Posts Tagged Independent Bookstores
Not Quite 20 Questions with Neil White
Posted by Wanda in Authors as Guest Bloggers on October 1, 2010
Neil White, In the Sanctuary of Outcasts, SIBA Non-Fiction Finalist: He lived among the last Americans imprisoned for a disease (leprosy) . . . and could not imagine a greater privilege
Favorite book as a child? The Little Engine That Could
What are you reading right now? Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin and Freedom by Jonathan Frazen
Share a favorite segment from your book… You not only the borin’est person . . . You the whitest man I ever met. You the man they was talkin’ about when they invented the word Honky
Why that title? Because my editor picked it from the text . . . I was thinking Lepers & Cons.
Why independent bookstores matter? The same reason family vacations, intimate dinners, reunions, church and time with friends matters. It’s personal. It’s about relationships.
Favorite part of writing a book? Writing a passage that has more meaning, more importance than I could ever muster. When the words are inspired, in spite of me
Least favorite part of writing a book? Copy editing
Are you working on anything new? Yes, just started a new novel called Outside.
Do you have any superstitions, lucky charms, or rituals around your writing? Yes, I surround write with closed windows, no clocks, no internet, no television . . . with lyric-less music playing.
Comment on the writing life… If it were easy or glamorous everyone would be doing it
Hardest part of the creation to publication experience? Waiting
Why do you write? Well, I had a story I really needed to tell.
When do you write? Early, early morning when others are still asleep so I feel like I’m stealing away time
When did you know you were a writer? Still not sure
What, or Who, will you dish on, as in gossip about? Rick Bragg (he beat me).
What would make you a scintillating dinner guest? I’ll drink just enough to reveal more than I should . . . but not so much as to truly offend anyone
Who is your favorite new author? Lydia Peele
What is your drink of choice? The only drink real men drink . . . Chardonnay!
What is your favorite food? Crab Cakes, Salmon, Filet,
Not Quite 20 Questions with Laura Hope-Gill
Posted by Wanda in Authors as Guest Bloggers on September 30, 2010
Laura Hope-Gill, The Soul Tree, SIBA non fiction finalist is the first poet laureate, ever, of the Blue Ridge Parkway for the poems she wrote for The Soul Tree: Poems and Photographs of the Southern Appalachians.
Favorite book as a child? The A.A. Milne Winnie-the-Pooh series.
What are you reading right now? World without End by Ken Follett
Why independent bookstores matter? Free thought requires access to small presses. Samizdat.
Favorite part of writing a book? The feeling of the Spirit of the thing helping me.
Least favorite part of writing a book? No least favorite part. It’s a dream come true.
Are you working on anything new? I’d like to write a book of poems about great architects.
Do you have any superstitions, lucky charms, or rituals around your writing? I am a monk. I’ve given my life to it.
Comment on the writing life… Everything feeds writing. Writing feeds everything.
Hardest part of the creation to publication experience? Getting the words right–then getting them better.
Why do you write? Because the world is made of words.
When do you write? Every free second.
When did you know you were a writer? When I learned about wishes.
What, or Who, would you dish on, as in gossip about? Dead architects. Sorry. That’s where I am in my life.
What would make you a scintillating dinner guest? Stories upon stories. I’m partially deaf so I talk a lot.
Who is your favorite new author? My old favorite: Alice Munro.
What is your drink of choice? Depends on the company!
What is your favorite food? Too embarrassed to say.
Not quite 20 questions with Alexia Helsley
Posted by Wanda in Authors as Guest Bloggers on September 29, 2010
SIBA Book Award Nominee 2010
Alexia Jones Helsley, The Hidden History of Greenville, SIBA Non-fiction nominee: She prefers to think of herself as a historical landmark and not a crochety old person!
Favorite book as a child? The Hidden Garden and the Song of Solomon.
What are you reading right now? Grocery store labels checking their ingredients.
Why that title? Hidden was more evocative than “found” Greenville
Why independent bookstores matter? As Emerson wrote, “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” – independents offer variety and personal connections.
Favorite part of writing a book? Opening the box when the books come. I’m a child again and it’s Christmas morning!
Least favorite part of writing a book? proofreading – I hate to see that I can make mistakes.
