I was at the post office mailing 20 books from a crowdfunded campaign. I was not excited because I saw a line and the postal workers did not seem particularly happy.
It was my turn. I went to the register and in front of me was an intimidating fellow. I am 6 ft tall and the guy was 6 foot 5 or above. I looked up at him. He looked like he played football back in the day.
Typically I don’t stereotype people until I actually interact with them. But I got a chance to look at him interact with the other customers and he seemed like a “no-nonsense” kind of man.
So I internally felt of nervous because I was about to make his day with my 20 packages I needed to get labels for.
So I sat there watching him scan each piece one by one.
He then asked me “are you shipping books?”
I told him yes. He then asked, “what kind of books?”
I hesitated to say comic books because outside of conventions, I’m usually met with a “what’s wrong with you” kind of look and I end up being on the defensive about the art form and it being a legit literary source.
But I digress.
Something weird happened when I told him.
He lit up!
He told me of all of the comics he and his brother collects and we talked about the Disney/Marvel acquisition and the time flew.
He asked me about my comics and taught me a valuable lesson.
He asked me how much it costs. And told me to always have copies in my car. “You got to hustle outside of the internet. I’ve got $15 right now and will buy your book and bet you don’t have one on you.” He was right and I didn’t even have any business cards.
I just thought I was going to the post office, I didn’t even think that at any moment I have the opportunity to sell a book.
It was a great moment.
And I hope you’ve learned some things as I have.