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 #formative years #bookstore

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When Acquiring Debut Authors, Ask If They Can Compete

Lauren Parsons of Legend Press says that when acquiring a debut author for a UK list, one needs to believe the book can compete with the established brands. The post When Acquiring Debut Authors, Ask If They Can Compete appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At 10th Brooklyn Book Festival, Authors and Fans Share Literary Love

A sunny, blustery day gave Brooklyn a chance to show off its literary chops, with A-list panelists and celebs discussing the writing life and craft. The post At 10th Brooklyn Book Festival, Authors and Fans Share Literary Love appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Asks: What 'Book' Author Do You Wish Would Write A Comic?

Lately, lots of traditional book authors have been writing comic books. What author do you wish would write a comic? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Spark Joy,' New Book from Bestselling 'Tidying Up' Author Kondo, Coming in January

The follow-up to the worldwide phenomenon will answer reader questions and offer advice on moving, packing, and dealing with other less than joyful topics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Trade 'needs to do more to promote BAME authors'

Black and Asian writers are “not allowed to be average”, author Sathnam Sanghera has said. Sanghera, author of the memoir The Boy with the Topknot (Penguin) and the novel Marriage Material (William Heinemann), was taking part in a debate hosted by Spread the Word, the writer development agency... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Behind the Authors Guild's New Proactive Approach

A membership survey, contract initiative, and a dues hike are part of the organization's new program. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookshop holds sale for Calais library

The Big Green Bookshop is to hold a “pay what you like” sale to raise money for the Jungle Library in Calais. The independent bookshop in London’s Wood Green has so far raised £2,500 for the so-called Jungle Library– a makeshift library set up by teacher Mary Jones at the refugee camp in... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air September 16, 2015: Alan C. Fox

Alan C. Fox, author of 'People Tools for Business: 50 Strategies for Building Success, Creating Wealth, and Finding Happiness' (SelectBooks/Midpoint, 9781590793565) will appear on the 'Steve Harvey Show' on Thursday, September 17. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Man Booker Prize 2015: Here are the authors who made the shortlist

Marlon James, the author of 'A Brief History of Seven Killings,' is the first Jamaican author to have his or her work make it to the finals. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-09-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A manifesto: Ten commandments for authors

"For many years, I've had the classic problem of being able to wallpaper my apartment with all the rejection letters I've received." Thus, Teymour Shahabi in New York says in the first of a series of videos on his site, he has decided to "experiment with some of the new ways people are... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Self-Published Authors Can Go Global

The Frankfurt Book Fair and Publishing Perspectives offer a full-day program in October on international opportunities for self-published authors. The post How Self-Published Authors Can Go Global appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Income for US authors falls below federal poverty line – survey

Authors Guild says median income for members has fallen 24% in five years, with piracy, Amazon and publishing economies contributing to slump in earningsThe earnings of more than half of American authors fell below the US federal poverty level last year, according to a survey from the Authors... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-09-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air September 14, 2015: Bethany McLean

Bethany McLean, author of 'Shaky Ground: The Strange Saga of the U.S. Mortgage Giants' (Columbia Global Reports, 9780990976301), will appear on NPR's 'Marketplace' on Monday, September 14. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Linghams Bookshop sold to new owners

Linghams Bookshop in Heswall (Merseyside) has been bought by new owners Sue Porter and Mike King. The 2013 Bookseller Industry Awards’ Independent Bookshop of the Year was put up for sale last September by its owners Eleanor and Peter Davies, who had decided the time was right to retire. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lost in Translation: Author Reveals the Importance of Grammar in the Bible

Aviya Kushner traces the Bible's translations back to its original Hebrew, uncovering multiple meanings behind well-known passages in her book 'The Grammar of God.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Second Case Against Author Solutions Is Dismissed

The dismissal of the fraud class action suit against Author Solutions ends two years of litigation against the self-publishing service. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New Guild Survey Reveals Majority of Authors Earn Below Poverty Line

In its first study on author income since 2009, the Authors Guild delivers some jarring, if unsurprising, data. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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IPA condemns attacks on bookshops in Turkey

The International Publishers Association (IPA) has said it is "appalled" at recent attacks on newspaper offices and a bookshop in Turkey, and has called on the Turkish government to do more to take action to "stem the tide of assaults". The group said the violence was politically motivated, and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Icelandic Author Prompts Global Campaigns to Take in Syrian Refugees

Icelandic author Bryndis Bjorgvinsdottir's Facebook initiative urging Iceland to accept Syrian refugees has prompted similar campaigns across the globe. The post Icelandic Author Prompts Global Campaigns to Take in Syrian Refugees appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Are So Many Women Perfectionists? Christian Author Blames Social Media

Amy Carroll examines perfectionism and encourages readers to question their motives in her book 'Breaking Up with Perfect.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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