Are you working on anything new? Yes; I’m conducting “background” research on SC grapes and wine.
Do you have any superstitions, lucky charms, or rituals around your writing? Had a rabbit’s foot, but the rabbit ran away
Comment on the writing life…carpal tunnel, eye strain, “blood, sweat and tears” and more tears.
Hardest part of the creation to publication experience? the Chicago Manual of Style
Why do you write? because I hate to exercise and except for Leno, there is nothing on late night TV
When do you write? wee hours of the morning when most are asleep or at Waffle House
When did you know you were a writer? high school, I was Pat Conroy’s editor
What, or Who, will you dish on, as in gossip about? That’s a state secret
What would make you a scintillating dinner guest? my misantrophic world view, dry wit and appreciation of NC wine
Who is your favorite new author? Having learned that Shel Silverstein wrote for Playboy, I am reading Where the Sidewalk Ends looking for “hidden imagery”
What is your drink of choice? Marker’s Mark mint juleps especially in May – Kentuckians love the derby
What is your favorite food? pizza without tofu or anchovies
Get In Bed With A Book Blogger!
Posted by Wanda in Good Gifts & Ideas on May 21, 2010
SIBA wants its booksellers to Get In Bed With A Book Blogger!
Some people are just made for each other. You have the space, the resources, the access to authors, the access to books. She (or he) has the audience, the reputation, the reach, the Internet savvy and the voice. It’s a marriage made in heaven. Or at least, a really fun fling.
SIBA is encouraging its booksellers to seek out partnerships with book bloggers to enhance their presence on the Web and extend their online visibility, not to mention help turn the Internet from something that’s “work” to something that’s fun. This is what Kelly Justice of Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA and Rebecca Joines Schinsky of The Book Lady’s Blog (thebookladysblog.com, @bookladysblog on Twitter) have done, and from the looks of the pictures, maybe they are having a little too much fun!
“Kelly and I have created a partnership that works so well for us we want to share it with the whole book world in hopes that other independent bookstores and book bloggers will try it!” said Joines Schinksy, commenting on the mutual benefits of their relationship, “As the owner of an indie bookstore, Kelly is focused on connecting to the local and national book community, bringing in fabulous authors, and maximizing opportunities to grow her store. As a blogger, I’m all about writing content, getting the word out, and sharing news with my readers, who hail from all over the planet.”
Justice notes that the partnership is flexible in its terms. She allows Joines Schinsky to pick and choose from among the many author events hosted by the bookstore. In return for a chance to interview the authors (and a review copy of the book) The Book Lady’s Blog reviews and promotes the book and event via the blog and on twitter. Justice and Joines Schinsky also work together to promote books that the two avid readers are especially excited about, and have recently begun a book club on Twitter to discuss “under the radar” books they feel worthy of notice.
It helps that bookseller and book blogger are so simpatico. “Kelly and I know that together, we can reach more readers, promote more authors, and help more publishers than we can individually,” says Joines Schinsky, “We’re looking into some cookbook promotions as well where we make recipes, taste and share the results online.”
According to Justice, the key to the success of the partnership is that it has evolved naturally, without hard and fast rules, and that both partners have a good understanding of each other’s mission. Both see themselves as “literary ambassadors” for the Richmond, VA area—dedicated to exposing their city to great writers and great books. “We’re lucky in that we just “get” each other,” says Joines Schnisky, “Fountain Bookstore is about fun, escape, and celebrating books and the people who love them, write them and publish them. The Book Lady’s Blog is about these same things.”
The informal partnership has been good for everyone: The Book Lady’s Blog gets access to more books and authors, and can take advantage of Fountain Bookstore’s industry connections with publishers, publicists, and book media. Fountain Bookstore gets near-constant publicity from The Book Lady’s Blog, free content that is well-written and matched to the store strengths, referred traffic to its Web site and social media accounts, extra promotion for its events and an enhanced standing with publishers—who appreciate the fact that authors sent to the store will receive extra coverage. Fountain’s customers get to find out much more about books and authors than they’d normally hear from standard publicity. And Kelly and Rebecca get to run around town doing photo shoots. It’s a win-win-win.
