March 20, 2020

NM Book Co-op HELP CENTER #6

The New Mexico Book Co-op is here for authors, publishers and booksellers to share ideas, and some humor; if you have any ideas that you might share on how to keep our beloved books on the minds of readers and stores, send them to LPDPress@q.com and if appropriate they'll be shared with our wider 1,500+ member book family.

To the health care professionals, grocery store employees, pharmacists, teachers, and local businesses...there are many of you holding our communities together during this difficult time.‬ We see you and we appreciate you. ❤️

NM Book Co-op founder Paul Rhetts was interviewed by Brady Wakayama of KRQE-TV 13 on Wednesday. Extensive interview on what the Co-op is doing to bring the community together. Take a look at https://www.krqe.com/health/coronavirus-new-mexico/book-co-op-hoping-to-connect-with-community-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

CONTEST #1 OPEN NOW

Let's have a little fun and create a list of end-of-times type books authored or published right here in New Mexico and Arizona that we can share with everyone — readers as well as stores and libraries. Use End-of-times" in the subject line and email me:
Title/Author/Publisher/ISBN/Price/genre
I will send out as a Cover•Reads list to everyone.

Don't forget. I'm still taking names for our "Best New Mexico/Arizona Reading List for While Being Quaranteened"! Names so far are:
* Cooped Up Books
* Novel Virus Novels
* Lit List in the Time of Corona
* Shelter in Books
* Ziatine - combine NM flag with Quarantine
* Siestafiesta - stay home, takes lots of naps and read.
* The Big Wipeout
* Quarantine Quartos
* Clean Hands, Dirty Mind
* From My Bookie
* Isolated Pages

Help us give this list a name. Once we come up with a name for the book list I'll put out a call for the books that should be on that list. We can all promote it to possible buyers and even to stores (if there are any left when the dust settles). Let's all pitch in an idea for a name. Give me your suggestions.

Best advice:

LOCAL BUSINESS IDEAS

LOCAL BUSINESS ROCKS!!

ON-GOING LIST OF SUPPORT IDEAS: As a reminder of previous notes, here are things we all can do to support each other:
* Sign up for bookstore and local business email lists/blasts about current news
* Use curbside pickup and online ordering
* Buy gift certificates from local businesses for later redemption
* Don't forget emergency food programs — www.nmfoodbanks.org
* Talk with local business owners to explore other ideas -- by phone or email
* Cover•Reads — http://nmbookcoop.com/CoverReads/CoverReads/CoverReadsPromo.html

CO-OPER IDEAS

COVER•READS: One of our regular Co-opers made a great suggestion. She asked if there was a way to help handle possible donations of books for classroom/students? The answer is YES, we will add donations available from authors and/or publishers and put the info into upcoming Cover•Reads which go out to about 2,000 booksellers, libraries, AND school people (libraries and instructional supervisors). If you have any books you would like to donate for student use let me know and I'll incorporate that into a future issue; no cost to you except for possible postage.

SUPPORTIVE COMMENTS

We have been getting a lot of feedback and many comments on our HELP CENTER, including from Jill Lane, Norma Libman, Jean Van Dusen, Katherine DelMonte, Diane Layden, Treasure House Books, Page One Books, Linda Yiannakis, Pat Hodapp, Linda Headley, Dick Brown, Sharon Niederman, Sue Houser, Kris Neri, Joseph Badal, Jules Nyquist, Maida Tilchen, Joanne Bodin, Lynda Sanchez, Ann Zeigler, Jim Tritten, Dianne Layden, Paul Ré, Larry Greenly, Mary Neighbor

Jill Lane said: "NICE job on this ongoing communique. LOTS of good info."

Norma Libman said: "I love what you’re doing with these notices."

Jean Van Dusen said: "I am very much enjoying your Help Center emails. Keep them coming."

Joanne Bodin said: "I love the updates and the way you're getting information out to co-op members so we don't feel totally isolated. I've been in a leadership role here where I live at Echo Ridge and helping with disseminating written material and writing the newsletter with somebody so we can stay connected and help each other since so many of the people here are elderly."

