Diary of a small town sensation: how the Wimpy Kid author built his dream bookshop

Growing up, Jeff Kinney discovered Tolkien, comics and computers at his local bookshop. When it closed he was bereft – would opening his own as an adult help to right that wrong?Author Jacqueline Woodson recently spoke about books being either mirrors or windows. Mirrors for seeing ourselves, and windows for seeing into other worlds. Growing up, I enjoyed both types of books, from the realistic contemporary fiction of Judy Blume to the epic fantasy of JRR Tolkien. I had access to books by these and every author in between courtesy of a bookstore a short drive from my house. I didn’t understand my privilege then, but I’ve come to understand it better over time.In the short time that it was open, I developed interests that would shape my career. I grew up at the advent of personal computing, and the books I read helped me along a path to becoming a programmer. I also developed a deep appreciation for comics, thanks to an expansive humour section at the bookstore. Those comic collections helped to prepare me for my dream career as a cartoonist. Had we not had a bookstore nearby during my formative years, I would have grown up to be a completely different person.We’ve had several romances develop from first dates in the cafe, and one couple is getting married this autumn Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-05 09:00:40 UTC ]
News tagged with: #local bookshop #judy blume #epic fantasy #jrr tolkien #deep appreciation #formative years #bookstore

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Author Patrick Ness' Syrian Refugee Fundraiser Prompts Big Donations

It started out, author Patrick Ness said, as a small thing on his fundraising page. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fall Regional Bookselling Shows 2015: Children’s Authors Appearing at the 2015 Regional Bookselling Trade Shows

A selection of some of the hundreds of children's book authors who will be at this season’s regional shows. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fall Regional Bookselling Shows 2015: Adult Authors Appearing at the 2015 Regional Bookselling Trade Shows

Here is a selection of some of the hundreds of authors who will be at this season’s regional shows. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ellora’s Cave, Dear Author Blogger File Counter Claims

The two parties, which are locked in a libel and defamation suit, have each filed counter motions asking the court to rule immediately in their favor. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Chip Lit Fest remunerates author hours

Chipping Norton Literary Festival will pay the authors who appeared at this year’s event just under £100 per hour of work as part of its new profit share scheme. The festival, which was first held in 2012, previously paid authors their accommodation, subsistence and travel expenses, but not an... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Exposing Yourself As a First-Time Author

Jay Keefe wrote a memoir about recovering from alcoholism and realizes, upon publication, that it a huge personal risk it was, albeit one with rewards. The post Exposing Yourself As a First-Time Author appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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When the agent is the author: Andrew Lownie

'A lot of new material' "Being an author myself again has made me a better agent I believe," Andrew Lownie tells me. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Swede Self-Publishes Book to Put Kids to Sleep, Becomes Bestseller

A Swedish self-published book, The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep, uses hypnotism to put kids to sleep and it's selling, but there's backlash. The post Swede Self-Publishes Book to Put Kids to Sleep, Becomes Bestseller appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Oliver Sacks, neurologist and bestselling author, dies at 82

Oliver Sacks, the neurologist and bestselling author who sought to humanize people with brain disorders by portraying their bizarre lives not as litanies of freakish behaviors but as examples of resiliency, has died. He was 82. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Can authors compete with 'non-competes'?

'An unacceptable restriction on authors’ livelihoods' No publisher would agree, at an author’s request, to forgo publishing another author’s book on a particular subject. So why should an author assume a similar obligation? But it happens all the time.  Of all the contract-reform issues... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why books are small but dangerous

Nicky Parker from Amnesty International explains how books open up whole worlds that some people don’t want us to know about – that’s why they’re censored, banned or removed• Plus what’s coming in our joint Amnesty International and Guardian children’s books site ‘Dangerous books’ long... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-08-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Transworld brings forward release of 'Corbynomics' author

Transworld has brought forward the release date of The Joy of Tax by Richard Murphy – the creator of ‘Corbynomics’ – and is exploring plans to launch the book at the Labour Party Conference next month. Murphy [pictured] is a chartered accountant and is the author of Labour leadership contender... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Self-Publishing Is Good for You … and Authors and the Book Industry

The real beneficiary of the DIY book boom is the publishing industry itself. The post Self-Publishing Is Good for You … and Authors and the Book Industry appeared first on WIRED. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2015-08-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Behind the Dutch Bestseller, 'The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen'

This week we look at the Dutch hit, 'The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen,' which has been making headlines—thanks in part to the mysteries surrounding its author—since it was released last summer. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air August 24, 2015: H.G. 'Buzz' Bissinger

H.G. “Buzz” Bissinger, author of 'Friday Night Lights, 25th Anniversary Edition' (Da Capo, 9780306824203), will appear on 'Today' on Tuesday, August 25. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors United asks DOJ for Amazon probe

Campaign group Authors United has written to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to ask it to investigate Amazon, which it says has “gained unprecedented power over America’s market for books”. The letter, signed by 575 authors including Scott Turow, Nelson DeMille and Nora Roberts and submitted... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air August 21, 2015: General Ann Dunwoody

General Ann Dunwoody, author of 'A Higher Standard, Leadership Strategies from America’s First Female Four-Star General' (Da Capo Press, 9780738217796), will appear on CNN’s 'The Lead with Jake Tapper' on Friday, August 21. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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‘The Plain Choice’ Author Addresses Amish Stereotypes: ‘We Don’t Live By Rules’

Sherry Gore left behind a life dominated by tragedy and sorrow when she became one of the few people to join the Amish from the outside. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Soup’s On, For a Cause: Big Time Authors Unite for Syrian Refugee Food Relief

Anthony Bourdain, Alice Waters, Mark Bittman, and Yotam Ottolenghi are among the cookbook authors who contributed recipes to 'Soup for Syria: Recipes to Celebrate Our Shared Humanity.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Faith Ed.' Author On Teaching Religion in Schools, Not Preaching

Linda K. Wertheimer, author of "Faith Ed.," explains how educating today's children about world religions could heighten tolerance. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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