The success of the partnership between Fountain Bookstore and The Book Lady’s Blog has prompted SIBA to encourage other bookstores to use it as a model to develop their own relationships with book bloggers. In order to help its members find bloggers in their area, SIBA is developing a directory of Southern Book Bloggers that it will help to “match” with area indie bookshops. Booksellers and Book bloggers who are interested in being a part of the project should contact SIBA Executive Director Wanda Jewell at wanda@sibaweb.com.
*photo was taken by P.J. Sykes www.intheblackandwhite.com @PJSykes on Twitter
*bed was located in La Difference in Richmond http://www.ladiff.com/ @LaDIFF on Twitter
*Hair by Jamie Lewis
(All indie business people in Richmond, VA #rva)
This Blog Recycles! Thank you Jennifer R. Weis
I’m in Daytona finishing up a week of meetings with the SIBA Board of Directors, the Planning Team, Hotel Folks, and more. SIBA Board Member Jeff McCord shared this article with me from where magazine:
Book Marks
Grab a book and mark your spot at 10 of the city’s best independent bookstores
Bound to Be Read Books
By Jennifer R. Weis
1. A Cappella Books
Atlanta native Frank Reiss opened this indie book shop 20 years ago, and it’s been an Atlanta favorite ever since. People come from near and far for both new and used offerings covering a ride range of topics. Reiss opened the book shop after managing an antiquarian bookstore in San Francisco for six years; when he moved home, he looked for the area with the closest resemblance to San Fran he could find and landed on Little Five Points. ”It’s evolved over time, but we are geared to the neighborhood to a great extent—alternative and bohemian are well represented, and we don’t have a lot of mainstream.” The store also hosts a variety of author events, about a dozen a month on average, most at small venues in and around the neighborhood. 484-C Moreland Ave., 404-691-5128, www.acappellabooks.com.
2. Atlanta Book Exchange
Located in an old house in the heart of the Virginia-Highland neighborhood, this small bookstore is the last of a dying breed. The store is chock full of used books covering nearly every topic imaginable—they are packed into every inch of its interior and on every bit of space on the eight-foot-high shelves. Can’t find what you’re looking for? The knowledgeable and friendly staff is quick to lend a hand. 591 N. Highland Ave., 404-681-3122.
3. Books Again
Nine years ago, Jim and Glinda Adams saw an opportunity and went for it. They bought stock from a bookstore in North Carolina and moved it lock, stock and barrel down to Atlanta, where they proceeded to open a 2,000-square-foot used bookstore two blocks off Decatur Square. Today, this browser’s paradise offers everything from $3 paperbacks to $5,000 collectible books. Included in the mix are lots of books on poetry, art and photographs, but “we’re fairly general,” Jim says. 225 N. McDonough St., Decatur, 404-377-1444, www.booksagain-ga.com.
4. Book Nook
This warehouse-style store is located in a strip mall near DeKalb Peachtree Airport; there are also two OTP (outside the Perimeter) locations in Marietta and Lilburn. The shelves burst with copies of just about any type of book you can imagine. “We have a lot of everything,” says staff member Dugan Trodglen. “People spend hours and hours here.” They come for used paperback and hardback books in nearly every genre—ranging in price form $2.50 thriller to $25 art books. Lots of Emory students are on hand—both working the counter and searching the shelves for bargains. Beyond the books, you’ll find a great collection of comics, magazines, DVDs, VHS tapes and records. 3073 N. Druid Hills Rd., Decatur 404-633-1328; 1547 Roswell Rd., Marietta, 770-578-0604; 4664 Lawrenceville Hwy. NW, Lilburn, 770-564-9462.
5. Bound to Be Read Books
By day, he’s a government worker; by night, weekend and every spare moment, he’s a proud bookstore owner. We’re talking about Jeff McCord, owner of Bound to Be Read Books in East Atlanta. McCord decided to open the store after—long story short—he met a transplanted Floridian attorney who opened a bookstore in Canada after he couldn’t get a license to practice law. “I literally came home and started from there. I bought books everywhere I could find them.” Once those books started overtaking his house, McCord found space in East Atlanta. The result? A cool, laid-back neighborhood spot that’s chock full of (mostly) used and (some) new books plus loads of charm. There’s also a calendar full of author events, book clubs and even a bookstore cat. 481-B Flat Shoals Ave., 404-522-0877, www.boundtobereadbooks.com.
