen,
I’m excited to be coming to your area for a book signing. If I jump up and start hugging people it’s because a relative I haven’t seen in a while has arrived.
I tend to frequent an independent bookstore because I have a good relationship with the owner. She is always wiling to have signings and work with me on promotion. She does a good job of having her store compartmentalized and is a hand seller. She reads nearly everything in her store and if she hasn’t read it her help has.
Thank you for squeezing me into this month’s romance readers meeting with all the other authors. I think it’s going to be a wonderful evening.
Paty Jager
http://www.patyjager.com
October 20th, 2009 on 8:53 am
Great post, Ellen! And you’re the best! As Debra said, I’d follow you to whatever bookstore you’re at. I’ve been a part of the readers group for almost five years, and I’ve read so many books I never would have tried, thanks to you and the girls. And the support you give to authors is tremendous. I can’t express how much I appreciate that. I also want to thank Sue for her support of romance. You ladies rock!
What makes a store special for romance is the bookseller. If I ask for a romance book, and they actually have to look it up before knowing it’s shelved in romance, then I know we’ve got a problem. That’s not to say they aren’t helpful. A couple of weeks ago, I had one of the guys in my local Borders scouring the shelves and the back room for a particular romance I wanted. Swear it, he spent about 15 minutes with me which was above and beyond the call of duty. We never did find it, though, and I had to come to your store to get it. And boom, there it was, right on the shelf, face out! That’s what makes a romance section special, when I KNOW I’m going to find what I want right at my fingertips.
And thanks for talking about our upcoming book signing on the 29th! It’s going to be great fun!
October 20th, 2009 on 8:15 am
Hi, Ellen! You’ve added a landmark for me to visit if I ever make to the vicinity of your store! And lucky are the local readers who have you looking out for them.
What I love is a store large enough to have the luxury of offering a wide choice in romance. With distribution shrinking as it has, every store has the bestsellers, but many have only them (I call it the “airport bookstore selection.”) Since some of my fav writers are stuck in the dwindling mid-list, finding their books when they come out is often a problem. I’m giddy with delight when I discover a store that has a broader selection (although I do order on-line when a favorite author has a book out that I can’t find.) Being able to deal with a non-sneering staff when you inquire about a romance is a huge plus too.
Thanks for all you do!
October 20th, 2009 on 7:44 am
Hi Ellen — thank you for doing what you do & doing it so darn well! You are a wonderful lady to work with & a good friend — enjoy your day!
Thanks also for being our first bookseller blogger - I know it is a little intimidating however, your post rocks.
All the best,
Sue
October 20th, 2009 on 6:47 am
As long as there is a romance section, I’m happy. Can’t stand it when the romance is just mixed into the general fiction section…it’s just a pain to browse then. Also, not a fan of sorting within the genre. My local bookstore sorts erotic romance seperately, but since that’s a sometimes a subjective thing, to decide what falls under erotic romance vs. regular, it can be frustrating to find what you’re looking for. Another bookstore nearby sorts into romance, then within romance, into paranormal, historical, contemporary, etc. I guess it’s a nice thought, but I’d much rather just browse them all together.
October 20th, 2009 on 7:31 am
The major issue I have in my store is space, so I separate the hardcovers and trade-size romances onto separate shelves. That way I can fit an extra shelf of mass markets onto a fixture. We put the newest books on the mass market table so hopefully they’re easy to spot.
Sorting and shopping by subgenre within romance would be difficult for me. It sure would take longer to shelve books if I had to look at the blurb on the back cover of every book to see which shelf it went on!
October 20th, 2009 on 7:42 am
Good point — there are always so many ‘grey’ area books that could be either or that would be hard to know where to shelve.
October 20th, 2009 on 9:53 am
Exactly! Where would you shelve historical paranormal romance? Under historical or under paranormal? And then if it’s also erotic romance on top of that…it just gets complicated really quickly. I like it all together, but then I also like a bit of every subgenre, so I want it all!
October 20th, 2009 on 5:54 am
Your store looks beautiful! I live in a very small college town in rural Maine with two independent bookstores. One carries no romance at all (way too declasse for those pseudo-intellectual folks) but the other store has two small sections—one devoted to HQN category and another to historicals from all pubs. That leaves contemp romance getting shelved with the fiction, so when I visit the store, I always feel if I’m on a scavenger hunt. Usually new releases are shelved up front through so I don’t have to wade through the entire store (not that it’s very big). I buy a lot of my books from Wal-Mart, though, which has a really decent-sized selection and, of course, discounted pricing.
The one thing I hate about some stores I’ve been in is the sniffy sense of contempt from the sales staff when you bring those 6 romance books to the cash register. Hello,customer relations education!
October 20th, 2009 on 7:25 am
I used to get that snobby attitude when I was buying romance but at the Brentano’s (Waldenbooks)/Borders Express where I started and at our store now, the staff is taught to welcome all readers, and overall I believe we succeed.
With the limited selection in your area, do you do online shoppping to get all the books you need? And thanks for the compliment on the store–I guess you can tell it used to be a church
October 20th, 2009 on 8:03 am
I do order online, otherwise I would not find all that I want to read. I’m also lucky that I do book swaps with my crit partners, who live in more urban areas. But I’m still old-fashioned enough to want to see and feel the sought-after book in my hand when I can, LOL.My heart rate actually accelerates when I find a book I’ve been looking forward to reading!
October 20th, 2009 on 2:21 am
What can one say about Ellen. I have been buying my romance books from her for over 5 years. We are all so very lucky to have her. Because of this lady my TBR has grown over the years. She has interduced me to so many new authors that I never would of read. Nalini Singh, yes that was me. I read Lora Leigh but never her breed series, because of Ellen I can’t wait for the next ones. She also got me hooked on Shelly Laurenston and Patrica Briggs. Ellen has opened me up to so many new authors that I never would of tried if it wasn’t for her. And I think I have gotten her to read a few new ones to. She knows me and others so well now that she will call when she knows a book I want comes into the store, or if one comes in that she thinks I would like she will tell me about it. I look forward to monthly meeting. They are allot of fun and you learn allot from them.
If Ellen ever leaves Borders I will follow her to where ever she goes!!! As I said at the start of this we are very lucky to have her. She is a major asest to the Los Gatos store and they would be lost with out her. She is still working on me to like those vampires. Who knows maybe one day I will!!
Ellen, you are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 20th, 2009 on 7:19 am
Ha ha–Debra, you’ve added to my TBR pile, too. I’m leaving for the store in a few minutes and I’ll probably be calling you in a few hours. (I think the series books are going out on the shelve today). Thanks for all your feedback! Talk to you soon.
October 20th, 2009 on 2:00 am
Hey, Ellen! Just wanted to say hello (and thanks for answering my questions)! One of these days soon I’m going to get down your way. The store looks great!
October 20th, 2009 on 7:17 am
Thanks, Karin! Looking forward to reading your RT article