Featuring the store owners that carry my book is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’m starting with Dea Maltby and Fabulous Finds Emporium, because it’s the Christmas season and Fabulous Finds is fabulously decorated. If you have a hankering to shop for “eclectic treasures from the past,” this is the place to do it. . . 243 F Street in Salida, Colorado.
Dea and I met at The Book Haven bookstore (also in Salida) about a year ago. Dea had given a talk about her book, While I Was Out: My Near Death Experience and Soul Altering Journey, and I purchased a copy. I couldn’t put it down. The auto accident in 2008 that nearly took her life catapulted her into a spiritual odyssey that I believe all spiritual seekers need to read. In fact, in on January 9, 2010, the Biography Channel televised her story as part of their series on near death experiences.
Here’s a picture of the two of us holding our books. Mine is I’ll Be There to Write the Story: A Mother-Daughter Journey Beyond Death.
The response to Dea’s self-published book has been excellent for an unknown author. But Dea has a secret—she’s more interested that people read the book than she is in making a lot of money from it. She asks only for donations. If people would rather not spend the money, she gives it away for free. She has distributed over 400 copies this way. Her heart-centered marketing method has curried sufficient funds to pay for several printings.
Dea and her sister Sandy Lyles moved to Salida in 1997 with their families and opened Fabulous Finds that year. It’s a cavernous store with the feel of the 1950s.
Filled with vendor booths, it is tastefully put together by the two women who know how a store should be organized and run. The resident cat passed away this year, but at least one well-behaved dog is on the premises all the time. This could be your home away from home judging from the hearty welcome you’ll receive when you enter. Here’s a picture of the front door decorated for Christmas.
Dea invited me to sell my book in the store. She set up an attractive display area for both of our books plus another local author, directly across from the sales counter. Positioned thus, she can conveniently answer customer questions about all three of our books.
One last thing about Dea and Sandy that I didn’t know until last week—when they moved to Salida, they were feeling blue because their mother had recently died. In 1998, they started Holiday Park of Trees – as a memorial for their mom and anyone else who wished to remember their loved ones at Christmas by decorating artificial trees with mementos of loved ones. This gala affair with trees decorated by local families, and held outdoors at the Steam Plant (then, a Salida theater and park), became one of the town’s annual holiday traditions. It now takes place in Riverside Park as a fundraiser for charitable organizations.
Maria, How sweet of you to write such nice things. Thank you so very much.
But most of all, I thank you for such wonderful friendship this past year. You have taught me much and we have shared many heartfelt thoughts and talks together.
Wishing you the brightest and most Spirit filled Holidays of your life this year!
lots of love,
Dea
Dea, our new friendship is balanced and giving in both directions. I had a blast with you the other afternoon in the jewelry store finding treasures. Want to go back!