November 28th, 2009. After months of preparations and anticipation, the fair finally arrives. Let’s get the bad news out of the way first, shall we? My earnings from the sale of my books covered the cost of operating my space, and the price of my lunch! I was very disappointed, and now have to look for a plan B for surviving as an entrepreneur at this time. I was amazed that I did much better one on one by taking my work to individuals and having them purchase right away or place an order. Having said that, the experience at the fair was priceless! There were so many extremely talented artists there, most of them Eleutherans. I was amazed. To me, this was an opportunity to network. As this was my very first public event, it was priceless to get out there in a big setting and promote myself. I will definitely reserve a booth well in advance for next year, God willing. It seems what sold today was the food items and jewelry. There were as many non-Bahamians as there were Bahamians, and lots of contacts were made. I gave out a few business cards, received some from artists I plan to do business with in the future when I open my gift shop, and I met people who had heard about me; who expressed delight to finally meet me and see my work. I know the exposure from this will lead to future business. The highlight of the entire event, was finally meeting a fellow writer (we were the only ones with our book at the fair) whom I had first made contact with after a google search of Eleutheran writers. She lives in Nassau now. She and I exchanged books, and after the fair had a wonderful, long conversation after she generously drove me home and we had dinner at my house. Again, priceless. This was one of those five hour long conversations which leads to a life long friendship. I had the privilege of showing her the reading room where I held Saturday reading sessions with children from my community and read her stories. She made a generous donation to the library of her children’s book, so now I can read from the actual book instead of the reprinted stories in our local newspaper. I’m so happy I did this event. I now have an even deeper appreciation for Eleutheran and Bahamian talent, and I’m so inspired to continue to write, believe in myself, and produce great, quality work which will help to change lives. Today, I’m meeting another Eleutheran writer, someone I went to school with and respect, and we will be exchanging books as well. I look to the Universe, and realize that it is not laughing at me. It is smiling with me, because it knows; even though I might not see it from where I stand, that my best days are still ahead of me. This is my new beginning. A lady asked for my autograph when she bought my NEW BEGINNINGS poetry book, and comment that when I became famous, she would like to have this memento of when I was just trying to make a name for myself. The day was indeed priceless. ELEUTHERAN WRITER CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF THE BAHAMAS! SHERELLE WALLACE PROUDLY PRESENTS: BUTTERFLY KISSES. A COLLECTION OF POEMS AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR CHILDREN. NEW BEGINNINGS. A COLLECTION OF POEMS A SLICE OF PARADISE. SHORT STORIES OF ROMANCE IN THE BAHAMAS. THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES. A COLLECTION OF POEMS ON; DISAPPOINTMENT, RAGE, HOPE, REDEMPTION, PEACE & LOVE. ENCHANTMENT’S STORY OF THE MONTH. JANUARY- JUNE, 2010 GET YOUR AUTOGRAPHED COPY!!! VENUE: THE HAYNES LIBRARY FAIR GOVERNORS HARBOUR. DATE: 28TH NOVEMBER, 2009. 8AM-4PM FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 3346493