Lynda Sanchez said: "great and the other channels should do the same. As you know, I had suggested something like this and/or newspaper or online Albuq. journal stories. Good job! I think people are tired of hearing all the bad news and what you noted below is good news and also associated with books as well."

Ann Zeigler said: "TV interview--excellent idea."

Paul Ré said: "I started writing these almost 5 decades back when I had a nearly fatal illness. They helped me to recover and in coping with ongoing long-term consequences. I hope that they may also be of help to others. I send good thoughts to the NM Book Co-op Community. You are playing a very positive role in our state and beyond. Thank you. Here is a bit of humor from my upcoming book, The Récycled Dictionary: Aphorisms, Puns, Micro-essays and Art to Promote Peace — http://www.paulre.org/dictionary.html

Larry Greenly said: "Congrats! I watched your interview. The only thing that would have made it better would be a shot of my book. ;-)"

Joseph Badal said: "I ordered a book from Treasure House today and plan to pick it up on Saturday. Please consider doing the same."

Thanks to all of you!

BOOK BIZ UPDATES

We have heard that the following book & public events have been cancelled or postponed:
Holy Week pilgrimages at Chimayo and Tomé hill
Casinos
New Mexico Press Women Conference and Awards Banquet
NM restaurants and bars — cut back to 50% seating capacity
New Mexico Writers Dinner
Albuquerque Antiquarian Book Fair
Public libraries
Public museums
Tucson Book Festival
Moriarty Author Event
Natl Hispanic Cultural Center Bilingual Children's Book Festival
Historical Society of New Mexico Book Exhibit (and Conference)
NM Book Assn events
NM Book Co-op events
SCBWI-NM events
SW Writers events
All public schools in New Mexico

WAYS TO HELP DURING THIS CRISIS

Many of us are asking how we can help. While many in-person volunteer opportunities are suspended due to social distancing, there are still ways to make a difference.
* Donate Time and Money
* Check on family, friends and neighbors
* Share accurate information

More ideas are at https://www.cabq.gov/mayor/news/mayor-keller-announces-ways-for-community-to-help-during-coronavirus-response?fbclid=IwAR1EXklUZDhb-z1Qhn6P6hXZervyuvPULTqilfE8RfrzhJSMLC7LBvcn_cY

NEW SCAM ALERTS!

Please be aware there are several phishing scams where the caller impersonates a representative from the COVID-19 Hotline or other medical entity. The scammer is asking for personal information like social security and date of birth, telling callers they must have that information in order to release COVID-19 testing results. Representatives from the New Mexico Department of Health, UNM Health, Presbyterian, Lovelace or other state agencies will never ask for your SSN or Medicare number.

I personally got an email from a "Dr Robinson" of the US Dept of Health and Human Services offering me a "cure" that he was secretly making to special individuals. All you need do is reply to his email (GOTCHA). I am honored to be made "special deals" but this one based on several factors, including this guy cannot spell common words correctly, is a big SCAM.

A RIPPLE EFFECT....

Just got an email from Lynda Sanchez about the Carrizozo Community News Update -- Youth Services News Resources. Below is a list of resources to share in the newsletter received by Carrizozo Library from the Youth Services & Outreach Consultant, New Mexico State Library:
* Storyline Online (Don’t forget this resource of celebrities reading picture books
* An online calendar of KidLit events including schedules for creators reading from their own work/sharing things online.
* Reading Connects Us: A newsletter about virtual learning that is full of links to lessons, things authors are sharing, etc.
* Picture Book Read Alouds- this is made up of authors reading their own work, including a list from the Indianapolis Public Library with over 100 titles, and titles in other languages.
* Read, Wonder, and Learn- this is a lot of authors sharing lessons, excerpts, etc from their books.
* Authors Everywhere- A YouTube channel with authors sharing their books and work, will also, hopefully, host panels and other discussions.
* Scholastic’s Learn at Home 2- Daily lesson plans that include books from Weston Woods, activities, and more
* Jarrett Lerner’s Activities Pagelots of print outs/activities that encourage creativity and story creation