Howdy folks!

Glad to have found this place!

I went to school to become a history professor. Learned two things in college. First, I really didn't want to be a professor. Second, I'm fairly dangerous at the poker table. After graduating, I scraped together a grubstake and skedaddled to the nearest place where gambling was legal. From 2010-2014 I played poker for a living, mainly in the small mountain town of Blackhawk, CO. Until last year, when I took the biggest gamble of them all and bought a book store. Finding myself surrounded by books everyday, my old interest in writing was rekindled. After a decade long hiatus, I picked up the pen and started scribbling again.

I have two current WsIP, a western based on a true story and a historical set in New Kingdom Egypt. Needless to say, ten years is a long break, and I've found the writing muscles withered. I'm hoping this place is just what the doc ordered. (Did I mention I have a distressing fondness for cliches?)

Thanks for the welcome and the compliment, Corsairs!

shortstorymachinist said:

Welcome aboard, Jack! What's it like owning an independent bookstore? In my naivete I've always thought it would be fun, but I know nothing about what it would involve.

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Thanks for the welcome! It is fun, but it's also a lot of work. The thing that makes it all worthwhile for me is the unique access I get to material I otherwise would either not be able to afford or would never even know existed. My biggest problem is forcing myself to sell rather than hoard a lot of it!

Tom Johnson said:

Welcome to AW, Jack. You'd love someone like me, I can't win at penny-ante. Guess I'm better off staying away from your table (lol). I did run a used bookstore from 1979 to 2007. Good in the beginning, wasn't making enough to pay utilities by the end. But I loved the business. I got to talk with other people who loved books as much as me. Gads, I'm looking for a book, reckon you have it? Hey, looking forward to running into you around the Internet.

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Howdy Tom. Yessir, it can be a tough business. Especially if you rely on brick and mortar traffic. Lucky for me, 90% of my business is online, and my overhead's cheap. So far at least, it's been enough to keep the creditors at bay. What book you looking for?

Chase said:

Yep, studies opened my eyes to better ways to learn history than approved texts.

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Right? I find that I tend to disapprove of most approved texts. Thanks for the welcome!

Writers Choice said:

It's never too late to start. I am working to finish my first novel. I didn't even know I wanted to write until last year. It's a great escape for me.

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Then we're in the same boat. I agree, there's nothing better than losing yourself in a world of your own creation. Of course, that could just be my God-complex showing through. Thanks for the welcome, and good luck on your novel.

belgerod said:

Are there any plans to use your gambling career as fuel for a story of some kind? Could be interesting!

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Only once the statute of limitations has expired. I've been tempted. Ran into quite a few characters.

Susie said:

to the cooler. It's super here!

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Thanks Susie! I'm inclined to agree.

RainGore said:

Greetings and Welcome! Glad to see someone opening a store instead of closing. I have to think that print books will always have a place.

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Brick and mortar bookstores, especially used bookstores, really are dropping like flies.
I'm one of those holdouts who prefers print to digital. Hopefully I'm not alone (cause if I am, I'm going to end up living in a cardboard box!). Thanks for the welcome!

Desiree said:

Welcome, Jack!

I feel you on the whole professor thing. I was going to become a professor of literature before I changed my mind and subequently changed careers. But wow, professional poker? I'm sure you could write a book on that subject alone

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Always nice to meet another academic refugee. All it took for me was one quarter as a TA, and I realized I'd never make it to retirement without committing a homicide!

grose said:

Hi Jack I'm new too! I grew up in the state just below Colorado. Happy to meet you!

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I assume you mean you're from the Land of Enchantment, not that pesky little panhandle to the east. Either way, howdy and welcome!

Fallen said:

Ah, another Jack! Hi, Jack. I'm envious of the bookstore... what a way to go! We've been collecting for years, even down to coming across some WW1 Cartoons of the War. I failed miserably at history, but it's hubby's love.

Hope you have a great time on AW.

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Yep, us Jacks are everywhere. Thanks for the welcome. Those are some neat cartoons. I enjoyed the link. Happy hunting!