It just doesn't seem to be worth it to have a small business. A couple bad months back to back, or a surprise expense can sink your little business. Today was one of those days. I received a notice from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania today that the bookstore did NOT pay sales tax for November of 2015. 2015? And they just sent us notice now???
It was filed, but we can't find proof. A couple times we have filed and it hasn't gone through, but we caught it. November is the start of our busy Christmas retail season, and I didn't catch that it wasn't taken out of our banking account. Now the government wants it, and with penalities. Business in the winter months of Tioga County sucks, and we don't have it.
At this point, it feels like we need to win the lottery. No, it's not that big, but it is over a thousand dollars, and it might as well be a million. I just don't know what to do.
You may know that I've been writing and publishing children's books and an adult novella. The books are gathering momentum, but most writers don't make much, and they haven't paid off yet. Now, I'm asking for them to take off. So, I can continue writing them, and so I can pay this bill that has me so stressed out. We have a week to pay without further penalty. It's money we just don't have.
My first book, Hobo Finds a Home, was brought back in print! I wrote Hobo Finds a Home with the help of Hobo the Cat back in 2008. It did really well locally, and was picked up by a small press. The small press went out of business and I was able to bring back into print.
The classic Hobo is back better than ever with a crisper cover and text, and updated biographical information about Hobo. There have been new developments in the printing industry since 2008, and I was able to bring the price of Hobo Finds a Home down to just 7.99.
In this true story, written by Hobo the cat, a little kitten leaves the farm, has big adventures, makes a new friend and finds a forever home. Hobo was the bookstore cat at From My Shelf Books & Gifts for many years. His many jobs included playing with children, delighting cat lovers, and soaking up sunshine to spread to everyone he met. This is his story...
Save 20% Off Cover Price by Clicking on the Cover
My children's book series is The Totally Ninja Raccoons You can buy them from the store's website. You can order them other places also, but it's months before I would get the royalty checks and it'd be too late then.
If raccoons or cats aren't your thing, I have an adult novella called Operation Ragnarok is a fantastical adventure with comedic elements about a group of gamers going through a mid-life crisis, instead of the little red corvette, they decide to steal a Viking longship from a museum and release an ancient evil. It's a story of friendship, sacrifice, and unleashing Hel on Earth...
Operation Ragnarok, think Night at the Museum meets The Big Bang Theory with a touch of Stand by Me vibe. Great for those who love mythology, gaming, and geek culture, but not needed to enjoy this fast-paced tale. If you've ever rolled the dice, you need this book.
Of course, not every book is for every person, but there's a book for just about everyone, and chances are we have it, or we can get it. You can can visit the bookstore in person, or you can order via our website
We even sell on Ebay and you can visit our store there. We don't sell many books via Ebay, but do sell a lot of our fun gifts via Ebay. That would help us muddle through what feels like just too much right now.
Thank you
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