On Saturday, I made the trip up to Neumünster to attend Fusselschwarm’s Fussel-Samstag Open Day.
Usually held on the third Saturday of the month, this is when Europe’s main furry book seller opens its doors for customers to explore the wide range of books and comics on offer. Even better, it took place from 3pm, making it accessible for a day trip.
When I arrived, I spotted two fursuiters getting changed in the corridor, while it was lamented that I did not bring my own fursuit. Considering we were all pink, I would have fit in quite nicely, but transporting it from Berlin is tricky. I will likely bring my suit next time though as getting photos in front of the huge wall of books would make for a good picture.
The main advantage of Fussel-Samstag is how chill it is. Fusselschwarm vend in the Dealers’ Den at Eurofurence, but this is an incredibly busy and hectic part of the con. In contrast, Fussel-Samstag gives you the opportunity to peruse books at your leisure, as well as the ability to chat to the owner in a more relaxed environment. I had an in-depth discussion about all aspects of furry writing, and there is clearly a dedication and passion to promoting furry literature here.
Meanwhile, I lost myself for half an hour just looking at the wide range of titles they had, including many I had never seen before. The range is outstanding, while there was also an exclusive 10% discount for the event, so I picked up three books and a bookmark.
It’s a pleasant little store, a single room tucked in an office complex behind a supermarket, but very much a furry writer’s paradise. The shelves are teeming with books, while there were also tables laid out, showcasing new releases. There were also many boxes containing a panoply of comic books. Both English and German language readers are very well-catered for.
In addition, they also had a range of snacks on offer, including some cookies. This contributed to the friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
The event was quite well-attended, and I was heartened to see so many furs engaging in furry books and comics. It was also great to see the prominence of so many novels written by friends of mine, along with some of the anthologies in which I have had stories featured. Fusselschwarm being aware of my own stories significantly boosted my confidence at a time when it has been quite low. I left Fusselschwarm feeling both happy and enthused, determined to write more.
I believe the Fussel-Samstags are combined with the local Neumünster meets, so you can make a whole day of it. I’ll certainly be coming back, and will likely bring my fursuit too. If you can get to Neumünster – which is not too far from Hamburg – I’d recommend it as it’s a treasure trove of books and comics, many you can’t get easily anywhere else.