Operation Book Drop

or, Here Begins #OpBookDrop

On Sunday, July 4, 2010, thanks to @JohnTagliaferro, inspiration struck when he posted this tweet:

A #paperback of 'Suki I: The Story of #Suki by John Tagliaferro http://amzn.to/9RArD0 is in the #romance #CrystalCity #Starbucks w/fireplace

Now, this could mean several things. As I write this, I honestly don’t know if:

A. He saw a copy of his book in the lending bookshelf of a Starbucks, was thrilled about it, and had to share. (Heavens knows everytime I see a book of mine in print in Real Life and in someone’s possession, I want to do a happy dance on the spot. Sometimes I do. But I always check for, you know, cops, mental health professionals, and animal control officers first…)

B. He unintentionally left a copy of his book behind and was lamenting its loss. As in, “Hey, tweeps, if you find This Book in This Place – it’s mine!”

C. All the hashtags form a complicated code that makes sense on one level, but on another one means “Place $1M in unmarked $10 in the paper cardboard tubes in the center of a Bounty 8-pack and leave the package under the left first-row aisle seat at the midnight screening of Eclipse” to those few in the know.

Or

D. He intentionally left the book there, spreading a little sunshine and trolling for new readers.

Regardless of his intention, it’s “D” that wows me. “D” flipped the Wouldn’t-That-Be-Cool switch. Which leads me to propose:

Operation Book Drop

I envision this as a simple way for writers to garner new readers. It doesn’t matter whether you’re self- or traditionally published. It doesn’t take much time. And it could be kind of fun. Here’s how it works:

1. Get a copy of your book. And a Sharpie.

2. Autograph the book. Then, inside the front cover, add these words:

Read me! When you’re done, please leave me someplace where another reader can find me. If you’re on Twitter, please leave a note on #OpBookDrop about how & where we met. Enjoy the read! Have a great day.

Or something to that effect.

(Optional): Include your Twitter name, if you wish.

3. Leave the book in a public place.

4. Tweet about it. Include the book’s title, Amazon.com link, & drop point. Also include the hashtag #OpBookDrop.

You never know what could happen. At the very least, someone will pick up the book & (probably) read it! What do you have to lose? One copy of your book. And – let’s face it – you already know the story by heart. Isn’t it time someone else got to read the words?

What do you think about #OpBookDrop? Comment below and let me know.