A SHOUT OUT to Ted at Gas Espresso Coffee in the Brisbane suburb of Sherwood. Ted readily agreed when I asked him last year about selling copies of my book, A Great and Restless Spirit, at his coffee shop on a share-profit basis.

It’s only small, but Gas Espresso is one of those places where coffee afficionados stand around waiting for its 6am opening. Lycra-clad cyclists mix with local dog walkers and workers looking snappy for the office as they pause on their way to the nearby rail station.

Drivers dash across the road from precariously parked cars to pick up their pre-ordered favourites.

From then until its midday closing there’s always a cluster of locals thronging the place, perched on the low stools around the scatter of tables inside and out, or standing on the pavement checking their screens while they wait for a takeaway.

Ted made space on his front counter for copies of the book and a small display poster. We also put a poster outside the shop for those passing by. I promoted the ‘local author’ angle and signed the copies for sale.

The result over a couple of months up to Christmas 2023 was a steady trickle of welcome sales. I had to top up supplies a couple of times. Ted told me he’d received good feedback from customers about the book. ‘They liked it,’ he said simply.

Ted was happy, I was happy, and apparently his customers/readers were happy. Three out of three aint bad! Thanks heaps Ted.

Until next time

Darryl Dymock