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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Authors on the Air May 12, 2015: Cookie Monster

'Sesame Street's' Cookie Monster will appear on 'Rachael Ray' on Tuesday, May 12 to promote 'Sesame Street Let's Cook' (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780544454361). Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jordan’s Jamalon: The “Arab Amazon” Built on Cash-On-Delivery

Jordanian online bookseller Jamalon solves distribution and delivery in the Arab world by offering cash-on-delivery services. The post Jordan’s Jamalon: The “Arab Amazon” Built on Cash-On-Delivery appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers prepare Independent Bookshop Week exclusives

Deals on Picador Classics, exclusive editions published by Macmillan and money off Hachette Children’s Books series are among the promotions being offered to indies in celebration of Independent Bookshop Week (IBW). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dreams From My Mother

Of all the reactions to the viral video of a woman pummeling and verbally abusing her teenage son during the Baltimore uprisings, one stood out above the rest: an essay in the New York Times that used the video as fodder for explaining “What Black Moms Know” and why we are superior parents.... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2015-05-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 7, 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 MSNBC TV’s 'Andrea Mitchell Reports' on Thursday, May 7. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air: Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez, author of 'Pedro' (HMH, 9780544279339), will appear on NBC's 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' on Tuesday, May 5. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sharjah Book Authority to Offer Regional Printing, Distribution

In the UAE, the new Sharjah Book Authority will offer printing services to regional publishers, as well as offer distribution, research and events. The post Sharjah Book Authority to Offer Regional Printing, Distribution appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon petition couple sell bookshops

A couple who were splashed across the national press when they delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street calling on Amazon to pay corporation tax in the UK have sold their two bookshops. Keith and Frances Smith who owned Warwick Books and Kenilworth Books have sold both the indies to new owners... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Summer fun for kids at Foyles

Foyles is planning a "Summer of Fun" children’s festival, featuring events with favourite characters such as Alice in Wonderland, Star Wars and Aardman’s Shaun the Sheep. The festival will take place during 25th July-30th August at Foyles stores across London and Bristol. Themes of art,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Self-Publishing Day: German Indie Authors Unite

The second annual Self-Publishing Day in Münster, Germany, brought together authors, distributors and bestselling self-publishers like Poppy J. Anderson. The post Self-Publishing Day: German Indie Authors Unite appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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House of Illustration works with Curved House Kids

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[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors rail against Green copyright proposals

Authors are protesting against a Green Party proposal to reduce the length of copyright terms to a maximum of 14 years. The UK copyright term is currently set at the life of the author plus 70 years, but in the "Intellectual Property" section of a policy statement the Green Party says it wants... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers Applaud Removal of Sanctions on Syrian Authors

At the urging of a coalition of publishers, regulations prohibiting American publishers from working with authors in the war-torn region was recently lifted, under a general license. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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With New Film, 'Diary of a Teenage Girl' Gets New Edition

First published 13 years ago, Phoebe Gloeckner’s acclaimed graphic novel 'Diary of a Teenage Girl' is getting a new, revised edition in anticipation of the August release of an independent film based on the book. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors withdraw from Hugo Awards

Two authors and a fanzine have withdrawn their work from the Hugo science fiction awards, claiming alleged right-wing activists are skewing the voting process. The annual awards honour the best science fiction and fantasy works and achievements of the previous year across a number of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air April 21, 2015: Melissa and Dallas Hartwig

Melissa and Dallas Hartwig, authors of 'The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom' (HMH, 9780544609716) will appear on the 'Today' show on Tuesday, April 21. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Just As Sweet: 'Flour' Author Bakes With Less Sugar

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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First Bookstore Dedicated to Self-Published Authors Opens in Florida

Frustrated by a lack of opportunity for indie authors to showcase their work, two Florida writers open a bookstore of their own. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hyde Park for kids

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[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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