First post the past

I sell used books on the internet for a living. Do you know what the weirdest thing about selling used books on the internet is? People are fascinated by it, intrigued, dumbfounded even. “What, you can make a living doing that? Wow, that’s amazing!”

The truth is that selling used books on the internet is less interesting that being a helicopter pilot. It is more interesting than being a carpark tollbooth attendant. It is somewhere in between.

I’ve done so many things that I consider far more weird and conversation-worthy than selling used books on the internet: I’ve managed hostels full of drunken hormone-fuelled backpackers in Sydney’s Kings Cross; I’ve moonlighted as a male medical receptionist; I’ve installed computer networks in defence bases full of planes and missiles; I’ve delivered Chinese food to schoolies in their underpants; I’ve sold cars and fine china for colourful racing identites; I’ve moved furniture with a gun totin’ bikie on a three day crystal meth binge; I’ve even answered a potato chip complaint hotline. None of that raises any curiosity in people. But when I tell them I sell used books on the internet they pull up a chair, buy me a drink, and tell me I should write a blog. So here it is: a blog about selling used books on the internet: the highs, the lows, the giant bats. Interspersed with lies, slander and madness will be some hopefully helpful tips for fellow booksellers and readers.