6. Charis Books & More
You can’t miss this feminist bookstore in Little Five Points—just look for the big, purple house. A neighborhood staple for 35 years, it’s one of only 13 feminist bookstores in the country. But although there is indeed a particularly strong selection of works by feminists, lesbians, and women of color, visitors will find something for everyone here including gay and lesbian literature, biography, recovery, cooking, women’s studies and psychology, plus a wonderful children’s section with colorful, multicultural-themed books that “reflect the realities of kids’ lives,” says long-time employee Elizabeth Anderson. Wonderful gift items—everything from jewelry to organic chocolate—and frequent author readings are a bonus. 1189 Euclid Ave., 404-524-0304, www.charisbooksandmore.com.
7. Eagle Eye Book Shop
Powell’s Books in Portland, Ore., was the inspiration behind Eagle Eye Book shop in Decatur. “It’s the best book store in the United States,” says Doug Robinson, who owns Eagle Eye with his wife, Diane, of Powell’s. “We visited and said ‘We want to be a little bitty Powell’s.’” And thanks to their passion and background, they are. The 5,000-square-foot store is home to a mile of books (literally—they measured!) including about 60,000 new, used, bargain and collectible titles. The store also takes trade-ins and hosts a slew of book events (about 200 a year)—both in and out of the store. But the store’s biggest strength, claims Robinson, is its ties to the community and other literary-minded organizations. 2076 N. Decatur Rd., 404-486-0307, www.eagleeyebooks.com.
8. Little Shop of Stories
School psychologist-turned-stay-at-home mom Diane Capriola had an idea in her head that she just couldn’t shake—she wanted to open in a children’s bookstore. So in 2005, together with partner Dave Shallenberger, she opened Little Shop of Stories in Decatur. And thank goodness she did. Because this adorable store is a must for book lovers of all ages. In addition to the vast selection of children’s books (the store’s bread and butter), there is also a small but solid selection of adult books and great gifts. Plus, there’s plenty of room for lounging, and an upstairs space that hosts parties, adult and kids’ book clubs, camps and author events. 113 East Court Square, Decatur, 404-373-6300, www.littleshopofstories.com.
9. Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse
RuPaul, Augusten Burroughs, Marlo Thomas, Alice Walker, Gregory Maguire and Jackie Collins have all pulled in to Outwrite Bookstore—Collins in a 25-foot bus, no less. And last month, comedian Chelsea Handler made an appearance. Why? Because Outwrite isn’t just a bookstore. It’s an institution. Owner Philip Rafshoon opened the store in 1993 because he wanted to “stay home and help the community.” Originally exclusively GBLT (Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgender—it was voted “the best gay bookstore in the world” by The London Times), the store has become “more of an indie bookstore,” Rafshoon says, with GBLT material making up only about half of its inventory. There are also books on art, photography, self-help and just about anything else you can think of, plus DVDS, candles and other gift ideas. Not to mention a separate coffee house featuring yummy bagels, sandwiches, soups, cookies and coffee. 991 Piedmont Ave., 404-607-0082, www.outwritebooks.com.
10. Tall Tales Book Shop
What’s the key to Tall Tales’ success? “Our inventory is good, I know my books and I know the community,” says owner Marlene Zeiler. “We’ve been here so long.” It’s been 31 years to be exact that Tall Tales has been supplying an eclectic selection of books to the Emory community. “We truly are a general bookstore,” says Zeiler. “We have a little bit of everything, including a lot of children’s books and non-fiction.” 2105 Lavista Rd., 404-636-2498
Lady Banks Bookshelf
News from SIBA- Announcing the Summer 2012 Okra Picks
- 2012 SIBA Book Award Finalists
- Macmillan refuses to settle with DOJ
- Call for nominations to the SIBA Board
- March 2012
- 2012 SIBA Book Award Long List
- Spring Book Show is now GABBS Atlanta!
- Novera Payment Solutions
- Announcing the Spring 2012 Okra Picks
- Shout Out to Members Making SIBA News