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

Other news stories related to: "Diary of a small town sensation: how the Wimpy Kid author built his dream bookshop"


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 ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #helped propel #book clubs


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 ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #diversity panel #ya authors


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 ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #lifelong readers #save lives #michael pietsch


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 ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #young readers #book creators #year running #entire day #uptown stage


BEA 2015: At the Kids’ Breakfast Table

Guests at this morning’s annual Children’s Book and Author Breakfast will be entertained by a quartet of children’s book creators. The lineup is impressive: Nathan Lane, Oliver Jeffers, Rainbow Rowell, and James Patterson. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #james patterson #rainbow rowell #oliver jeffers #author breakfast #book creators #annual children


BEA debates 'power shift' to authors and readers

The theme of the International Digital Publishing Forum conference on day one at Book Expo in New York was “Putting Readers First,” but whether power has shifted from publishers and retailers to readers - asserted in a keynote by Canelo Publishing’s Michael Bhaskar - was quickly challenged by... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #canelo publishing #book expo #richard charkin #putting readers


Authors Guild Announces 'Fair Contract' Initiative

At this year's BookExpo America, the Authors Guild is rolling out its Fair Contract Initiative, a series of commentaries it will publish in the coming months that take a "fresh look at the standard book publishing contract." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #coming months #authors guild #bookexpo america


'Hashtag' crowned kids' 'word of the year'

Oxford University Press has chosen hashtag as its ‘children’s word of the year’ because of its significant use in the 500 Words 2015 competition. The 500 Words competition was launched by presenter Chris Evans on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show in 2011, and is for stories of 500 words or less by... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


BEA 2015: Town Hall Forum: ‘Change Is Good’

BEA show director Steve Rosato responded to questions about this year’s midweek BEA conference, and noted, “Obviously this year was a lot different. We learned that the consumer piece doesn’t mix with the trade piece. Change is good.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


BEA 2015: A Resource Hub for Indie Authors

Writing can be a lonely endeavor, and self-publishing—without the support of a major house—can be even lonelier. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #indie authors


America's Test Kitchen Goes Small with 100 Essential Recipes

America's Test Kitchen hopes to give home chefs a better option than the "excess" of online recipes with its big Christmas book, '100 Recipes: The Absolute Best Ways to Make the True Essentials.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #test kitchen


Authors on the Air May 26, 2015: Kara Richardson Whitely

Kara Richardson Whitely, author of 'Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds' (Seal Press, 9781580055598), will appear on 'Good Morning America' on Wednesday, May 27. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #seal press


Korean Kid’s Poem About Eating Mom Prompts Pulped Book

South Korean publisher Chulganil is recalling copies of a book of children's writing that features a poem by a 10-year-old about matricide. The post Korean Kid’s Poem About Eating Mom Prompts Pulped Book appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Single page of notes wins SF author John Scalzi $3.4m deal

Publisher Tor says ‘we’d be nuts to decline’ 13-book contract, which will include three young adult novels alongside next instalments of Old Man’s War seriesAmerican science fiction author John Scalzi has signed a 10-year, 13-book deal with publishers Tor, which will net him $3.4m (£2.2m).Scalzi... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Authors on the Air May 22, 2015: Sarai Walker

Sarai Walker, author of 'Dietland' (HMH, 9780544373433), will appear on NPR's 'Weekend Edition' on Saturday, May 23. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #weekend edition #sarai walker


Author Annie Stone on Marketing: Just Be a Nice Person

German self-published author Annie Stone advises writers to focus on fan engagement and being a nice, approachable person, than straight forward marketing. The post Author Annie Stone on Marketing: Just Be a Nice Person appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Pronoun: Re-branded Vook Promises Authors 100% Royalties

Venerable digital publishing platform Vook is no longer, but has been re-imagined and rebranded as Pronoun — a company that will offer 100% royalties. The post Pronoun: Re-branded Vook Promises Authors 100% Royalties appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Foreign authors warned about book censorship in China

Books translated for the fast-growing Chinese market may be censored without their authors’ knowledge, a writers’ advocacy group reportsA US-based advocacy group is warning Western authors to be vigilant about censorship of their work, which is sometimes done without their knowledge, in China’s... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #political sensitivities #foreign books #books translated


Epic! Adds Macmillan Kids’ E-books

Epic!, an ebook subscription service for kids, is adding titles from another Big Five publisher to its inventory of 10,000 ebooks. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #adding titles


HarperFiction signs Impulse authors

HarperFiction has signed two new deals with writers discovered through its digital-first HarperImpulse programme. Debbie Johnson and Carmel Harrington were both originally published by HarperImpulse, which digitally published romantic fiction. Johnson has seen success with Cold Feet at... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #originally published