ON THE first day of the recently concluded Iloilo Mega Book Fair (IMBF 2023), I almost sold out.
I did not expect that I would rake in more than P10,000 in cash.
But I did.
It’s P10,000 from my books and merchandise.
***
Merchandise means postcards, and dolls.
I got some postcards made.
A set of 12 called “I am Peter: The Peter Solis Nery Story” with the art work of Kristoffer George Brasileño.
There’s also a set of seven called “Wring Tips from Peter Solis Nery, most awarded Ilonggo writer and Palanca Awards Hall of Famer.
Because writing tips are a little better when coming from a most awarded writer, and a Palanca Hall of Famer, at that. Haha.
***
The dolls are from Piod Paper Crew.
Created by Noli “Nollzz” Umahag.
They are folded from card paper, and features my likeness in my pink suit (as you can see from my Facebook profile since 2007).
I made the dolls available in DIY patterns, and fully made figures in acetate protective box.
The boxed figures sold first.
***
Of course, I am very proud of my book sales.
My last book was published in 2020.
And still people bought them.
Well, also because the books have very small distribution in the Philippines.
In fact, most of my books are only sold at my events.
***
On Day 2 of the book fair, I closed shop early.
I barely had 10% remaining of my stock.
I had to go home to Dumangas to find any and all of my remaining books that I could sell.
I found at least 20, and seven of these were already reserved before Day 3 began.
***
Celia Parcon’s translation of my stories, “Nothing’s Lost” was supposed to be launched on Day 4 of the fair.
But people were insistent to buy it from Day 1.
It is 10am of IMBF’s Day 3, as I write this.
And only three copies are left unsold.
Do I hold on to these so that Prof. Parcon will have copies to sign at the launch?
Or do I cash in, and sell them now?
Sold out before the formal launch! Haha.
***
Writer Mel Turao, who wrote my literary biography in 2017, was at the fair for meet and greets, and to promote his poetry and fiction books, of course.
But his presence all the more made “Insatiable: A Literary Biography of Peter Solis Nery” popular.
Two copies were bought on Day 1, and one copy was bought on Day 2.
Three books, you say.
But it’s literary biography!
And literary biography of THE Peter Solis Nery. Haha.
***
Most of the visitors at the fair bought artworks.
Students mostly bought stickers and comics.
(Again, my postcards!)
So I’m very glad that my books, mostly literary titles, sold… and a lot.
***
Mia Reyes of Kartilya Studio has done a four-poster “Ilonggo Heroes” series.
I liked it so much that on Day 1, I talked to her about a commission.
On Day 2, she brought my poster that looks like a brother to the four others—
Peter Solis Nery: Most Awarded Ilonggo Writer.
And I like that it is in hot pink because the color makes it very contemporary.
***
The other heroes featured in Mia’s work are:
Garciano Lopez Jaena: The Great Orator.
Teresa Magbanua: Visayan Joan of Arc.
Patrocinio Gamboa: Heroine of Jaro.
Gen. Martin Delgado: Revolutionary Hero of Panay.
***
It’s starting to be busy at my booth.
So I’ll end this piece by sharing this:
One of the most gazed upon book at the fair, or at least in my booth, was my “Welcome to Grindr”.
It gets browsed, but it doesn’t really get sold.
***
Was it just the title that attracted the shoppers?
The provocative cover with my almost nude photo?
What is it?
Was it the book that people wanted, but didn’t want to be seen buying?
Ooops, there they go again, gawkers at “Welcome to Grindr”. Haha!/PN
