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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Pullman: 'Amazon investigation should include author earnings'

Philip Pullman has warned that the European Commission should consider falling author income as part of its investigation into Amazon's ebook business. The author warned The Bookseller that the investigation, announced yesterday (11th June), was failing to take the role of the author into... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ALA 2015: Comics: Not Just for Kids

At libraries across the U.S., comics and graphic novel collections have shown strong, well-documented growth among children and teens over the last decade. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Helping Small Newsrooms With Tutorials for Growing Revenues

I started the year with a problem: small news organizations don’t have enough time to keep their digital publishing and ad sales practices up to date. This is how I started to develop a solution.    At the end of January 2015, I b ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2015-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In Europe, VAT Changes Hit Self-Published Authors

Changes in VAT designed to force Amazon to pay higher tax rates is complicating direct sales for self-published authors, potentially strengthening Amazon. The post In Europe, VAT Changes Hit Self-Published Authors appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New Novel From 'The Shack' Author Among Spirituality and Religion Highlights at BEA

A new novel from 'The Shack' author and debuting imprints at HarperOne and New World Library gave publishers lots to talk about. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Syrians Open New Arabic and Multilingual Bookshop in Istanbul

The displaced owners of Syria's Bright Fingers Publishing House are opening Pages, a new Arabic and multilingual bookstore in Istanbul, this week. The post Syrians Open New Arabic and Multilingual Bookshop in Istanbul appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Vt. Author Teams Up with Local Bookstores to Promote Serial E-novel

When children's author Michael Daley decided to self-publish his YA race car thriller as a six-installment serial, he turned to area bookstores for help. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New app compares Amazon price with indie bookshops

Entrepreneur Will Cookson has developed an app which sends people to independent bookshops when they browse on the Amazon website. Cookson, who describes himself as an entrepreneur and creative director, has invented Bookindy, an extension for the Google Chrome browser which, when downloaded,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon launches kids subscription service and tablet

Amazon UK has launched a subscription service for children that includes ebooks, educational apps, videos and games. The company has launched the service at the same time as revealing a new Amazon Fire Tablet aimed at children, priced £119 and upwards.  The subscription service called Fire for... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air June 5, 2015: Jesse Goolsby

Jesse Goolsby, author of 'I'd Walk with My Friends If I Could Find Them' (HMH, 9780544380981), will appear on NPR’s 'Weekend All Things Considered' on Sunday, June 7. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon 2015: 'Paper Towns' Cast and Director Reunite with John Green

Although BookCon 2015 featured appearances galore by Hollywood celebrities, the Paper Towns panel on Saturday evening surely was the highlight of this year's literary fanfest for the raucous crowd of 2,250 that filled the enormous Special Events hall. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New Bookindy app helps bookshops fight back against Amazon

Type in a book you’d like to read, and the app will compare the Amazon price with nearby independent book shops – in the hope you’ll go and buy thereIndependent booksellers have launched a new weapon in their two-pronged offensive against online retailers such as Amazon and the supermarket... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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#FiftyShades: E.L. James' latest book: How authors keep their franchises fresh (+video)

#FiftyShades: 'Fifty Shades of Grey' writer E.L. James recently announced she's releasing a new version of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' that will be told from character Christian's point of view. Some authors choose to focus on different characters for new books, while others opt for all-new... Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2015: Spotlight on African-American Children's Authors and Illustrators

Illustrators gathered on Thursday to talk about promoting children's books by African-Americans, and about striving toward a future where readers, writers, and publishers do not feel confined or limited by labels. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Fair Contract Initiative' from Authors Guild

The Authors Guild of America has launched a Fair Contract Initiative to “address the major inequities in many boilerplate contract terms today” and educate authors on what terms they can negotiate on. The initiative, announced on Friday (28th May) at BEA, aims to “restore balance to the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2015: Kids' Comics On the Rise

Sales of comics for kids and YA readers continue to grow in the book trade along with the number and variety of kids comics on display from such publishers as Andrew McMeel, Papercutz, Toon Books, Scholastic and others. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon 2015: Bestselling Authors Feel the Power of Grassroots

Three bestselling authors discussed how book clubs have helped propel their careers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon 2015: YA Authors: We’re All Hungry for Diversity

As anyone knows who’s read anything by the five authors on today’s diversity panel, none has ever shied away from controversy. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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James Patterson launches Hachette US kids' imprint

At Book Expo America in New York today (Friday 29th May), Hachette Book Group c.e.o. Michael Pietsch, Little, Brown publisher Reagan Arthur, and bestselling author James Patterson are announcing the launch of “jimmy patterson,” a children’s imprint which "aims to save lives" by making kids into... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2015: Kids Only on the Uptown Stage

For the third year running, children’s book creators will take over an author’s stage for an entire day, and devotees of books for young readers will be happy to learn that today is that day. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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